What are the tipping guidelines for this trip? It is customary in Turkey to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (%10 of your bill). Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers would range from €15-20 per week depending on the quality of the service.
Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO (in Turkey as they are also the tour guides for any ancient sites visited ) or skipper did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline €6-8 per person, per day can be used.
What should I consider when planning my personal expenses and discretionary spending for this itinerary? Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
What activities are optional on this trip? Istanbul
- Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise
- Topkapi Palace Visit (1500TRY per person)
- Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) Visit (25EUR per person)
- Galata Tower (30EUR per person)
Göreme
- Turkish Night (75USD per person)
- Hot Air Balloon Ride (190-280EUR per person)
- Whirling Dervishes
- Turkish Bath (75EUR per person)
- Pottery Center Visit (Free)
Cappadocia
- Carpet Demonstration (Free)
Antalya
- Antalya Hammam
Pamukkale
- Hierapolis Archeological Museum (7TRY per person)
- Swim in an Ancient Pool (340TRY per person)
Selçuk
- Mosque of Isa Bey Visit (Free)
- Saint John's Basilica Visit (6EUR per person)
- Pide Lunch & Demonstration, Selcuk
Sirince
- Şirince Village Visit
Istanbul
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (10EUR per person)
- Archaeological Museum (15EUR per person)
- Dolamabahçe Palace (1200TRY per person)
- Basilica Cistern (900TRY per person)
What are the meals like on this trip? Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip.
Breakfast
Turkish breakfasts are very different from your usual cereal and toast morning fare - when was the last time you had olives for breakfast? They pretty much universally consist of large slices of fresh "french style" white bread accompanied by slices of tomato, cucumber, white and yellow cheeses, olives, jam and honey. This is accompanied by tea (which a Turk would always choose!) or coffee (which is pretty much always instant coffee)You will of course want to sample the famous Turkish coffee, but it is usually taken after a big lunch or dinner, or in the late afternoon with a pastry.While we think these breakfasts are absolutely delicious, some travellers do find them a bit repetitive and enjoy buying market fruit the day before and eating this for breakfast.
Lunches
Will usually be simple and on the run. They are a great chance to try Turkey's delicious and healthy array of "fast foods".This may include, "gozleme", a type of Turkish savory crepe, "chorba", delicious lentil soup, and of course doner kebabs in both beef and chicken varieties. You won't want to miss the chance to try "pide", Turkish pizza, and lahmucan- thin crust pizza you fold greenery intoYou may also find "kumpir", Turkish stuffed potatoes.
Dinner
Most Turks start their dinners with a couple of mezes- small taster dishes such as grilled octopus, aubergine salad, and many more. You could also choose a soup made of fresh local ingredients. Main courses tend to be based around fresh seafood if you are near the coast (expect to pay around 500 - 600 lira for a whole fish) or the ubiquitous kebab- skewers of charcoaled meat which comes on bread with salad. There are plenty of variations of the kebab; many regions have their own speciality so be sure to ask your leader.
Desserts
Yum- it's all about the sugar. Baklava (about 65 TL a piece for the good stuff) is something of a national obsession and it is believed the best comes from the East. There are endless varieties of pastries and milk-based deserts available and you are sure to spend at least some time in a Turkish bakery taste testing.
Snacks
Don't miss munching on a simit, a Turkish pretzel, or perhaps some grilled sweet corn to get you through between meals.
Drinks
Tea, served in small tulip glasses, is the number one beverage of choice in Turkey. It is freshly brewed and a tea bag is a rare thing. Turkish coffee is wonderful thing to try. The national beer is named Efes and is very good (usually 160 - 170 TL a bottle). Wine is made in Turkey and is getting better every year. Expect to pay around 250 - 300 liras for a glass in a restaurant. Water is approximately 35 TL for a 1.5 litre bottle, soft drinks and juices are around 70 - 80 TL.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo? We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Do any exceptions apply to Rooming or “My Own Room” on my tour? Night 6 local village stay.