You can easily change money at the airport banks on arrival. A taxi to centre of town costs around GBP£20. The taxis all have meters so make sure the driver switches his meter on. If the taxi driver says his meter is not working get out of the taxi and jump in the one behind. The taxis queue up immediately outside the airport.

The Sultanahmet area is the most interesting and central place to stay. This area is full of cheap restaurants plus the Aya Sofya and Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace.

We recommend the Sultan Hostel bookings@sultanhostel.com at 21 Akbiyik Caddesi in Sultanahmet or just 20 meters away the Orient Youth Hostel orienthostel@superonline.com, in the same street. These are both friendly but basic places to stay. Dorm rooms cost about GB£6 a night or single rooms for £13, double/twin room for GB£17 and the Sultan also has triples for £24 or Quadruple for £32. All prices include breakfast.

At the Sultan most rooms have showers and it also has a free safety deposit box. If you would like a hotel, there are two on the same street that have been recommended by past clients of ours.

The Hotel Gul Sultan www.gulsultanhotel.com has single rooms from £28, double/twin £36, triple £46, breakfast included.

The Hotel Alaturka www.hotelalaturka.com has single rooms for £30, doubles £40, triples £50, breakfast included. They also have an airport pick-up service which costs approximately £17.

While the crew and truck stay at Atakoy Camping which is on the outskirts of Istanbul near to the airport, we recommend that passengers stay in town if they arrive a day or two early to see some of the main sites in Istanbul. An informal pre departure meeting will be held at Atakoy Camping the evening before the trip departs and passengers are invited to come along and meet fellow passengers, your crew and a bite to eat. You can camp the night if you like and use one of our tents. Camping costs 5 Euros per tent PLUS 5 Euros per person (this will also save on having to arrange transport back into town after the meeting and then back out to the campsite early the next morning in time for departure.)

The easiest way to get to Atakoy is to take a taxi, the address is:

Atakoy Camping, Sahil Yolu, Bakirkoy, Istanbul following the coast road towards the airport. Tel 0212 6615526. You can also ask your hostel if they have an Airport Shuttle that goes along this route, prearranging to be dropped off at Atakoy Camping. Look out for notices about the pre-departure meeting and our crew's contact details at the Orient and Sultan Hostels.

The Istanbul-Damascus trip officially starts at 8am on Day One of the trip from Atakoy Camping.
After a half-day drive through olive groves and rural settlements, we spend the first night at Gallipoli.

Your tour leader will collect your Local Payment on Day 1.
Local Payment is part of your overall tour investment and is the easiest and most economical way to get hard currency to Syria or Turkey to help run your trip. It goes toward a variety of day-to-day local costs which cannot be pre-paid. This is payable to your tour leader on departure in English Pounds Sterling cash, Euros cash or US Dollars cash only. Scottish Pounds, Australian & New Zealand dollars are not accepted.

The Local payment is a guaranteed amount, set before your tour departs. We will not ask you to contribute more once the tour is underway, as can happen with group kitty systems.

Please bring 3 photocopies of your passport details page and one passport photo to give to your tour leader. You'll need at least 3 blank pages in your passport, which must be valid for at least nine months. If you have dual nationality you can only use one passport. Passports with an Israeli stamp or any indication of travel to Israel must be replaced.

Visas are needed for all the countries we visit on this trip at a total cost shown below. Please ensure that you bring sufficient US Dollars to pay for these as follows:
Turkey - Visas are issued upon arrival in Turkey at a cost of £10 for British and US$20 for Australians. New Zealand and South African passport holders do not pay for their visas.

Syria - All nationalities need a visa which you must obtain before travel. If you are planning on taking the optional day trip to Lebanon, you will need a multiple entry visa. The cost for UK passport holders is currently 37 single entry, £57 multiple entry.

Australian & New Zealand: Passport holders £20 single and £30 multiple entry. Payment has to be by cash.

Website - www.syrianembassy.co.uk click on consular section - and then –visa-. You can download the visa form from their website.

To apply you will need 2 application forms, 2 passport size photos, your passport, and allow 4 to 7 days for processing. To help you complete the application forms; your point of entry into Syria (if you are starting the trip in Istanbul) is the Bab al-Hawa border from Antakya in Turkey. Your point of exit will be from Damascus Airport (ths is in reverse if starting the trip in Damascus). Your date of entry will be 6 days before your trip ends in Damascus. Duration of stay in Syria is 6 days plus any time you have before your flight departs or after your flight arrives in Damascus. If you are not sure put 10 days. Our address in Damascus is Kaboun Camping, Autostrad Damascus - Homs, Damascus. Tel. 011 512 6235. You may also be asked for a short letter from your employer or college stating who you are. Your visa will be valid for 3 months from Date of Issue so dont apply for it more than three months before you are due to enter Syria. Make sure you have NO Israel stamps in your passport. Syrias name for Israel is “Occupied Palestine.”

Lebanon - The visa for Lebanon is included in the price of the optional excursion (US$75). You will need to bring a photocopy of the personal details page of your passport and your tour leader will apply for the visa en-route.

It is a compulsory requirement that you have adequate travel insurance before you join any Trip and at the very least are insured for all necessary medical expenses and repatriation costs incurred overseas. We believe that your safety and holiday enjoyment are very important. It is a mistake to think that "it will never happen to me". We can arrange comprehensive travel insurance for you if you wish, please consult us or visit our website for further details.If you are arranging your own travel insurance and are considering undertaking any of the so-called "hazardous activities", please ensure that your policy provides the appropriate cover, as some of these activities may be excluded from standard travel insurance policies. Please also be aware that the levels of cover of some policies may not fully insure you for the specific activities you may choose to undertake e.g. White Water Rafting is covered under some policies but only up to a maximum Grade 3. In Africa - all White Water Rafting that is available is Grade 3+, so please check all of the policy details beforehand. It is essential that the travel insurance that you have arranged is designed to cover all, often hazardous activities that are on offer.

It is a condition of booking that it will not be possible for you to join the trip if you cannot produce details or information to prove you have adequate travel insurance at the start of your trip.

We usually have two crew, whose duties are extensive and quite demanding. Their challenges include driving and maintaining the expedition vehicle to a very high standard, organising visas and border crossings, accommodation, finding the best deals, pre-booking some excursions and guides, helping with shopping and cooking, keeping up with the party animals and making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Adventure travel is not an exact science. It is this very unpredictability which makes it such a rewarding experience. Occasionally we must amend our itineraries to take into account changing local circumstances. In such situations we'll always try to minimise any disruption, but you need to bear in mind that from time to time events occur outside our control. While our crew are experienced and knowledgeable of the countries through which we travel, they are not guides as such. The diversity and extent of the history and cultures in this region are second to none. At the most important historical sites we visit, we have the benefit of locally trained guides who have spent many years and have vast experience of such sites.

Security - There is a lockable safe bolted onto the floor of the truck beneath a false floor. This is for your money belts, passports and smaller valuables. The company does not take responsibility for clients personal items. In certain areas a roster will be drawn up to guard the vehicle. A money belt that can be concealed is better than a bum bag or wallet that hangs from the neck. We advise you do not take items of value that are not essential to your journey.

Vehicle Equipment - All our vehicles are equipped for your comfort with the following:

Comfortable coach seats with removable seat bases for easy access to your baggage throughout the day

12 Volt charging system for recharging camera /video batteries

Internal & external lighting system

Onboard stereo with adaptors for MP3, MD or personal CD walkmans

Inter cab buzzer for communication with the crew

Extra storage space for excess baggage and souvenirs

Easy to reach overhead racking for day bags and cameras

Lockable safe for storage of money and valuables

Professionally compiled expedition medical kit

Cooler boxes for food and drinks

On board library

Camp stools

Roomy 2 person tents

Large water carrying capacity

Large storage facilities for dried, tinned & fresh food

Extensive cooking equipment & facilities

The variety is great and often a totally unique experience, including tents, hotels, tree houses and simple village pensions. We camp with 2 person tents in campsites and the desert or hotel/pensions in shared rooms. In the summer months we will camp around 70% of the time, less during the winter. Most places have showers and if they are hot, that's a bonus!

Women Travellers - People in the regions we pass through are generally conservative, especially about matters concerning sex and women. Muslim countries simply are not the place to make a feminist statement. Attitudes range from fairly liberal on the Mediterranean Coast, to very conservative in some of the small towns and areas of Syria, although Damascus is quite cosmopolitan. If you are not prepared to fit in with the social code of the area the chances are you will be harassed.
What to wear - Dress conservatively. Keeping your arms, shoulders and legs covered will go a long way to prevent causing offence and hassle to you. This is true for men as well as women. Avoid wearing tight or revealing clothing. Generally on beaches you can wear what you like.

Health and Hygiene on the trip - Your crew will talk to you about cooking, washing cutlery, cleaning etc. We purify our drinking water where necessary. To join the expedition you should be in good general health. We must be told if you have any pre-existing medical condition or are on any regular medication.

Vaccinations - There are no compulsory jabs needed although it is advisable to be immunized against; Tetanus; Polio; Typhoid, Meningitis and Hepatitis A.

Consult your doctor or a medical clinic.
Clinics do not always give detailed medical advice over the phone. It is best to phone for their opening hours and make an appointment.

Medical Kits - We carry professionally compiled medical kits with emergency First aid material and antibiotics. However, the crew is not entitled to recommend or prescribe any medicine and we advise a health check with your GP and Dentist before you start your journey.

Personal Medicines - We advise you bring along your own small medical kit to include; antiseptic ointment; antihistamine cream; nurofen or equivalent pain-killer; eye drops/bath; anti diarrhoea treatment; sun block; after sun/moisturiser; rehydration sachets; plasters; suitable antibiotics as recommended by your doctor for infected cuts and to treat severe dysentery.

Malaria - The areas through which we travel are considered to be malaria free.

Tipping and Bargaining - Tipping is usually expected. Called 'baksheesh', it is often more than a reward for services well done, but, as wages are extremely low, it is an accepted means of supplementing an income. Keep small change on you so as not to incur a large demand when it is seen you can afford more. All prices are negotiable, especially in souqs and bazaars. Many travellers find it a hassle having to bargain for every thing you wish to buy, but prices are usually inflated so accept the tea or coffee offered, sit down, and if you are not happy, move on to another place. You are under no obligation to buy and don't be intimidated.

Things to buy - One of the highlights of a Middle East trip is the covered souqs and bazaars. There are numerous handicrafts and souvenirs including kilims (rugs), carpets, silver, gold, clothing, woven bags, silk, jewellery boxes, backgammon boards, leather goods, incense, plus much more.

Currency - It is best to take 50% of your money in US Dollars or Euros cash and the other 50% in Euro, Sterling or US Dollars Travellers Cheques OR bring a credit or debit card with a PIN number to use in ATM machines in Turkey. Please be aware that when changing Travellers Cheques you are always charged a service fee or commission, usually about 5%. There is also usually a bank charge for using ATM machines, so cash is the cheapest way to travel. Make sure that all your notes are in good condition. Old, torn or marked notes are often refused. Do not bring $100 notes unless they are in excellent condition and post 1997. It is easy to get local currency from ATM machines in larger towns in Turkey. In Syria travellers cheques and credit cars are virtually useless. You will need US Dollars or Euro Cash in order to exchange to Syrian Pounds as well as pay for visas and the Lebanon optional trip. There is a secure safe for money on board the truck.

A credit card is useful for emergency spending and is accepted in some shops in the larger cities in Turkey. However, it is virtually useless in Syria.

Please Note!! If you do not bring enough cash you may struggle to change traveller's cheques in many places we visit.

Spending money - For personal spending, budget on about $200 per week to cover you for some meals out, drinks, local crafts and souvenirs. Of course this varies person-to-person depending on how much you eat out, drink, and how many souvenirs you buy.

Budget on optional side trips separately.

Guide books -

� Lonely Planet, Rough Guide and Footprint - publish various guide books of Turkey and Syria.
� Arabic and Turkish Phrase books are also published by Lonely Planet

Maps - GEO Centre's World Map Series of Middle East

Recommended reading -

� Ataturk: The Rebirth of a Nation - Lord Kinross (Historical look at 20 Century Turkey)
� Journey to the Orient - Gerard de Nerval.
� Beyond the Pyramids - Douglas Kennedy.
� Pillars of Hercules - by Paul Theroux.
� Khul-Khal: Five Egyptian Women Tell Their Stories - Nayra Atiya

As a guide to help you budget, below are some approximate prices of most of the side activities you can do:

(Guide only as prices and exchange rates can change). The $ to £ rate below is made at a rate of 1.8.

The less you take the less you have to pack, wash and lug home and you can always pick up extras along the way. You will be travelling in the heat, lazing on beaches and camping in the cool, so bring clothes for all climates; rough stuff is best. You can get laundry done along the way.
Weather Warning - Climatic variations are quite dramatic in the Middle East. November to March in both Turkey and Syria can sometimes be extremely cold in parts with snow in places. Generally May/June and September/October are good months to travel. In July and August midday temperatures can reach 35 to 40 degrees Centigrade, but nights in the desert and at altitude in Cappadocia can be quite cold so bring clothes for all seasons. However, pack extra warm clothes if travelling in Turkey from October to April.
Clothes

Medical kit - (bring your own basic kit, our vehicles carry a comprehensive one)

 Personal Effects �

The easiest and best way to travel is as lightly as possible, taking just what is necessary. Most people make the mistake of bringing too much luggage.

The variety is great and often a totally unique experience, including tents, hotels, tree houses and simple village pensions. We camp with 2 person tents in campsites and the desert or hotel/pensions in shared rooms. In the summer months we will camp around 70% of the time, less during the winter. Most places have showers and if they are hot, that's a bonus!

Women Travellers - People in the regions we pass through are generally conservative, especially about matters concerning sex and women. Muslim countries simply are not the place to make a feminist statement. Attitudes range from fairly liberal on the Mediterranean Coast, to very conservative in some of the small towns and areas of Syria, although Damascus is quite cosmopolitan. If you are not prepared to fit in with the social code of the area the chances are you will be harassed.

What to wear - Dress conservatively. Keeping your arms, shoulders and legs covered will go a long way to prevent causing offence and hassle to you. This is true for men as well as women. Avoid wearing tight or revealing clothing. Generally on beaches you can wear what you like.