I am also booked on this tour and a friend of mine will be booking this weekend. Looks like a great tour - I can't wait! I am also traveling from Toronto. Does anyone know what passports need Visa's?
Definitely the Cdn and Amer.'s, need a visa. There is two ways of getting it. Either at the airport, (I've been hearing mixed reviews for this), or mailing it out to the Turkish embassy which I believe it's either in Montreal or Ottawa. I personally will end up getting it at home, so that i don't have to wait in line at the airport there.(It will cost more this way) If you end up getting it here at home, give yourself at least 4 weeks before you leave. Apparently, it takes that long.
First time w/ Contiki but heard good things. Will be meeting a friend who is already abroad there and know someone else living in Instanbul as well. Traveling from NYC. Should be fun! See you all soon.
Hi everyone! I've been to Istanbul twice in the last eight months and would like to share some information about obtaining visas. The cost of the visa depends on your country's passport. For Canada, it's 45 euros, or equivalent in US dollars (I forget the exact number- i paid in euros). You can't pay in local currency (YTL- the new turkish lyra). If you don't have either euros or US dollars, they will accept Visa credit card but they don't prefer this (it may need to be a chip & pin card). Safest bet is to bring USD or EUR currency with you to the airport. The visa counter is just to the left of the Passport Control line and you can buy your visa on the spot. It lasts for 3 months.
Also confirm your accomodation details during the trip, i'm not sure if it's included in the price. I was looking at going on this trip too as I'll be in Istanbul during that time but I have a work meeting on the 13!!
Hi Everyone, I too am considering going on the Turkish Delight on Oct 10-18 I was wondering if anyone else would be leaving from Charlotte, NC or NYC maybe we could leave together. So feel free to contact me and let me know.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Oli37,
Hi everyone!!! My partner and I will be on this tour. We arrive in the morning on the 10th October and will be staying at the Asur Hotel. We are from Hastings, New Zealand. We are so excited. Not long to go now. Only 7 weeks to go!!!
Hi everyone, I notice some people will be arriving on the 10th and staying at Asur Hotel. Was wondering if anyone is interested in having a pre-meeting dinner/gathering of some sort in the evening of the 10th. It's 7 weeks and counting down, folks!
Hey Everyone...just confirmed this tour for October. Will be traveling with a friend/work colleague of mine. This will be my very first tour. Both of us are from Toronto. I'm 27. Looks like a good group of us so far. I'm getting excited! I have also heard it is much better to get your Visa prior to entering Turkey. Just sent my Passport off to the Embassy.
Hi all, how's everyone doing? I noticed this forum has cooled off for quite sometime, so I thought the time's about right to warm it up again.
I hope the people who decided to get their visas before getting there already got theirs. I went to their L.A. consulate last month and paid USD$37 for the visa. I probably overpaid for it, but I'm glad I can check it off my list. I'm also expecting my Contiki travel documents to arrive this week.
P.S. If anyone reading this has been there (Istanbul/Turkey)...or has heard/got anything to share (e.g. places to visit, eateries), I hope you wouldn't mind sharing.
Hi Everyone! Only a couple of weeks to go now. I'm taking this trip with my friend Johanna, "Miami Jo," and I can't wait. We have our travel documents and plane tickets. Just have to pack now. We are flying out of Miami on the afternoon of the 10th, so we will see you all sometime Sat. afternoon!
Well, less than 2 weeks and we will be in Turkey, can't wait. On my last Contiki trip several of the people that were arriving around the same time got together at the airport and shared a taxi to the hotel. A good way to make friends early, not be alone in a strange city and save some money. So I was wondering is anyone arriving on Sat the 11 around 1:30 pm and is interested in sharing a taxi with me and my friend Jen ??? If not see u there!!!
Hi Johanna, Great idea, I wouldn't mind sharing a cab from the airport to the hotel. My flight arrives at 1:45 from Amsterdam Sat. afternoon, flying on NWA.
