On a tour with Living Passages, you’re sure to find plenty of fascinating items to take home! Many sites we visit will have gift shops for small souvenirs, and we’ll include a dedicated time for shopping as we are able. Here are a few things you need to know when making purchases: When we are on the move as a group, if you see something you’d like to stop and purchase, always check with the tour leader to see if there is time first. If you duck into a shop without speaking with the tour leader, especially amid the crowds, the group won’t know you’re gone until they’re back at the bus, and you may be separated from everyone. Remember your luggage size, and that you may be charged for extra baggage by both ground operators and airlines. However, vendors are happy to ship large items like rugs or wooden artwork to your home! Value Added Taxes (VAT) are about 18% in Turkey. Keep that in mind when considering purchases and remember to ask the shopkeeper if VAT is included in the posted price. Some shops participate in the VAT tax refund program, so for more expensive items, ask the shopkeeper for the refund form while you check out. They will fill it out, and when you leave Turkey, you can present the refund form, any receipts, your passport, and the purchased goods at the VAT Refund Counter at the Customs Office at the airport before you check in for your flight. Please know this can take extra time, and due to the nature of travel, several circumstances (such as the counter being closed, lack of time before takeoff, or long lines) could prevent you from receiving a VAT refund for your purchases, so this is not guaranteed.