I'm travelling on this tour - Sunday 12th October...so not long to go now! My first JY venture! Can you please tell me who the Tour Guide will be...and also if at the end of Day 3 will I have time to go and see the Whirling Dervishes at the HodjaPasha Theatre which is supposed to be very near the Saphire Hotel where we are staying?

I have always wanted to see them and would hate to miss it!

Also in view of the reported troubles in Istanbul overnight are we in any danger of the tour being cancelled?

Thanks

Debika

I hope you have a fantastic time on your first trip with us!

So, the Tour Manager provisionally allocated to this trip is Levent Solmaz

The Whirling Dervishes at HodjaPasha is around a 3 minute walk from the Sapphire Hotel (approx, 220metres). The ceremony takes place at around 7pm every day except Monday and Friday. If this is something you would like to do, if you inform your TM on arrival he can arrange this for you, make your reservation and arrange dinner (at the hotel) accordingly.

In terms of trouble in Istanbul, at the moment this tour is going ahead as planned however our team are always monitoring situations overseas and should there be any risk to our customers action would be taken. Sadly, demonstrations are not uncommon in this region.

I hope all of this helps,

Kindest regards,

Julia

Hi Debika,

I hope you have a fantastic time on your first trip with us!

So, the Tour Manager provisionally allocated to this trip is Levent Solmaz

The Whirling Dervishes at HodjaPasha is around a 3 minute walk from the Sapphire Hotel (approx, 220metres). The ceremony takes place at around 7pm every day except Monday and Friday. If this is something you would like to do, if you inform your TM on arrival he can arrange this for you, make your reservation and arrange dinner (at the hotel) accordingly.

In terms of trouble in Istanbul, at the moment this tour is going ahead as planned however our team are always monitoring situations overseas and should there be any risk to our customers action would be taken. Sadly, demonstrations are not uncommon in this region.

I hope all of this helps,

Kindest regards,

Julia

Thank you so much Julia,

You've answered all my questions and I will certainly speak to Levent about seeing the Dervishes! I Have a few butterflies but am really excited too!

You've been really helpful...so thanks again.

I will give you feedback on my return.

Debika

I'm really excited about this holiday, but am also watching the situation in Turkey with interest, hopefully it won't stop our tours going ahead.

Thanks

Caroline

Not a problem, your trip is indeed fully booked with 31 of you travelling. The group is made up of 16 men and 15 women with ages from early-40s through to mid-70s.

The Tour Manager provisionally allocated to this trip is Ugur Zaim.

I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Kindest regards,

Julia

Have a great holiday,

Bob

Jaya

Would you know how much the optional trip will be, and if I can book it when I'm there or if I can pre-book before I leave the UK? I prefer to get any optional tours paid for before I go on the holiday, but it's not a problem if I have to book it when I'm there, just I'll take extra money with me if that's the case.

Thanks for your help.

Caroline

There are two optional excursions for the November departure, both can be booked before you leave the UK.

Istanbul by night - £65

Join us on an atmospheric drive through the illuminated streets of Istanbul. Afterwards we will stop for dinner and a Turkish Floor Show featuring folk dancers, belly dancers and singers. Your show includes a meal and half a bottle of wine.

Hagia Sophia, Golden Horn and Bosporus Cruise - £72

Join us on this full day excursion, the first stop is the imposing Hagia Sophia, the largest church in Christendorm for almost a full millennium and a mosque for more than 500 years. Take time to marvel at its awesome size and majesty. You will then follow the city walls along the Golden Horn, gaining more insight into life in Istanbul as we approach the Monastery of Chora. Enjoy a traditional meal in a local restaurant surrounded with the fragrant scents of the Egyptian Spice Bazaar, before boarding a ferry for a journey along the Bosphorus. One minute you will be in Europe, the next in Asia, as you pass a blend of old wooden houses, fishing villages and marble palaces.

Kindest regards,

Julia

I've already planned to do the 2nd optional trip you mention, but was wondering if anybody has done the first option (Istanbul by night), who could tell me if this is worth doing?

I'll hopefully book one, if not both, optional excursions before I leave the UK. Do you know how many are already booked on them at all, and if there are minimum numbers required for them to run?

Thanks for your help.

Caroline

Hopefully someone will be able to offer their thoughts on the Istanbul by night option.

In terms of the numbers, at the moment there are 21 of the group booked on the Hagia Sophia, Golden Horn and Bosporus Cruise excursion and 16 travellers booked on the Istanbul by Night trip. Both of these are planned to operate (subject to local conditions) as minimum numbers have been reached.

Kindest regards,

Julia

I have done the Istanbul by night, and it was very enjoyable. The food was good and plentiful, and service was great. The show was very entertaining if a little strange at times. I would really recommend it.

This holiday has been my favourite so far. The tour guide was brilliant and such a wonderful group of people.

LIndsay

Regards

Caroline

I have just returned from this trip and highly recomment both optional excursions. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and most of those who went also thought it was a great one. I have posted the review of my trip.

Jaya

I've just read your excellent review of this tour, sounds like you had a brilliant time and I'm really looking forward to going now.

I've booked both optional excursions and am looking forward to them.

I got my travel documents at the weekend and notice it mentions not taking Turkish Lira with you but taking sterling and changing it out there, I was planning on taking some Lira with me and changing more money as and when I need it over there, is this easy to do?

Thanks

Caroline

I did take Turkish Lira with me as had already got them before I received all the information. You did get a better rate there. There was a money exchange place not too far from the hotel. You can also exchange at the hotel reception. Perhaps you can take a few Lira so you have something for the first day and exchange the rest over there. When I was there the rate was 1.65 Lira to a £. I had got mine for 1.33 Lira over here.

Have a wonderful time - I am sure you will really enjoy this trip even though it is a full one trip with hardly any time to relax!

Jaya