ctc travel turkey

14Days 11Nights Turkey Summer Sensation

Turkey is one of the most extraordinary countries to visit. The country is full up with stunning natural beauty, well preserved architecture and friendly local culture. In Summer, beside the popular Pamukkale and Cappadocia, we will also visit the charming old town of Alacati and the southwestern Aegean Region of Turkey -Bodrum.

Exceptional Experiences:

• The Unspoilt charming port town of Alacati Largely undiscovered outside Turkey, Alacati is where many Turks, including several national celebrities, spend their holidays to escape the more touristy scene in Bodrum. 
• One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World  Bodrum is the site of the ancient city of Halikarnassus, the location of the famous Mausoleum of Halikarnassus - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 
• Turkey's cotton castle Pamukkale is the Aegean Region's gem, an unreal landscape, gift from the nature. The ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis, the thermal pools, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at this heritage site. 
• Visit the land of fairy tales.  Cappadocia is the land of fairy tales, mysterious and enchanting. Just some of the incredible sights waiting to be discovered here are the fairy chimneys, underground cities, hot air balloon tours on this incredible landscape.
• Unique stay at the Cappadocia Cave Resort  The only spa hotel with cave-therapy rooms overlooking the magnificent and beautiful Red Valley. The unique location offers and uninterrupted panorama highlighted by mesmerising sunrise and sunset vistas of this region.

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Day 1 : SINGAPORE - ISTANBUL (-/-/-)

Departure from Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Istanbul, the largest city and seaport of Turkey.

Day 2 : ARRIVE ISTANBUL - IZMIR - ALACATI  (-/-/-)

Upon arrival at Istanbul, meet by guide and transfer to domestic Airport to take flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, we will drive to city center. Izmir is the third largest city in Turkey with a population of around 4 million, the second biggest port after Istanbul, and a very good transport hub. The fact that almost half of its population of 4 million are under the age of 30, makes İzmir a city full of life. The city hosts tens of thousands of university students, educates scientists, artists, business leaders and academics. It is a rapidly growing city on the Central Aegean coast of Turkey.

We will have free time at Konak Square  — Main square of the city center, famous for the clock tower, one of the unique symbols of Izmir. The clock tower was built in 1901. There are also Konak Yali Mosque and Kemeraltı Bazaar located around the square.

Then see the  Historical Elevator . It was constructed by a Jewish businessman in 1907. The purpose was to help residents to go to their districts on the top of the hill. The elevator used to work by a water-driven mechanism. Later, it was restored by Izmir Municipality and now it works by electricity. There is a restaurant located on the top of the elevator with a bird-eye view of Izmir.

Next, visit Kemeraltı  — A must see big bazaar, where you can buy clothes, presents etc. There are also a lot of lounges where you can sit and enjoy the view.

Thereafter. drive to Alacatı for overnight. After check in hotel, free time at your own leisure. You may have dinner at famous home cook restaurants.

Day 3 : ALACATI (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel. Then we will do sightseeing at Alacati.

We will visit Kostem Olive Oil Museum . Kostem Olive Oil Museum is the world's largest olive oil museum, also Turkey's second industrial museum. All sections of the museum are waiting for those who are interested in olive and olive oil.

Next, visit Haralambos Church , a 19th century church built in 1832. It is one of the most famous church buildings in Çeşme which was used for Greek Orthodox worship. Out of the 75 churches from ancient times, it is the single one which managed to survive. Exhibitions, seminars and different events are held in the church throughout the summer season.

Thereafter we will visit Pazaryeri Mosque ,  Built in 1874 as Greek Orthodox church.After population exchange town was renamed Alacati and church converted to a mosque.

We will also visit Windmill Park . The ancient windmills are indispensable to the Aegean landscape in Turkey, especially around Alaçatı. The whole district was the subject of a comprehensive urban renewal project dating back to 2007. “The Alaçatı Windmills Park and Entrance Square and Promenade Project” by Turkish architects UrbAr was part of this process and foresaw the restoration of the ancient windmills.

Today tour also includes Cesme Castle and Museum.  The Cesme Castle was ordered built in 1508 by the Ottoman ruler Beyazit II. The castle was built on the waterfront but because the sea has subsequently been filled there is currently a road passing in front of it. The edifice has recently undergone a successful renovation and you will witness a typical Ottoman castle. By climbing up the stairs on either side you will reach the top where you can view a 360 degree panoramic view of Cesme. As you climb up, you will see two different courtyards where some historical artifacts and tombstones are exhibited. There are also two museums inside the castle; one of them has historical artifacts brought over from the nearby Ionian city of Erythrai (current day Ildir) and the other museum has relics from the three day naval war fought between the Ottomans and Russians.

Drive back to Hotel for overnight.

Day 4 : ALACATI - SELCUK - SIRINCE  (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel.

Thereafter, we will drive to Selcuk. Selcuk Town history dates back to the 6th century AD when the settlers moved to the vicinity of the Basilica of St. John. However, the history of settlement in Selcuk area is much older. It is inextricably linked to the ancient city of Ephesus and the cult of the goddess Artemis.

Archeological work carried out on Ayasoluk Hill showed that it was settled in the early Bronze Age (3000-2000 BC) and in the middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BC). Pottery fragments also indicate settlements from the Mycenaean, Geometric, and Archaic (1400-560 BC) periods. In the times of the Greek colonization, the hill was known as Apasas.

The oldest name of the city, from the Byzantine period, was Ayios Theologos, because of St. John, who lived in this area and was buried on Ayasoluk Hill. In Ottoman times, the town was known as Ayasoluk (tr. Ayasluğ), and the name Selçuk has been used since 1914. The modern name commemorates the Seljuk Turks that began to invade this area from the 12th century AD

We will visit Ephesus Ancient City .  Ephesus is one of Turkey's major sightseeing attractions. This vast and beautiful Greco-Roman city was once home to 250,000 people, and the glorious monuments that remain point to it being a vibrant and rich metropolis. Supposedly founded by the Ionian prince Androclus in the 10th century BC, Ephesus was not only a center of trade but a great pilgrimage center, with the Temple of Artemis built in worship of the mother goddess. During the Roman era, the city continued to dazzle, and it was only after the Goths destroyed the city in AD 263 that its importance began to wane. Don't miss the mammoth library (3rd largest in the ancient world), the well-preserved theater, and the Temple of Hadrian.

Next, visit Ephesus Museum . After you've finished visiting Ephesus, head straight to this brilliant museum right in the heart of town. Some of the best finds from the ancient city are on display, including an exquisitely carved Artemis statue famous for its multi-breasted depiction of the goddess. The highlight of the museum for most tourists though is the Gladiator Room, with exhibits of the finds from the gladiator cemetery excavation and information panels that explain gladiator life in the golden days of the city.

Also include in the visit is the  Basilica of St. John , his citadel-like basilica once occupied the whole breadth of the hill it sits on and was ranked with the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (now the Aya Sofya) as one of the Byzantine Empire's largest churches. According to tradition, the grave of St. John is under the church. Originally, a mausoleum with a domed roof borne on four columns was built over the grave, but the Emperor Justinian replaced this simple monument with a three-aisled basilica on a Latin-cross plan boasting six domed roofs. Including the narthex at the western end and the arcaded courtyard, the basilica was 130 meters long and 40 meters wide. After the Seljuks captured Ephesus in 1130, the church was converted into a mosque and later served as a bazaar until it was finally destroyed by an earthquake.

Our last visit is Sirince Village . Upon arrival Sirince Village, we will check in the hotel and enjoy some free time at leisure on your own.

Overnight at Sirince Village

Day 5 : SIRINCE - BODRUM (B/-/-)

Then we will drive to Bodrum . Bodrum is the site of the ancient city of Halikarnassus, the location of the famous Mausoleum of Halikarnassus (built after 353 BCE) - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Unfortunately, the ancient monument was destroyed by earthquakes in the Middle Ages - some of the remnants can be seen in London's British Museum.

According to Herodotus, born B.C. 484 in Halikarnassus (ancient name for Bodrum), the city was founded by the Dorians. Megarans enlarged the city B.C. 650 and changed its name to Halikarnassus, and then Persians started to rule the city from B.C. 386. Halikarnassus had its glorious days, when it was the capital of the Karia B.C. 353. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Mausoleum, was built there by Artemisia for the memory of King Mausolos. After the Roman and Byzantium rule for ages, Ottomans have conqured the city in 1522, during the time of Suleyman, The Magnificent. The city was named "Bodrum" after the Turkish Republic was declared.

We will visit Bodrum Castle/Castle of St Peter (Bodrum Kalesi) , Tu-Su. Built from 1402 by the Knights Hospitaller, the Castle is easily the most prominent landmark in the city. The castle now operates as a museum, with the focus on the Museum of Underwater Archaeology (see below). It is one of the world's best preserved monuments dating back to medieval times. The supervision of the construction of the castle was assigned to the German architect Heinrich Schlegelholt, so that the latest developments in castle design were included. The views from the castle are spectacular.

Windmills in Bodrum , were used from the mid 18th century until the 70s as a means to grind flour. Seven windmills can be found on a hill between Bodrum and Gumbet, at the road to Turgutreis and a lot of windmills can be found around the former fishing port Yalikavak. The Karakaya Village , a 300 year old town is one of the oldest settlements in the Bodrum peninsula, situated close to Gumusluk. While half of the village is abandoned, owners of the other half restored their houses to its original look. This village has windmills from the 18th century as well.

After touring, transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 6 : BODRUM - APHRODISIAS - PAMUKKALE (B/-/-)

Then we will drive to Pamukkale.

We will visit Aphrodisias , was a small ancient Greek Hellenistic city in the historic Caria cultural region of western Anatolia, Turkey. the site consists of two components: the archaeological site of Aphrodisias and the marble quarries northeast of the city. The temple of Aphrodite dates from the 3rd century BC and the city was built one century later. The wealth of Aphrodisias came from the marble quarries and the art produced by its sculptors. The city streets are arranged around several large civic structures, which include temples, a theatre, an agora and two bath complexes.

Then we will drive to Pamukkale. Pamukkale is deriving from springs in a cliff almost 200 m high overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created at Pamukkale (Cotton Palace) an unreal landscape, made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls and a series of terraced basins. At the end of the 2nd century B.C. the dynasty of the Attalids, the kings of Pergamon, established the thermal spa of Hierapolis. The ruins of the baths, temples and other Greek monuments can be seen at the site.

Day 7 : PAMUKKALE - ANTALYA   (B/-/-)

Then depart to Antalya .

We will visit Aspendos Theater . The ancient city of Aspendos is located in Southern Turkey, in the ancient Pamphylia region by the Eurymedon (Köprüçay) river. The acropolis lies about 60 m. above sea level and sits on a flat-topped hill with many surviving monuments including the Nymphaeum, Basilica, Market Building and Odeion.

The Eurymedon used to be a navigable river and gave access to the city. This was the main reason for the city‟s prosperity. Both the archaeological remains and the historical sources confirm that Aspendos had entered upon the stage of ancient world events by the 5th  century BC with the arrival of the Persians to Pamphylia and that it continued to retain its importance until, and after, Alexander‟s control of Asia Minor. The site is visited by approximately 400.000 people every year, mainly because of its magnificent Roman theatre. “This is not like anything that I ever saw before.” This is how the British archaeologist David George Hogarth had described the Aspendos Theatre in 1909 in a paragraph which continues as follows: “You may have seen the amphitheatres in Italy, France, Dalmatia and Africa; temples in Egypt and Greece; the palaces in Crete; you may be sated with antiquity or scornful of it. But you have not seen the theatre of Aspendos.”

Aspendos houses the best preserved ancient theatre of the world. In addition, this richly decorated monument bears the traces of different historic periods including the Roman and the Seljuk periods. It was initially built during the reign of the Roman emperor  Marcus Aurelius,  between 160-180 A.D.  The inscription on the western entrance wall records that the architect was Zenon

Then we will have free time at old town and harbor.

Day 8 : ANTALYA - DOMESTIC FLIGHT TO KAYSERI - CAPPADOCIA   (B/-/-)

Free time till check out time. Then transfer to Airport to take flight to Kayseri via Istanbul.

Upon arrival Kayseri, drive to Cappadocia and check in hotel.

Overnight at Cappadocia.

Day 9 : CAPPADOCIA   (B/-/-)

Then we will drive to Ihlara Valley . Ihlara Valley (often misspelled as Ilhara Valley), near Mount Hasan and Mount Melendiz (two of the three volcanoes of Cappadocia) is a canyon with a depth of approximately 100m and was formed by the Melendiz River thousands of years ago. It begins at Ihlara village and ends with Selime Monastery at Selime village after making 26 bends along 14 kilometers. If you are interested, we can do trekking as well.

It is believed that the valley housed more than four thousand dwellings and a hundred cave churches decorated with frescoes. Around eighty thousand people once lived in Ihlara Valley.

Thereafter, we will visit Derinkuyu Underground City . Derinkuyu is the deepest excavated underground city in Cappadocia in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. A beautiful natural wonder with impressive fairy chimneys and eroded caverns, Cappadocia is an amazing geological spectacle. It is also riddled with extensive subterranean dwellings and secret tunnel passages that various people utilized for shelter across the centuries. There are hundreds of these homes in the region, and Derinkuyu is the most famous. At a depth of more than 250 feet with a capacity of up to 20,000 people, this multi-leveled city contained everything an entire population would need to survive a history riddled with invasions.

Day 10 : CAPPADOCIA  (B/-/-)

We will have Full Day city tour. We will visit Goreme Open Air Museum, Pasabag Valley, Love Valley, Pigeon Valley, Local Cave House, 3 Beauties and Love Valley .

After the city tour, you will have some free time for optional activities.

Day 11 : CAPPADOCIA - FLIGHT TO ISTANBUL   (B/-/-)

Then drive to airport to take domestic flight to Istanbul.

Arrive Istanbul and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 12 : ISTANBUL (B/-/-)

We will have Full Day city tour of Istanbul. Our tour is start from Taksim Square. We will walk all Istiklal Street. Istiklal Street is the liveliest and the most colorful street of Istanbul. The street has been pedestrianized since 1988 and for over 150 years has been the center of the nightlife of the city. Hundreds of bars and clubs shake this downtown area in the evenings. During daylight, İstiklal is home to many historical embassy buildings, fancy hotels, apartment buildings, streets, theaters, restaurants, shops. From Taksim Square, you will stroll on the exiting little side streets of Istiklal Street, sit in one of the intriguing coffee shops and talk with your guide, see the amazing Embassy buildings, visit Armenian and Romaic churches, ancient districts, impressive walkways and much more.

  Stop at Galata Tower. Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower in the Galata/Karaköy quarter of Istanbul, Turkey, just to the north of the Golden Horn's junction with the Bosphorus. One of the city's most striking landmarks, it is a high, cone-capped cylinder that dominates the skyline and offers a panoramic vista of Istanbul's historic peninsula and its environs.

Then, take public ferry to Asian Side and continue to FD tour with Kadikoy Town. Explore Kadikoy and taste many kind food in there.

Then, drive back to hotel for overnight.

Day 13 : ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel. Free till check out time. then transfer to airport for your flight back home.

Day 14 : ARRIVE SINGAPORE (-/-/-)

• SINGAPORE/ISTANBUL       SQ 392        01:45/07:45
• ISTANBUL /SINGAPORE      SQ 391        13:30/05:00+1

Package Includes:

• 11-nights accommodation
• Transportation in either minibus or coach (depending on group size) with dedicated driver.
• An English-speaking licensed guide
• Tour and Meal as per itinerary

Your adventure, your way. Speak with a custom-travel specialist and receive a unique trip itinerary, personalized to your interests, budget and travel style. Travel planning doesn't have to be stressful. That's why our specialists carefully plan the details so all you have to do is enjoy the adventure! Our trips provide opportunities for you to engage with locals, get an authentic perspective on the culture and cuisine, and have enough downtime to simply soak up the amazing sights and scenery.

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Thank you to Mary at CTCAdventures for planning the most amazing mother/daughter trip to Paris, Switzerland and Nice. Mary thought of every little detail to make it the most memorable trip I have ever been on. I would highly recommend her!

Superb trip from start to finish with a highly professional and knowledgeable team. We felt spoilt and so well taken care of and the ability to soak in all the history from a very knowledgeable, professional and friendly tour guide was just remarkable. Thank you CTC team, USA and Turkiye for such a memorable trip!!

Working with Mary and her team was so easy! Definitely recommend them - they made our trip very stress-free, and were very helpful in designing the perfect anniversary celebration.

Our trip to Italy was wonderful. Having drivers and people meeting us at our hotels really took the stress out of the trip and made it so much more enjoyable. I was surprised by how much Mary was able to pack in at such a reasonable price. Well done Mary!

CTCAdventures, Mary and her team were amazing throughout our honeymoon planning process. With the pandemic we had to postpone our whole trip to the following year, and Mary handled everything seamlessly and without a glitch. In the beginning of our planning process Mary did a great job mapping out exactly what we wanted in our 2 week honeymoon to Italy.

Our trip to France was wonderful! I couldn’t be more pleased with the help CTCAdventures provided. … Our trip involved not only scheduled tours, but in-country train, plane, and rental car travel. That’s a lot of moving parts! We were asking a lot and CTCAdventures stepped up and delivered. Finally, we were off! I tip my cap to our wonderful travel company that went above and beyond with scheduling re-do’s and made our trip a most wonderful experience.

We just returned home from a 12 day private trip to Turkey. … We could not have asked for anything more, all our needs were met, I am a seasoned traveler and want to visit all the tourist sites but also get off the beaten path. Our guide, Hasan, was amazing. His knowledge of history and all the anecdotes were mind blowing. … CTC put together an amazing adventure. I had a few questions while traveling, she answered them all and was timely in her responses.

Mary and CTCAdventures did a great job planning our dream European honeymoon in Paris, the Amalfi Coast and Rome! … She put together a detailed itinerary in the planning phase, which made it easy to review and provide feedback. Once we confirmed the itinerary, the team completely took over and we didn’t have to worry about a thing. Highly recommend – especially for the convenience of the transportation/car service alone!

CTCAdventures went above and beyond … Our trip on land encompassed visits to Italy and the Vatican City before boarding our cruise to the Greek islands and Malta. Upon the end of our cruise, CTCAdventures helped to secure a well-planned itinerary in Spain and Portugal. Mary Bai and her team did an excellent job selecting the best location for accommodations, transportation, and activities. We would highly recommend CTCAdventures to our friends and family. Thank you CTCAdventures!

We have just returned from a marvelous trip organized at the last minute by CTCAdventures. They were amazing about putting together a perfect travel plan for us with only a few weeks to get it all together. We had specific needs - a teenage boy and an ailing grandma - and they were able to get it right for all of us.

Our trip was incredible. Mary worked with us from the first COVID interruption of our honeymoon and stuck with us and planned the most incredible, perfect trip we could have imagined. Alaska has been on our bucket list forever and we truly had the most incredible time!

CTCAdventures created a fantastic itinerary for our two-week adventure through the Republic of Turkey… [Mary Bai] was detail oriented, professional and a pleasure to collaborate with especially as we were three families traveling together and each family had specific needs which were meet completely… We recommend CTCAdventures and if I could give them 10 Stars I would. We are immensely grateful for the amazing experience they created for us. It was the trip of a lifetime!

Our vacation to Italy, Turkey & Greece was amazing, Mary at CTCAdventures did a great job of planning our itinerary with having very little time to work with due to our last minute decision to travel because of COVID 19, we managed to see all of the major sites and still had enough free time to enjoy some leisure time on our own.

Mary Bai was phenomenal to work with. I highly recommend using her to plan your next international trip! … We couldn’t have asked for a more effortless experience. From private transfers and tour guides picking us up from the hotel to excursion options that gave us the opportunity to relax, explore, and enjoy the new environment, we were thoroughly pleased with the planning!

The travel company did an excellent job planning a trip in a short period of time when the rules were changing.

Amazing service that was personalized to our needs. We could not travel in March 2020 as originally planned due to pandemic related lock down. Mary was calm and reassuring and rebooked all our plans multiple times … Her transparent and constant communication was very much appreciated throughout the process. … Our prepaid hot air balloon was cancelled due to inclement weather. She processed the refund without us needing to even email her. … Highly recommend. Planning to reuse their services in future travel to other destinations. I have already recommended to friends and family to use CTCAdventures for their travel needs.

This is our third CTCAdventures trip and we have come to rely on their professional, attentive travel services finely attuned to our personal preferences… CTC arranged required COVID test at Dubrovnik… It all worked out perfectly, removing our stress about getting COVID results in time for flight home. It was truly the vacation of a lifetime with an exceptional itinerary meticulously planned to a fabulous destination of natural beauty and historic sites.

We had a wonderful and memorable experience trip. We were very happy with all of our excursions and recommendations. Mary at CTCAdventures was amazing to work with and was always timely in her responses to my endless questions. I don’t think we could have had a more seamless experience, especially in the time of COVID.

We had the most fabulous vacation in Italy and Croatia. Mary planned the perfect itinerary for us based on what we asked for. We had amazing private tours and private drivers, giving us exactly what we wanted. Mary responded to all my questions and inquiries very quickly, even during the time we were on vacation and I had questions. We can't wait to plan another vacation with Mary!

''Our family of 9 took a trip to Greece arranged by Mary Bai. Everything from our tour of Athens to our luxury yacht charter was absolutely flawless and awesome! I highly recommend Mary Bai!''

''Mary Bai put together an excellent private trip to Turkey for a family of 3. She was also very flexible with the itinerary and adjusted it to our taste. One of the best things about working with her is the excellent communication; even when in Turkey I was still able to reach her on a weekend and after hours. The tour guides we met in Istanbul and Cappadocia were also very knowledgeable, flexible, and super nice. 10/10 would do it all over again!''

''Mary Bai planned an outstanding trip for our family of 15. She did an excellent job of organizing and making sure everyday and every transition went smoothly. I would highly recommend her.''

We experienced the adventure of a lifetime through a trip to Sicily booked by CTCAdventures. We discovered a lot about our ancestry, walked the streets of our grandparents and learned much about the history of Italy, not to mention the beauty of the whole area. We can't thank Mary Bai and CTC enough for the fantastic job they did putting this together for us!!

''I highly recommend Mary and CTCAdventures to anyone planning a trip. After an exquisite and perfectly planned trip to Turkey several years ago, we were confident in placing ourselves in Mary's capable hands to plan a family holiday in Cinque Terre and Florence. This was no easy task as there were 14 of us ranging in age 2 to 72 with divergent interests and dietary preferences. Her unfailing patience and guidance in fielding multiple calls with often contradictory requests earned her a five star rating alone. Each of us was greeted on arrival in Genoa and shepherded like clockwork to our various destinations. We were met in each location by a knowledgeable and interesting guide who generated enthusiasm and a desire to learn more as we visited the ruins in Cinque Terre to a spectacular viewing of Michelangelo's David. We traversed Italy by boat, ferry, foot and van without ever worrying about a schedule or missing a beat.The trip was perfectly planned and executed. I am eager to having her plan our next holiday.''

Health & Safety Measures

CTCAdventures has always operated as a family-run company, with the health and safety of our guests and employees a top priority. Over these last months, we've been working persistently to put local and international health and safety practices and precautions in place so we can welcome you and provide a safe environment. You can expect best practices in protocols in every one of our operations including physical distancing, masks worn by drivers, guides and hosts, hospital-grade sanitization of private vehicles, and many other measures to keep you and our employees and partners healthy.

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Turkey Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Turkey. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Global Measles March 22, 2024 Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles. Destination List: Afghanistan, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Republic of South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Togo, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Zambia

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Turkey.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Turkey. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Turkey.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Turkey. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Turkey, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Turkey. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

• Tick bite 
• Touching the body fluids of a person or animal infected with CCHF
• Avoid Bug Bites

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Turkey, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Turkey. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Turkey include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Turkey’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in some parts of Turkey. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Turkey may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Turkey, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

For information traffic safety and road conditions in Turkey, see Travel and Transportation on US Department of State's country-specific information for Turkey .

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Turkey for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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Kind regards,

Thanks so much RJ, I feel good about things now too.

Tripadvisor web site is invaluable tool for me so I was

more than happy to help as others have helped me in my travels too

of a top quality company. I know we will both have a great trip and will

be well taken care of.

RJadventures

We must drop each other a line once we are back from our trips to catch up on what we thought.......so that we can share with others on here.

Hi Travel Bug

be interested in an update.

The following information is from our travel agent who booked six local people on this tour in May . They said it was the best tour and trip they ever had. The guides were fantastic, very professional and couldn't do enough

for the travelers. The other inputs was they loved the boat portion

of the trip and wished they had gone later in the year when the

weather and water would have been warmer. Also, they were

sorry they had so much luggage, and suggested having just a small

bag for the three day portion. One last thing, they did say the tour

was a little tiring. However, I don't know how old or what kind of shape

the travelers are in. These people recommended the tour to four

of their friends who booked for October.

If I hear anything else I'll let you know and I will look forward to

hearing about your trip in August. I am sure you must be getting

very excited.

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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When we finally reached the airport, we were dropped off at the Arrival and again had to drag our luggages quite a distance to the Departure Hall only to be told that buses are not allowed at Departure Area.

I can only summarised that paying more does not translate to better services. You end up with rubbish even with so called established operator like CTC

Just back from a recent Beijing trip with CTC. It was a compulsory shopping tour. Have being countless times to such tour and usually short presentation and sale and off we go.

The CTC Beijing tour hv 4 compulsory shopping ..and duration for each took us from morning till lunch time. All in we spent 2 days on compulsory shopping and only 3 1/2 hours for actual shopping at Silk Street and Wanfujing Street. On the last day was to be free and easy and yet we spent our morning at a the jade shop before being transferred to the airport in noon....

The sales techniques are sophiscated and sales are high value items... and even after the presentation there were some soft detention in their complex. We were not allowed to leave..

Must regard this as the worst tour i have been... Will be wary of shopping tours as they robbed you of your time in sightseeing and free and easy..Thopugh a 8 days tour effectively only 6days...

You travel in a group of 12?

Is it a private tour?

Likely the local tour guide put you to serviced apt to suit for the 12 ppl, as perhaps rendezvous hotel can’t put you all 12 ppl on the same floor. But however both hotels are 4*, thus no violation for the change of hotels.

The bus drive you all there, so you all have to walk the 90m initially, is it? And if yes, then you all prepared for the return trip. And if no, then the bus driver is lying.

Usually departure area can drop off ppl.

Possible reason the bus driver is waiting for the next batch of ppl to arrive thus he prefer to drop you all at the arrival side instead.

Overall: You all have encountered a bad bus driver.

Do share with us more on the trip in details if can.

Melbourne Airport does have strict rules about where vehicles can stop.

https://www.melbourneairport.com.au/Corporate/Partnering-with-us/Commercial-Vehicles/Bus-operations

Answ to JJKoh : I understand your frustration ... did you lodge a former complain to CTC. I am very sure they will investigate and reply to your concern. The problem lies with on the aussie.. even if they send spore guide (if the travelling group reach certain no of pax) the only advantage is the spore guide will act for you... I have a friend who went on a China tour , the spore guide end up at one place without a room and have to stay in another hotel 45min away sharing with the driver and the china guide...

Answ to Calvary 09 : all China tours are like that .. years ago there is no such thing as " Guarantee No Shopping" package tour. The China Tour company will bring all tourist to shop to fleece you as much as possible. Than there is the "Optional tour " which at the end the china guide will "force you to take it up"

Now a days you can see " Guarantee No Shopping" package tour and something similar but price lower and they will not indicate " Guarantee No Shopping" .... Than the Optional has been changed to COMPULSORY.. not 1 compulsory but 2 and plus 1 optional.

The so call " Guarantee No Shopping" package tour.. the china guide will bring stuffs onto the bus and promote it to you... they will also do it during meal time.

Beijing : Tong Ren Tang - fleece you like crazy... And than the so call Fengshui --- the sell you something that will cost thousands of S$dollars.. those few hundreds, they will tell you it has limited impact

Jade factory.... the sales staff will intro than they will "ask" their boss owner to have a chat coz the same story like he has liking for Spore or has a relative here... I experience such at least 3 times on China tour

Now a days, company like CTC, Chan brothers will inform all participants during briefing that "buy at your own risk and dont come back and complain...

The original post was made 9 mths ago.

yes I was aware that this is an old post. I just wanted to share my experience, I too was fleece in the 1st 2 to 3 China package tour that happens many yrs ago but now wiser. There are still certain things that we cannot control but have to check the fine prints or ask prior to bookings.

Nowadays I will DIY (excpt China) for places i am interested to visit

I would also like to share our CTC travel experience. We travelled to Turkey with CTC at the end of last year. We were very disappointed at how the trip was planned, our accommodations and meals were far from pleasant. Most of the hotels we stayed (stated as 4-5 stars hotels) were well below standard and dirty. The meals were all very bad, they took us to a Chinese restaurant that had pubic hair in the rice, that was unacceptable.

After we came back from our trip, we realised we had paid a higher amount but the other travel agency our friends went with was well planned, and the accommodations they stayed in was far better. After this experience with CTC, we will never consider CTC again.

II would like to share my bad experience with CTC during my travel with them last December 2018. CTC is priced above other travel agencies and so we think we will have better services for premium price paid but it is not and in fact is the worst travel agency that i had travel with.

CTC replied the booking staff did put a note request but their Tour guide did not notice about it and it was not highlighted to stewardess during the flights .

2. Why were we arranged on the same seat at the back few rolls. Since the flights are specifically chartered by CTC, why cant they arrange the seat to let everyone have the chance to take better economy seats and not just the same seat to and fro. The same customer enjoy the premium economy and the other customer who suffered at the last few roll have to suffer for both to and fro flights . Did we pay a discount for the flights ? No we didnt, we paid the same price as others.

CTC replied the seating assignment was done by airlines and they had feedback to airlines .

3. The last hotel that we stayed in on the last night was really crappy with 2 dim lights in the room and i cant even pack my luggage. The TV reception is worst than we are in mountain top.

CTC replied They noticed the feedback and stop using them for future group.

4. Information given by company on clothes to bring was incorrect. They asked us to bring warm clothing as temperature will drop to 2 degree but did not inform us on sunny weather at the other side to island that we were going that we need normal clothes as well. The average temperature on some of the place we went to is about 28 degree which mean the cloths that we bring were too thick to be worn. The cold temperature did even fall below 5 degree.

CTC replied During briefing our staff had highlighted the average temperature at Taiwan and it is subject to weather condition on that period itself. According to Briefer he had advise pax temperature maybe drop to 2’c due to for this itinerary is include area which is usually lower temperature (due to highland). However, this period weather had changed;.city temp is lower than other places.

They tried to compensate me by giving me 2 $50 vouchers to use on the next trip but would i still want to try again paying a premium amount. We are not rich people that travels every other days. We saved up our hard earned money to enjoy the trip with our loved ones. Given a choice, we would choose to enjoy the trip than all the bad experiences. It is easy for you as a company to say we will improve on feedback but it does not mean anything to us.

They best part is they offer to compensate us with a luggage but expect us to go and collect by certain deadline as the case had been more than 6 months. What logic is that? Why do i want to spend extra money to go down and collect a luggage that would likely a "free" item with CTC travel logo on it. This is ridiculous. I will never go back to them given a choice moving forward and will discourage people around us too...

Thks.. China Tours usually incorporate some amount of forced shopping to offset tour fare. Usually short n u cl go off aft 1/2 presentation. CTC Beijing tour drag for hours n soft detained u in complex

When I feedback to local guide .. just nonchalantly advised no prior knowledge.. they are on coms

Unprofessional service and attitudes by CTC staff.

In view of Covid 19, my trip was cancelled and till today, my deposits and full payments have not being returned to us. Final payments was made in Feb 2020 but my trip was cancelled only in May.

Will never use CTC travel Singapore again.

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Turkey Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 26, 2023, turkey - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution when traveling to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel To:

• Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area within six miles (10 kilometers) of the Syrian border due to terrorism.

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Turkey.  Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

Security forces have detained tens of thousands of individuals, including U.S. citizens, for alleged affiliations with terrorist organizations based on scant or secret evidence and grounds that appear to be politically motivated.  U.S. citizens have also been subject to travel bans that prevent them from departing Turkey. Participation in demonstrations not explicitly approved by the Government of Turkey, as well as criticism of the government (including on social media), can result in arrest.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Turkey.

If you decide to travel to Turkey:

• Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Stay at hotels with identifiable security measures.
• Monitor local media and be prepared to adjust your plans quickly.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive travel alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
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• Travel and Accommodation

Turkey Package Tour

• Thread starter fabianshc
• Start date Nov 13, 2018

More options

Junior Member

• Nov 13, 2018

Hi! Would like to ask if anyone have been on package tour to Turkey before. Hope to get some recommendations. =)  

Great Supremacy Member

fabianshc said: Hi! Would like to ask if anyone have been on package tour to Turkey before. Hope to get some recommendations. =) Click to expand...

thanks for your reply! =) hopefully there will be someone here who can share their experience.  

Supremacy Member

• Nov 14, 2018

I went before many years back, standard 10 days tour package if I remember correctly. In my opinion, many tour agencies more or less have the same itinerary, the same standard route. Some even share the same local tour agency in Turkey. Maybe different is in the airline and the hotel that you need to compare.  

thanks for the info! would go to the individual tour agencies to compare! =)  

Senior Member

• Nov 15, 2018

I am going on Nov 26 - Dec 5, will let you know!  

WOW! great! many thanks! which travel agency did you use?  

Bak_Chor_Mee

• Nov 18, 2018

I am inclined to this travel agency. Hong Thai Travel. Checked online and saw that they are voted top 5 travel agency in Singapore. Anyone have any experience with them? http://www.hongthai.com.sg/media/packagetravel/7f691b85bc4987079d2a32ba5cc082537691217d.pdf  

260Wolskel said: EU Holidays Click to expand...

Avoid CTC travel agency for 11D9N turkey tour. Turkey is famous for their hot air balloon at Cappadocia. However, my tour group can only watch other people fly while we stayed on ground as tour guide said they faced technical issue with the hot air balloon. No further explanation, no replacement, no plan B or anything. We suspected due to the merging of 2 tour groups into 1, they do not want to oblige their free hot air balloon to those who book early which make up of 10 pax out of the 30 pax tour group. Other than that, if you are foodie, please bring your own instant noodle, packed food and chili. The CTC tour food menu was mostly consist of chicken breast meat cooked in the same way. There were only 2 or 3 meals that have beef and fish. However, I believe other tour groups might have similar food menu so not faulting CTC on this.  

Our hot air balloon is an optional tour cost USD 230. It consists of both way transport by operator, light breakfast, hot air balloon, champagne popping, certificate. I was told need to wake up and leave hotel at 4am. EU is quite popular in recent years for Europe tour ( another rising star is L. G. E.). This will be my 3rd time with them. The previous two was Eastern Europe and Balkans. Eastern Europe was fantastic while Balkans was so so (mainly because we were assigned a freelance Indonesian Tour Manager). Tour Manager is a break or make for a package tour. Thanks for the advice on foodies, I heard the same too. I think Turkey tour food is not so good. But for Eastern Europe, food was fantastic. EU hotels are better than CTC. We will stay in 5 stars Cave Hotel for 2 nights in Cappadocia. I heard CTC don't.  

• Nov 19, 2018

260Wolskel said: Our hot air balloon is an optional tour cost USD 230. It consists of both way transport by operator, light breakfast, hot air balloon, champagne popping, certificate. I was told need to wake up and leave hotel at 4am. EU is quite popular in recent years for Europe tour ( another rising star is L. G. E.). This will be my 3rd time with them. The previous two was Eastern Europe and Balkans. Eastern Europe was fantastic while Balkans was so so (mainly because we were assigned a freelance Indonesian Tour Manager). Tour Manager is a break or make for a package tour. Thanks for the advice on foodies, I heard the same too. I think Turkey tour food is not so good. But for Eastern Europe, food was fantastic. EU hotels are better than CTC. We will stay in 5 stars Cave Hotel for 2 nights in Cappadocia. I heard CTC don't. Click to expand...

I paid $1,868 per pax but I intend to take all optional tour so must add another $670 per pax.  

260Wolskel said: I paid $1,868 per pax but I intend to take all optional tour so must add another $670 per pax. Click to expand...

freewilly5000

• Nov 21, 2018

Is turkey safe country to visit? Has interesting neighbours ...  

• Nov 24, 2018

freewilly5000 said: Is turkey safe country to visit? Has interesting neighbours ... Click to expand...

• Nov 29, 2018
• Nov 30, 2018

Jeremy1 said: According to what the local tour guide told us there's a number of unreported murder. I ever walked out around Istanbul that time after 10 pm. I think it's quite safe but wherever place you go, just be a bit vigilant. Click to expand...

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