FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
  
  
  
  
  
WHY TRAVEL WITH PACIFIC DELIGHT TOURS?
• The Best Value - with over 34 years of long standing business relationships, we are able to provide the best value for quality arrangements.
• Attention to Detail - our years of experience have allowed us to fine tune our programs so that you can enjoy every moment of your tour while we care for the details.
• Choices - from single destinations to 13 day journeys or from multi-city to multi-country tours, whatever time of year you want to travel, we have a tour for you.
• Flexibility - we are pleased to customize travel arrangements to meet your specific interests, whether adding an extension to your tour or creating an entire itinerary just for you.
• Financially Sound - we are debt free and a member of the United States Tour Operators Association, with its $1 Million Travel Assistance Program. This means your travel investment is safe with us.
 
PLANNING YOUR TOUR
In order to choose the tour that will best meet your needs, you will need to consider four main factors:
• Length of tour
• Desired areas to visit
• Class of hotel and arrangements
• Your budget

We offer two types of packaged tours, which tour is right for you?
  Escorted:
For those who are looking for the "all inclusive" package. Flights, land arrangements and the majority of meals are all packaged here for you. A local tour director will join the tour on your arrival in Turkey.

  Locally Hosted:
For the more independent traveler. These packages offer all land arrangements (some packages inclusive of air), no meals (can be added if required) and the opportunity to purchase air at the best available current rates, or use your air miles. Pacific Delight offers excellent contracted air rates and can make these arrangements for you.

Do I need a visa for my tour?
Yes. U.S. citizens may obtain a visa upon entry into Turkey or in prior to departure from one of the five Turkish Consulates in the United States. You may also have Pacific Delight World Tours obtain one for you. Visas issued upon entry are valid for three months. Non-U.S citizens must apply for a tourist visa BEFORE traveling to Turkey.

What is the airfare cost from my home town?
Included in each tour is an add-on airfare chart. If you do not see your city listed please contact us at pdt@pacificdelighttours.com or 1-800-221-7179 for further information.

Besides the tour fare and visa, what other expenses can I expect?
Airline taxes and fees for both domestic and international flights will appear on your invoice. Additionally, the customary gratuity for tour guides, waiters, chambermaids, porters and coach drivers is not included in the tour fare. Further, there will be a mailing fee for documents sent outside the continental United States or for overnight delivery service.

How far in advance should I make my reservation?
We advise that you book as soon as possible to take advantage of our "early booking" discounts and to secure the best pricing and availability for your trip. Once we sell out our allocation for air space at our very best rates, customers will be charged a "buy-up" to secure higher priced seats. The earlier you book, affords a better opportunity for space to be confirmed.


Do you accept late reservations?
For reservations made within 45 day prior to the desired departure date, we will take your request and make every effort to confirm and deliver your trip at a nominal surcharge of $50 per person.

Should I purchase travel insurance?
Pacific Delight Tours highly recommends purchasing travel insurance. This will help to protect your travel investment if you are delayed or have to cancel for a covered reason. For further details click http://www.pacificdelighttours.com/insurance_overview.htm

Can I upgrade my hotel room or add extra nights?

Yes. We offer upgraded rooms and extra nights at a reasonable cost, which includes hotel taxes and service charges.

Can I customize my tour?
Yes. We offer optional sightseeing tours and you can extend your stay by adding hotel nights to the beginning or end of your tour. In addition, we have pre-packaged extensions to many destinations. We are also able to create a customized itinerary for you if our pre-packaged tours do not meet your needs.

If I have a special request (e.g. special dietary needs, hearing impaired), will you be able to accommodate me?
We are usually able to meet any request made. Please let us know at the time you book your tour of your needs, and we will advise if there are any additional costs.

Can I upgrade to Business Class air fare?
Yes. We offer Business Class upgrades at a reasonable fare.

Can I use my mileage to upgrade to Business Class?
The airlines provide Pacific Delight with excellent economy and business class air fares; therefore the Airlines do not allow Pacific Delight to sell upgrades using mileage for business class airfares.

Can I earn frequent flyer miles on my air flights booked through Pacific Delight?

The air/land packages that allow mileage accrual specify this in the "Inclusive Features" of the tour description. Members of Turkish Airlines Miles are eligible to earn frequent flyer credit with the purchase of air/land tour package ticketed on Turkish Airlines.

Can I make my own transatlantic air arrangements?
Yes. Pacific Delight sells "land only" programs for those who would like to provide their own transatlantic air arrangements. Please note though, that "land only" programs do not include the initial arrival transfer and final departure transfer. If you would like these services, you may purchase them through us at a reasonable cost.
 
MAKING A RESERVATION

How do I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation directly over our website anytime, day or night. Simply click on the

button included in each tour to the right of the departure chart, which will bring up our Online Travel Reservation Form. When booking online, you receive the following added benefits:
• Only $200 deposit per person, instead of $300 per person required with all telephone reservations.
• First priority for air, cruise and hotel space.
If you prefer to call, our reservations staff may be reached at 1-800-221-7179 For a South Pacific Specialist dial ext 394 or 208.Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 7:00pm EST.

Why does Pacific Delight need a copy of my passport even if they are not doing my visa?
If you are applying for your own visa, a copy of the pages of your passport containing the following information is needed for us to process the booking and to comply with Turkey's security requirements: Name (as it appears on your passport), passport number, citizenship and date-of-birth.

When will the deposit be charged to my credit card?
Once all portions of your tour have been confirmed, we will charge your credit card the deposit. If we are unable to confirm your reservation, we will contact you immediately with alternative choices and will not charge your credit card.

How will I know if my reservation was accepted?
You will receive an invoice by fax or mail when all portions are confirmed and the deposit has been processed.

What do I need to do if Pacific Delight is obtaining my Turkey visa?
If you are purchasing your Turkey Visa through Pacific Delight, U.S. Passports with a six-month validity AFTER the date of return should be sent to our office 45 days prior to departure date with a completed and signed Visa Application Form with an official passport-size color photo, plus payment by credit card or check. Payment is non-refundable once the visa is issued. We normally take the passports to the Turkish Consulate 45 days prior to your departure date, and the visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Please make sure that your passport has a six-month validity after the date of your return and has at least 2 blank pages.

When will I need to make final payment?
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure. If you book your tour within 70 days of your departure date, full payment is due within three days of receiving your confirmation / invoice.

How do I make final payment?
The final payment may be made by check or credit card, with signed authorization form. Final payment not received by 70 days prior to departure date will be subject to a $50.00 per person late payment fee.

When will I receive my final documents?
Documents are prepared approximately 30 days prior to departure and are sent out approximately 25 days prior to your date of departure. If you book within 30 days of your departure date, we will send out the documents after full payment is received and processed.

 
TOUR/ITINERARY QUESTIONS

What type of food will be served?
Meals are served as specified in the itineraries. Tourists may dine in the hotel and also at local restaurants. Turkish food is regarded as one of the world's great cuisines. The Mediterranean diet, which includes Turkey's, is considered a healthy diet to follow. Dinners will most commonly start with mezeler, (singular, mezze) or appetizers. Mezeler are Turkish specialties, showing off the originality and skill of a restaurant. Roasted pureed eggplant, fine chopped salads, miniature filled pasta called "manti," pepper and turnip pickles, mackerel stuffed with pilaf, sardines rolled in grape leaves, and "kofte", spiced lamb meatballs, all tantalize the diner.

Do I have to tip? How much should I tip?
Since gratuity is a personal expression of appreciation for services rendered, it is not included in the cost of the tour. At various establishments like hotels, restaurants, Turkish baths, barbers and hairdressers, tipping at a rate of 5 to15% of the total is common. Taxi and "dolmus" drivers on the other hand, do not expect tips or even rounded fares.

Who will collect the tips?
Gratuities are handled on an individual basis. At times your guide may offer to help by collecting the tips from the participants. This collection is in no way compulsory and is only for your convenience.

What is the luggage allowance?
US transatlantic and Turkish domestic flights allow one piece of checked baggage with a maximum weight of 44 lbs and one carryon bag. Additional baggage will result in excess baggage fees to be paid immediately upon demand. Pacific Delight World Tours does not assume any responsibility for loss or damage to baggage or passenger's belongings.

Are there any vaccinations required for tourists entering Turkey?
No immunization vaccinations are required of U.S. or Canadian citizens traveling from the U.S. and Canada to Turkey. It is a good idea to check with your personal physician; however, to see if any shots are recommended at the time you travel.

What is the electrical requirement in Turkey?
Turkey operates on 220 volts with round-prong European style plugs. We recommend that you bring your own converters and adapters so that you are assured that you have for your personal needs.

Is it safe to drink tap water in Turkey?
Turkey practices safe sanitation standards, as tap water is suitable for bathing and regular tasks such as brushing teeth. However, as is customary in most Mediterranean countries, the majority of locals and visitors drink bottled water, or consume other beverages. We recommend that visitors practice local customs and drink bottled water.

Should I exchange money before I go to Turkey?

The highly favorable exchange rate makes travel to Turkey extremely affordable. Most banks in the U.S. do not carry Turkish currency, which is easily obtainable upon arrival in Turkey at any airport, exchange office or bank. Furthermore, ATM machines can be found throughout Turkey.

What clothing should I bring?

Casual wear is appropriate for most tour excursions. Women may wear pants or skirts, but when visiting the mosques it is recommended to cover their heads with a scarf and not to wear shorts out of respects for religious customs.

What are the Average Air and Water Temperatures for Turkey's major cities?
Temperatures are given in oC (degrees Celsius) in Turkey, which can be converted to oF (degrees Fahrenheit) with the formula: oF = (9/5)oC + 32

Average Temperatures of Major Cities in oF

City
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Antalya
50
52
55
61
68
77
83
83
77
68
59
54
Izmir
48
50
52
61
68
77
83
81
73
64
59
50
Istanbul
41
43
45
54
61
70
73
73
68
61
54
46
Trabzon
43
43
45
52
59
68
75
77
75
68
61
55
Ankara
32
34
41
52
61
68
73
73
65
55
46
36
Erzurum
16
19
27
41
52
59
66
68
59
48
36
23
Diyarbakir
36
36
46
57
66
79
88
88
77
63
50
50

The web site of the General Directorate of the Turkish State Meteorological Service, www.meteor.gov.tr, gives current sea and air temperatures, humidity and 3-day weather forecasts for all cities in Turkey and for the holiday resorts of Alanya, Anamur, Bodrum, Dalaman, Finike and Marmaris.

Is it safe to travel in Turkey?
Turkey is one of the safest countries in the world in which to travel, and its crime rate is low in comparison to many Western European countries. Interpol ranked Turkey as the safest holiday destination in Europe for travelers. Naturally, we recommend that travelers to Turkey exercise the same precautions they would elsewhere, and be aware of security concerns that affect all international travelers.

What can I buy in Turkey?
Shopping is one of the great pleasures of a trip to Turkey and the rich variety of Turkish crafts makes it impossible to resist buying something. Fine apparel of silk, cotton, leather and wool; artful jewelry; leather accessories; brilliant faience (colored tiles); vessels of copper, brass, marble, meerschaum and alabaster worked by master artisans; and of course heirloom-quality Turkish carpets and kilims, are among the most popular purchases. Great value and an enjoyable shopping experience can be found everywhere, from small towns to big cities.

Are there any regulations for tourists visiting a mosque?
Before entering a mosque, visitors should remove their shoes and show the respect they would any other house of worship and avoid visiting the mosque during prayer time. Women should cover their heads and arms, and not wear miniskirts. Men should not wear shorts. (In certain famous mosques, overalls are provided for those not suitably dressed.)

  
   
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Last Revised 4/27/07