Tour Tips*
Missionary Journeys of Paul Alumni Study Tour
Turkey, Greece and Rome June 3-19, 2018
Missionary Journeys of Paul Alumni Study Tour
Turkey, Greece and Rome June 3-19, 2018
New!Travel Tip #13
LUGGAGE
Turkish Airlines baggage information
Carry-On Allowance
Economy Class passengers: 1 Bag + 1 Personal Item*
Maximum dimensions of carry-on luggage: 23 x 40 x 55 cm
Maximum weight of carry-on luggage: 8 kg
Business Class passengers: 2 Bags + 1 Personal Item*
Maximum dimensions of each piece of carry-on luggage: 23 x 40 x 55 cm
Maximum weight of each piece of carry-on luggage: 8 kg
*Assistive devices and outer garments do not count as personal items. All carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. You must be able to lift your carry-on into the overhead storage without assistance.
REMINDER: Bulkhead seats do not have underseat storage during take-off and landing.
Checked Baggage Allowance for flights to/from the USA and Canada
Economy Class passengers
Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces
Maximum Weight for each piece: 23 kg (Bags weighing 23 kg - 32 kg will be charged as an excess baggage. Baggage exceeding 32 kg will not be accepted.)
Maximum Dimensions for each piece: 158 cm for one piece, but the two bags cannot exceed 273 cm combined
Business Class passengers
Baggage Allowance: 2 pieces
Maximum Weight for each piece: 32 kg
Maximum Dimensions for each piece: 158 cm
Travel Tip #12
ATTIRE
There is not a dress code for any dinner. Most dinners are at the hotels. There will be a few dinners at local restaurants. Wear casual, or smart casual at the dinners. For footwear comfortable shoes are recommended. Some may want to bring closed walking shoes in addition to sandals, based on personal preference (for more information see “General Packing Advice” below).
Travel Tip #11
PHOTOGRAPHY
There is no restriction for photography or use of phones in Turkey, Greece or Rome with the exception of some museums which may not allow flash or photos.
Travel Tip #10
OUTLINE OF TRAVEL DATES
Turkey: Monday, June 4 - Monday, June 11
Greece: Tuesday, June 12 - Saturday, June 16
Rome: Sunday, June 17 - Tuesday, June 19
ELECTRIC CURRENT
Electricity in Turkey, Greece and Italy is 220-240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. Outlets in generally accept one type of plug with 2 round pins. If your appliance plugs have a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.
Travel Tip #8
Shopping & Currency*
Credit cards are accepted at most places except small kiosks or small shops.
Travelers will want to have currency for lunches and miscellaneous expenses. Bring USD for Turkey and some shops in Greece (suggested minimum of $200-300). There are many places where currency can be exchanged including exchange offices, hotel reception areas and banks. Most people exchange currency upon arrival at the Istanbul airport or in the city center with the assistance of the tour guide.
Greece and Rome use EURO currency. Some large shops and restaurants accept USD, but it is best to have some Euros. If possible, bring some Euros (around €200) or money can be exchanged upon arrival as noted above.
The value added tax (VAT) of 8-18 % is applied to all services and purchases in Turkey.
Tipping in Turkey customarily is 10% to 15% for all services, while a 10% tip is expected at restaurants in Greece and Italy.
Updated!Exchange rate information
- Turkey
Credit Cards – VISA, MasterCard, American Express credit cards honored by the well-known restaurants and the stores. Check before making a purchase.
- Greece
Cash and credit cards - Almost on every corner there is a bank or an ATM machine 24 hours a day. Cash will not be a problem as long your bank account is fine. Almost all shops, hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. Bank operating hours vary for each bank.
- Italy
On almost every corner you will find a bank or ATM machines. Almost all shops hotels and restaurants accept credit cards. Make sure you bank knows you are travelling abroad. Bank operating hours vary.
Consider wearing a concealed travel wallet. Secure purses and wallets and protect valuable items while in public.
*Shopping and currency tips are suggestions from Tutku based on minimum purchases. Please be advised that exchange rates are intended to be guidelines and cannot be considered official.
Travel Tip #7
Tips from the Briefing Session on March 19 (click here to view the briefing session)
- Start walking now! There will be a lot of trekking on the tour. You’ll want to be in shape for long days of walking.
- Reference Recommending Reading as suggested in the Palmer's Posts. If you need to narrow your reading, give particular attention to Peter Walker’s In the Steps of Saint Paul, Mark Wilson’s Biblical Turkey and David Palmer’s CASKET EMPTY.
- Bring a portable Bible. Begin now to read the book of Acts beginning at chapter 9 and Paul’s letters.
- Consider purchasing the video series, In Pursuit of Paul, by Con Campbell (on Amazon or Discovery House).
- Pack lightly. One way to prepare is to fill a suitcase with what you want to take, leave it for a day, then go back and take out ½ of the contents.
- Include the following items: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, a day pack and comfortable shoes.
- For ladies, bring items such as capri trousers and a longer skirt to cover knees and short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts to cover shoulders, both of which are required at some sights. You may want to bring your own scarf to use as a head covering. However, head coverings usually are provided.
The tour will take us to many sites throughout Turkey, Greece and Rome. We continue to watch the region and maintain contact with individuals who monitor security. Incidents currently in the news take place in areas hundreds of miles away from sites we will visit. Alternate plans have been discussed with the tour agency and will be made real-time if necessary to avoid any concerning events.
Travel Tip #6
Flight Schedule
JUNE 3 Boston (BOS)-Istanbul (IST)
TK82 Boston (BOS)-Istanbul (IST) depart at 23:35 - arrive at 16:10* (*arrive next day)
JUNE 17 & 19 Istanbul (IST)-Boston (BOS)
TK81 Istanbul (IST)-Boston (BOS) depart at 13:25 – arrive at 17:00 (arrive same day)
Travel Tip #5
Weather in June
Plan for all types of weather! Remember to bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a raincoat to layer. Click on these websites for a final word on June weather in Turkey, Greece and Rome.
Travel Tip #4
Passports should be valid for at least six months after you return home and have two or more blank pages, depending on your destination. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter. Apply now if you need a new passport as it is recommended to do so several months in advance.
Keep passports and other travel documents on your person for identification. Make photocopies of all documents and leave them with a family member or friend at home along with an updated version of the itinerary in the event your family or friends need to make contact with you while you are away.
Travel Tip #3
Required Travel Visa for Turkey
A visa is required for travel in Turkey. Obtain your online visa as soon as possible. As the visa start date, select a future date that starts a 6 month range which includes the tour dates as the visa will be valid for 6 months. For example, if March 30 is selected, it will be valid until late September 2018, so it will cover the June 3-19 trip. Be sure to enter your country of origin (e.g., U.S.A.) for the country/region drop down list.
The following is the web site where you apply: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en
Before beginning the application process, have in hand four items:
1. Your passport
2. Your credit or debit card - VISA or MasterCard ($20 for USA citizens)
3. Your date of arrival into Turkey
4. And be near your printer
Travel Tip #2
Enroll in STEP
International travelers are strongly encouraged to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) – Enroll for free at STEP.state.gov to receive travel and security updates about the countries we will be visiting, and to enable the government to make contact in an emergency. Although groups or organizations can create an account with contact details for multiple travelers, Gordon-Conwell will not be sharing this information. Individuals will be responsible for their own enrollment.
Travel Tip #1
Travel Insurance Information
Travelers are responsible for arranging their own travel insurance. Travel insurance is a contract between the traveler and the insurance company (American Express, Travel Guard, Travelex, 360, or other). Tutku Tours has no role in the booking of the insurance.
Those who wish to purchase insurance may call Mrs. Armagan Ayata or Mr. Sal Kesedar at the Tutku Tours associate office in New Jersey—Prime Travel Services, Phone: 201-825-1600 – or 1-800-TURKIYE. The insurance cost may vary based on the length of the tour, the age of the participant, etc. Generally speaking it is from $190 to $350 per person for this type of tour. If you call Prime Travel, please mention that your group code is TUT 201714.
*note that many of these tips were taken from the U.S. State Department travel website, Chubb europassistance and travel tips provided by Tutku Tours.
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| Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash |