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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| MAKING
A RESERVATION |
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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.
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| TOUR/ITINERARY
QUESTIONS |
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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
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sept
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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| Antalya |
50
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52
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55
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61
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68
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77
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83
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83
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77
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68
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59
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54
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Izmir |
48
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50
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52
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61
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68
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77
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83
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81
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73
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64
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59
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50
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| Istanbul |
41
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43
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45
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54
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61
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70
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73
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73
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68
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61
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54
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46
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| Trabzon |
43
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43
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45
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52
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59
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68
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75
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77
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75
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68
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61
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55
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| Ankara |
32
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34
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41
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52
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61
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68
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73
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73
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65
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55
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46
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36
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| Erzurum |
16
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19
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27
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41
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52
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59
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66
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68
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59
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48
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36
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23
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| Diyarbakir |
36
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36
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46
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57
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66
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79
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88
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88
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77
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63
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50
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50
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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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