F.A.Q.

BOOKING

You can book any tours online through our Reservation form or by email correspondence with our Reservation Department by e-mail info@arestourturkey.com

 

GUIDE & DRIVER

Our Guides will provide you with a wealth of information about the history, religion, mythology, economy, activities, restaurants, shopping areas and much more, making sure you have an enjoyable experience that will expand your awareness about Turkey! Different foreign language tours can be arranged. We often receive requests for specific guides and although it is our pleasure to fulfill your wish, unfortunately we can never provide the guide name even though the requested guide will be signed for your tour. If the requested guide is not available, please rest assured that we provide another experienced tour guide. Our drivers are professional, enthusiastic and entertaining persons. They will also make sure to keep the vehicle clean and fresh or to start the a/c before you enter the van. Most important, they will make sure your drive is safe!

TIPS

Tipping is not included in  fees. It is never mandatory although it is always appreciated and depend always on the satisfaction of service.

MEETING POINT

Your tour guide will always be waiting for you at the confirmed sight with a name sign.

-  If your are coming by CRUISE SHIP the guide awaits for you where your ship docks, thought outside the port’s terminal building – exactly after you exit the custom doors.

Always with your name sign or any other preferred name sign.

-  If you are coming by PLANE, our staff and/or guide awaits for you directly after you exit the international/domestic terminal.

Always with your name sign or any other preferred name sign.

-  If you are in HOTEL our staff, driver and/or guide awaits for you at the hotel's reception and/or lobby.

Please aware the hotel concierge which can identify us.

STARTING TIME & TOUR TIMING

In order to offer you the chance to properly enjoy our service and since a correct guiding of the sights needs its time,  we strongly recommned to start the programs as early as possible. Plus, we avoid the heat and we start the touring ahead of the cruise and/or hotel groups.  for tour estimated time, we quote approximate times for our tours, though each tour time can vary depending mostly on traffic and/or crowed and since almost all tours involves walking, we consider your mobility, interest for information, time for pictures, sanitary stops, breaks for relaxation and additional time can be offered for other breaks as lunch or shopping, etc. 

PAYMENT

Payments are charged at the time we receive the reservation form or at the end of our service(s) according to your payment decision and the quoted rates.The payment by Credit Card can and will be charged in either USD or EURO, depending on your wish.

The payment in cash requires your credit card number that is used only to guarantee your reservation. At the conclusion of the service(s), we charge in cash in any international currency, such as: USD; EURO; GBP. We also accept payment in Turkish Lira.

CANCELLATION

Cancellations will only be charged if you fail to cancel your reservation within 24 hours before your booked service(s). After this day, we have the right to debit payment as a “no show fee”.

ENTRANCE FEES

The entrance fees to the historical sites ARE included in our tour fees. Also parking and taxes.

DRESSING

Visiting a mosque, a church or a synagogue is a profound experience and one that will leave you feeling calm and serene. Be careful to follow the rules such as not make pictures to the people praying and dress appropriately as to not disrespect the worshipers – you are now in a muslim country. Recommended to have in your bag head coverings and wear knee-level clothes.

- Blue Mosque visit (Istanbul) requires barefoot walking. Enter the prayer section inside a mosque barefoot. Leave your shoes at the shoe storage area near the entrance, or carry them in a bag. Step inside with your right foot first. Speak softly once inside.

- The House of Virgin Mary visit (Ephesus) requires appropriate attire (covered shoulders and/or head and long trousers or skirts covering the knees). No pictures allowed inside the house/church.

- Synagogues visit (Istanbul) requires dress conservatively. The Jewish dress code is dictated by the section of Jewish law known as ‘’Tznius’’ which translates from Hebrew to mean ‘’modesty’’.

WHEELCHAIR or MOBILE SCOOTER

We can accommodate with pleasure people with walking difficulties and/or disabilities, but there are some details must be known to not raise your expectations too much. We can easily provide vans that can load the wheelchairs in the track or provide handicap vehicles. The special vehicles with lift up requires additional fee and depends on availability. Please check with our Reservation Department for more details.

Example: Ancient city of Ephesus can be visited as follows:

Visit all Ephesus: Start from Upper Gate and brave the old marble and stone avenue. We will be able to see all the monuments, even if we are not able to access all the structures. The visit is downhill.

Visit half of Ephesus: We enter from Lower Gate and go as far as the beginning of the climb. We will see from down the Theatre in all its splendour, The Arcadian Way, The Library of Celsius which alone is worthwhile, The Temple of Hadrian, Traian Fountain and a number of other buildings that will give you a good idea of the whole city.

VISA

If you are visiting Turkey while on a cruise - staying for the day or doing an overnight (sleeping on the ship) you DO NOT NEED A VISA.

For the moment, Turkish visa can be obtained on arrival (if you are eligible), from the Turkish missions or over the e-Visa Application system (if you are eligible). Please note that visa on arrival will no longer be available as of 10 April 2014.

e-Visa is valid for tourism and trade purposes only. All people planing a Turkey tour after April 10, 2014 must apply to e-Visa.

You can apply to e-Visa online: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/apply/

It’s really easy to get your e-Visa: Simply apply, make your payment and download your e-Visa. You must apply to e-Visa before your departure. If you are eligible for Turkish visa, you can make payment online and download your e-Visa. Please don’t forget to download your e-Visa.

Ares Tour  team would like to assist you. Please keep in touch.

What is e-Visa?

e-Visa is an endorsement that allows the bearer to enter Turkey. It replaces “sticker”- and “stamp-type” visas formerly issued at the border crossing. Applicants obtain their visa electronically after entering required information and making payment by credit card. After successful application, e-Visa is e-mailed to the applicant. Applicants must print out their e-Visa, show it to airport officials and customs officers and carry it with them at all times during the travel.

e-Visa is only valid for tourism or trade purposes. For other purposes such as work or study, an application through our Embassies or Consulates must be submitted. Turkish authorities can deny entrance of a holder of e-Visa to Turkey in certain cases. Holders of visas issued by Turkish embassies or consulates are subject to the same procedure too, thus can be denied entrance.

MONEY & CURRENCY

Money, ATMs and Credit Cards.

The unit of currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL). One Turkish Lira is devided into 100 Kurus. Types of available coins are: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 kurus and 1 lira. Bills or banknote types are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 liras.

You can legally use your foreign currencies ( mostly USD; EURO or GBP) in most places. You may have difficulty with other currencies.

It is recommended to have some Turkish Lira for small payments, or if you want to pay in foreign currency in such places you need to have small bills and/or coins. By giving large bills for a small payment you may risk upset the seller and also experience difficulties with currency rates for change.

Turkey has many Banks, and bank branches can be found almost everywhere. The big retail banks all have sophisticated ATMs, most of which give cash advances against foreign credit cards.

Credit Cards are extensively used in Turkey. For your safety, do not send your card away with a waiter for example. It is better to go to the cashier with the card or just tell them to bring the POS machine to you.

Exchange offices offer fast service in and outside normal banking hours and at better rates than banks. They have their buying and selling rates announced on the wall and do not charge any commission and only change foreign cash currency. Passports are not required. In case you have any extra Turkish currency left with you, before your departure from Turkey, you can always change this into whichever currency you like at change offices available near ports or at the airports.

SHOPPING

The wonderful architecture and sights and smells of the East make shopping in Turkey a great day out. It is quite impossible to think of your visit in Turkey without the thrill of shopping. Shopping in Turkey is irresistible for the wide range of unique and beautiful items. Once you see the variety of national products with Turkish style, you will want to take some home to share with your family and friends. Such as: Turkish or Oriental carpets; leather goods; an exquisite piece of gold and/or silver jewelry; traditional hand painted ceramics and porcelain; attractive hand beaten Cooper goods; pottery; hand made crafts; meerschaum pipe; a luxurious pashmina shawl, wrap or scarf; textile; Lokum=Turkish delight; baklava; Turkish coffee; Turkish tea; spices; olive oil.

Traditionally in Turkey, it is believed that a simple blue eye glass can ward off evil and bring luck and success. You can see blue eyes hanging in homes and shops or incorporated into buildings and jewelry. Blue eyes come in all shapes and sizes and make an authentic and inexpensive souvenir of Turkey.

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