Packing for Turkey & Greece

I have never been on a RS tour, but have been in Turkey and dressed fairly casually, although I always wore long pants or a skirt. I saw plenty of people in shorts (although generally they were of a conservative cut), but note that some mosques will not let you enter with bare knees. One mosque made a guy who was wearing shorts wrap a shawl/scarf around his legs. And you should keep a lightweight scarf around your neck on days you are visiting mosques (even the famous ones like Hagia Sofia) to drape over your head. Most mosques have scarves there for visitors, but I preferred to bring my own.

Donna, I was on a RS Greece tour a few months ago - YES, the weather was warm! If you're travelling light, you'll need to plan for doing laundry every few days (especially after some of the hikes!). The laundry facilities in Greece were a bit "mixed". The only place I found a Laundromat was in Athens, about a block or so from the Hotel. In some places, there were NO laundry facilities, and in others (Kardamyli, for example) it was a "service wash" arrangement. Group members dropped their laundry at the front desk of the Hotel and it was returned washed & pressed the next day. I can't comment on appropriate wardrobe for Turkey (I DON'T wear shorts when travelling anyway). Do you know yet who your Guide will be for the Greece tour? Happy travels!

We were just in Istanbul in June and found that they no longer require a woman to cover her head in the mosques. However, if your elbows or knees show, you will be wrapped up in a great big scarf - man or woman.

Bring a scarf for covering your hair. I know that sometimes some mosques do not require it, but some will and all will appreciate your cultural sensitivity. For hygiene's sake, I prefer to have my own scarf. I also use it to dress up an outfit when going to a nicer restaurant.

We took the RS tour last September. Yes, it was very warm in every place so walking shorts are great. Everyone in our tour dressed very casually. No need to take any dress-us clothes unless you are a fashion maven with a miracle packing method. Head scarf is a good idea but not essential - our guide told us not to concern ourselves with a head covering in the big 'tourist' mosques. Make sure you've got the MOST comfortable shoes!

We took RS 14 day Turkey Tour (our 8th) in May and June of this year. Neither my wife nor I took any dressy clothes - she no skirts and I no slacks or jackets - after talking to the RS tour desk in Edmonds. Shorts and sandals worn by both of us and we fit in with the locals except of the women who chose to cover themselves. My wife took along a head scarf to use whenever she was going to see a mosque and she ended up buying several beautiful silk scarves there. Others have said you do not have to cover your head when visiting the mosques in Turkey. We are hard core "Ricknicks" and would never think of not respecting local customs whenever and wherever we travel. Take or buy a head scarf so as not to possibly offend the hard core local folks. The balloon ride was expensive but my wife said it was a life time experience for her and worth twice the price and we are low to middle class when it comes to income. I personally am afraid of heights so I stayed firmly planted on old Mother Earth and watched. aloha charlie charliemcarter@comcast.net

We were in Turkey last September for 3 weeks. It was hot. In Istanbul you will see various modes of dress but, buy a beautiful scarf when you arrive and you will feel more comfortable. Be sensible in your attire no matter where you travel. I think it is a matter of respect, especially in Turkey. Anatolia (Konya/Cappidocia) was very hot as was the coast around Fethiye. Fethiye and coastal Turkey was casual as there are many sailing tours/cruises going out of those areas. Konya was not casual. No liquor in Konya. Good deals on beautiful rugs in Konya. We had a car after we left Istanbul and loved driving in Turkey. The people in the countryside are delightful. Enjoy your trip!