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REVIEW the important information on the FAQ tab for this trip and visit our Help Center. We strongly encourage all our members to check the latest travel recommendations by the US State Department, CDC and air carriers to review the latest information for travel risks in order to make an informed decision about their travel safety.

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PASSPORT MANDATORY
A passport is required for US citizens and be sure to confirm that your passport is current and will be valid at least six months after your return date. If you do not have one or need a new one, contact the State Department Passport Office in your area immediately or visit their website.

Non US Citizens are responsible for verifying their own required documentation for this tour.

Flight and Passport Info: Two months prior to your vacation, you’ll receive a Get Ready email with a link to a Fit & Willing to Travel Vacation Form. The form will ask for all your pertinent information such as passport info as well as flight info. Note: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return.

INSURANCE Travel Insurance is not mandatory, but, based on our experience, we highly recommend it. In addition to direct access immediately upon completing your purchase, you will receive a quote from Travel Guard regarding travel insurance after reserving your vacation.

When selecting a travel insurance policy, we recommend that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. We also strongly recommend that the policy cover personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

If you have any questions, Travel Guard professional, expert agents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us, if you have not received your quote within 3 days, or CLICK HERE to go directly to Travel Guard and request a policy quote. It only takes a few minutes.

Questions and comments after you have reserved your vacation are addressed promptly when you send a message to us at service@singlestravelintl.com.

No COVID-19 Vaccine required to travel to Greece or Turkey at this time. Your knowledgeable team at Singles Travel International will keep you up to date with plenty of time to prepare.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommends updating all routine booster shots for travel almost anywhere. Please schedule a physical check-up, before your trip, to discuss the type of trip in which you are participating with your physician.

You and your physician may access much more, very detailed health information for travelers (including tips on staying healthy while traveling) on the CDC website. Click their “Traveler’s Health” link or call toll-free 24-hours at 1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

Note that in the event terms for travel change in any way and members do not qualify, Singles Travel International will advocate for the refund of your money but cannot guarantee a refund and is not to be held responsible.  Travel is at your own risk and we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance at time of deposit to protect your investment.

The trip begins in Istanbul on October 5, 2024, and ends in Crete on October 15, 2024. Therefore the trip is 10 nights/11 days.

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A deposit is due at time of reservation and final payment is due on July 10, 2024.

We’ve made paying your balance online as easy as 1-2-3.  Watch your email inbox for a reminder from Singles Travel International, 14 days prior to the final payment due date.  Just click and pay using your favorite credit card.   Be sure there are sufficient funds in debit card accounts to cover your payments.

If you make a reservation after July 10, 2024, full payment will be automatically charged at time of reservation and penalties will apply.

Yes. All cancellations must be made in writing to Singles Travel International at service@singlestravelintl.com and are subject to per-person penalties as follows:

After deposit and at any time of cancellation, refunds may be requested – less a minimum charge of $250 – in addition to other penalties listed below.

* After July 10, 2024 – any cancellations or “no-shows” – 100% penalty.

Air packages and air tickets are subject to cancellation policies imposed by the airlines.

Cancellations made prior to July 10, 2024 (final payment date) may request a Future Trip Credit, and the $250 minimum cancellation fee will be waived. The Future Trip Credit may be used toward any future Singles Travel International vacation within 1 year of cancellation, for travel at any time. No refunds will be given on any unused portions of the trip.

You will be picked up at Istanbul Airport (IST) upon your arrival. The driver will be waiting in the arrivals area, after baggage claim, holding an “Singles Travel International” sign. Please provide your flight schedules so that transportation may be arranged.

All meet-up details will be provided in your Final Vacation Details & Meetup Information document posted to our FAQ tab, 21 days prior to departure.

Singles Travel International is a vacation event company that plans singles events and markets our events at our expense to create a “singles only” experience. We do not allow guests to join the group unless the reservation has been made by Singles Travel International. Our policy is firm for tours and cruises, as well as pre and post trip hotel stays. Members and friends that “show up” will not be allowed to participate without paying an equivalent fee to the rest of the group that made the reservation with Singles Travel International. Your credit card on file will automatically be charged.

In order to accommodate singles from all over the world, our tours and cruises are priced as land/cruise only. Therefore, airfare is additional. Call us today, we have been arranging air travel for our members to Crete for years and are experts at finding the best rate!

Please schedule your flight to arrive into Istanbul Airport (IST) on October 5, 2024, and to depart from Chania Airport (CHQ) on October 15, 2024. If your air schedule is routed via Athens, make sure to allow a minimum of 3 hours to connect.

Your Airport transfer in Istanbul on the main tour arrival day (October 5, 2024) and on departure day (October 8, 2024) are complimentary for Singles Travel International members. The same is true for Crete: We include welcome and departure transfers.

Please notify us 30 days prior to departure of your flight arrival and departure times.

Our tour does not include your international airfare, meals not included in the itinerary, alcoholic beverages (except when included in Singles Travel International events), incidentals such as laundry and phone calls, plus gratuities to STI staff ($15 per day) and local guides and drivers (approximately $5-10/day total).

In addition, gratuities to hotel staff in Crete are suggested at a rate of $10 per day for all staff members combined. A 1% fee is added to your incidentals bill at checkout for credit card payments for meals, drinks or other hotel services in Crete. American Express is not accepted. Only cash is accepted for payment of excursions and spa services.

A complete agenda of optional tours in Crete will be provided at a welcome meeting your first morning. Please refer to our Itinerary section for a list of excursions, subject to change at any time.

The currency used in Greece is the Euro. In Greece, cash is king and you may exchange dollars for Euros once in Greece.  Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express is not accepted so much.

The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira; however, US Dollar is widely accepted, as is the Euro. Although some shops accept credit cards, the best deals are garnered with cash!

We recommend that you bring $300-$500 in cash, based on your personal lifestyle, and/or be prepared so that you are able to do an ATM withdrawal once in Greece or Turkey.

Exchange Rates: The exchange rate for the Euro fluctuates often. You may find the current exchange rates in the financial sections of newspapers and on the Internet. You may also find a number of websites by typing “foreign exchange rates” in your search engine. Two specific websites are: xe.com and money.cnn.com/markets/currencies.

Currency Exchange: ATM machines will dispense local currency for internationally accepted ATM cards. They are conveniently located at the Athens and Istanbul airports and at the shop adjacent to our hotel in Crete.

You may exchange cash and traveler’s checks for local currencies at our hotel in Crete, banks and exchange bureaus. Banks offer the best rates, but beware, hours are limited.

Credit Cards: Your credit card will be accepted to settle your incidentals bill at our hotels and in major shops and restaurants. American Express is not widely accepted, and our hotel in Crete accepts only Visa and Mastercard for hotel related charges and assesses a 1% fee.  Optional tours must be paid for in cash onsite, Euros only.

All guests are required to travel with a valid Passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from your return date to the United States. No visas are required for US or Canadian citizens to Greece.

We recommend that you also make copies of your passport, driver’s license, photo identification card and/or birth certificate in case of loss, and carry them with you on your trip separate from your passport.

Visa Required for Entry to Turkey: US citizens need a Visa to travel to Turkey. You can get one  at the Istanbul airport on arrival for $30 USD. There is a clearly marked kiosk after you clear immigration, before you reach baggage claim. Or if you’d prefer not to wait, you can secure a Visa through this website for approximately $51.50 USD. Any changes to this requirement will be communicated to you via our Final Vacation Details & Meetup Info document 21 days prior to departure.

Non US Citizens are responsible for verifying their own required documentation for this tour.

Our affordable Premium Memberships allows solo travelers the ability to have Your Own Space™️️ for a lot less so that you never have to share. Review the special Premium Member rates on the Book Now page. You may join at the same time that you purchase your vacation or click here to learn more and purchase your membership.

Roommate matches are available by request if you already have a traveling companion. Contact us at 877-SOLO-TRIP to speak with one our teammates to make your reservation.

Please contact your preferred carrier directly to make your reservation. If Singles Travel International issues a promotional economy fare, granting of frequent flyer credit is entirely at the airline’s discretion. If the flights are eligible, to ensure you earn frequent flyer credit from the airline, give your frequent flyer account number when you check in for your flights. In addition, save your boarding passes and the passenger receipt from your airline ticket. You may need to submit these to the airline (not to Singles Travel International) to claim any credit allowed.

Our 4-star hotel in Istanbul sits in a coveted position in the lively and historic Sultanhamet area. It’s nestled within dynamic streets lined with colorful buildings, a stone’s throw from both the Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque. It has all the modern amenities you’d expect from a Radisson hotel.

Our family-run singles hotel in Crete is located along the coast in the small town hamlet of Maleme, 18km west of Chania in western Crete. It has a total of 33 rooms in two wings, and Singles Travel International has arranged for our guests to stay in one of the new, deluxe rooms with hair dryer, safe and ironing board.

There is a lot to do in Crete, and much is near our hotel. The tennis courts and the beach are just across the road. Bus transportation to Chania is available for only 2.10 Euros each way and a mini train is adjacent to our hotel and will take us to various inland stops as well as places of interest including the lift to Plantanias village for shopping and fun. Within walking distance of the hotel, we find a selection of tavernas, bars, supermarkets, shops and jewelry shops.

**Facilities in Crete:**

There are 2 swimming pools and 1 outdoor Jacuzzi surrounded by spacious sun terraces with sun beds and umbrellas.

In the reception area, fast, efficient Internet facilities are available as well as Wi-Fi for a small charge. Laptops are available to rent during your stay, but must be pre-booked. Please let us know at the time of reservation if you require this service.

**Dining:**

Our all-inclusive package includes breakfast and dinner. The hotel offers a wide variety of dishes including local specialties and snacks, which are available at any time of the day. All food is prepared on the spot for you. The majority of the raw foods are produced locally and delivered daily. All meals are prepared by mother Katerina, who is the quality assurance for homemade Cretan cuisine!
Most of the fresh vegetables are produced in our vegetable garden and some of the eggs and chicken come from the family’s farm.

**Entertainment:**

The circular bar area is popular with guests and locals throughout the day and during the evening. It is very lively, especially after dinner. Our experience is that the hotel pool bar is a popular place and makes for a safe and fun night life experience.

As well as a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, the bar also serves food from the kitchen. Sip your pre-dinner ouzo at the bar accompanied by other guests and make new friends. Be prepared to mix with the family and their circle of friends that come to the bar for a drink or two in the evenings, or to sample the freshly made pizzas.

Of course not. This is an all singles vacation. In addition, you will be pleased to find out that nearly 90% of our guests on every trip sign up and have never met anyone before joining the group. In 30 years, we have perfected the singles vacation experience. It is paramount that our guests meet each other right away and have opportunities to mingle every day.

Our “Baby Boomer” vacations cater to singles in their 50s and 60s but you will often meet singles ranging anywhere from 45-75. We generally have a ratio of 60/40, women to men. As a travel club, matchmaking is not our focus. Ages listed on our page are not restricted. They are simply used as a guideline. We offer an opportunity for single travelers to see the world in the company of other singles and do not guarantee ratios or ages.

We recommend that you meet the members of the Singles Travel International Community online, where you may view and interact with members via “Who’s Going” on every trip page. This is the best way to find out exactly who will be on your vacation.

Our program for 50+ singles also includes live online events and virtual tours plus a virtual Meet & Greet with your travel companions before you depart. View and get reminders for each event on our community page, www.SingleLife.Today. Be sure to sign up today so that you don’t miss out on anything! 

October is a wonderful time to visit both Istanbul and Crete! High tourist season has ended, and, along with it, the crowds. Average daily highs/lows in Istanbul are 68/55 degrees Fahrenheit for this time period: It’s still warm enough to enjoy outdoor dining and boat trips along the Bosphorus. Average highs/lows in Crete for this time period are 74/62 degrees Fahrenheit.

Although the temperatures are mild, it’s best to bring a light jacket for the evenings and even a light rain jacket or umbrella in case of an occasional shower.

Currently, most airlines will allow you to check 2 bags, weighing 50 pounds each, for a fee. In addition you may carry-on one bag plus a personal item such as a purse or briefcase. Please check with your air carrier for up-to-the minute regulations and fees for checked baggage.

NOTE: On your INCLUDED flight from Istanbul to Crete, Singles Travel International has included the fare for (1) 50 lb. bag and (1) 17 lb. carry-on bag, in addition to a personal item such as a purse or laptop bag.

This week is super relaxed, no formalities, but our singles dress up a little bit in the evenings! Casual dress, capri pants and jeans/slacks with a polo shirt are often the attire you’ll see most often. Remember to bring comfortable shoes and a light jacket and/or sweater for evenings, which will be cooler.

There will be times in Istanbul when we will go into mosques and churches. In this case, both men and women will need to ensure that their shoulders and knees are covered. Also, women must cover their hair before entering a mosque. It will be helpful to bring a lightweight scarf with you to use to cover yourself, but most mosques do offer them prior to entry.

Packing Tips: Take only what you need; don’t over pack. Save room for souvenirs and purchases. Pack flat and full to avoid wrinkling. Bring wardrobe basics; mix and match around one or two colors. Don’t pack anything valuable, fragile or perishable. Label your luggage with an outside tag, and place an identification card inside each suitcase.

Essential Items: We highly recommend that you bring the following items.

– A smile and open minded attitude
– A pair of shoes for outside restaurants (loafers, sandals, etc) and thick soled water shoes or flip flops for walks on rocky beaches.
– Casual dresses/skirts and pants (ladies) and slacks and polo (gents) for evenings
– Your favorite DVDs, which you may want played during the evenings while guests are partying at the pool bar.
– Sunglasses, sun block, sun hat or visor.
– Collapsible umbrella (which can double as a sunshade parasol).
– Toiletries: all your daily essentials and a few washcloths (not supplied).
– Prescription medications: sufficient supply for the entire trip plus legible written prescription in case of loss. Keep medications in their original, labeled container. Always pack your medications in your carry-on bag!
– Eyeglasses, contacts, contact lens solution. You may want to bring along a written prescription for your eyewear in case of
loss.
– Over the counter medications: cold remedy, aspirin/pain reliever, antacid/stomach upset remedy, Band-Aids, anti-bacterial medication.
– Travel journal/notepad and reading material.
– Home address book for sending postcards. A useful tip to avoid bringing your entire address book is to pre-write names and addresses of people to whom you want to send postcards on sheets of self-adhesive labels. It saves time and space in your luggage.
– Small, basic sewing kit with a few extra buttons. Remember to pack scissors in your checked bag!
– Photography Equipment: Bring a sufficient supply of batteries and/or your charging cords!
– Don’t forget your swimsuit!

Recommended Readings

– Blue Guide Crete (7th edition) is the perfect companion if you are interested in the rich history of the island.
– Crete (Lonely Planet Regional Guides) has a very comprehensive general information section with over 100 pages of advice and information.
– Crete West: Rother Walking Guide by Gert Hirner / Jakob Murböck is an excellent guide offering 50 walks in West Crete.
– Flowers of Crete by John Fielding & Nicholas Turland – Kew Editions is THE book you MUST HAVE if you like flowers.
– The Island By Victoria Hislop is a well-written romance novel set in Crete and follows the life of a modern woman tracing her roots, only to find out about the hidden secrets of her family and the life of the people banished to live on the island of Spinalonga, a leper colony off the coast of Crete.

Travel Insurance is not mandatory, but, based on our experience, we highly recommend it. In addition to direct access immediately upon completing your purchase, you will receive a quote from Travel Guard regarding travel insurance after reserving your vacation.

When selecting a travel insurance policy, we recommend that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. We also strongly recommend that the policy cover personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

If you have any questions, Travel Guard professional, expert agents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us, if you have not received your quote within 3 days, or CLICK HERE to go directly to Travel Guard and request a policy quote. It only takes a few minutes.

Questions and comments after you have reserved your vacation are addressed promptly when you send a message to us at service@singlestravelintl.com.

Your “Final Vacation Details & Meetup Information” including transportation and how to meet up with the group will be available on the YOUR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS button on the left navigation bar on the trip site, 21 days prior to trip start date.

Questions and comments after you have reserved your vacation are addressed promptly when you send a message to us at service@singlestravelintl.com.

Our office is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. In an emergency after hours, please contact Tammy Weiler at 815-715-6998.

All countries you will visit have laws against the purchase and export of certain items, including antiquities, national cultural property and certain animal products, especially endangered species (ivory, rhino horn, tortoise shell, coral, feathers, etc.). Additionally, the United States has laws prohibiting the import of certain items, which include many of the same things. You face having your purchase confiscated and/or heavy fines for exporting or importing prohibited items.

On return to the U.S., your baggage is subject to search by U.S. Customs. Currently, you are permitted to bring back $800 of goods duty free. Persons aged 21 or over may also bring in one liter of liquor and one carton of cigarettes. If you plan to purchase a lot of souvenirs or expensive items, it is important to retain all purchase receipts. However, please note that U.S. Customs may not accept a receipt as true cost if it seems unusually low for the estimated value of the item. You may access the regulations and restrictions governing US Customs on their official website, click here to learn more.