Turkey Trip 2026
General Information
Mobile Devices
As you know, I will be providing you a personal tour book for our trip in PDF Format. You can load this on your phone or tablet and use it daily to read about the places we are visiting (it will contain LOTS of other information too!).
But what about using your phone as a phone, web browser, email reader, etc? You have several options:
If you don’t want to spend money for a service, you can just use the wifi that will be available in our hotels (and at many shops, restaurants, etc.).
If you want to always have your phone online, you can contact your provider (Verizon, AT&T, etc) and ask to add the international plan. This typically costs about $10-$15 per day and works surprisingly well. It is the simplest — and MOST expensive— of all the options.
If your device is capable of using an ESIM, I would suggest this option and there are many companies that provide this for as little as $10 or $20 for the entire trip. My preference would be SAILY (https://saily.com) and you can learn more about them from this VIDEO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrjikMH5BFk
One other option is an actual physical SIM card that can be purchased when you arrive in Turkey. I used to use these and although they are inexpensive, they come with a bit more hassle.
Also, if you don’t have it already, I would download the app WHATSAPP and use it while in Turkey for text and calls.
Teams and Captains
GARY REIBER (Captain)
Gary & Robin Reiber
Tim & Diane Brown
Stanley & Jane Rich
Renee Marshall & Jill Parris
TIM GEARY (Captain)
Tim Geary & Chris Sweet-Geary
Samuel & Flora Barron
Steve & Lisa Best
Linda Cabe & Melody Cabe
PAT JONES (Captain)
Pat & Pamela Jones
John & Donna Pedlow
Patricia Greene & Barbara Burger
Michael & Shirley Stanton
MATT ZEEB (Captain)
Matthew & Melanie Zeeb
Timothy & Martha Hughes
Daniel Johnson & Justin Johnson
George & Deb Kreger
JOEL KLINE (Captain)
Joel & Lyn Kline
Adrian & Vickie Kjesbo
Colette Wrightsman & Joshua Wrightsman
Craig & Karla Grow
Steve & Karra Heggen
Electronics and Adaptors, Cameras
You are welcome to bring any of your electronic devices along (I will be bringing an iPhone, iPad and small camera.) There will be wifi in the hotels, and constant access if you could get an international plan for your phone or an ESIM.
For charging your devices (plugs) you will need an adaptor for the 2-pin European style outlets. You can see them or order them HERE.
Or you can use one adaptor that allows for 4 to 6 USB or USB-C cables. This is the one I use. LINK
If you don’t travel to Europe often, you should probably just borrow these. I will bring several to the meeting to loan but in the meantime you might ask friends or family if they have these that you could borrow.
THINKING AHEAD — THREE ITEMS THAT COULD BE COSTLY (But are optional!)
— The hot air balloon ride. We will get a group rate but it depends on how many of us choose to do this. Cost could be up to $250 per person.
— Turkish Bath — in Pamukkale (and several other places) you will have opportunity to sign up for an authentic Turkish bath. (I have done it. They are wonderful!) Cost could be $100 or more depending on options.
— Turkish Rug and/or Leather Jacket — If you have wanted a Turkish rug or a Turkish leather jacket, this is the place to consider buying. You will be amazed at the colors and quality. Price? The sky’s the limit.
WHISPER DEVICES
One of the great inventions for travel are the "Whispers" or headsets that we use. This allows the guide to speak using a microphone and you, wearing an ear bud, are able to hear from quite a distance. This gives you the opportunity to listen while looking around and taking photos. These will be distributed the first day on the bus and you will keep your receiver and headset for the entire trip. Just don't lose it as it can be expensive. We will collect them on the last day of the trip.
Please note, if you wear a hearing aid, you may want to take an "over the ear" headset like these. It is possible that they will be provided as well, but we never know until we arrive at our destination. Single earbuds will be provided to everyone, but you can take your own, if you prefer. However, it must be wired and have the standard 3.5mm jack.
Trip Insurance
Your trip insurance from Faith Ventures is INCLUDED in the cost of your trip.
You will receive your trip insurance cards in the coming week. They will come by email so if you don’t see them by next week, check your spam folder.
You should print this card and carry it with you on the trip.
You have the BASIC PLAN which provides the following protections:
-- Emergency Evacuation $50,000
-- Illness Medical Expense. $25,000
-- Accident Medical Expense $25,000
-- Security Evacuation $100,000
-- Repatriation of Remains $25,000
-- Accidental Death $15,000
-- Missed Connection $500
-- Trip Delay $100
-- Baggage Loss $500
-- Baggage Delay $50
(There are other benefits as well which you can read about HERE)
There is also a PLUS plan and an ANNUAL plan which you could upgrade to on your own. (An Annual Plan would be for someone who travels internationally multiple times throughout the year.) You will need to have the number on your current card to upgrade, and to do so you would call Faith Ventures directly at (888) 674-4074.
Trip Cancellation
Insurance is NOT covered in the travel insurance plan. If you want cancellation insurance, you would go to this LINK. Enter your Faith Ventures Policy Number (you should have received your card by email last week) and then enter the details of your trip. Very easy!
(If you would have an illness or accident that would prevent you from going on this trip, this is the only way that you would be reimbursed for the cost of your trip!)
Currency and Spending
The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira. The current exchange rate is 1 TRY ≈ 0.02 USD, which means that if you have 1,000 lira it equals just $23. (Can you image how many bills I need to carry to pay the tips?!). You can see and learn about the Lira here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arwHXHdwlH0
You can exchange money most anywhere and I would suggest that you do so. I get about $50 worth of lira to buy coffees or ice creams using cash. You can determine how much cash you want to carry. For larger purchases (over $20 or so) you will want to use your credit card or “tap to pay.” I used Apple Pay everywhere last year with no issues (the same is true of Samsung or other tap to pay options).
Two cautions with credit cards:
— make sure that your card does not charge foreign transaction fees and;
— call your credit card company to let them know you’ll be in Turkey (some credit cards don’t require this so just check on yours.)
You will have multiple opportunities to shop but two times that we will all participate in shopping experiences: Leather jackets and goods in Ephesus and Turkish rugs in Cappadocia. These are the best places to purchase these things and these events are quite entertaining. Don’t feel pressured to buy — but enjoy the experience!
Flights and Arrivals
From the flights that have been submitted, the largest group arriving in Istanbul at the same time will be on March 19 at 2:25 p.m. So the bus will be available to this group, and others arriving at other times should book a transfer from the airport to the hotel. (See booking info below)
Those included on the bus are the following:
Melody Cabe
Linda Cabe
Martha Hughes
Timothy Hughes
Deborah Kreger
George Kreger
Dennis Miller
Karin Miller
Adrian Kjesbo
Vickie Kjesbo
Colette Wrightsman
Joshua Wrightsman
Gary Reiber
Robin Reiber
Renee Marshall
Stan Rich
Jane Rich
(If we missed you and you are arriving on TK206 on March 19, please let us know.)
Our Song for the Trip
If you’ve traveled with me before you know that we start each morning with a preview of our day, a prayer and a song. Our song for Turkey will be This God He Is Our God by Tommy Walker.
This song is admittedly a little harder to sing, but the lyrics are a terrific reminder of the nature of the God we worship. The lyrics are at the bottom of this email, and you can listen to this song HERE.
This God He Is Our God by Tommy Walker
Who is the God who said to the darkness
Let there be light and there was light
Who is the God who made the heavens
The sun and moon, the stars and sky
He is the one who's like no other
Omnipotent and oh so wise
Invisible yet ever-present
He is the holy God most high
[Chorus] This God, He is our God
Forevermore and evermore
He'll be our guiding light
From now until the end of time
This God, He is our God
Forevermore and evermore
He'll be our guiding light
From now until the end of time
This is the God who came down from heaven
Said let the children come to me
He healed the sick and walked on water
He conquered death to set us free
He is the one who's always loved us
Even when we walked away
It is His love that will ever hold us
Until the day we see His face
[Chorus] This God, He is our God
Forevermore and evermore
He'll be our guiding light
From now until the end of time
This God, He is our God
Forevermore and evermore
He'll be our guiding light
From now until the end of time
Hallelujah (X4)
[Spoken] "He's the holy One, the I Am
The Beginning and the End, the Infinite
All Powerful, All Knowing, Ever Present
Invisible, Miracle Working God
He's the Creator of the world, the Righteous Judge
The King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords"
"So, Who is this God?"
"This God, He's my God, forever and ever
He will be our God, even to the end
He's the Lamb of God, the Bread of Life
The Firm Foundation, the Bright and Morning Star
His name is Emmanuel, Redeemer, Wonderful Counselor
The Everlasting Father, The Ancient of Days
He's the Rewarder, the Healer, the Prince of Peace
The Hope of Glory, and the soon and coming King"
Chorus
This God, He is our God
Forevermore and evermore
He'll be our guiding light
From now until the end of time
This God, He is our God
Forevermore and evermore
He'll be our guiding light
From now until the end of time [X2]
Hallelujah (X4)