FAQ The Netherlands
Refund and Returns Policy
This is a sample page.
Overview
Our refund and returns policy lasts 30 days. If 30 days have passed since your purchase, we can’t offer you a full refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted:
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened.
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error.
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Refunds
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund.
If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within a certain amount of days.
Late or missing refundsIf you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again.
Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted.
Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted.
If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at {email address}.
Sale itemsOnly regular priced items may be refunded. Sale items cannot be refunded.
Exchanges
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at {email address} and send your item to: {physical address}.
Gifts
If the item was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you’ll receive a gift credit for the value of your return. Once the returned item is received, a gift certificate will be mailed to you.
If the item wasn’t marked as a gift when purchased, or the gift giver had the order shipped to themselves to give to you later, we will send a refund to the gift giver and they will find out about your return.
Shipping returns
To return your product, you should mail your product to: {physical address}.
You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you may vary.
If you are returning more expensive items, you may consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
Need help?
Contact us at {email} for questions related to refunds and returns.
Registration XXL TOUR 2022
ORIENTAL TURKEY – daily program
SCENIC HOLLAND – daily program
Géorgie (mai 2020) – voyage francophone – information générale
Géorgie (May 2020) – voyage francophone – programme détaillé
Arménie (mai 2020) – voyage francophone – programme détaillé
Arménie (mai 2020) – extension – information générale
Validation de la commande
Private: Mon compte
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Boutique
B&B
When not dancing, Tineke and Maurits like to welcome guests at their Bed and Breakfast in the small village of Nijensleek, located in the northeast of The Netherlands. Their B&B is labelled excellent with an average score of 9.5 on a scale of 10 on the website of a national organization of which their B&B is a member.
http://www.bedandbreakfast54.nl
The beautiful restored farmhouse dates from 1810 and the B&B is situated in the actual farmer’s house, which was traditionally the front part of the farm. Because it has its own entrance, it has a lot of privacy and is very suitable as a three bedroom apartment. A perfect spot to relax, enjoy local products and explore the beautiful surroundings.
The province of Drenthe is ideal for biking or hiking because Nijensleek lies amidst three national parks.
From June to the beginning of September the surrounding scenic villages or small towns are bursting with activity, ranging from local markets to larger events.
Nearby historic towns Zwolle and Assen have a lot to offer both in culture as in shopping.
For more information or booking, please visit http://www.bedandbreakfast54.nl
It will be our pleasure to welcome you in our Bed & Breakfast!
Panier
FAQ Iran
Passport and visa
You will need a passport to visit Iran. This must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure date from Iran. The passport must not contain any mark of visiting Israel. A stamp from a trip to the United States is not a problem.
It is recommended to bring a photocopy of your passport (the page with personal data and your visa).
Based on the experience of a former participant in the USA. She recommends NOT to use a visa agency, but follow the procedure as described below. A quote from the same person: “The process was totally worth it, as the trip to Iran was WONDERFUL!”
VISA PROCEDURE general 5-6 weeks |
VISA PROCEDURE – US, Canadian and British citizens 9-10 weeks |
1. You need Pre-Approval from the Ministery of Foreign Affairs in Iran. |
1. You need Pre-Approval from the Ministery of Foreign Affairs in Iran. |
To start this process I will send: a visa form which needs to be filled out. I also need a passphoto and copy of your picture passport page (folded open to see both pages). | To start this process I will send a visa form which needs to be filled out. I also need a passphoto and copies of all your passport pages (folded open to see both pages). |
This can be done at earliest 3 months prior to departure. | This needs to be done 3-3 1/2 months prior to departure. |
2. After approval I will forward to you a ‘Letter of Invitation’/ Visa Grant Notice form, incl. an authorization number. |
2. After approval I will forward to you a ‘Letter of Invitation’/Visa Grant Notice form, incl. an authorization number. |
From application to approval will take about 3 weeks. | From application to approval will take about 5 weeks. |
3. Now you apply for the visa at the Iranian embassy/consulate in your country. Here is what you need to send by registered postal mail: |
3. Now you apply for the visa at the Iranian embassy/consulate in your country. In the USA this is outsourced to the Pakistani embassy in Washington, in Canada this is outsourced to that same embassy and to the Iranian embassy in London. Here is what you need to send by registred mail: |
– Original passport (valid for at least 6 months)
– 1 Pass photo – Print of the Visa Grant Notice form – Visa fee and return postage need to be paid in advance. Check with your local consulate how to deal with this. |
– Original passport (valid for at least 6 months)
– 1 Pass photo – Print of the Visa Grant Notice form – Visa fee and return postage need to be paid in advance. Check with your local consulate how to deal with this. |
This procedure will take about 2 weeks. | This procedure will take about 4 weeks. |
4. Visa is valid for length of the tour OR longer (if requested) |
4. Visa is valid for length of the tour OR longer (if requested) |
US citizens need to apply for visa at the embassy of Pakistan, 1250 23rd St NW, Washington DC, 20037, USA | |
Tel. (202) 965-4990 | |
Canadian citizins either follow that same procedure OR apply at the Iranian embassy in London, 16 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PT, United Kingdom. Tel. +44 20 7225 4200. | |
Passport needs to be valid for 6 months after departure date. | Passport needs to be valid for 6 months after departure date. |
Any mark in your passport of entry to Israel will not permit you to enter Iran. | Any mark in your passport of entry to Israel will not permit you to enter Iran. |
These nationalities can visit Iran without any visa: Syria (90 day visa), Turkey (90 days), Lebanon (15 days), Azerbaijan (15 days), Georgia (45 days), Bolivia (30 days), Egypt (20 days)
Insurance
When booking a vacation, you assume that your time away will be carefree and generally that is the case. However, to cover damage to your luggage or health care expenses, you might want to have a travel insurance. Our Iranian travel agent will also book a medical insurance which is compulsory in Iran.
There may be circumstances that cause cancellation of your vacation or a later departure or earlier return. You can take out additional insurance to cover the cost of cancellation in case of a personal emergency (e.g., cancellation costs of air ticket/ accommodations, etc.). We leave this choice to you. Several companies offer these kinds of insurance. Traveler agreed by registration that the organizer cannot be held responsible for any damages or personal injuries during the tour.
Luggage
We advise you to carry luggage in a trolley case or in a big overnight bag, because this is more practical for this type of tour. The weight of your luggage is generally limited to 15 kg up to 20 kg per person. Remember when composing your luggage, for example: travel guide, camera, toiletries, clothes for warm weather (in the spring and in mountainous environment also clothing for colder nights), easy fitting (walking) shoes (with profile), alarm clock, medication, plasters, bandages, scissors and pocket knife for picnics during our travels.
Also take some pharmaceutical items such as iodine, bandages, anti-fever, diarrhea, constipation, insect bites, sunburn and possibly a cure for motion sickness. Consider also ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts to prevent dehydration). You might prefer to take disinfection gel or disinfecting wipes.
Money matters
The Iranian currency is called rial. In general, however, people use toman to count. To convert rial into toman, take away 1 zero of the price, so 10,000 Rials equals 1000 toman. The rate fluctuates, so look for a current rate at http://www.oanda.com/
To avoid confusion: always check if you deal with rial or toman.
THERE ARE NO ATM MACHINES THAT TAKE FOREIGN BANK CARDS, NOR USE A CREDITCARD.
We advise travelers to bring enough undamaged euro/dollar banknotes.
Advised pocket money
€ 75/$90 per person will certainly cover expenses. With this allowance, you can pay for meals, drinks and food. Souvenirs are not included in the advisory fee. We advise you to bring some extra cash for souvenirs and any emergencies.
Change money
Most practical is to change money – Euros or Dollars – at the airport where there is a very reasonable exchange rate.
Ferdowsi Square in Teheran is the central place for moneychangers and exchange offices. Sometimes you can also exchange or pay with foreign money at tourist shops, for example in Isfahan or at exchange offices.
Customs
It is illegal to import alcohol, drugs, or ‘indecent images’ (films/pictures) into Iran, as well as all products contradictory to the religious and national ethics of Iran is prohibited. Import of tapes and publications is allowed if inspected and confirmed by the Ministry of Guidance representatives based at entrance gates.
Transfer of objects, which have historical and cultural value is prohibited. The export of carpets and antiques is only possible with the proper documents. It is convenient to buy such products in stores with an export license. Passengers who depart Iran by air can take only one hand knotted carpet not more than 6 Square meters.
Safety
Iran is without doubt a safe travel destination. Street crime is rare, although there are an increasing number of thefts reported in big cities like Tehran and Isfahan. It is advisable to give your passport in custody at the reception of the hotel and keep a copy in your pocket. Most of the times our guide will take care of that.
Time zone
There is a difference in time of 2 ½ -3 ½ hours with The Netherlands, depending on our summer or winter schedule.
Telephone and internet
The country code of Iran is +98. The area code of Tehran is 21.
Iran has its own mobile network. Mobile phones with subscriptions of foreign providers often work well, sometimes not. See also: www.countrycode.org.
It is possible to buy a SIM card at a very cheap price at Tehran airport – even in the middle of night. It has wide coverage with mobile data (often also GPRS). For 50,000 Rial (about 1 Euro) you can buy a prepaid card at local food stores to upgrade your credit.
Most hotels have Wi-Fi. Almost always there is Wi-Fi in the lobby, sometimes in the room. The Iranian government is blocking access to social media like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube but many Iranians manage to reach the sites through VPN connection.
Language
The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi), an Indo-European language. Farsi is written in Arabic script, from right to left. The alphabet has thirty-two letters. In addition to Farsi in Iran there are many other languages spoken such as Kurdish, Azeri (Turkish) and Turkmen. In the big cities people also speak English, especially the younger generation. Iranian people are very open and welcoming to foreigners and love to chat.
Health care
Vaccination of DTP, hepatitis A and typhoid is recommended. Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccination (BMR vaccination in Dutch) is recommended for travelers to this country who are not protected against measles yet. In this country there is a risk of getting malaria. Protection against mosquito bites is necessary during day- and nighttime. Vaccination against hepatitis B and Typhoid fever depends on your personal situation. Check with your local health organizations on the internet. Frequently you don’t notice that you lose a lot of moisture in the dry heat. Please make sure to drink a lot and sprinkle some extra salt on your food. Water from the tap cannot be drunken.
Medical care is of good quality. Please bring enough medication if you are using prescription drugs.
Food and drinks
Meals are included in the tour package as indicated in the tour program. Restaurants are everywhere and meals in Iran are generally cheap. There is however no extensive ‘dining out’ culture in the country. Restaurants are often difficult to find.
In Tehran besides Iranian restaurants you can also find other cuisines such as Lebanese, Thai, Indian, Chinese and Japanese. There are also many fast food restaurants in most cities and pizzerias.
Iranian dishes are very mildly seasoned. Rice (chelo or polo) and bread (nan) are an integral part every meal. Besides rice often an assortment of kebabs (barbecued meat) is on the menu. In addition is also common to have various stews (khoreshts) with rice.
Also aash, a full thick soup is eaten a lot. Fresh fish is mainly to get into the Caspian and Persian coastal regions.
Iranians drink tea all day. To drink coffee is less common and only Nescafe is available. In big cities you can find trendy coffee shops. Popular with the meal is dough, a yogurt drink carbonated, salt and spices. Mineral water is available almost everywhere. Do not drink water from the tap.
Alcohol is not available throughout the country. Alcohol can only be purchased on the black market and to get engaged in such a matter holds a risk.
Expenses for food/drinks
Most dinners and lunches are included in the tour program. In case you need to buy your own: prices are very low.
Tips
Giving a tip is in Iran common practice. Particularly in restaurants, cafés, with porters and guides is customary to give a tip of 5 to 10 percent.
Shopping
In the bazaars you will find the finest Persian carpets in all sizes, marquetry, copper, miniatures and beautiful fabrics. Bargaining is common at the bazaar and sellers often start far above the amount that they are willing to accept. When it comes to expensive items, like a carpet, it is wise to be informed and take the time with the merchant. Disinterested, rude or unkind behavior is counterproductive. If you cannot come to an agreement on the price, you can always say ‘thank you’ and walk away.
On Friday all official bodies, banks and most shops (bazaars) are closed. Normally shops are open from 9:00 am until late at night. In the heat of the day between 13:00 and 16:00 almost all are closed, except in big cities.
Accommodation
For the selection of our hotels, we pay special attention to the location, cleanliness and atmosphere., but the quality of the hotels can be different. In big cities we can book nice hotels, but in small towns in rural areas, there is often little choice in hotels and we pick the best choice. Despite the fact that Iran is a developing country, accommodation standards can be different from your home country.
In hotels usually two small bottles of water will be at your disposal free of charge. In a hot country like Iran is of course important to drink a lot. Always carry a business card of the hotel with you when you go out so you can find back the hotel.
Electricity
Standard voltage is 220 volts. USA appliances designed for 110 volts require a voltage converter. Electric outlets use European/Dutch style plugs with two round pins. North American participants should bring a converter.
Climate and geography
Iran is a vast country with big climatic differences. In some parts of the country it is very cold in winter. In summer, temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius can be quite normal. It rains especially in the higher mountain areas and the areas around the Caspian Sea. The humidity is quite low throughout the country, except in the Persian Gulf region, where the summers are very humid and oppressively hot. In May the temperature normally can vary between 17-28 degrees Celsius.
Clothing
Islamic dress is compulsory in Iran, even for tourists.
Dresscode for women
• A long-sleeve (3/4 sleeve acceptable in Teheran) tunic or blouse that covers your buttocks! Mind that it should never be tight or transparent.
• Pants need to be long, skinny jeans are OK, no bare ankles visible. Capris that come below your knees must be avoided.
• A headscarf to be worn loose on the head. Cotton is very comfortable.
Colored clothing is not a problem.
Maxi dresses or skirts in general are not common among Iranian women, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear them. Keep in mind: no bare legs, so cover your ankles!
This dress code is already required when approaching Iran during international flights so keep garments at hand.
Dresscode for men
Men should not wear shorts. (T-)Shirts or blouses with short sleeves are allowed, but not always appreciated in the major Islamic shrines.
Special dress code for visit to Imam Khomeiny Mausoleum and Qom
Visiting holy places as Qom, the dress code is rigidly enforced.
Only for visiting the most important religious shrines such as the Khomeiny Mausoleum and the religious complex of Qom, it is obligatory to wear a chador for women. A chador is a black and long piece of cloth which covers around the head and body (= chador literally means tent). A chador will be provided for tourists on loan at the entrance.
It is recommended to wear socks on these visits.
Indoors these rules do not apply. In general: when you visit people in their homes, take notice how they behave and dress. And ask if you can take off the headscarf. In case the bus has dark tinted windows, you can also take off the headscarf.
Sandals and open toes are perfectly fine for both women and men. Whether you’ve got painted nails on your fingers or your toes, you’d be just fine.
We also encourage you to take practical clothes that combine easily (layer upon layer) or easy to wash by hand and dry quickly.
Behavior and customs
• take off your shoes in people’s homes and in mosques,
• do not walk in front of people praying
• do not stand in front of a person with your back to that person
If you make a mistake, excuse yourself and not many people will blame you for it.
Iranian etiquette is very far from our culture. It is the opposite of directness. You do not say what you think, please do not assume what you are offered. Because it is a way to be both courteous and hospitable, it is sometimes difficult to assess how you should respond as foreigner.
Many Iranians will offer food or a drink or invite you to come to their home.
As a rule you always need to refuse at first if you are offered something, until you can accept after the 3rd time!
Photography
Photographing in Iran is commonly welcomed with openness and doesn’t raise any problem unless explicitly prohibited, such as in airports or close to government and military buildings. Also pictures are not allowed, of course, in the area of nuclear activities (f.e. at Natanz).
In general: : If you would like to take a picture of people, try to start a conversation ‘to break the ice’ and people often don’t mind to be in a picture. Often you are invited to be in their picture.
In the shrines of Qom it is advised to operate in a more restrained and modest way.
Religion
Around 90–95% of Iranians associate themselves with the Shia branch of Islam, the official state religion, and about 5–10% with the Sunni and Sufi branches of Islam.
The remaining 0.6% associate themselves with non-Islamic religious minorities, including Bahá’ís, Mandeans, Yarsanis, Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians. The latter three minority religions are officially recognized and protected, and have reserved seats in the Iran parliament. Zoroastrianism was once the majority religion, though today Zoroastrians number only in the tens of thousands. Iran is home to the second largest Jewish community in the Muslim World and the Middle East. The Bahá’í religion, historically the largest religious minority in Iran is not officially recognized, and has been persecuted during its existence in Iran. Christianity, the largest non-Muslim minority religion that is recognized by the Iranian government, has the largest annual growth rate of all religions in Iran.
The Iranian government does not officially recognize the existence of non-religious Iranians. This leaves the true representation of the religious split in Iran unknown as all non-religious, spiritual, atheist, agnostic and converts away from Islam are likely to be included within the government statistic of the 99% Muslim majority. Sunnism was the predominant form of Islam before the devastating Mongol conquest, but subsequently Shi’ism became eventually utterly dominant in all of Iran.
FAQ Armenia
FAQ Georgia
Passport & visa information
Your passport should be valid until minimum 6 months after departure date.
Visa Georgia: not required for citizens of European Union, Canada, USA, Australia.
Insurance
When booking a vacation, you assume that your time away will be carefree and generally that is the case. However, to cover damage to your luggage or health care expenses, you need to have a travel insurance. Please make sure that your insurance is valid for this part of the world and check coverage. There may be circumstances that cause cancellation of your vacation or a later departure or earlier return. You can take out additional insurance to cover the cost of cancellation in case of a personal emergency (e.g., cancellation costs of air ticket/ accommodations, etc.). We leave this choice to you. Several companies offer these kinds of insurance. Traveler agreed by registration that the organizer cannot be held responsible for any damages or personal injuries during the tour.
Money matters
The Georgian currency is Lari (GEL). Several currencies can be exchanged, but euros and dollars are accepted everywhere. There are ATM machines in big cities, but foreign bank cards are not widely accepted and the machine has to show a Cirrus or Maestro logo. In Georgia it can be more complicated to find a suitable ATM. Therefore it is advised to bring cash. Swiss francs and British pounds can be changed at banks and at some money changers. There is no commission fee. The lowest exchange rates are found at airports and hotels. Euro or dollar banknotes must be relatively new and have no marks or tears. Dollar bills issued before 1996 will not be accepted. It is not necessary to change a large bill into smaller ones, for example, if you want to change 20 euros and you hand over a 50-Euro bill, you can receive 30 euros change. Only major hotels and car rental agencies will accept VISA and MASTERCARD credit cards. Sometimes credit cards are accepted at popular tourist destinations, such as Mtskheta. To withdraw cash with a creditcard is expensive and therefore it is not recommended to cash small amounts.
Customs
Commercial goods exceeding a value of $ 500 must be declared. Personal items do not have to be declared. There is a 20-pack import and export limit on cigarettes, a 2-litre limit on alcohol and a 1-kg limit on coffee. There are no restrictions on the import of food. Alcohol is very cheap in Armenia and Georgia. Check with your local customs on what you are allowed to take back into your country.
Prohibited items
It is forbidden to import or export pornography, antiques, drugs and narcotics, live plants.
Safety
Do not bring valuable items (such as jewelry) and bring a money belt if you plan to carry cash. Most hotels do not have a safety deposit box. To store things in a suitcase which can be locked has proved to function well in the past years. Violent street crime is almost unheard of in the regions where we travel. Nevertheless we recommend that you watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas or markets. Being on the street at night is not a problem, and that goes for both women and men. Locals are out late and many families love to stroll in the streets or go for dinner in a restaurant. In this part of the world people are very helpful, hospitable and very child friendly. Young people speak English.
For elderly or handicapped people it can be hard to move around because the pavement can be in poor condition or hilly.
Time zone
There is a difference in time of 2-3 hours with The Netherlands, depending on our summer or winter schedule.
Telephone & internet
Country code Georgia + 995. Your own mobile phone will not always work, and there is no overall network. Purchasing a local simcard can be an option. It is cheap (also to call abroad) and it can be charged with a prepaid card. Many restaurants and cafeteria have free Wi-Fi.
Language
Georgians speak Georgian, a language with their own alphabet. Many people in the former Soviet republics also speak Russian, although the younger generation is now taught English as a second language. Everywhere street and traffic signs are depicted in our alphabet.
Health care
Vaccination of DTP, polio, hepatitis A and typhoid is not required, but some can be recommended. Check with your local health organizations on the internet. Medical care is of good quality.
Food & drink
Although water is of good quality, some people have a sensitive stomach. In that case we advise you to drink only bottled water. Food is of excellent quality and salads are safe to eat.
Expenses for food/drinks
Meals are included in the tour package as indicated in the tour program. According to our criteria, lunch is relatively cheap and will vary between € 5 at a supermarket to € 15 for an elaborate meal at a restaurant. Especially in Tbilisi there are several small restaurants and supermarkets close to the hotel. Drinks are not included in the package except for water, coffee or tea at dinner. Prices vary between € 1.50-€ 2,00 for a glass of beer to € 2.00 for a coffee. A bottle of wine is around € 10.00. Mark that the menu in restaurants doesn’t show the price including the service fee. This will be added later and most of the times the percentage is listed in the menu. It is commonly around 10%. Tipping is no obligation, but is always appreciated if you are content with the service.
Electricity
Standard voltage is 220 volts. USA appliances designed for 110 volts require a voltage converter. Electric outlets use European/Dutch style plugs with two round pins. North American participants should bring a converter.
Weather
Georgia has a continental climate: summers are hot and dry, winters are very cold with heavy snowfalls. Although summer is warm, always be prepared for cooler temperatures in mountainous regions.
Spring arrives by the end of April, and a bit later in mountainous areas. Do bring an umbrella for occasional rain showers, which can be short and heavy. After a hot summer, in autumn, often nicknamed the “velvet season”, the temperature typically reverts to that of springtime. After the mid-September break in the hot weather, Indian summer arrives and lasts throughout October. In this season too it is sensible to bring an umbrella for sporadic rain showers. A good website to check the weather is www.freemeteo.com it includes a seven-day forecast.
Clothing
In Tbilisi people are dressed ‘modern’. In restaurants a well-groomed appearance is appreciated. In the countryside people dress more simple and conservative. Shorts are only worn by young people. The somewhat longer Capri pants or 7/8 models are common; tank tops are worn in the cities. It is very important to bring comfortable hiking shoes that are comfortable on all types of floors (possibly even outdoors). Make sure to be prepared for cooler weather in the mountains. It is best to bring layers of clothes to tackle this situation.
Clothing to visit religious sites
Required to bring to Georgia: a scarf and a long skirt for women. They need to cover their head and wear an ankle long skirt visiting monasteries and churches. Long pants also need to be covered. A wrap skirt is a very practical item to use. Men need to wear long pants and take off hats in monasteries and churches. Frequently wrap skirts are offered near the entrance of a religious complex
Practical items
It is highly recommended to bring a sun block because of high altitudes – you can easily get sunburned. Make sure to carry water with you, especially if you will do the more strenuous hike at Vardzia and Uplistsikhe.
Bring all the prescription drugs you believe you will need. Bring enough for the entire stay and leave them in their original marked containers. Bring some basic medication such as ibuprofen, Tylenol or aspirin and anti-diarrhea medication such as Imodium. Bring enough lens cleaning solution for your entire visit and maybe a spare set of eyeglasses. If you are prone to car sickness, please bring medication for it. It will not always be possible to claim seats in the front of the bus. In big cities pharmacies and bigger supermarkets carry these items, but that might not be the case in other parts of the country and there might be a language barrier.
Transportation
During our tour, we will travel in an air-conditioned bus. We have tried to avoid long hours on the bus, but distances can take longer to travel than expected. Main roads are in good condition, but some parts can be unpaved. Driving standards can best be described as unpredictable, fast and reckless.
The easiest choice for tourists is to use taxis. They are very inexpensive. Do make enquiries about the price before starting your ride.
Religion
Georgians are mostly Christian and in majority member of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The country knows a large diversity of ethnic minorities such as Adjarians, Mingrelians, Svanet, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Abkheses, Russians and Ossetians. Around 84% of the population is Georgian.
Excursions
Our hikes are aimed at people with a normal physical condition and can walk without restrictions. You will require comfortable hiking shoes, because some sightseeing spots can be reached after a short walk on foot. For the hike to the caves of Vardzia and Uplistsikhe a good physical condition is required as well as sturdy hiking shoes with grip sole . Considering busy traffic and small distances in Tbilisi, we will often walk to the restaurants. Of course one is free to choose an alternative and to take a taxi.
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Reviews tours
INTRODUCTION
It is always hard to choose a highlight. Was it the visit to Sasnashen? The village of descendants of refugees from the Sasoun region who fled from the genocide in Anatolia and strive to preserve their traditions and dances, passed down by former generations? The sound of the melancholic duduk played inside the Garni temple, dating from the 1st millennium A.D.? Or impressive landscapes surrounding ancient monasteries and hiking to a bridge dating back to the Silkroad era? Or the food, which is always fresh and delicious? Maybe it was the taste of fresh lavash (Armenian bread) baked in the traditional tonir (pit in the ground) enjoying Armenian cognac or the wide variety of restaurants often with live music. Fact is that everybody will have his or her own personal highlight because Armenia has so much to offer. Read what what other travelers have experienced as highlights on their journey.
REVIEWS
I would like to propose a belated TOAST (in Armenian Genats) to …… Armenian food!
It was a real treat to eat fresh tomatoes that actually had the taste of real tomatoes! The chicken and the lamb meat also tasted much more flavorful than what one normally can find where I live. I really enjoyed all of the food we ate in Armenia, and I would like to toast Satik for helping to choose restaurants and menus that introduced us to a large variety of Armenian dishes! We got to taste yogurt soup, barley porridge made with chicken broth, several kinds of lavash, delicious chicken soup and lamb soup, and my favorite: the platter of stuffed tolmas on our second evening.
Satik, you also demonstrated for us some new approaches to: stopping traffic when crossing the street, negotiating at restaurants and hotels, and determining the number of cups of coffee and tea to order!
Tineke, you shared with us your love for Armenian culture and people, and helped us understand aspects that we could never have appreciated without you. Usually I have suggestions for improving things, but for this trip I just cannot think of any way it could have been made better! Our dance lessons and teachers were terrific. Our time was filled with enjoyable and interesting activities, and we experienced a lot of things and people that we would not have done as ordinary tourists. It was a great trip! THANKS!
And – to everybody who went on the trip – THANK YOU for being such a good and eager and thoughtful group of people! GENATS!!!
Rita de Coursey (Nederland)
Ik vond het een heel speciale ervaring. Het land is in veel opzichten anders dan ik had verwacht. De combinatie van christendom, communisme en oosters had ik me anders voorgesteld. De reis had voor mij meerdere hoogtepunten, waarvan ik ons bezoek aan Jereghnadzor en de Garni tempel vooral wil noemen. De duduk speler in de Garnitempel zullen we nooit meer vergeten. Verder heb ik genoten van Paylak en het dansen, alle nieuwe mensen die ik heb leren kennen, het praten in Engels, Duits en Nederlands door elkaar en van alle plannen en ideeën die de reis in mijn hoofd heeft doen ontstaan. Al schrijvende merk ik dat het me niet lukt alle ervaringen kort weer te geven. Misschien dat het voor zich spreekt als ik zeg dat ik nog steeds met de reis in mijn hoofd loop. Ik ben nog niet weer met beide benen op de grond en wil dat ook eigenlijk niet. Ik hoop ooit nog eens mee te gaan.
Betsy Edens (Nederland)
It was a wonderful tour, very well organized (important in this country I think), and also full of positive spirit, flexibility, humour (sometimes irony), good atmophere among the group-members – which makes it unforgettable! A marvellous experience! And all the participants are very well aware I think, that without you all this would not have been possible. It was a really good mixture between dancing, music, culture, meeting people, sightseeing, shopping occasions (also nice…), city impressions and beautiful landscape, information about political, geographical, ethnological background…., everyday-life etc. There was so much in it.
Thank you!
Margarete Aulbach (Germany)
De afgelopen week heb ik geprobeerd het Armenië verhaal een beetje duidelijk te maken, maar misschien moet er gewoon een extra hoofdstuk in de geschiedenisboeken. Voor de rest is het afkicken want eigenlijk zou ik het liefst meteen weer terug gaan! De reis was geweldig.
Ellie Adema (Nederland)

Dit land en haar volk hebben me echt geraakt. Maar niet alleen maar in verdriet, ook in vreugde. Het samen dansen met de mensen, het samen proosten met de mensen, het niet begrijpen van hun taal en toch snappen wat ze willen zeggen: veel momenten van vreugde, van plezier heb ik beleefd. Momenten die de haast en het “moeten” in onze wereld erg hebben gerelativeerd. Je hebt er samen met Satik voor gezorgd dat ik me kon baden in het “zijn” in dit land. De reis was tot in de puntjes goed verzorgd. En het mooie vond ik dat het toch ook niet te strak was, ik heb me geen moment in een keurslijf gedwongen gevoeld.
En dan natuurlijk het dansen met Pajlak. Met grote precisie heeft Pajlak ons meegenomen door de dansen van zijn land, door de gratie, de stroming, de kracht, de geaardheid van de Armeense dans. Op een enkel puntje na heb ik het gevoel alle dansen tot in hun totaliteit in mijn lijf te hebben zitten, in mijn armen, mijn voeten, mijn hoofd, mijn handen.
Het hoogtepunt van de reis waren voor mij de 2 dagen het land door, het hadden er best meer mogen zijn. Zo mooi om de verscheidenheid van de natuur te ervaren en om te zien hoe de mensen leven. Ook heel confronterend om de armoede te ervaren en om te zien hoe mensen ook dan doorgaan met leven en er het beste van maken. Hoe blij en warm ze zijn, hoe graag ze met je willen delen. Naira was een fijne gids, ze wist precies de juiste woorden te vinden om haar land voelbaar te maken. Eén ding is zeker: vanaf nu zal het voor altijd anders zijn om Armeens te dansen in mijn eigen land. Omdat ik even heb mogen proeven van de ziel van het prachtige land waar de dansen vandaan zijn gekomen. Hannelore Duynstee (Nederland)

Es war eine tolle Reise, gut organisiert und durchgeführt. Auch die Begleitung (Satik, Naira) hat viel zum guten gelingen beigetragen. Der Tanzkurs war super, obwohl ich wegen meiner Verletzung am Fuss nicht voll mittanzen konnte. Es sind alles schöne, anspruchsvolle Tänze. Vom Land bin ich sehr überrascht, es hat alle meine Vorstellungen übertroffen. Die Landschaft grün, bergig, hügelig, sauber und gepflegt. Die Bevölkerung freundlich, hilfsbereit und gut gekleidet, obwohl ich denke, dass es eher eine armes Land ist. Die Hauptstadt hat mich ebenfalls fasziniert. Die netten Leute, die grünen Parks mit Cafés, die sauberen Strassen mit ihren Baumalleen, die schönen Gebäude in der City und das gute, abwechslungsreiche Essen. Auch bietet Yerevan viel Kultur. Ursula Stamopoulos (Switzerland)
Die Reise mit dir ist mir in sehr guter Erinnerung.
Es ist anspruchsvoll eine so grosse Gruppe zu führen und du hast das sehr, sehr gut gemeistert. Du warst klar in deinen Vorgaben, hast Flexibilität gezeigt (z.Bsp. nach dem Essen im russ. Restaurant wo du gerne nachher die Bezahlrunde im Hotel gemacht hättest….), du hast viel Humor gezeigt, gut informiert, warst bereit, alle Fragen aufmerksam zu beantworten…super! Du hast eine gute Auswahl mit den Exkursionen im Land getroffen. Die zwei Tage am Sevansee haben mir gefallen. Der Abend mit den Musiker/-innen hat mir auch sehr gut gefallen. Auch die zwei verschiedenen Tanzdarbietungen haben mich beeindruckt. Zudem hast du mit Satik un Naira zwei sehr engagierte, liebenswürdige Reiseleiterinnen ausgelesen.Ihr habt uns wirklich sehr viel geboten in kurzer Zeit. Ich trage gute Erinnerungen an diese Reise mit mir.
Annemarie Geiger (Switzerland)
You both deserve heartfelt congratulations for your organizing abilities and the enormous amount of work you obviously put into the tour. Since I am not a seasoned traveller or an extravert, I really appreciated your sincere concern for everyone’s welfare. I also delighted in–and wondered at–your consistent good humour and pleasant treatment of everyone. I loved the dance classes; Pajlak was charming, patient and a wonderful teacher. I liked his great attention to style and detail.
Two sightseeing highlights for me were Edsmiadzin and Haghartsin. The former especially because of the singing, which was so beautiful it moved me and, I suspect, many others to tears. It was also a good occasion to see how religion is so much a part of daily life in Armenia. There was both a reverent and a relaxed atmosphere in the church which was very appealing. The location of Haghartzin was breathtaking and I enjoyed the walk there and back very much.
The visit to Yegheknadzor was certainly one of the high points for me. The hospitality, the mingling of people from different lands and the energy of youth were truly inspiring. I had a good time, even though the trip each way was 24 hours (I’m still tired!). Thank you so much. All the best to both of you and to Maurits and Najira,
Elise Boyer (Canada)
Dear Tineke,
I am writing to express my and Yeghegnadzor’s thanks to you and to the folklorists who came with you to visit us this week. Everybody here was very pleased to enter into contact with you, to dance with you and to admire the way you danced our dances. We hope you will come and visit us again and again.
Antoine S. Terjanian (our host in Yegheknadzor, Canadian Armenian)The visit to Yegheknadzor was certainly one of the high points for me. The hospitality, the mingling of people from different lands and the energy of youth were truly inspiring.
The trip was wonderful! I am still mulling over all my impressions and experiences. Thank you to you and your team for the job that you did. Eta Markowicz (Canada)
Na terugkomst hier in Nederland heeft het enige tijd geduurd voordat ik weer echt “geland” was. M’n voeten waren er wel, maar m’n hoofd bleef in Armenie hangen. Deze reis staat voor altijd in mijn herinnering gegrift en was in alle opzichten fantastisch: het land/landschap, de mensen, de cultuur, de geschiedenis, het eten, het dansen, de begeleiding door jou en Satik/Naira, teveel om op te noemen en in willekeurige volgorde opgesomd, en bovenal jouw altijd vrolijke aanwezigheid.
Annelies de Kroon (Nederland)
Thank you so much for the Armenia trip. It was extremely well organised and it was just the right balance of things arranged and free time to choose what we wanted to do – never bored but not hassled to get places either. You and Satik kept us in order (didn’t lose us!) without being bossy and were always such good fun. Everyone was so nice to be with – so we must all have been feeling well entertained and looked after.
I have so many good memories – the very first day, dancing spontaneously in the car park at Geghard, we thought this is a high point, where do you go from here? but didn’t get disappointed. Lunch in the village, dance classes, the lone duduk player in the temple, Yerevan restaurants and streets, the singing in the cathedral, driving through the countryside with Naira’s commentary and stories, the market (carpet looks great in my appartment!) I could go on and on. The fat lady singing in the cinema! Please give lots of thanks to Satik and our guide Naira. I hope they are both well.
Good luck with your next projects, hope to dance with you sometime soon, all the best.
Deb Collins (United Kingdom)
Bedankt voor deze fantastische reis. Ik huppel nog steeds. Dat is te danken aan jouw inzet en die van Satik, nogmaals, BEDANKT !!!! Ik heb geen enkele opmerking en zelf had je al de conclusie getrokken om iets meer speling in Praag te nemen. Een lieve groet voor jou en de dames in Armenie!
Conny Rakké (Nederland)
Ich bin schon lange nicht mehr so begeistert gewesen über Reise- und Tanzferien, wie dieses mal in Armenien.
Ich fand, dass sie kompetent und sorgfältig organisiert und geplant war. Alle Deine vorherigen Informationen und Auskünfte über die Reise wurden dokumentiert und allenfalls noch informiert, wenn sich etwas geändert hatte.
Die Reiseunterkünfte fand ich den Kosten entsprechend reell. Einfach und sauber. In Yerevan sind die Zimmer auf die Hauptstraße bis spät in die Nacht mit Autoverkehr und Musik gelärmt. Das fand ich als Schlafmuffel ein Nachteil. Dafür war es von Vorteil mitten in der Stadt zu wohnen in der Stadt zu wohnen, da man von dort aus überall hingehen konnte.
Das kulturelle Programm war sehr interessant und vielfältig. Die Reisen an die verschiedenen Orte beeindruckend und ebenso der Einblick in eine andere Kultur. Die Möglichkeit Armeniern unter die Arme zu greifen mittels non Profit ist eine gute Sache, welche ich schon lange unterstütze. Das kosten der vielen Speisen und dazu die hübsch gedeckten Tische haben die Esszeiten zu einem kleinen Fest werden lassen.
Die herzliche und großzügige Gastfreundschaft sowie die Spontaneität der Armenier, sowie deren Art zu leben und davon zu hören, haben mich sehr berührt. In der Schweiz könnten manche noch viel davon lernen!!!!
Alles was mit Tanz zu tun hatte fand ich interessant und es gefiel mir auch zuzuschauen und mich daran zu freuen, auch wenn ich nicht mittanzte. Die Tanzgruppen welche professionell und auch Amateur massig tanzten waren ebenfalls ein Leckerbissen. Die schönen Kleider und geschminkten hübschen Frauen waren eine Augenweide. Das so viele Männer tanzen habe ich nicht erwartet. Darum war meine Überraschung groß und ich muss sagen, dass ich es so schade finde, dass auch bei uns nicht mehr Männer tanzen!
Die Reisegruppe war in der Anzahl der Personen gerade gut. So war es auch möglich generell zueinander Kontakt zu pflegen. Deine Mitarbeiterinnen Satik und Naira, welche übrigens ein sehr gutes und verständliches Englisch sprachen, kann ich weiterhin wärmstens empfehlen. Satik hat uns so viel über Bräuche erzählt und Naira über die armenische Geschichte. Eigentlich muss ich sagen, dass ich mich in Armenien etwas verliebt habe. Ich möchte gerne wieder zurückkehren und kann mir auch vorstellen, dass ich dort eine gewisse Zeit mal leben könnte.
Tineke, Du hast wunderschön und mit viel Hingabe getanzt und Unterricht gegeben. Das Du uns noch an den Flughafen in den frühen Morgenstunden begleitet hast, zusammen mit Satik, war wirklich lieb.
Mit herzlichen Grüßen und alles Gute für Dich von Anna (der Schweiz)

Unsere Reise mit Tineke nach Armenien war etwas ganz Besonderes. Wir kamen in ein Land, auf das wir neugierig waren wegen seiner wechselvollen Geschichte, seiner alten Traditionen, auch gerade bei Tanz und Musik, wegen seiner erst kürzlich erreichten Befreiung aus dem sowjetischen Machtbereich. Tineke hat es gemeinsam mit ihren armenischen Mitarbeiterinnen geschafft unsere Neugier zu befriedigen. Natürlich stand für uns alle das Tanzen im Vordergrund. Und das Tanzen war es auch, das uns alle in ganz kurzer Zeit miteinander verbunden hat, so dass eine sehr fröhliche aufgeschlossene Gruppe entstand, die alle Aktivitäten genossen hat. Tanzen erlebten wir in vielfältiger Form: im eigenen Unterricht bei zwei kompetenten armenischen Lehrern mit Tinekes hilfreicher Begleitung. Außerdem Tanzen abends bei Live Musik in Restaurants, mit Dorfbewohnern auf dem Land sowohl als Vorführung als auch zum Mitmachen, in einem Tanzhaus mit hervorragender Laienvorführung, schließlich sogar eine tolle Profivorführung einer armenischen Stargruppe. Es ist umwerfend, was Tineke zum Thema “Tanzen” im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes auf die Beine gestellt hat.
Aber nicht nur das! Wir erhielten einen sehr guten Eindruck von der Stadt Yerevan mit ihren vielen Gesichtern: prächtige Bauten vom Anfang des vorigen Jahrhunderts, im allgemeinen recht gut renoviert, viel Bautätigkeit, ein Land im Aufbruch, riesige Wohnblöcke nach sowjetischem Muster, für unseren Maßstab weder attraktiv noch gepflegt. Aber die Menschen üben Lebensqualität. Es gibt einen wunderschönen Grüngürtel mit vielen Cafés und Bänken. Und hier – und auf den Straßen – sind Leute jeden Alters bis spät abends zahlreich unterwegs – auch Menschen, die betteln. Die Ausflüge von Yerevan aus eröffneten uns vor allem die historische Perspektive durch den Besuch alter Kirchen und Klöster aus frühchristlicher Zeit. Grandiose Landschaft, sobald wir uns dem Gebirge näherten, am eindrucksvollsten der Blick auf die zwei Gipfel des Ararat, wenn die Wolken sie freigaben. Man sollte, das dachten wir immer wieder, nach Armenien nicht nur zum Tanzen, sondern auch zum Wandern fahren. Dank an Tineke, die dies alles perfekt geplant hat, und die es mit Kompetenz und mit viel Fröhlichkeit und Verständnis für alle und im Einklang mit ihren armenischen Mitstreiterinnen durchgeführt hat. Unsere Neugier ist mehr als befriedigt worden! Dörthe und Horst, Hamburg
Mit dem zur Neige gehenden Jahr blicken wir mit großer Freude und Dankbarkeit zurück auf unsere Reise, die uns erstmals in das lang ersehnte Armenien gebracht hat. Natürlich hätten wir als einigermassen Reisegewandte das Land auch selber bereisen können, aber wie anders und wie oberflächlich wäre dies ausgefallen. Du hast uns mit deiner Liebe zum Land so Vieles ermöglicht, das wir als bleibenden Schatz mit und in uns tragen können. Wir sind ja seit über 30 Jahren regelmässig in Griechenland zu Gast und trotz der allmählich sich mehrenden Sprachkenntnisse haben wir nie so viel über Musik und Tanz in Erfahrung bringen können wie auf der Armenien – Georgien Reise. Welch einmalige Gelegenheit, die Probe in Tiflis, die Theatervorstellung und den Unterricht in Eriwan besuchen zu dürfen, und das alles immer eingekleidet in ein Reiseprogramm mit viel Zeit für eigene Interessen.
Wir sind reich beschenkt und beglückt heimgekehrt und werden auch noch in diesem Jahr davon zehren. Dir wünschen wir noch manche begeisternde Reise in dein zweites Heimatland des Herzens.
Verena und Hans Märki, Switzerland
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Van Geel records
INTRODUCTION
In 1991 Tineke and Maurits van Geel established Van Geel Records, specialized in the production of Armenian folk music. The first album Hayastan – Armenian dances appeared, performed by the Muradian Ensemble from Armenia. Inspired by this cooperation a second album titled Muradian Ensemble volume 1 was released with both traditional folk melodies as well as arranged folk music – the onset of many new productions.
THE STORY BEHIND VAN GEEL RECORDS
As a researcher and teacher of Armenian folk dances Tineke’s passion for Armenian folk music has been an important factor for her love of Armenian dance. Therefore she felt motivated to reinforce her dance classes with recordings of good quality. Supported by Maurits this endeavor resulted in setting up their own CD production company, Van Geel Records.
It is quite unique that these productions could be recorded in the Netherlands with musicians from Armenia, not least because most of the music had never been recorded and released in Armenia. Nowadays productions of Van Geel Records have found great fame and popularity in Armenia.
Striking fact is that the dance Kochari has been declared by UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Armenia and in the promotional film released by the government a Kochari version of Van Geel Records can be heard among others https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/kochari-traditional-group-dance-01295
A complete list of titles can be found in the shop.
DVD RELEASES
The past years DVDs with the dances of the CDs have been recorded. Tineke demonstrates the dances and the DVD is meant as memory support for participants of dance workshops. For available titles please visit the shop.