Frequently Asked
Questions
This section is designed to give you a little "heads up" on some of the ideas that can make your vacation more enjoyable. Some of these tips might be appropriate for your next Turkey adventure, others may not. But you will probably find a couple of ideas that will add value to your getaway...enjoy!
What am I supposed to do before I go to Turkey?
Research is half the fun of any vacation! And even better, research usually
helps you will have a more enjoyable trip. Surfing the Internet, cruising the
bookstores, and pondering over maps is a great way to start your vacation early
and helps to get you through those last few nagging days at work.
Some key items to research include 1) weather during the time of the year you want to travel, 2) the destinations that interest you the most, 3) recreation options available, and 4) side excursions near your destinations. Other things you can research include the local culture and history, as well as some of the more popular places to dine out, cocktail and to experience the local people. Expectations are a huge part of any vacation, so the more you research your trip to Turkey, the more fun you are likely to have!
What are TJC Travel/Study Projects?
For
10 years these tours have been organized and directed by Tyler Junior College.
Their purposes are educational and fun. TJC
projects offer participants an opportunity to journey to other countries to
examine a situation first-hand, to see beyond what is communicated by the mass
media. By joining one of our tours, participants have the chance to
learn about unfamiliar cultures, meet with people from all walks of life,
establish meaningful relationships with people from other countries, and shop.
What sort of trips do we organize?
TJC organizes tours for community people, students, academic, business, and professional organizations. Participants learn about the country's history, politics, economy, religion, government, health care, agriculture, education, and environment, all while participating in exciting cultural activities. Our tours provide a good mix of free time, adventure, sightseeing, culture, history and of course, fun!
Who can participate?
Concerned about
your age? Don't be!
Our
projects are open to anyone who has a genuine interest in learning about Turkey,
the Middle East, Islam, Greek, Roman civilizations. We have
had participants as young as 8 and as old as 84.
Our participants come from
all walks of life.
Furthermore, we have had several handicapped people travel with us without
creating any problem.
Do I have to be a TJC student to participate in the project?
No, our projects are a community service for all.
One does not have to be a college student to participate. The Equal Opportunity Statement of Tyler
Junior College gives equal consideration to all applicants for
participation in its programs and activities without regard to race, creed,
color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability or veteran
status.
Is it safe to travel to Turkey?
We have taken hundreds of
Americans to Turkey and returned them safely back to the
U.S.A. in the past ten years. Our track record speaks for itself. You
may check the comments of our references (previous travelers) in the testimonial
section.
Tyler Junior College follows the U.S. Department of State advisory to conduct these tours. We constantly check with the State Department’s travel advisory. You may also visit the site yourself at: http://www.travel.state.gov
Furthermore, we have local contacts (some Americans who live in Turkey) to
advise us about traveling to Turkey. In
our opinion, Turkey is much safer than some neighborhoods and big urban areas in the U.S.
While there may be a legitimate concern regarding safety in this part of the world, please be assured that we will be traveling nowhere near any of the hotspots. Be assured that Tyler Junior College would not allow a program to go on if the college didn't have confidence in a safe atmosphere. Exercise common sense and look out for each other.
Are TJC trips registered with the U.S.
Department of State?
YES, all our trips are registered with the U.S. Department of State. When an emergency happens, or if natural disaster, terrorism, or civil unrest strikes during our foreign travel, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate can be our source of assistance and information. By registering our trip, we help the embassy or consulate locates us when we might need them the most. Should an emergency in the foreign country arise, the Embassy will attempt to contact us immediately to advise us of the situation.
We have institutional registration. If you so desire, you may also register individually. Registration is voluntary and costs nothing. Here is the web site for the registration:
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/
Do I have to know Turkish language before I go Turkey?
No, one does not need to know any Turkish to travel
to Turkey. Of course, any knowledge
of the language will greatly help you to communicate with the people.
However, most educated people in Turkey know English.
Furthermore, shopkeepers and vendors speak enough English to do the sales
transaction. You will be able to
shop till to drop without knowing any Turkish words.
How do I learn few key Turkish phrases:
Please go to the following link and you will learn several essential words and phrases and you can also hear them:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/print/languages/other/quickfix/turkish.shtml
How do I learn about Archaeology of Turkey:
Please go to the following link:
http://archaeology.about.com/od/13/Archaeological_Sites_in_Turkey.htm
How do we prepare participants for their experience?
Before a tour departs, we encourage participants to educate themselves about the destination country and the issues that will be addressed on the trip. We send each participant a general information packet, a recommended reading list, and an educational outline. We offer orientation sessions for the potential travelers before the trip.
During the tour we not only arrange dialogues with the
host organizations and individuals with whom we meet, but through formal
meetings participants also have opportunities to share experiences and
observations among themselves.
Can I bring my kids in your trips?
The majority of our travelers are
senior citizens along with few students. Therefore, we try to meet the
needs of everyone. Our private bus drives to the closest location to our
site visit. There is no long distance walking or heavy hiking. We
explain the conditions and duration of the walking to our site before our the
visits. If a traveler declines to come, he/she is welcome to wait in the
bus or take a short tour of the site at his/her own pace. In our past
trips, we had even some handicapped people. They enjoyed the tour as well
as other. Do not expect heavy duty walking or hiking. Unless a
traveler chooses to walk or hike long distance during the free times.
How are we funded?
Tyler Junior College is a non-profit organization.
Participants pay for the cost of the trip by themselves.
By traveling as a group, you save a great deal.
We get discounted group rates for the airfare and accommodations, which
are the biggest costs. Tour fees cover airfare, all transportation within the
country, double room accommodation, trip guides, admission fees, reading
materials, two to three meals daily, postage, and orientation costs.
TJC’s many in kind contributions reduce the cost of the projects and
makes them affordable to students and others.
Can I get frequent flyer credits for my trip?
Yes,
when you check in at the airport, make sure to request your credit.
It is your responsibility to get your frequent flyer mileage
from the Airline. Remember the American Airline is a partner with
the Turkish Airline. Therefore, you may claim a credit for the whole trip
and add to your American Advantage miles.
Which Airlines do we
travel with?
Normally we travel with American and Turkish
(partner to the American) airlines. However,
we have also occasionally used Delta and Lufthansa.
We try to get the most convenient connections for our project.
As we finalize the trip, we will keep you informed about the selection of
airlines.
What route do we take to go to Turkey?
Depending on the connections and availability of
seats, we travel from DFW airport either to Chicago or New York.
Then we fly to Istanbul. Domestic
flights within Turkey will vary. Depending
on our itinerary, we may go to Ankara, Antalya or another destination per our
plan.
Do I need a Turkish currency (Lira) before traveling to Turkey?
No, you do not need Turkish Lira before going to
Turkey. We will exchange U.S.
dollars at
the airport bank when we apply for our visa.
For a visa application, Turkish immigration accepts American dollars ($26)
in cash only .
Do they accept credit cards in Turkey?
All major
credit cards are accepted
in most tourist area hotels,
restaurants and major stores. They
are not widely accepted in rural areas of Turkey.
Some establishments accept one card, some others. Tourist
shops accept most of them. There may be a service charge between 3 to 7 %
or up to 10 US$ for extra costs of accepting credit cards.
You can get cash with your credit or cash card by using cash machines on the
streets (called ATM). These machines will give you banknotes if you insert your
credit card and type in your password. Most of them have foreign language
instructions or at least graphic explanations. If you need help, ask a bank
officer for help. Be careful, do not expose your password, and do not forget to
take out your card.
Travelers’ check can be cashed at major banks.
However, cash transactions are often given a better exchange rate.
Should I use my debit cared or credit card?
If you need cash while you're traveling, use your
debit card. While some banks may charge an ATM usage fee of 50 cents to $1.50,
plus a conversion fee of 1% on the amount withdrawn, many skip the conversion
fee altogether.
Accessing cash from your credit card could run you at
least triple the cost -- 2% to 3% as a cash advance fee -- plus a
currency-transaction fee and ATM fee charged by both your bank and the ATM
you're using.
How much cash do I need to take with myself?
There is no science for taking cash to overseas. It depends how much you plan to spend. Most of my travelers pay for the carpet and jewelry and pottery with a credit card and for any other low price items, they pay cash. You may take as little as $200 to complete the trip. From the past experiences, I noted that experienced travelers brought between $500-$1000 cash. Students can survive with about $200. So I hope this note helps you to make up you mind about the amount of you may take with you to Turkey during our tour.
The American dollars are holy and everyone will accept any denominations. However, for your convenience, if you take $1000 cash (for example), I will suggest to break down to the followings:
50 one dollar bills
15 ten dollar bills
20 twenty dollar bills
4 fifty dollars bills
4 hundred dollar bills
Hope this note will help you to decide on the choice of denominations.
How
do I convert American currency to Turkish Lira?
To convert
Turkish Lira to American dollar and vice versa, click
http://quote.yahoo.com/m3
or
Turkish lira (TRL)
to
go to a currency converter.
Do I need vaccinations for traveling to Turkey?
No vaccinations are required for our trips. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), fax 1-800-CDC-FAXX (1-800-232-3299), or via CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov
Do I have to wear a special attire in a Muslim country like
Turkey?
No, there are no special dress requirements.
Depending on the location site and weather, use common
sense and dress accordingly. While
Turkey is a Moslem country, you may find a very liberal dress code in big cities
such as Istanbul. In rural areas,
conservative dress is recommended. In
hot weather, males and females can wear shorts too.
Wearing the veil is a voluntary act, and women participants on the program should feel no external pressure to cover their heads. The only exception to this is when you are in a mosque. Do pack a scarf or a shawl to cover your hair when you visit mosques, as it is required of all women visitors, Muslim or non-Muslim. It's a matter of respect.
Do I need warm clothing for my trip?
For the spring trip, we recommend warm and semi warm
clothing. For the May trip, a raincoat
and light sweater is recommended. We
also suggest taking old and comfortable clothing.
You my discard and give your unwanted clothing to a charity to have space
for your newly acquired items.
How is the weather in Turkey in March and May?
For weather information, please see the weather table
at the following link:
http://www.meteor.gov.tr/indexmaster_eng.htm
Or
http://www.weather.com/weather/local/TUXX0014
Always have an umbrella and raincoat handy for either
trip.
Do I have to travel from Tyler to Turkey?
No, you are not required to come to Tyler or Texas to
travel with us.
For example, depending on your
location and travel itinerary, you may join us at Dallas, Chicago, New York,
Ankara, or Istanbul.
As an American, do I need a visa to travel to Turkey?
Yes, Americans are required to have a tourist visa to
enter Turkey. We all will apply for
a Turkish visa at the port of entry. It
costs $20 American dollars to get a visa. You
do not need Turkish Lira to pay for the visa application.
You do not need a get visa before traveling.
If you insist, you may apply for a visa from the Turkish consulate nearest
you.
How
is the Turkish food and are there fast-food restaurants in Turkey?
Turkish cuisine is very delicious, although some dishes may surprise visitors
because of regional flavors. But they are all worth
to tasting. In all regions and cities, there are several fast-food
restaurants such as McDonalds, Burger King and Arbys.
Which language is spoken in Turkey, is it Arabic?
No, Turkish is the main language of the Turkish Republic. Turkish is a Latin based language which has no similarities to Arabic.
Is tap water drinkable?
While it is safe to drink tap water as native do, it is not advisable for Americans to drink tap water in Turkey.
Can I easily call the US from Turkey?
Yes, Turkey's phone system is connected to
all countries in the world. You can get phone cards or call from the hotels. You
need to dial 001 + area code +phone number to
call US from Turkey.
What kind of electricity system does Turkey use?
Unlike the US, Turkey uses 220V system with a
different plug. You need to get an adapter for your electronic devices and
switch your electronic devices to 220V.
Is there a time difference between Turkey and US?
Yes, there is an 8 hour time difference
between Turkey and the US (Central standard time).
Are Museums open everyday?
Generally speaking Turkish
museums are open every day of the week, except Mondays. Palaces are also closed
only on Mondays. Dolmabahce Palace is closed on Mondays and Thursdays. The
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays instead of Mondays. The Covered Bazaar is
closed on Sundays.
How do I get travel cancellation insurance?
You may request the form from me. You may call Anadolu Tours at 1-888-262-3658 and request the forms. You may contact any travel agent for the information.
Do I need health insurance while I am traveling in Turkey?
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover the health care costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.
While I am in Turkey, do I follow the U.S. laws or Turkish laws?
While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Turkey's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Turkey are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.
Can I bring antiques from Turkey?
Turkish customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation or exportation from Turkey of items such as antiquities or other important cultural artifacts. At the time of departure, travelers who purchase such items may be asked to present a receipt from the seller as well as the official museum export certificate required by law.
Are there any crimes in Turkey?
Street crime is not a major concern in Turkey. However, as in other large metropolitan areas throughout the world, there is some crime against tourists, particularly in Istanbul, including pick pocketing, purse snatching and mugging. In the past three years, dozens of American, Canadian and European tourists were robbed by English or French speaking foreigners, who identified themselves as Tunisian, Moroccan, Kuwaiti, or Romanian. These persons befriended the tourists and then drugged them using teas, juice, alcohol, or food. We have been informed that the two most common drugs are nembitol, known on the street as sari bombasi (the yellow bomb) and benzodiazepine. In one case an American died from the effects of the drug that had been intended to put him to sleep.
Are my personal information safe and secure
with TJC?
Your email address,
other personal information and transactions sent to us
are safe, private and secure. Under no circumstance, TJC will
share your information with any organization or agency other than those
necessary for tour participation!
If you receive unwanted mail from us please request we remove your name.
How do I find out about renewing my passport?
If you are
renewing your passport, you can do everything by mail; however, if you are
applying for a passport for the first time, you have to apply in person at a
passport agency (located in 13 major cities) or at one of more than 4,500
passport acceptance facilities nationwide (i.e., post offices, court houses,
etc.). For information on first-time passport requirements and alternate forms
of citizenship proof, visit
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport_services.html.
Please call the National Passport Information Center at 1.888.362.8668 for
help.
What do I need to know about the new security measures at the airports?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has the best website about this subject. Please visit the following site for the latest information:
http://129.33.119.130/public/theme_home1.jsp
Furthermore, MSNBC has some good information at the following site:
http://msnbc.com/news/849764.asp
Are there any English language newspapers (covering Turkish news) available on the Internet?
Yes, refer to the following webpages:
http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/
What is a good Internet site to learn the basics about Turkey:
Please visit the following site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1022222.stm
Is there a podcast about Turkey to listen when I am driving in my car?
Yes, please click on this MP3 file and learn about Istanbul and Turkey.
How can someone contact the project director?
Dr.
Manoucher R. Khosrowshahi
Government Professor
Tyler Junior College
1400 E. Fifth
Tyler,
Tx 75701
Phone:
903-510-2279
Fax: 903-510-2708
E-Mail: mkho@tjc.edu
Webpage: http://socialscience.tjc.edu/mkho/
You may check out the Turkish Embassy's web site for additional FAQ at: http://www.turkishembassy.org/traveltourism/faq.htm#1
For requests regarding tourism please e-mail to Turkish Tourism office at ny@tourismturkey.org