What to Bring

On this program, we ask that you limit your luggage to 1 suitcase (soft-sided is preferred, see note below) not to exceed 44 pounds and 1 carry-on piece not to exceed 17 pounds (in addition to a purse or handbag), which must fit under your seat or in the overhead luggage compartment. These restrictions are set by the domestic flight carriers within Turkey.  We suggest you pack anything important, such as your passport or other documentation listed below, or of value in your carry-on.

During our stay on the gulets, there is very little storage in cabins, and there is no storage for baggage outside of cabins. We highly recommend packing in a soft-sided collapsible duffel with wheels or something that can be emptied and made flat as your one piece of checked luggage to facilitate easier storage in your cabin. This is just a recommendation and is not required.

Participants are responsible for their own overweight luggage charges, so please be aware of your luggage limits during the program as well as the restrictions for your international flight carrier.

We recommend a comfortable wardrobe that you can layer. Because Turkey is an informal country, formal dress is not required anywhere on our journey. However, you may want to bring one outfit that can be dressed up a bit for the welcome and farewell dinners (this is completely optional and at your discretion). Some of the mosques we visit require that clothing cover the shoulders and knees.

The atmosphere on board the gulets is very casual and relaxed, and there are no formal events while on board. Casual beachwear, such as shorts, t-shirts and sarongs are appropriate for both day and evening.

Gulets do not allow shoes on board, except for sandals or slippers on outside decks. No pointed heels are allowed. Only bare feet or socks are allowed inside the gulets.

Laundry service is available in all of our hotels for a fee. Laundry service is not available onboard the gulets.

Clothing and Outerwear

• comfortable, broken-in walking shoes or lightweight waterproof hiking boots or hiking shoes

• sweater, sweatshirt or light jacket

• lightweight scarf (to protect your neck from the sun) sweater, sweatshirt or light jacket

• dressier outfit(s) for welcome and farewell dinners 

• long-sleeve, lightweight shirts (for sun protection)

• shoes that are easy to remove and an extra pair of socks for temple visits

• sandals or slippers to wear on the outside decks while on the gulets

• swimsuit

• Teva™-type sandals or Aqua Socks™

Documentation

• passport

• printed copy of your e-ticket for your flights

• photocopies of credit cards

• extra passport photos (in case you lose your passport and need to apply for a new one)

• share your travel insurance policy, if purchased, with your emergency contact and/or traveling partner(s)

• photocopies of any prescriptions for prescription medications you are bringing with you

Toiletries, Medications & First Aid

• biodegradable shampoo, soap and conditioner for the gulets

• sunscreen and lip protection

• anti-bacterial gel or towelettes

• tissues (small travel packs)

• blister prevention & treatment products

• Aspirin®/Tylenol®, etc.

• cold remedies

• anti-diarrheals (Imodium AD® and/or Pepto Bismol®)

• prescription medications (in their original containers)

• motion sickness preventives

Miscellaneous

• day pack or backpack large enough to hold a snack, water, sunscreen, walking stick(s), camera, rain gear and jacket, and whatever else you might need during the day. It can also serve as your carry-on.

• wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses

• refillable water bottle - we will use larger jugs to refill bottles to cut down on plastic waste

• voltage converters and plug adapters

• plastic bags (Ziploc®) for storing toiletries, supplies and keeping camera equipment dry

• money belt

• travel sewing kit

• TSA-approved luggage locks

• extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts

Special Equipment

• Teva™-type sandals or Aqua Socks™ for wet landings

• binoculars (one pair per person)

• collapsible walking stick (and carrying bag)

Adapter

You will need an adapter plug that looks like this to charge any of your electrical devices. If you travel frequently, a universal adapter will cover you on this trip as well as your future travels. 

Converter

Most laptop computers and digital camera battery chargers can operate on a range of currents from 110-240 volts, in which case a converter is not necessary since the current in Turkey is 220 volts, 50 cycles.