BREXIT TOUR TO TURKEY Turkish Air Force Museums in Ankara & Istanbul; Photography & Spotting Options; Sightseeing & Free Time

Transcription

1 BREXIT TOUR TO TURKEY Turkish Air Force Museums in Ankara & Istanbul; Photography & Spotting Options; Sightseeing & Free Time PROVISIONAL ITINERARY & GENERAL INFORMATION Thursday, 28 th Sunday, 31 st March As the big day approaches and the temperature in the political kitchen reaches boiling point, if you can t stand the heat why not take a break and join our group on this long weekend getaway out of the EU, to Turkey. The 2 biggest aviation museums in the country are those belonging to the Turkish Air Force, one in Ankara, the capital, and the other in Istanbul; the former is big, the latter is huge. We also visit a second, smaller aircraft collection in Ankara. We fly on the scheduled services of Turkish Airlines from London s Heathrow Airport; departures from other UK airports on request. We stay at 2 very comfortable hotels on a bed and breakfast basis. The hotel in Istanbul is a short walk away from 2 popular spotting areas, recommended for taking photographs and logging: the beach and the terrace in the Florya shopping mall. Time also for a half-day sightseeing tour in Istanbul including Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar and Galata Bridge; also included is a 3-course lunch with drinks. The group is accompanied by one of Ian Allan s Tour Managers and a local English-speaking guide throughout. For those that prefer to spend time at the airports, transfers to/from will be at your own expense. For non-aviation minded people you have the option of splitting away from the main group and enjoy sightseeing tours (which can be arranged locally at your own expense), shopping etc. PROVISIONAL ITINERARY (all times local) DAY 1: THURSDAY, 28 th MARCH Please meet your fellow escapees in Turkish Airline s check-in area, at London s Heathrow Airport Terminal 2. Latest recommended check-in time: 09:30hrs. Heathrow Airport, Terminal 2 Flight: TK 1980 Departs: 11:35 Istanbul Yesilkoy Airport Arrives: 18:20 After the usual arrival formalities we go along to the gate of our onward flight to Ankara: boarding should commence around 19:10. Istanbul Yesilkoy Airport Flight: TK 2178 Departs: 20:00 Ankara Esenboga Airport Arrives: 21:20 Meeting our local English-speaking guide we board our coach and transfer into the centre of the Turkish capital where we stay overnight at the luxurious 5* Crowne Plaza Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. Website: _-TR-_-ESBAN Tour Turkey Brexit Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 1 of 6

2 DAY 2: FRIDAY, 29 th MARCH This morning we visit the large, excellent collection of 35+ aircraft in the Turkish Air Force Museum, Ankara located in the Etimesgut area of the city. Website: Then to the Turk Hava Kurumu Muzesi which has a much smaller, but still interesting, number of aircraft on display. Late afternoon we return to Ankara s Esenboga Airport for our flight to Istanbul; latest check-in time for our Turkish Airlines flight is: 16:15. Ankara Esenboga Airport Flight: TK 2163 Departs: 18:15 Istanbul Yesilkoy Airport Arrives: 19:45 Meeting our local English-speaking guide we transfer by coach the short distance to our hotel on the perimeter of the airport, the superb Crowne Plaza Istanbul Florya Hotel where we stay 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis. This hotel has excellent facilities and is well-known to aviation photographers and spotters as it is only a short walk to both the popular spot on the beach at the south end of the runway and the rooftop terrace of the restaurant in the Florya shopping mall offering great views out over the airport. Website: _-TR-_-ISTFL Istanbul s new airport opened on the 29 th October to coincide with the anniversary of the founding of modern Turkey. It is located 32 miles northwest of the city and transfers take about 1 hour. Latest information (as of 23 rd October, 2018) is that the airport will be restricted at first to only 5 take-offs and landings per day, and that in the months ahead, operations will gradually transfer from the current airport in Yesilkoy. DAY 3: SATURDAY, 30 th MARCH At 09:30 we transfer the very short distance to the Turkish Air Force Museum which opens at 10:00. This is a huge and fantastic collection of more than 60 aircraft, well laid out in the grounds. See the list of aircraft at Early afternoon we depart on a half-day sightseeing tour which will include visits to Topkapi Palace, St Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and Galata Bridge. We start, however, in the centre of the city with a 3-course lunch (includes a glass of beer or wine and tea or coffee), which is included in the tour price. Alternatively: enjoy the afternoon at Yesilkoy Airport having been dropped-off first at either of the 2 locations mentioned above. Unfortunately we cannot refund the cost of lunch should you choose the latter. DAY 4: SUNDAY, 31 st MARCH This morning we transfer by coach to Istanbul s old or new airport, as necessary, and check in for our midday flight back to London arriving at Heathrow mid-afternoon. Latest recommended check-in time is 11:00. Istanbul Yesilkoy Airport Flight: TK 1985 Departs: 13:00 London Heathrow Airport, Terminal 2 Arrives: 14:55 Whilst waiting in Baggage Reclaim for our luggage to appear we wish each Gule Gule (farewell) until we meet again. Tour Turkey Brexit Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 2 of 6

3 PRICE PER PERSON TOUR: From From Package price based on sharing a twin bedded room on a bed and breakfast basis Single room supplement On request Land-only (NO flights) PLEASE SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR CONSULTANTS BEFORE BOOKING TOUR PRICE INCLUDES Return flights on the scheduled services of Turkish Airlines from London s Heathrow Airport as stated UK & Turkish airport taxes and UK Passenger Service Charge (subject to change) 3 nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities Continental Breakfast All transfers and transportation by chartered air-conditioned coach, as stated Admission to all museums and collections as stated Any fee to take photographs (but not videos) Half day sightseeing tour in Istanbul including 3-course lunch with drink Services of local English-speaking guides Services of an Ian Allan Tour Manager Gratuity for coach driver NOT INCLUDED Turkish visa see details on page 4 Meals, other than those stated above Travel Insurance see General Information Personal expenditure, for example, telephone calls, laundry, drinks, etc. Tour Turkey Brexit Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 3 of 6

4 GENERAL INFORMATION Payment for A deposit of per person should accompany your Booking Form, with the balance due 10 weeks prior to the tour s departure. Please see your Booking Confirmation/Invoice for the exact date. Please note that a reminder of the payment date will not be sent. Passports and Visas Citizens of the UK are required to be in possession of a Full UK Passport which must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Turkey. You will need a visa and can apply online at before you go. It costs the equivalent of US$20.00 (approximately 16.00), payable by VISA/Mastercard debit or credit card only. You may also refer to the World Travel Guide website: for general information on passports, visas and health requirements. Non-UK and EU citizens should contact the Turkish Embassy in their country of residence for specific information and instructions. FCO Consular Advice The FCO's consular service is a major operation. Every hour of every day consular staff around the world are advising and helping British nationals. We suggest you visit for up-to-date passport, visa and security information on the destination you intend visiting. In addition, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) provide an Information Line, telephone: (calls currently charged at 51p per minute). Coach Travel only use coaches chartered from reputable companies, with a driver. Where we have had to cancel a tour, due to the small number of bookings, we have looked at the possibility of renting a seater mini-van, with our tour manager driving. However, without exception, the hiring of such a vehicle is illegal if any of the occupants make any payment towards the rental price, fuel and/or other expenses - known as for hire or reward. Any such rental, made without these facts being made known to the rental company at the time of booking, also invalidates all insurance covering the vehicle, contents and persons. The DVLA has also confirmed that any for hire or reward rental could breach the normal driving classification of a standard U.K. driver s license. Therefore, we do not undertake any tours using 9-18 seater mini-vans from a rental company; either with our tour manager, or a member of the group, driving. Baggage Regulations Turkish Airlines Departing from London s Heathrow Airport Checked Baggage: Turkish Airlines will transport 1 piece of checked baggage per person free of charge, the total dimensions of which must not exceed 62ins (158cms). Maximum weight is 44lbs (20kgs). Cabin Baggage: for travel out of London s Heathrow Airport you may take 1 carry-on bag (and 1 personal item). Your main piece of hand baggage can be up to the dimensions of 20ins x 18ins x 8ins (55cms x 40cms x 23cms). Maximum weight: 17.5lbs (8kgs). Limited quantities of liquids (individual containers must not exceed 100ml or 3.5 fl oz), are now allowed as hand baggage but must be carried separately through security in a clear plastic, zip-top or re-sealable bag that does not exceed 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches), or quart size. Items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed. Hand baggage can contain shampoo, suntan lotions, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and hair spray, perfumes, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups and other items of a similar consistency. Also prescription medicines in liquid form, e.g. diabetic kit. Cigarette lighters are NOT permitted in hold baggage or through the security search. These may be purchased airside. Tour Turkey Brexit Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 4 of 6

5 Hand baggage can also include electronic equipment including mobile phones, digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i-pods). Laptops must be removed from the bag for x-ray. At security all remaining items should be placed in the tray provided for screening, e.g. car keys and fobs, cash, solid food, books, newspapers, cigarettes and tobacco, belts and shoes. Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. All wheelchairs will be subject to search. Please note: you may be subject to a hand search by the security team and required to remove footwear to be x-ray screened. Once in the departure lounge passengers may purchase certain items in any shop and take it onto the aircraft as normal. Passengers may be subject to a secondary search at the departure gate before boarding. Any items not on the approved list will be removed. Baggage Weight Restrictions UK Airports Since 1 st June 2004, any single piece of checked baggage weighing more than 70lbs (32kgs) has not been accepted at check-in by any airline operating from London s Heathrow Airport. The BAA may introduce this limit at their other airports in the UK (and so might non-baa airports), in an attempt to reduce manual handling injuries amongst airport staff. Please bear this in mind when packing. Meals Meals are not normally included in the price of our tours unless they are included within the room rate as we realise that not everyone wants three meals a day. In-flight meals when included within the cost of the air ticket form part of the tour price, however some airlines (primarily European carriers) now only serve refreshments for which they charge accordingly. This tour includes Continental breakfast each morning in the hotel. Health Requirements There are no known mandatory or recommended precautions for visiting these areas of Turkey. However, if you are in any doubt we recommend that you consult your local doctor or health centre for the latest information. Climate and Dress It s still winter but the temperature is slowly rising each day throughout the month. Expect temperatures in the low 50 s. Cool but sunny. We therefore recommend you take warm clothing. Travel Insurance For citizens of the United Kingdom, Ian Allan Travel Ltd can provide competitive and comprehensive insurance cover for the duration of your tour. However, if you do not wish to take out our insurance, you must ensure that comparable or greater cover is taken. The number of your Insurance Policy should be written, if known, on your Booking Form at the time of making the reservation, but no later than the date when final payment is due. A copy of the policy must be forwarded to Ian Allan Travel Ltd. Individual insurance policies are arranged through CoverMore Insurance Services Limited; the premiums for which will vary according to your circumstances. Full details are available on request. Wheelchair Assistance at Airports. Anyone requiring wheelchair assistance at airports must have this service requested and confirmed in advance. Airlines and/or airports can no longer provide this service without prior confirmation, therefore, please annotate your booking form accordingly. Flexible Itinerary We are very happy for enthusiasts to take time away from the printed itinerary to pursue their own interests, so long as they inform the Tour Manager. It will be the individual s responsibility to ensure that they re-join the group in the hotel at the stated time on the day of departure. Please note: it is not possible to refund the cost of the coach nor admission tickets if you decide not to join the group on any day(s). Tour Turkey Brexit Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 5 of 6

6 Land Only Price For enthusiasts who would prefer to join the tour in Ankara, either at the airport or the hotel (instead of flying from the UK with the main group), we would be pleased to provide a Land Only price. This price does not include any flights whatsoever and you are strongly advised to contact us before making your own flight arrangements in the event that there has been a change to the published itinerary. Please note that the Land Only price is based on you meeting the tour as stated above. Should you not travel with group, for whatever reason (e.g. delayed flight, own arrangements), we are unable to refund the cost of the transfers. Flight Timings & Connecting Travel Arrangements to Departure Airport All flight departure and arrival times are correct at the time of preparing each itinerary; however, airlines may change these times with little or no prior warning. In practice such changes are only a few minutes either way and the final itinerary will show the actual times. Clients making their own arrangements to get to the departure airport by air, rail, coach etc., should bare the above in mind if purchasing nonrefundable or non-changeable tickets. Ian Allan Travel cannot be held responsible for any changes to flight times and any privately arranged travel tickets to the airport becoming invalid. Pre-departure For connecting flights from UK regional airports - please call Ian Allan Travel on for the latest special offers available. Airport Hotel and/or Car Parking - we can offer special rates for the above at most UK airports, please ask for details. Tours Affected by World Events or Unforeseen/Unplanned Circumstances In an ever-changing world, events may occur immediately before or during a tour that result in cancellations or changes to the tour itinerary. For example, an increase in security may result in an approved visit being cancelled by the host, etc.. Ian Allan Travel Ltd cannot be held responsible for any tour being cancelled, or itineraries affected, due to world events or circumstances beyond our control. * * * Tour Turkey Brexit Provisional Itinerary Issue 1 Page 6 of 6