Highlights of Northern Greece & Turkey - 13 Days

Frequently asked questions

• What are the main highlights of this trip?

  This trip's main highlights include visiting a women-run agricultural co-op in Vizitsa, exploring the breathtaking national park beneath the towering Mt. Olympus, strolling through ancient cities and uncovering the ruins of Ephesus and Troy, and experiencing the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia.

• What kind of accommodation can I expect on this trip?

  You can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions, which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff. All are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations. Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms, but a standing or desk fan can be provided. You will stay in hotels for 12 nights, with one night spent on an overnight train.

• What meals are included in this trip?

  The tour includes 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners.

• What is the typical group size for this tour?

  The maximum group size is 16 travelers, with an average of 12.

• Who will be leading the group?

  The group will be led by a Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, with local guides assisting at specific locations. Please note that this trip includes a CEO change; you will be accompanied by one CEO in Greece and another in Turkey.

• What types of transportation are used on this trip?

  Transport on this trip will be a mix of private vehicles, an overnight train, ferry, internal flights, and walking.

• Is travel insurance required for my trip?

  Yes, travel insurance is compulsory to participate in any of our trips. At a minimum, you must be covered for medical expenses, including emergency evacuation and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of USD200,000. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage and personal effects.

• Are there any age restrictions for this tour?

  You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

• Do solo travelers have to pay a single supplement?

  No, our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement for solo travelers, who are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex. The only exception is Night 9, which is an overnight train.

• What are the tipping guidelines for this trip?

  Tipping is customary in Europe. A general rule is 10% of the bill for wait staff, and a smaller amount (€1 or €2) for other service providers. For local guides, recommendations range from €3-5 per day. At the end of each trip, if you felt your CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is expected and appreciated, with €6-8 per person, per day as a guideline.

• What rules should I know before joining this trip regarding illegal drugs and exploitation?

  Illegal drugs will not be tolerated, as they contravene local laws and put the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is not acceptable for our travelers. The exploitation of people in the sex trade is completely contrary to our philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if these rules are violated.

• What are the general safety and security considerations on my trip?

  We recommend checking your government's travel advice and using a neck wallet or money belt for valuables. Leave valuable jewelry at home; many hotels have safety deposit boxes. A lock is recommended for luggage. Your group leader has the authority to amend the itinerary for safety concerns. During free time, use good judgment when selecting optional activities. While cities are generally safe during the day, at night, stay in small groups and consider taking taxis. Water-based activities should only be participated in when accompanied by a guide(s), and swimming is always at your own risk. Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings, and mind your personal belongings.

• What should LGBTQ+ travelers know about safety and travel considerations on this trip?

  The safety and well-being of all travelers, including those identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community, is a priority. We recognize that there are specific concerns and questions you may have about your adventure in terms of safety and security. We encourage you to visit the tour operator's LGBTQ+ page for useful resources and the Equaldex tool, linked on that page, to ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout the duration of your trip.

• What are the health considerations I should know before travelling?

  Inoculations may be required for the countries visited, so consult your travel doctor for up-to-date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend carrying a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers/antibacterial wipes, as well as any personal medical requirements. Be aware that we may be in remote areas away from medical facilities, and leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug. Assess your ability to cope with our style of travel, as the tour operator reserves the right to exclude any traveler unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.

• What should I know about currency, credit cards, and exchanging money while on this tour?

  Credit and debit cards are useful for cash advances, with Visa widely accepted. While ATMs are commonly available, there are no guarantees that your credit or debit cards will work in Greece, so check with your bank. A fee usually applies to credit card purchases. Do not rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money; a combination of Euros, traveler’s cheques, and cards is best. Always take more rather than less. You can refer to www.xe.com for daily exchange rates.

• Are international flights included in this trip?

  No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour. You should contact your airline for the most up-to-date information regarding check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions, and online check-in in advance is recommended to avoid potential delays at the airport.

• What happens if I experience problems when arriving for the tour?

  If for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, please contact your starting point hotel as soon as possible, requesting to speak to or leave a message for your CEO. If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to the emergency contact details provided in your dossier.

• What optional activities are available on this trip?

  Optional activities include visits to the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki and Nea Paralia in Thessaloníki; a Pottery Center Visit (Free), Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride, and Turkish Bath (75EUR per person) in Göreme; a Carpet Demonstration (Free) in Cappadocia; and visits to Topkapi Palace (1500TRY per person), Galata Tower (30EUR per person), Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) (25EUR per person), Archaeological Museum (15EUR per person), Dolmabahçe Palace (1200TRY per person), and Basilica Cistern (900TRY per person) in Istanbul.

• Can I do laundry during the trip?

  Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge, or your CEO can advise on the closest laundromat. It is suggested you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap for times when you may need to do your own laundry.

• What is Planeterra?

  Planeterra International Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to turning travel into impact by helping local communities earn an income from tourism. Planeterra connects underserved local communities to the benefits of tourism by developing and supporting small community-owned businesses. These businesses support Indigenous people, empower women, grant youth access to employment opportunities, and protect the environment. The tour operator is Planeterra’s largest corporate donor, covering all operating costs, so 100% of your donation will bring opportunity to people in need.

• Who should I contact in case of an emergency?

  Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call the tour operator's Local Office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information. If you are unable to contact our local office, you can call the Sales team numbers: Toll-free from North America: 1 888 800 4100; from within UK: 0344 272 0000; from within Germany: 0800 365 1000; from within Australia: 1 300 796 618; from within New Zealand: 0800 333 307; and outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999.

• What type of accommodation can I expect on this tour?

  You can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions for 12 nights, which will vary slightly in standard. These accommodations are typically clean, safe, and centrally located. Some may not have elevators or air-conditioning, but a standing or desk fan can be provided on hot nights. Night 9 involves an overnight train.

• What meals are included in the tour?

  The tour includes 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners.

• What is the typical group size for this tour?

  The maximum group size is 16 travellers, with an average of 12.

• Is there an age restriction for this trip?

  You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on this tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12. The maximum age for travellers is 100.

• Do solo travelers incur an extra cost for accommodation?

  No, solo travellers do not pay more to travel. Our group trips are designed for shared accommodation, and single travellers are paired with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip without a single supplement.

• Is travel insurance mandatory for this trip?

  Yes, travel insurance is compulsory to participate in this trip. You must have a minimum coverage of USD200,000 for medical expenses, including emergency evacuation and repatriation. Coverage for personal liability, cancellation, curtailment, and loss of luggage is also strongly recommended.

• How much emergency money should I bring on this trip?

  It is recommended to have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an emergency fund for unforeseen circumstances.

• What are the tipping customs for this trip?

  Tipping is customary in Europe. A general guideline is 10% of the bill for wait staff and €1-€2 for other service providers. For local guides, €3-€5 per day is recommended, and for your CEO, €6-€8 per person per day is appreciated as an expression of satisfaction.

• Are there any optional activities available on this tour?

  Yes, optional activities include visiting the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, exploring Nea Paralia, a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride, a Turkish Bath (75EUR per person), a Pottery Center Visit (Free), a Carpet Demonstration (Free), and in Istanbul: Topkapi Palace Visit (1500TRY per person), Galata Tower (30EUR per person), Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) Visit (25EUR per person), Archaeological Museum (15EUR per person), Dolmabahçe Palace (1200TRY per person), and Basilica Cistern (900TRY per person).

• What are the main highlights and unique experiences of this tour?

  The tour highlights include visiting a women-run agricultural co-op in Vizitsa, exploring Mount Olympus National Park, discovering the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Troy, and experiencing the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. You'll also enjoy unique foodie moments like a cultural walk with meze plates in Vólos and a pide demonstration and lunch in Selçuk, as well as a local living moment with dinner with a local family in Çavuşin.

• What forms of transportation are used on this trip?

  Transportation on this trip will be a mix of private vehicles, a ferry, an overnight train, an internal flight, and walking. You will be required to carry your own luggage short distances (up to 15 minutes walk) between transport and hotels, so packing light is advised.

• Who will be leading the group on this tour?

  You will be accompanied by a Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout the trip. Please note that there will be a CEO change; you will have one CEO in Greece and another in Turkey. Local guides will also assist.

• What should I know about currency, credit cards, and exchanging money while on this tour?

  Credit and debit cards (Visa being most widely accepted) are useful for cash advances, but there's no guarantee they will work everywhere in Greece or Turkey, so check with your bank. Do not rely on cards as your only source of money. A combination of Euros, traveller's cheques, and cards is recommended. Be aware that a fee usually applies when purchasing products or services with a credit card. You can refer to www.xe.com for daily exchange rates.

• Are laundry facilities available during the trip?

  Laundry facilities are offered by some of the hotels for a charge. Your CEO can also advise on the closest laundromat. It is suggested to bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap for personal laundry.

• What are the specific safety considerations for this trip?

  In major cities, use common sense, be aware of your surroundings, and mind your personal belongings, as some areas are safer than others. It is recommended to stay in small groups and use taxis for night excursions. Your CEO has the authority to amend or cancel parts of the itinerary if safety concerns arise. Water-based activities carry an element of danger; participate only when accompanied by a guide.