For more info on exchange rates or to find your currency check these links :-

• XE.com 
  Also: Have [exchange rates against your own currency] sent to your inbox daily while you travel !
  
• OANDA
  

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GENERAL SUGGESTIONS 

"When you have finished packing,
take out half your clothes and take twice as much money !"

These lists are long: we are NOT SUGGESTING you should bring EVERYTHING.
Just consider the value of each item to YOU.

A valuable screening test is "How will it serve ME ? How much will I serve IT ?" !!!

IF you deem them necessary, the UNDERLINED items are best brought with you - being either expensive, tricky to find or unavailable in Turkey.

• Travel Plug - the big suction disc type. Local plugs can be bought at hardware stores, but not always.
• Electric Adaptor Plug - Middle east type: two horizontal, round pegs. Australian & New Zealand adaptor plugs are very difficult to find in Turkey. 
• Voltage adaptor (different to a plug adaptor) : Americans: Turkey has a 220 volt system.
• Outdoors / camping stores merchandise.
• Your national treat - Vegemite / Marmite / Biltong etc.
• Head / neck travel pillow (check it is comfortable) for long bus rides.
• Travel Alarm - never have to reply on others for your "wake up call" ! Battery operated, rather than electric.
• Laundry bag - one that "breathes" avoids smell & mould. An old pillow case is ideal. Write your name on it clearly.
• Silicone Ear Plugs - Sometime, somewhere in Turkey, you will probably be glad of them !
• Small Cheap pocket calculator 
• Swimsuit & goggles - all seasons. Turkey has many HOT Mineral Springs; you can swim even in the snow ! Goggles ? Fantastic at Pamukkale's submerged temple pool. The sea is VERY salty (ultra-buoyant, but hard on the eyes). Submerged ancient buildings are quite common.
• ALL Reading Material including Guide Books.
• Small, lightweight 'Travel' Games:  Chess, Backgammon, Scrabble, Cards etc
• Small, light Binoculars: Great for mosque domes etc !
• Tampons

See our Weather Page for Temperatures, Rainfall and Weather Forecasts.

Summer Specifics

TURKEY CAN BE EXTREMELY HOT IN SUMMER & even AUTUMN / FALL. REGIONS VARY.

• Insulated  Bottle Carrier: bottled water is either 0.5 or 1.5 litre (also see alternatives to PET waste) .
• Pump-spray bottle Purse size, re-fillable: heavenly in extreme heat.
• SPF Suncream (extremely expensive in Turkey)
• Sun-Hat - ideal = "Breathable", broad-rimmed, with "chin strings" & squashes into your bag.
• A light-weight sarong - so many uses !
• 1 light sweater or jacket.
• Heat Tolerance Aids - ask at "outdoors" stores e.g. : "Neck Buddy", personal fans etc
• Umbrella: Instant "shade on a stick" wherever and whenever you want it. Commonly used in many hot countries like Africa & Asia, they provide protection against UV, are cooler than a hat and are a very effective comfort aid in extreme, unshaded heat - like ruins ! They make a big difference to your comfort & are especially recommended for the heat-intolerant & unwell. Find the idea of a "parasol" old-fashioned or embarrassing ? Rather than scorned, you're likely to be envied & admired for your forethought & wisdom ! Choose light-weight, fold away & avoid dark colours.
• "Lumbar" or "Fanny" day packs leave the back uncovered and are cooler than ordinary day packs
• Herbal / "natural" insect repellants not readily available in Turkey.
  

Winter Specifics

TURKEY CAN BE EXTREMELY COLD in WINTER. REGIONS VARY. CHECK THE TEMPERATURES & PREPARE CAREFULLY.

• In the centre, east & north, including Istanbul, it could be snowing, with iced pavements*.
• In Southern areas, it will probably be wet, cold or windy at least sometimes.
• It is invariably cold at night, wherever you are.
• Torch - POWER CUTS ARE COMMON in WINTER. "Head lamps" allow you to be "hands free" for dressing, tooth cleaning, toilet, unlocking doors, packing etc. 
• *Waterproof walking boots with thick, non-slip soles. Elastic sides or stretch laces make removal easy (necessary for entering mosques and homes).
• Waterproof, windproof jacket eg gortex fabric 
• 2 -3 sets of Quick-dry Thermal Underwear.
• RAin cover for your backpack or any soft luggage. Imagine being caught in a storm.
• Warm Night Attire. Long underwear can double as PJs. Bedsocks are helpful.
• A common & successful approach is to have very few outer garments, but to change "long (thermal) underwear" daily.
• Consider how ALL your clothes will be washed & dried.
  • What you can do yourself at home or on a summer trip will not apply in a Turkish winter on the road !
  • The reality is that in Winter, you will need to have your clothes sent out to be laundered. Most hotels can do or organise this. BUDGET for it - at least 10 TL per load or part thereof. Unless the fabrics are quick-dry, allow at least 24 hours for drying - speak to reception on arrival about their requirements. Attempting to dry dripping, hand rung fabric in your room will make your room damp (and therefore cold) and will very probably fail. (This practice is typically forbidden anyway, due to the damage it causes the facility)
  • Threadbare towels, thin, worn underpants, SILK and modern fabrics (such as sold at outdoors strores) dry quickly as well as weighing little.
  • Denim JEANS and knits are terrible for travelling in winter: heavy, bulky and VERY hard to dry !
• Knitted gloves, socks & caps, scarves & bed socks ('patik'), wool-blend long underwear and umbrellas are easily purchased in Selcuk, particularly at Saturday market.

LAYERING WITH LIGHT-WEIGHT, MODERN FABRICS IS A MOST EFFECTIVE APPROACH.
"Outdoors" & "Travel" clothes are specially designed with ALL TRAVEL ISSUES in mind & are well worth the investment. Remember: you can wear them at home too - for years !
See your local "Outdoors" strores and TravelSmith for ideas.

Jimmy's Place is centrally heated ! And has a gorgeous fireplace in the lounge !
But for your general preparation, for anywhere you may stay, here are 'tried & true' tips for winter travellers:

• "Air" your bed and room every day. Did you know that each person sweats 1 pint / 600ml of sweat into the bed every night ? Breath vapour and shower steam also collect in the room:seen as condensation on the inside of windows. There is only one solution: airing !
  • After your shower(s), strip back the bed covers and open your windows and drapes / curtains while you are at breakfast (only if on elevated floors with no access from the street. If not, 'stay and supervise' for as close to half an hour as you can manage before going out).
  • On return, close up and go out for your day's activities.
• You will be far warmer and more comfortable if you do this. Nothing can warm up damp ! Only drying fixes damp.

Whenever you want more warmth:

• Impromtu hot water bottle: Take a well-sealed plastic coke bottle (rigid traditional shape only) to bed. Never put boiling water in bottles you take to bed.
• Sleep in a ski-hat / beanie / touque - it prevents the loss of <30% of your body heat !
• Put one of the blankets under the bottom sheet. It really works !
• Avoid wearing cotton (eg tshirts) as underwear - cotton is cooling. 
• Always wear a warm hat. It saves <30% of your body heat from being lost ! There is even a saying "Cold hands ? Put on a hat !"
• Tuck in all your clothes (except your outer shell / coat): you may end up hot !
  • All upper bodyclothes tucked into your waist band
  • Trouser hems tucked into your socks
  • Scarf or neck gaiter tucked inside your neckline.
• Drink hot liquids. It turns your stomach into "central heating" - literally an 'internal hot water bottle'.
• If you have left home without any, consider buying some 70% wool Turkish 'long johns' (very inexpensive). Women: buy mens. A lovely soft brand is HASYUN. The only issue is that they are bulky compared with modern fabrics. Ask at reception as to where to find some.

WHAT TO WEAR IN TURKEY 

FAQ: What Should Women Wear in Turkey ?

Turkey is NOT like Iran, Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan. It is a secular country where veils were banned ~ 75 years ago.
Most people wear familiar western clothes.

1. A good rule of thumb is what the "average local" is wearing.
There will be extremes: skimpy western fashions through to completely traditional baggy britches and headscarves.
Check what the middle ground / majority is wearing - and "cover up" (with your clothes) to a similar degree.

2. Outside modern, educated circles (which are  you will be considered "common" (or worse) and are likely to be treated as such if you "display your charms" / draw a lot of attention to yourself. As such, AVOID

• "Sexy", skimpy clothes that show a lot of skin, cleavage, midriff etc
• Opaque fabric (especially skirts)
• Stretch fabrics (eg lycra bike shorts )
• Cleavage-revealing tops
• Blatantly displaying underwear (or the fact that you aren't wearing any !)

3. YOUNG MEN NOTE: Unlike in the West where "anything goes" and "expressing yourself" and innovation are admired, Turks generally admire conservative fashion & sleek, immaculate grooming.
Radical / messy haircuts, weird hair colours, torn jeans and old, shabby garments might be acceptable / fashionable in the west*, but in Turkey, those sporting them are considered poor, derelict or ridiculous. *Save your individuality for Europe.

So What CAN be recommended ?

• Trousers: Loose, long-legged shorts and capri-length cargo pants are the summer traveller's "uniform".
• Tops:  In summer's extreme heat, many women do wear "singlet" tops on the "Tourist Circuit".
• Swimming & Boating: A modest swimsuit is a good move. Some tourist women opt for crop tops and board shorts which will take you anywhere. Toplessness is a not advisable or respectful on public beaches.
• In highly westernised coastal resort areas like Kusadasi, Bodrum and Marmaris, dress is much more relaxed than elsewhere and swimsuits, brief. This is the exception rather than the rule.

In non-touristy, rural areas, care to "cover up" will be appreciated and put you in good stead. Think "modest".

• Arms and legs should be loosely covered to elbow and mid-calf.
• NO cleavage, midriff or back visible.
• LOOSE skirts or trousers rather than shorts.
• Preferably a long top that covers your behind.
• Tie long / cover "wild" hair.
• Sarongs are handy for "covering up".
• Rural scarved women seem to LOVE it when foreigners follow suit !

Despite all this, (especially in modern cities and expensive resort areas) you will see some Turkish women doing exactly the opposite. This can be confusing. The reasons are complex but basically they enjoy a different reputation and have social protection that foreign women do not. It's also worth remembering that no matter what you wear, you will NOT please everyone ! Whenever & wherever you are in a foreign place you do not know - err on the "safe side".

FAQ: What is Correct Attire For Visiting Mosques ?

Women: Conservative (as above) PLUS ALL hair MUST be covered by scarf, sarong, hat or hood. Scarves etc are usually available for loan. In winter, coat hoods and ski hats are enough: just tuck all hair out of sight.

Men: must completely cover their thighs and torso. Knee-length baggy shorts may be acceptable but in some mosques; a sarong worn over them may be necessary (provided by many mosques). Zip-on trouser legs are handy.

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• Ziploc bags are fantastic for grouping small fiddly items.
• Fit more in & locate things more easily by compression:
  • Reduce the bulk of fleeces, towels
  • Group small items 
  • prevent "bursting" when opening full luggage
    • Special plastic 'vacuum' bags that you roll tightly to expel air are available from storage & outdoors stores
    • Old hosiery / "stockings" cost & weigh nothing but help organise, minimise space and reduce wrinkling. Fold, then roll, clothes firmly and encase in a clean stocking. Very handy for underwear, beach gear etc.
• Having a permanent location in your luggage for each item & garment makes finding things very easy. It is alos easy to see when things are missing too.
• Backpacks are not compulsory nor necessarily best for everyone. Unlike in Greece & other European countries, you are unlikely to encounter hundreds of steps, miles of cobblestones or more than a few storeys in Turkey. MANY INDEPENDANT TRAVELLERS DO USE "PULL ALONG" LUGGAGE, especially if sticking to the "Tourist Circuit". Quality "roller blade" wheels are important - surfaces may be uneven. They DO weigh more than backpacks, though. There are now versions that "push" easily as well. Some 'pull alongs' are also backpacks. Regular suitcases are really only suitable for "one stop" vacations.
• Take your luggage for a "test run" for at least 15 minutes - up stairs too. FACE THE TRUTH BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE ! Far from home, you will be so glad you did !
• Add a distinctive marker e.g. a luggage strap, a distinctive scarf or broad, bright ribbon
• Luggage that can't be locked is a security risk: it's not just theft; contraband can be put IN. Avoid backpacks with drawstrings (they are made for hiking in the wilderness). See luggage and travel stores for the latest in locks and special numbered cable ties that protect you from serious accusation. 
• Choose your small Day Pack / Bag carefully - it will help or hinder you. Popular features include ....
  • The bigger the better. Some have straps to make them smaller as required.
  • The one included with your full-sized backpack can be packed empty for later OR locked onto the pack and both checked in as 1 piece of luggage, making your pack "bigger" (useful on the return journey or for taking presents O/S). These detachable day packs are usually worn on your front like a baby sling while carrying the big pack on your back.
  • A second, perhaps more convenient, model may be used as hand luggage. Popular features include: outer pocket for water bottle, plastic document / map packet, sections / dividers, "aerated" webbed backs, lock-ability.
  • Particularly in hot weather, consider "lumbar" or "fanny" packs. However, do not use when there is a high risk of pick-pockets. 
  • Check out "thief-proof bags" with cables in the straps that cannot be 'slashed-and-grabbed' and many other impressive features. This sort of activity is not common in Turkey as in in Europe, but it is not unheard of, especially in densely populated Istanbul.

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SIMPLY MUST REDUCE YOUR LUGGAGE ? HERE ARE SOME 'TRIED & TRUE' IDEAS ...

J "IF IN DOUBT - TAKE IT OUT !" J

• ALWAYS leave medication in its original container. Bring photocopies of the prescriptions & keep in the same place.
  
  
• Toiletries: How much do you really need ? Travellers dump a lot of products before flying home ! 
  • Consider bringing half empty containers in the first place.
  • For short trips, opaque Plastic Film Containers have secure, "snap on" lids & hold 28 ml / 1 fl. oz of skin care products, ointment, hair gel etc. NB: Oils & acids sold in glass may dissolve plastic. Photo shops will happily GIVE you handfuls !
  • Product won't pour ? Use a teaspoon handle to transfer. 
  • Handy storage for earrings.  
  • Group small fiddly items like these in a ziplock bag.
  • You can buy common supermarket items in Turkey* (See FAMILIAR BRANDS).
    It might suit you to bring enough of such products to last a few days.
    However, concentrated products last longest and weigh least.
• No heavy glass ! Transfer to a plastic container instead. "LocknLock" claim to be leak-proof.
   
• HAIRDRYER
  • Tiny, light, travel model only. Remember an adaptor plug (and voltage adaptor if from USA.)
  • A super-thirsty microfibre HAIR TOWEL (eg 'Manicare') is a great substitute.
  • Short / "easy care" styles can eliminate the need for any special products or dryers; even brushes ! For long term travel, many have "made the change" to easy care, short styles.

REMEMBER: WHAT WORKS WELL for A LOCAL TRIP MAY BE
HIGHLY UNSUITABLE FOR AN OVERSEAS  ONE !

CLOTHES: It's as easy (or hard) as you make it !

First, check the weather in ALL the places you are going for the time you will be there.

Second, think hard about how you will launder your clothes. Expect that many hotels forbid "DIY" laundry in rooms / on balconies because of the many significant problems it chronically causes them. The "better" the accomodation, the more likley this is to happen.  As a rule, you should budget for having laundry done (most hotels have a service), which is very affordable and reasonable in Turkey. If travelling with others, you can  combine your dirty clothes and share the cost.  This will reduce how many outfits you need to bring.

3 approaches to travel clothes that work well:

1. Travel light with minimum clothes (3 - 4 outfits). Only suitable for good drying weather only or if you have quick-dry fabrics. Check at home - how quick do they dry on a hanger in your bathroom ? This approach requires laundering every 2 days. 
2. Discard it all at the end. At home before travel, select or buy cheap / second-hand clothes you are willing to discard as weather changes or at the end of your trip. This is an excellent approach if travelling across seasons and / or you want to fill your luggage & airline weight allowance with lots of souvenirs. We have even seen travellers who brought $1 garments in India and discarded them when dirty, as they weren't worth the cost of laundering ! Hotels will pass your (decent) clothes onto very grateful poor people if you ask them.
3. Take enough outfits to fill a front-loader washing machine (enough to loosely fill a standard laundry basket), plus one outfit. When you have only one clean outfit left (on your back), send your clothes to be laundered. Full laundry loads are maximum value for money. If travelling with others and willing to share the laundry bills, you will each need fewer outfits to fill the machine with your combined  clothes (plus one outfit each to wear). Careful planning will save you money, and on a long trip, this will be a significant amount.

Travelling across seasons ? Going to need both warm AND cool clothes ?

1. Make a parcel of what you'll need many months later, pay the postage and give it to a reliable person to "hold" until notified of when and where to post it. The postage may be cheaper than buying new clothes or simply worth [not having to carry it for months]. NB: Some countries' postal services are too unreliable for this.
2. Alternatively, store "off season" clothes at the bottom of your luggage. Put in a roll up or vacuum bag to make a smaller, airtight parcel.
   

The best luggage is light luggage ! (No one ever complains that their luggage is too light or empty !)

• Whichever approach you take, ALWAYS have one "good" (smart, classic) outfit "for best" that you can wear on aircraft, to embassies and upmarket establishments and special events.
• 'Tops' & 'bottoms' (separates) are more versatile than dresses and offer far more choice.
• All separates should match and be able to be worn together eg 3 tops & 3 bottoms that all match will provide 9 different combinations of outfit.
• Consider the washing, drying and crushing of every item !
  • All your clothes should be able to be thrown in a washing machine with no special care. That means colour-fast. Remember the language barrier.
  • Ironing is expensive - if even available. Needs ironing ? AVOID !
  • White ? Pastels ? Precious delicates ? Special / separate washing ? AVOID !
  • Denim jeans, cotton knits and beach towels are heavy, bulky and take ages to dry in the sort of weather you would be wearing them. AVOID !
• Winter travellers: minimise the need for multiple, bulky outer garments by focusing on easy-dry "long underwear" instead - change & launder that most of the time.
• Specialised travel clothes may cost more but they offer brilliant solutions for the special issues of travelling. Of course, you can wear them back home too ! Because of the price, you may wish to sew labels on these to prevent mix ups by laundry services.
  • "Convertible" Travel Pants that zip off to convert to shorts, capris and trousers (and skirts of the same principle) are ingenious. Always launder all the parts together every time to avoid colour differences !
  • "Travel" Seperates & Dresses that "take you from beach to bazaar to board room" are worth their weight in gold. There are even machine-washable suits & blazers !
  •  Click here for examples of such clever, light-weight, easy-pack, easy-care "travel clothes" http://www.travelsmith.com/home.jsp
    
• "THREE OF EACH" (THE LIGHTEST WAY TO TRAVEL) "HOW"
  • 3 sets of underwear, 3 tops, 3 bottoms.
  • Dresses, if you take them, count as 1 top & 1 bottom, but they are poorer value.
  • Think an outfit for "Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow".
  • 1 outfit should be able to double as a "good" one.
  • Every top piece should be able to be paired with each bottom piece, giving you 9 different combinations !

• FOOTWEAR - One pair is usually enough
  • Boots, walking shoes or sandals, according to the season.
  • Comfy, strong and with thick, non-slip soles.
  • Flipflops are great for the shower & beach. If you don't have any, or plastic slip ons ("terlik") are sold everywhere for very little.
  • Women needing something "good" for evening: consider light weight pumps or slip ons.
  • Shoeshines: always ask your hotel for the normal local price before indulging.
    
• TOWEL - Some budget accommodations provide towels. A sarong doubles well, for bath & beach. A small, old, threadbare bath towel is just as good as synthetic "camp" or microfibre towels and feels more "normal". You could discard it at the end of your trip.
   

ENTERTAINMENT

• Bring books you are happy to swap and ultimately give away: you can replace them later. Watch the sales, charity shops and garage sales.

• For maximum "swap power" in the hotel book exchanges, bring two thinner books rather than one thick one. Don't bring an omnibus. 
• Quality, popular titles; always in paperback for lightness.
• Playing Cards cost ~US$1 here.
• iPods & mp3's are hot favourites of thieves - keep close to your person at all times. 
• Discmans & CDs are far too bulky & heavy: get a cheap mp3 and allow plenty of time to download your favourites before you leave.
   
• GUIDE BOOK - Substitutes include asking other travellers if you can take notes from theirs, notes (consider storing attachments in your email account) or photocopies of relevant sections. Good accommodations will have detailed local information. Jimmy's Place has the best reference library you will find.
   
• WRITING etc - Hard covers are heavy. Cheap notebooks bough locally can be posted home when full. Your newsy emails can be edited into a journal after the trip, augmented with brief notes, business cards and tickets etc.
  
• CAMERA - you can leave yours behind if you are willing to buy postcards instead - they are taken by professionals and include aerial shots - often better than the average traveller's efforts ! Some post them to friends and ask them to keep them for their return. A disposable camera for snaps of friends, non-touristy material etc is lightweight and no great loss if lost / stolen. Some phones take photos. Think about how you will empty your camera to make space for more photos. Spare camera cards, USB sticks and iPods are possibilities (more convenient than CDs).
   
• TIMEPIECES - Travel Alarms can be tiny - like a match book ! A watch with an alarm may suffice. iPods and phones have alarms. Remember - you'll never lose a watch you never remove (eg waterproof). 
   
• EMERGENCY KITS - Unless you are travelling 'far from civilization', you will need very little. Tailors repair clothes cheaply. Cobblers stitch soft luggage & shoes for very little. Pharmacies (available 24 hrs / day by law) do emergency dressings and sell first aid items & medication without prescription should the need arise. If you are sick, see reception. We are expert at getting the right medical help for travellers.

* ITEMS sold very cheaply at any Local Market include: Bath towels, plastic bath slip ons ("terlik"), underpants, clothes in season: t-shirts, shorts, long wool blend underwear, tiny luggage padlocks, umbrellas, sports bags, playing cards, basic stationery supplies.

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COMMON SENSE PRECAUTIONS

• Lock luggage. Hiking backpacks with "draw strings" are a big security risk.
• Ask every reception about their safe facilities on arrival.
• Even if you unpack at your hotel, lock "irreplacable treasures" in your luggage when you go out.
• Carry easily stolen, costly items like iPods and cameras with you, well concealed.
• Lock your door when sleeping or showering.
• Take extra care in DORMS. It's very unlikely you'll find Luggage Lockers anywhere in Turkey. Lock your luggage whenever unattended and sleep with it next to your head. Avoid fancy electronic equipment (or at least, flashing it around).
• Label valuables with your email address / cell phone number - an excellent way of being contacted re lost property.
• Consider bags with "theft-proof" features (example)
• Before checking out, always check under your bed. Some groups check each other's rooms.

• Avoid digging into your money belt in public. It's your "mobile storage safe", not a wallet. Prepare the day's money before you go out and put a small amount in your wallet or purse. If you need more cash, get it out of your money belt in a toilet cubicle - out of sight. 
• Money Belts come in 2 colours and all look much the same. To avoid mix ups in hotel safes, consider customising yours: e.g. sewing on a name tag, motif, distinctive ribbon or badge, or marking it with fabric paint.
• WAIST MODELS: In summer, when shirts are thin and layers are few; these are the most discrete. Avoid a "pot belly" by wearing it "backwards" over your lower back, below your waistband. In summer, they will become putrid with sweat unless washed often. Have a spare OR wash & dry overnight
• NECK MODELS: very noticable under summer tops. Better for winter, under sweaters and coats.
• Single-use "Cable Ties" or "Zip Locks" are a cheap & effective way to "tamper - proof" your money belt when storing it in hotel safes. Both you & the hotel can be reassured that it has not been opened. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash - not more than you could stand to lose.
• Cable ties are also useful for sealing cupboard doors in your room.

• "Cell" / "Mobile" phones: See "Hints for Harmonious Groups".

• Expect PC Keyboards will be Turkish. You can convert to English and touch type on them (just ask). Remember there are 2 'i's in Turkish and if you can't log in, this is often the reason - ask for help. 
   
• Need a free travellers' email account ?
  • www.gmail.com
  • www.yahoo.com 
  • www.hotmail.com

  All run at good speeds, are permanent, have "vacation reply" & large storage.
  

• If you are new to email, try to become basically functional & comfortable before you leave. You will be paying by the minute while travelling - basic competence will save you money. 
   
• Likewise, set up your email account's address book before you leave: you can just "tick" to address email. 
   
• Send "group" letters. This minimises unnecessary repetition and, once again, saves money. You can send short personal replies to anyone who responds. 
   
• You can use the "signature" facility to describe your travel program / dates. It will go out at the bottom of every email. Edit it as it happens.
• A lot of travellers now concentrate on their blog instead - allowing people to check in if they are interested.

• Easiest Turkish Hotel Check in procedure:
  • Photocopy everyone's passport ID pages. Add the city where they actually live and their occupation to each.
  • Staple / tape together the ID pages of any couples, families or friends who always share rooms.
  • Paper clip together the remainder into [who is sharing rooms with whom].
  • Have a 'captain' for each room. Distribute the photocopies on the bus and have the captains give their photocopies to reception on arrival. This will help the staff to allocate the rooms & keys quickly. While the group settles in, they can record what they have to from the photocopies.
  • After check in, retrieve the photcopies for next time. No risk to original documents and no worry for the leader ! Any hotel will appreciate this simple organisation - and the group will too.
• Have cell / mobile phones ? Bring them - you can "text / message" each other when separated (also a very cheap way of communicating with home.) Be VERY clear about the cost of international calls and using the phone "on roam" - the cost to you, the caller or both of you can be HORRENDOUS. Check with your phone company before you leave.
• "Walkie-Talkies" likewise enable pairs and groups to "go their own way" and reunite easily. No sim cards are necessary, wherever you go. Check coverage distance when buying - it can be up to 3 km ! DON'T FORGET THE CHARGERS  & ADAPTOR PLUGS (and voltage adaptors for American models) !!!
  
• Distinctive CAPS / HATS enable you to spot each other in crowds. 
   
• Willingness to split up and do your own thing (at least sometimes) is important. It's normal to have different needs & interests. There's no law that you must always eat together ! One couple we know who were on a very long tripgave each other completely uninterrupted "solo" time in their room every day. 
   
• ROOM SHARING: Routinely varied OR fixed arrangements ? Snorers, smokers, slobs and habitual "night owls" frequently distress others and are best be accommodated together. 
   
• TIME / EFFICIENCY ISSUES. A common cause of friction in groups. Those who stroll slowly, examining every detail, people who are chronically late, those who lose things repeatedly or need hours to get ready etc. "What do you need ?" (to be on time etc...) is a valuable question. Could a "quick" person help ? A certain way of being woken ? Preparing / packing before bed ? We go on to the next thing and you catch up later ? Change the order of activities ?
  
• Airfreshner ? Toilets, smelly feet / shoes, cigarette smoke .... buying (locally) a can per room can 'keep things sweet' ! 
   
• Some groups like a leader, formally or unspoken. These leaders can become very burdened while on vacation. Consider "me today, you tomorrow" arrangements or "sub-leaders" with appropriate skills / interests to organise meals, accommodation, transport & activities. 
   
• When visiting several countries or regions,  each group member can take turns to be "the expert" of some / one country / region / city.
  
• To ALL get seats on the same bus, book early. 
   
• An advantage of groups is that everyone doesn't need a full kit ! 10 people don't need 10 alarm clocks, for example, or 10 first aid kits. On the other hand, a group can easily carry several different guide books. Negotiate in advance, tho' - people can have strong feelings about loaning / sharing.  

• Pictures help! To acquaint yourself with popular destinations and to get ideas of what you might like to do, Tour Brochures from the travel agent are full of photographs, maps and popular itineries to get you started (even if you are planning independent travel.) "Cut and Paste" if it helps. Most guide books are not illustrated and this "fills the gap" really well.
  
• Question others' recommendations. Everyone is different and "one's trash is another's treasure". Ask "WHY" is it "must see" ? Check their reasons match yours - they may not. Most people don't have time and money to spare: avoid wasting yours with careful questioning. 
   
• WHAT do you want to EXPERIENCE as well as WHERE you want to GO.