Turkey Discovered 14 Days | Starts/Ends: Istanbul

TRIP NOTES

Discover the best of Turkey on a discover astonishing scenes of natural • Entrance Fees: USD$120-140pp, paid in captivating two-week adventure. beauty local currency • • From the bustling bazaars of Safranbolu - Weave around the cobbled International flights and visa streets and spot the Ottoman architecture • Tip for your tour guide and driver. We Istanbul to the thermal pools of recommend you allow USD$5 - 7 per day, Pamukkale. From the fairytale What's Included per traveller as a tip for your guide and views of Cappadocia to the ancient • Breakfast daily and 8 dinners USD$2 per day for your driver. Tipping ruins of Troy. In the land where East • 12 nights 4-5 star hotels and 1 night in an your guide and driver is an entirely meets West, we'll take you on a Ottoman Mansion home personal gesture journey you'll never forget. • Guided sightseeing - Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ruins of Ephesus, Pergamum, COVID SAFE GUIDE Sirince, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Koycegiz, HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Kayakoy, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia and DETAILED ITINERARY Safranbolu Trip Highlights • Koycegiz Lake cruise and mud bath Day 1 : Meet Istanbul • Cappadocia - Explore the spectacular experience Saturday. Welcome to Turkey! Arrive at landscapes, villages and valleys of this • Wine tasting in Sirince Istanbul airport and there's an included extraordinary national treasure • Ferry crossing of the Dardanelles transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the • Istanbul - Immerse yourself in the lively • Canyon walk and tubing (optional) around afternoon offers free time for you to relax streets teeming with bazaars and Saklikent Gorge or explore. At 8 o clock this evening our mosques • Escorted by an English speaking, degree tip filled welcome meeting takes place. A • Konya - Travel the Silk Road and discover qualified Turkish tour guides great opportunity to meet your tour guide and the magic of the Mevlana Whirling • Airport arrival transfer on day 1 of tour travelling companions before our exciting 14 Dervish Museum and departure transfer (to Istanbul day adventure gets under way. Overnight - • Gallipoli Peninsula - Pay your respects International Airport) at 9am and 1pm only Istanbul at some of the memorials, trenches, and on day 14 battlefields of WW1 • All relevant transfers and transportation in • Ancient ruins - Roam around Roman relics private, modern air-conditioned vehicles in Ephesus, Pergamum, Antalya, and Troy • Thermal pools - Bask in the natural What's Not Included springs amongst the white cliffs of • Tipping Kitty: USD$45pp, paid in local Pamukkale currency • Spectacular scenery - From the beautiful Blue Lagoon to picturesque Fethiye,

Turkey Discovered - 14 Days updated on 30-09-2021 10:23:39 www.onthegotours.com This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday. Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to UK 020 7371 1113 [email protected] this itinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa AUS 1300 855 684 [email protected] requirements are subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours. NZ 0800 44 77 69 CAN 1 866 890 7038 - 1 - USA 1 866 606 2960 SA 0800 990 311 TRIP NOTES

Turkey Discovered

Day 2 : Sightseeing in the city Istanbul – Gallipoli. Today, we travel tothe WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli. Here, we’ll Driving further south to the ancient ruins embark upon a guided tour of the region, of Pergamum, we’ll enjoy a guided tour. once the site of fierce fighting and today Home to one of the steepest, vertigo - almost hauntingly beautiful, with its wooded inducing amphitheatres in the classical world, landscape dotted with understated memorials Pergamum was also famous for its asclepion to the war dead. (medical centre). See the Temple of Trajan and of course the Library, which in its time was Our guided tour of the region will take in sights said to rival the library in ancient Alexandria. such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian We continue to Kusadasi on the Aegean War Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair Coast. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D) Istanbul. After a good night’s rest and New Zealand War Memorial and cemetery, breakfast, we meet all our tour group the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many Day 5 : Roman relics and members (as some may have arrived fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst Greek villages overnight) in the hotel lobby. At this point in the scrub after all these years. Roughly 3 time all entrance fees and your tip kitty will feet deep, the system of trenches provided be collected. Shortly after we depart for a much need safe cover for troops as they classic guided tour of the only city to span two desperately fought the enemy. continents. The Bosphorus stretches out in Crossing the Dardenelles by ferry (offering front of the old city known as Sultanahmet and panoramic views of the entire Gallipoli is the strait of water that divides the continents Peninsular) we proceed to our hotel for a little of Europe and Asia, both of which the city of rest and relaxation. Overnight - Canakkale (B, Istanbul straddles. Touring the heart of the Old D) City from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Kusadasi - Sirince. Today, we enjoy a Empires were ruled, we’ll view some amazing Day 4 : The Trojan Horse and guided tour of the legendary Roman ruins sights. See the Blue Mosque (opening subject ancient ruins of Ephesus. Positively the best preserved to prayer times) which faces the Hagia Sofia classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, and is famed for it’s blue Iznik tiles and unique Ephesus, under the Romans, was a vast 6 minarets and the ruinous Hippodrome – city with a population nearing 250,000 and now a small park of sorts and once scene became the Roman Capital of Asia Minor. It of chariot races and political activities in revelled in it's prosperity from commerce and Byzantine times and the Hagia Sofia Museum visiting pilgrims who came to see the great - constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient by Emperor Justinian. Just around the corner Wonders. Exemplifying the finesse of Roman is the stunning Topkapi Palace where we urban life, Ephesus boasts carefully restored spend time exploring the grounds and various elements including a Great Theatre, Curetes museums contained within the Palace walls. Gallipoli Region - Kusadasi. This morning we Way, the Temple of Serapis and the Library of Tonight is free for you to explore or simply enjoy a short guided tour of Troy! If you’ve Celsus. Stop by the ancient public toilets and relax at our hotel. Overnight - Istanbul (B) seen the movie – ‘Troy’ or read the poet public brothel! Homer’s – ‘The Iliad’ you’ll be familiar with Day 3 : ANZAC Cove and Paris – Prince of Troy, his prized Helen and Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey battlefields Hector – Prince of Troy on the Trojan side and after we stop to watch a demonstration and Agamemnon and Achilles (he of the heel) of how they are made before visiting the on the Aechaean (Greek) side. The legend quaint Greek village of Sirince peached of the lost city of Troy and Homer’s poetry mountainside within a valley of vineyards and was bought alive by it’s rediscovery in 1863. orchards. Overnight - Kusadasi (B, D) Subsequent excavations revealed 9 ancient cities, one on top of the other, dating back to 3000 BC! We enjoy a tour of the ruins and bear witness to a replica of the stoic Trojan wooden horse that as the story goes, was filled to the gunnels with Aechaean soldiers who helped sack Troy.

Turkey Discovered

Day 6 : Hot springs of resort town which is home to the beautiful Cappadocia. Today we tour the stunning Pamukkale Blue Lagoon. Here you'll have the opportunity Cappadocia region - an extraordinary national to enjoy a swim before travelling back to treasure. The utter improbability of the neighbouring Fethiye. seemingly surreal landscapes have to Overnight - Fethiye (B) be seen to be believed, where whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches Day 9 : Saklikent Gorge and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, Fethiye - Antalya. This morning we depart porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia. Fethiye and continue along the stunning Mediterranean coast to Demre. In Demre, A guided tour of the region includes the World we'll board a boat and make our way to – Heritage listed site of the Göreme Valley to the partially sunken city of Kekova, taking in see stunning examples of rock-cut Byzantine churches and chapels, Kaymaki Underground Kusadasi – Pamukkale. Meandering through the ruins of this once flourishing city. (If the City and Uchisar Castle. Stopping on the the sweeping plains and endless cotton weather does not allow us to take to the water outskirts of Goreme Village we have the farms we arrive at the ruins of Roman we will visit the church of St Nicholas instead). opportunity to see Pigeon Valley where Hieropolis and the hot springs of Pamakkule. Returning back to Demre, we'll continue to century’s old pigeon houses are carved into Admire this surreal landscape created by Antalya where we'll enjoy dinner at our hotel. the surrounding cliffs, the pigeon droppings frequent earthquakes in the fault depression Overnight - Antalya (B, D) that litter the area have been used as fertilizer of the Menderes river basin. Marvel at the on crops for generations. Here you will crystalline marble, quartzites and stalagtites, Day 10 : Whirling Dervishes also have the opportunity to visit an Onyx which shimmer in the sunlight. There will be shop, specialising in historic jewellery designs time to paddle our feet as you walk the unique to Turkey and using local materials terraces or opt for a dip in the Thermal Bath and craftsmen. For those not interested in House (at an additional cost). Later we stop shopping spend a little time relaxing and grab at a leather manufacturing house. Overnight a drink from the local cafe. An optional Turkish - Pamukkale (B, D) dinner and folklore evening is available Day 7 : Turtle Beach and tonight. Overnight - Cappadocia (B) Turquoise Coast Day 12 : Ottoman Royalty Arriving at the lakeside town of Koycegiz, we Antalya – Cappadocia. Early morning Cappadocia - Safranbolu. Opt for an early embark on a boat cruise to Turtle Beach. Opt departure for Konya, en route we visit the morning hot air balloon flight over lunar to cover yourself in mud at the local mud bath ancient theatre of Aspendos. Arriving at landscape. Today we head to the World before we continue our journey to Fethiye, Konya, we tour the monastery of the Mevlana Heritage Listed town of Safranbolu. The a charming port town on Turkey’s Turquoise whirling dervishes and the mausoleum of town boasts many graceful Ottoman homes, Coast. Fringed by the Taurus Mountains, this Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi. A further stop is once the residences of royalty and artisan is where we'll spend the next two nights. made along the Silk Road at the Seljuk - a fine work shops crafting traditional Turkish wares. Overnight - Fethiye (B, D) example of an ancient Silk Road caravanserai. Tonight we stay in an Ottoman mansion home. Day 8 : Blue Lagoon Overnight - Cappadocia (B, D) Overnight - Safranbolu (B, D) Day 11 : Captivating Day 13 : The Grand Bazaar Cappadocia

Fethiye - Kayakoy Greek village - Oludeniz - Fethiye. After breakfast today we explore Safranbolu - Istanbul. This morning we embark the quaint Greek village of Kayakoy. This on a walking tour of the old town before afternoon we drive to Oludeniz, a popular

Turkey Discovered returning to Istanbul with an afternoon visit to hotel is also fantastically located within a 10- Complete with both indoor and outdoor the Grand Bazaar. Overnight - Istanbul (B) minute walk of the Grand Bazaar and Old pools, the Doga Thermal Hotel is a modern Town in the Bayazit area in the European hotel with excellent amenities. Guest rooms Day 14 : Istanbul side of Istanbul. are bright and spacious with wonderful en Friday. Today we say goodbye to our suite facilities. There is complimentary Wi-Fi new friends and our tour concludes after offered throughout and a sumptuous buffet breakfast. Complimentary departure transfers served for breakfast and dinner. The spa are offered to Istanbul International Airport at facilities on offer include sauna, Turkish bath, 9am and 1pm.(B) hot spring bath, massage treatments and a fittness centre. HOTELS Kolin Hotel Highlighted below are some of the hotels which we frequently use on this tour, though Looking out across the Dardanelles, the we reserve the right to substitute these modern and bright Kolin Hotel offers well hotels to ones of a similar standard. appointed rooms with hard wood flooring Please refer to your Tour Voucher for your and tasteful decor. The hotel also boasts a luxury spa, wellness centre and a number confirmed arrival hotel and further arrival Marina Boutique information. of mouth watering restaurants all set within perfectly manicured lawns. Sipping a Thanks to its delightful marina setting, Point Hotel Taksim sundowner on the roof bar, overlooking the the Marina Boutique offers picturesque Well-located just a short walk from the beautiful strait, is the perfect way to end views over the Bay of Fethiye. Its stylish nearest Metro station, this modern hotel the day. The hotel is located on the water’s guestrooms open out onto private balconies is a great base for exploring the sights of edge a short drive from the town centre with with sea views and feature marble Istanbul. Light and spacious guestrooms beautiful views out to sea. bathrooms. They also provide free WiFi offer air conditioning and free high speed as well all the other modern amenities WiFi. There’s also a indoor pool, spa you’d need to enjoy your stay. The hotel is facilities and a fitness centre. Guests can surrounded by Mediterranean gardens with a enjoy a choice of eateries, including an refreshing outdoor pool and bar. Guests can authentic Japanese Restaurant and two enjoy the daily breakfast buffet in the onsite café bars. However, this hotel’s highlight is restaurant, which serves delicious regional the top-floor View Point Restaurant, which food from the Mugla Province. Set on the boasts delicious Turkish and world cuisine Charisma Hotel beautiful waterfront, you’re sure to take the alongside sweeping views of the Bosporus option of outdoor dining so you can soak up The Charisma is a modern and elegant Strait. the views with your meal. hotel with spacious rooms. The rooms are equipped with jacuzzi, LCD screen television, split air conditioning, mini-bar, electronic safe box, hairdryer and free internet connection. Towering over the Aegean Sea's outstanding view, the Hotel is just 15 minutes by walk from Kuşadasş's shopping and entertainment area. Kent Hotel Best Western Khan Hotel The charming Kent Hotel is a great example Modern and elegant, the Best Western of contemporary design and a friendly Khan has good sized rooms with en suites atmosphere. Guest rooms are superbly and a range of modern amenities, and free equipped with modern facilities including Wi- transportation to Konyaaltş, one of the most Fi connectivity, state of the art technology beautiful beaches in Antalya. A breakfast and bright marbled bathrooms. Enjoying buffet iserved in the hotel's restaurant on a a delicious Turkish meal at the in house Pamukkale Doga Thermal daily basis and various Turkish delicacies Calcedoine Restaurant after a hard days Hotel can be found here as well. The hotel also sightseeing is highly recommended. The has a pool and fitness centre. The hotel is

Turkey Discovered located in the city centre, within easy walking provide evidence of vaccination to travel at distance of the Old Town and Marina. this time.

If you are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide supporting documentation from a Please note medical professional. Travellers on this tour will be a combination Crowne Plaza Nevsehir of those booking with On The Go Tours Proof of COVID-19 immunisation must and Global Travel. The tour group will depart be provided to us no less than Situated only 15 minutes from the UNESCO as one and all touring arrangements will be 4 weeks prior to travel. We accept World Heritage-listed site of Goreme, this conducted together. COVID-19 digital certificates, NHS Covid modern hotel boasts an excellent location Pass or Vaccination Record Cards e- in Cappadocia. Its guestrooms are located Domestic flights - Baggage mailed to [email protected] or you in quiet zones to ensure you have a restful can upload your vaccination history sleep and offer modern amenities including allowance yourself via our traveller login. https:// free WiFi so you can stay connected to If you have upgrade and opted to travel www.onthegotours.com/Login friends and family back home. Guests back to Istanbul via domestic flight, please be mindful that the free baggage allowance for can unwind in the indoor pool or book a The information you will need to upload Economy Class travel on flights within Turkey revitalizing treatment at the onsite spa includes: Administering national authority or is generally 15 or 20kg (varying by airline) centre. A rich breakfast is served in the government, document No, name of Vaccine, with 5 - 7kg for hand luggage. Additional Gurme Restaurant, then for dinner head to date/s of vaccination. the a la carte Manzara Roof Restaurant on weight is charged per kilo and varies between the top floor for some delicious international airlines. Please ensure that you check these Welcome to Turkey - Pre cuisine. requirements prior to travel, if travelling with more. accom & arrival transfer If you would like to arrive into Turkey prior to KNOW BEFORE YOU GO your tour or stay on longer, we can arrange pre or post tour accommodation for you. COVID-19 Vaccination Pre/post tour accommodation is located at Requirements the hotel your tour commences/ends and is inclusive of breakfast. As of 01 November 2021 it is a condition of şmren Lokum travel, as detailed in our Terms & Conditions If arriving on day 1 of a holiday or booking that all travellers over 18 years provide proof pre-tour accommodation with us on a tour Situated in Safranbolu, Imren Lokum is styled of COVID-19 vaccination. that includes an airport arrival transfer (as after the traditional houses of the region. indicated in the 'What's Included' section of Surrounded by historical and natural beauty, We recognise any vaccine that has been these trip notes) we will be at the airport this hotel offers its guests a comfortable stay authorised for use in the country where (Istanbul or Sahiba Gokcen), ready to transfer in rooms equipped with modern amenities the vaccine was administered. This includes you to your hotel. including free WiFi and 24-hour room vaccines such as AstraZeneca, Covaxin, service. A complimentary full breakfast with Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer- If arriving prior to 8am on day 1 (essentially local specialties is served each morning and BioNtech, Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik. on a flight that arrives very, very early in the the restaurant also offers a lunch and dinner morning) you will need to purchase a night of In all instances, you must be fully immunised. menu. In the evenings, guests can relax in pre-tour accommodation to save you waiting This means you must receive the full dosage the lounge bar or take a drink to the outdoor until standard hotel check in time, which is of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow a minimum seating in the garden. generally 2pm. of 14 days before travelling in order for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 ARRIVING INTO ISTANBUL AIRPORT vaccine has different dosages and timeframes Upon arrival to Istanbul International Airport for immunisation, so please check the related please proceed to the Arrival Hall. Upon medical advice associated with your vaccine. entering the Arrival Hall turn LEFT. Here, you Children under 18 years are not required to will need to look for your name on one of the electronic screens located in the arrivals

Turkey Discovered hall. Our representative will be located near to per day for your driver. Tipping your guide and Turkey health requirements the screen with your name on. Please present driver is an entirely personal gesture. and water your tour voucher to our representative when You should seek medical advice before you meet them. Groups & time keeping travelling to Turkey from your local health SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT Some of our group tours are sectors of a larger practitioner and ensure that you receive all If arriving into Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen tour. Some travellers on your trip may only the appropriate vaccinations. The tap water in International Airport, an additional 50km from travel with you for part of your tour. It also Turkey is generally considered safe to drink, the Istanbul city centre. Please be timely in might be that you end your holiday part way but as a precaution against stomach upsets exiting customs and in meeting our awaiting through a longer tour and others in the group you may want to drink bottled mineral water, representative, who will be holding an On The continue on. which is readily available from shops, hotels Go tours sign. and restaurants. In order that we show the best of Turkey in a If, for any reason you have trouble locating non-hurried fashion to you, it is imperative you Essential packing our representative (after waiting 20 minutes are ready for departure each day. Please do Please check local temperatures so in the arrival hall) or your flight to Turkey is not delay and inconvenience fellow travellers. you can pack accordingly. Visit delayed, please call or send a text message It is your responsibility to be at the proposed www.worldclimate.com (standard text message, not Messenger or meeting point for the group in time. We will • A small daypack for your day-to-day needs WhatsApp) to the emergency contact number depart at our specified times. • Tour Voucher and a copy of your travel as stated on your Tour Voucher. Departure transfer insurance policy, spare passport photos and a Entrance fees We offer complimentary departure transfers photocopy of your passport On group tours, entrance fees to tourist sites to Istanbul Airport at 9am and 1pm on the final • Universal travel adaptor are not included in our tour price. Funds will day of the following tours: Turkey Discovered, • Spare camera batteries/memory card so you be collected in Turkey (and Egypt if travelling Turkey Unplugged, Turkey and Tutankhamun can go snap happy on one of our combo tours) for your entrance (day 7 for our Turkey & Tutankhamen tour). • Take out some Turkish Lira from the ATM fees, that are payable in local currency - facilities at the airport upon arrival Christmas Turkey: A departure transfer is Turkish Lira and Egyptian Pounds and will be • Buy a phrasebook and practice locally offered on the final day of your tour at any collected by your tour guide. You will find • Keep a supply of small Turkish Lira notes for time. the cost of entrance fees noted under 'What's local transactions Should you require a departure transfer at any Not Included' on page 1 of this document. other time or to Sabiha Gokcen Airport, this Entrance fee amounts do change, therefore can be booked in advance or locally. It's not like home upon arrival in Turkey your tour leader will Travelling to far–flung corners of the earth outline the exact total of your entrance fees Turkey Country Guide often involves encountering lifestyles and and collect this amount in Turkish Lira on day conditions that are very different from 2 of your tour. A breakdown of these costs is Visas and passports what you are used to back home. As available upon request from your guide. Visa requirements are subject to change and such it is important to come prepared for visa procurement is the responsibility of the unusual situations, local inadequacies and Tipping kitty traveller and not On The Go Tours. Please also unpredictable events as and when they occur. It is customary to tip in Turkey. At the start ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 Foreign travel is definitely not suitable for of your tour we collect a small tipping kitty months from your planned date of departure people who expect everything to go exactly from all tour participants (the amount is noted from Turkey. as planned, as things can and do change in under exclusions on page 1 of this document) foreign countries. The people, customs, creed to cover tips en-route (to be paid in Turkish After booking your holiday, please provide and languages are different from one region Lira). This saves you the hassle of when and us with your passport details as soon to the next. how much to tip bellhops, luggage handlers, as possible so that we can proceed to Please visit www.onthegotours.com/Turkey/ waiters, your airport representative and other book all services. Please be advised visa Travel-tips-and-useful-info for local customs, support staff throughout your tour. requirements are subject to change, therefore it is essential that you check current currency, WiFi and other helpful information to This tipping kitty does not include a tip for visa requirements with the embassy before prepare you for an enjoyable holiday. your tour guide - for a job well done! We travel. For information about visas, head to recommend you allow USD$5 - 7 per day, per www.onthegotours.com/Turkey/Visas Shopping Turkey is a virtual Aladdin’s Cave. The traveller as a tip for your guide and $2 USD Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is cavernous

Turkey Discovered and full of unusual and everyday objects. at your own discretion. Please make sure that 2020: 1, 2, 3 Aug / 29 Oct Known locally as Kapali Carsi – the you are completely happy with your purchase. 2021: 1 Jan / 13, 14, 15 May / 20, 21, 22, 23 Jul / Grand Bazaar in Istanbul’s Old City is a On The Go cannot be held responsible for 29 Oct massive conglomeration of shops (some any items that you buy if they fail to meet 4000) divided into areas specialising in expectation, or any shipping arrangements. Blue Mosque renovations gold, carpets, leather, souvenirs and clothing. Proceed with caution. The Blue Mosque (also known as Sultanahmet Turkish handicrafts include a rich variety of Camii in Turkish) is currently undergoing textiles and embroideries, articles of copper, What to expect and Ramadan renovations and for the foreseeable future onyx and tile, mother-of-pearl, inlaid articles, Ramazan dates: 13 April - 12 May 2021 there will be scaffolding erected inside and leather and suede products. Jewellery, (approx). The month of Ramazan (Ramadan), other construction works will be taking place. carpets and kilims represent top buys at the the ninth of the Islamic calendar, is a great Whilst we will visit the inside of the Blue bazaar. Opening hours: Mon to Sat 0900 – time to travel in the region as you get a real Mosque when included on a tour, please be 1900hrs (closed Sunday). insight into the Muslim faith. It is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds aware that some parts of the Mosque may be Carpet Buying and spending time with family and friends. off limits to tourists. Turkey is justly famous for its carpets and The fasting is intended to help teach Muslims kilims (a napless woven rug) and you’ll be self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. spoilt for choice. To ensure you get a good It also reminds them of the suffering of buy, spend time visiting several shops to the poor, who may rarely get to eat well. compare price, pattern-type and quality. A During the day, people must refrain from good quality, long-lasting carpet should be eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, 100% wool. Check the quality of the weave for so if you encounter someone who is a bit possible holes. A wool carpet will have fine, grumpy please be understanding, flexible and frizzy fibres if you turn the carpet on its back. sympathetic. As tourists you will be generally Cheaper carpets are made of cotton and most unaffected although some places may close often the fringe will be too. If you want a wool early, but your tour leader will do their best carpet and the fringe is of cotton, it’s likely the to plan around this. Most hotels bars and carpet won’t be a woollen one! The lies can be tourist restaurants will remain open. In the bigger than the fall of Ottoman Empire. Don’t evening you will experience a celebratory make the mistake of buying a cotton carpet atmosphere at iftar, when people break their at the price of a wool one! Many carpets are fast. To witness Ramazan is a real highlight made to look like antiques at prices to match. making your tour in the region that bit more interesting. Each year it begins roughly ten In the tourism industry it’s common practice days earlier than the year before, according to for commission to be offered in exchange for the Gregorian calendar. recommending particular shops or suppliers. This can become an issue when clients feel Please visit www.onthegotours.com/Turkey/ obliged to purchase. We do our best to avoid Travel-tips-and-useful-info for local customs, this by monitoring all shopping experiences currency, WiFi and other helpful information to offered. prepare you for an enjoyable holiday. All shopping experiences on your tour Turkey site opening times have been noted in the itinerary and they Popular sightseeing spot in Istanbul are been carefully selected based upon positive closed on specific days. Please plan your visit feedback from On The Go travellers. You accordingly. are under no obligation to partake in a • Topkapi Palace - Closed Tuesdays listed shopping experience and you are • Grand Bazaar - Closed Sundays most welcome to wait inside or outside the • Blue Mosque - Closed during all prayer times premises. and Friday’s until 3pm Although we only visit reputable retailers, • All museums in Turkey will open at 1pm, on please note that we cannot explicitly the 13th of May and 20th of July 2021 guarantee the quality of their products. All • The Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar are purchases made whilst on holiday with us are closed as follows: