Turkiye
(back)
The Collis Family and Friends
Istanbul, Ephesus and Rhodes
18 August - 01 September 2007
This document contains some more detailed information about your holiday. Please
read it carefully and let us know if you have any queries.
TOUR LEADERS and LECTURER
Emin Saatçi will be your Tour Leader in Istanbul. He knows the city like
no-one else. He will be assisted by a guide well qualified to speak in the
museums and other places to be visited about all aspects of the history and
cultural background of the city. Emin and the guide will help you on any aspect
of the tour and you should not hesitate to bring any questions or queries to
their attention.
Jeremy Barnett will be your Tour Leader from the time of your arrival in
Izmir. Jeremy formerly worked as Director of the British Council in Turkey, has
a background of Turkish and Near Eastern Studies and has travelled extensively
in Turkey and Greece. As well as ensuring that everything goes smoothly during
the tour, Jeremy will help you in any way he can. Again, if you have any queries
during the course of your holiday - however trivial they may seem - please do
not hesitate to bring them to his attention.
Richard Ashton will be the Lecturer and will also join the tour in Izmir.
Richard worked in the Foreign Office and had postings in both Ankara and Athens.
A classicist by training, he is a specialist on the ancient coinages of
south-west Turkey and edits the journal and monographs of the Royal Numismatic
Society. Richard will give background talks and will introduce us to the sites
to be visited.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Please be sure to take the policy with you and to have the emergency telephone
number of the insurance company to hand should you need it.
PASSPORT
You will need to bring your passport. If you have a British or US passport you
will need a visa which is obtainable on arrival in Istanbul. In effect, this is
a sticker placed inside your passport and bought from a desk at the airport
immediately before you pass through immigration. The cost is currently £10 per
person for UK passport holders, $20 per person for US passport holders and Euros
10 for most other EU citizens. UK passport holders must pay with an untorn ten
pound note - or two fivers - and US passport holders must pay in US dollars -
again the notes must be in good condition. Change is not always available.
Holders of other passports who need visas should ask their nearest Turkish
Consulate in which currency the visa is payable. Please make sure your passport
is valid for six months after the return date of your holiday.
MONEY
We advise you not to change money into Turkish Lira (TL) before departure. The
best thing to do is to take cash (dollars, sterling or euros) with you and
change it in Turkey. Travellers cheques can be cashed but not always as readily
or at as good a rate. ATM machines are now widespread in the major resorts, but
may not always be functioning. Apart from the cost of your visa and a
contribution towards a consolidated tip for the crew at the end of the cruise
(£60-70 per person for the whole crew is recommended), your expenses should be
limited to private on-shore purchases.
Credit cards are widely accepted should you choose to buy a carpet or other
large/expensive item. Your bargaining power, however, will always be
strengthened if you pay in cash! Please note that torn or crumpled foreign
bank-notes can be difficult to exchange in Turkey. Scottish or Northern Irish
banknotes are very difficult to exchange and even when accepted the rate of
exchange can be up to 30% lower than sterling notes.
HEALTH
Although Department of Health regulations specify that no innoculations are
necessary for the part of Turkey you will be visiting, it is nevertheless
prudent to ensure that your anti-tetanus is up to date - polio too. All our
boats carry basic first aid kits and there are pharmacies and chemists in the
ports we visit. However, we would advise you to bring items such as mosquito
repellent, sunscreen and after-sun lotion with you.
Food is carefully bought and well cooked and prepared - there are high standards
of cleanliness in the galley - so tummy trouble is rarely a major problem.
However the change of diet can sometimes affect people and you may like to
consider bringing something to calm your stomach.
The eastern Mediterranean is normally calm but it can become windy quite quickly
at any time of the year. We usually know in advance what the sea will be like
and will navigate accordingly. If, however, you are prone to motion sickness,
you should have warning of any forthcoming discomfort and be able to take the
relevant medication: Stugeron (an anti-histamine) is usually available over
the counter at UK chemists. The sun can be deceptively hot and burning,
especially on a boat with cooling sea breezes. You should bring whatever
protection you need from the sun and be careful in the early stages.
Some of the sites are rough underfoot and strewn with rubble. Jeremy will advise
you about walking conditions on the various sites in advance. However, it is
essential that everyone has good walking shoes and you will not go wrong if you
use these on every occasion. Flip-flops, sandals and thin-soled shoes are far
from ideal for any of the sites we visit. We strongly recommend you bring a
telescopic walking pole as the sites are not always easy going. A telescopic
walking pole, which should easily fit into your bag, can be bought at most
camping shops.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Tourists are always vulnerable to pick-pocketing which is currently on the
increase worldwide. Typically, theft is non-violent and opportunistic, and no
worse than in most southern European cities. However, a few sensible precautions
should help you to avoid the distress of losing personal property or money.
When walking around in Istanbul, Bodrum and the town of Rhodes, you should keep
a close eye on your personal possessions. We strongly advise you not to keep any
money in back pockets and to avoid handbags or small shoulder bags that can
easily be snatched. A small rucksack and/or body belt, with the zips in front of
you, is ideal. We advise against wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Cameras
should never be slung over the shoulder and when not in use should be put out of
sight. If you are unfortunate enough to have someone make an attempt to steal
something from you please do not offer resistance as this may lead to injury.
Make sure that you put any valuables and money that you do not need for the day
in the safes at the Aya Sofya Pansiyonlari (ASP) - your hotel in Istanbul.
Security on the boat is very good.
HOTEL IN ISTANBUL
You will be staying at the ASP. The ASP is in fact made up of a whole street of
beautifully restored houses. The street is closed to the general public and the
security is generally good. The bedrooms are furnished in simple, modern but
comfortable style and, unusually for Istanbul, the area at night is
exceptionally quiet! A buffet breakfast is taken in a delightful conservatory or
orangerie.
THE BOAT
You will join your boat, the Aegean Clipper in the Marina at Kusadasi. The
Aegean Clipper has an experienced English-speaking Captain - Ergün Malatyali and
four or five other members of crew. We have chartered the Aegean Clipper for
several years now and reckon that it is one of the most comfortable of the
larger boats operating out of Bodrum. The Aegean Clipper is technically a motor
yacht but is known locally as a ketch or gulet. She has a teak deck and is over
30 metres long. She can travel under motor or sail, has VHF radio and other
navigational aids but still retains her original character.
Many people now bring mobile phones etc. with them and in the main these seem to
work well, although you should check with your supplier that the international
facility on your telephone is activated. There is good coverage from both Turkey
and Greece. If you do not have a mobile phone, people who may like to contact
you on the boat should in the first instance contact our UK office on +44 (0)
208 286 7842; they will be advised of the best way of reaching you. In an
emergency, Jeremy will have a mobile phone on which calls can be made.
All the cabins have a private toilet and shower. The cabins also have locker
space and hanging space for your clothes, although you should not need many
changes of clothes. You will be provided with towels in your cabin and for use
on deck. Above deck there is a large saloon and on the after deck a shaded
dining and sitting area. Forward is the sun deck and another shaded area - ideal
for reading or just snoozing!
If there is anything malfunctioning in your cabin or your bathroom, please tell
Jeremy immediately and he will try to see that it is fixed as soon as possible.
The boat has a well-stocked bar which is operated by the crew and one of them
will be happy to bring you drinks on request. All Turkish drinks are included in
the cost of the holiday. Wine is normally put on the table at both lunch and
supper. The boat carries plentiful supplies of still mineral water. This is your
drinking water and most people take a bottle of water on site with them and to
their cabin when they turn in for bed.
SMOKING
Smoking is not permitted in the cabins or the lower gangways. However there is
plenty of space above deck in the open air for those who want to smoke. If you
smoke on deck always use an ashtray and when on the boat please bear non-smokers
in mind.
EMERGENCY DRILL
Your life jacket will be in your cabin when you first come aboard. Make certain
you have located it and keep it easily accessible at all times. Jeremy will go
through safety procedures with you before the boat leaves the Marina. If you
have any concerns about safety, please communicate these to Jeremy who will act
as appropriate.
USING YOUR FACILITIES
There is ample fresh water for washing. No paper whatsoever should be flushed
down the loo. A waste bin and liner are provided in each bathroom and all paper
and other detritus should be placed in the bin which is emptied daily by one of
the crew. All waste is incinerated in ports well away from the harbour. Attempts
to flush paper down the bowl will render the mechanism inoperable and the
Captain apoplectic. All toilet and shower facilities will be more clearly
explained to you when you arrive.
There are electric points in all the cabins which are double entry sockets (220
AC voltage and 12 volt DC). If you wish to use the sockets please bring an
adaptor. The Aegean Clipper has a generator which operates the points; just ask
Jeremy or one of the crew to turn it on. When we are in harbour, we are usually
connected to mains electricity. The use of generators in harbours is normally
forbidden.
CLOTHING
Most of the cruise boats on the Turkish coast go in for informality and we
suggest that the same should apply on the Aegean Clipper. There is no need to
dress up for meals although guests often prefer a change of clothing in the
evenings when it becomes noticeably cooler. T-shirts, shorts, light trousers or
skirts are the obvious choices and you will not require many changes of
clothing. A sweater or two will be useful in the evenings. You should bring a
light anorak or similar just in case the weather turns really nasty.
The weather in Istanbul is notoriously unpredictable and your lightweight anorak
could turn out to be useful here! However, any showers will be short and the
likelihood is that it will be hot during the day and pleasantly cool in the
evenings. We suggest that, in Istanbul only, you do not wear shorts. Lightweight
trousers - for men or women - or skirts reaching down to the knee are more
appropriate. Women will find a headscarf useful - especially when entering
mosques.
Whilst on board it is a rule that no shoes are worn. There will be a place by
the gangway for shoes worn on shore.
OTHER ITEMS
You will have received a reading list. It is fairly comprehensive and you will
have to be selective. Do not worry if you do not have time to make any inroads!
If you have any of the guides or maps listed we suggest you bring these with
you. If you have lightweight binoculars you might also like to bring these with
you. Films etc. are all available in Turkey but it is better to buy films,
batteries and so on before you depart. There should be some basic diving
equipment on board (snorkels, masks, fins) but if you use these and have your
own, do bring them. They will fit better and probably be of better quality.
There will be backgammon on the boat, but if you have a travelling chess set we
suggest you bring it, playing cards as well. If you enjoy painting or sketching
there should be some marvellous opportunities for this. Please bear in mind,
however, that luggage space on the gulet is limited. A soft bag rather than a
rigid suitcase is recommended.
MEALS
The food is typically Turkish with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, pulses,
fish, octopus, squid, lamb, chicken, yoghurt, etc. The vegetarian dishes are
generally excellent. Meals are prepared on board by the cook with predominantly
fresh ingredients and are of a high standard. All meals are served on the shaded
rear deck. Menus vary according to the availability of fresh produce. Please let
us know as soon as possible if you have any specific dietary requirements. If
you have any foods or dishes you would like to try out, please tell Jeremy.
We usually have breakfast at about 08:30 but tea or coffee is available earlier
if you are up and about. Breakfast typically consists of bread, cheese,
conserves, olives, eggs, yoghurt, honey, etc. Lunch is a two-course meal and a
salad invariably accompanies the main course. The second course usually just
consists of fresh fruit. It is the lighter of the two main meals and is often
mainly vegetarian. There is usually a more substantial main course in the
evening - chicken, fish or lamb perhaps - and often a variety of salads and
mezzes. Again, we normally follow with fresh fruit. After supper, there is
Turkish coffee or herbal teas.
DAILY ROUTINE
If you have never had a holiday like this before it will come as a pleasant
surprise that although it is an active holiday it is also very relaxing. Once on
board, the vessel becomes a moving hotel. It is not possible or desirable to
give exact times or distances as much depends on the winds and the weather.
Ideally we like to motor/sail for about three/four hours a day, usually in the
morning before the midday wind begins to blow. Known locally as the meltem, this
wind comes off the sea, beginning around 10:30 and dying down around 16:00. It
has the effect of cooling the air in the heat of the day. On some days we may
weigh anchor at about 07:00 - or even earlier. On such mornings breakfast will
be served - weather conditions permitting - whilst the boat is under way.
Whenever possible we aim to arrive at a suitable inlet by late morning where we
can swim and relax for a while. Richard Ashton will usually give his talks over
drinks before lunch or supper. We always aim to be back at the boat in time for
a swim, shower and drink before dinner.
Most Turkish sites are littered with archaeological debris and many are poorly
policed. However, you should not under any circumstances remove anything from
the sites - however simple or ordinary it may seem. It is an offence even to
take fossils or plants or bulbs out of Turkey without express permission.
We hope that the above will answer some of your questions about the trip and
will give you a flavour of what to expect. Inevitably it is not intended to be
comprehensive and individuals will have their own queries. Please do not
hesitate to contact us if you have anything to ask, however small. We will be
very pleased to hear from you.
Westminster Classic Tours
June 2007