9 independent reviews for Turkey small group tour
Reviews for Turkey small group tour
Michael Woodward review 3 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The best part of our tour was our great guide Tamer who cared for us, consulted, taught - even using a laser pointer to a big map inside the front of the 16 seater minibus, explained, suggested changes to our itinerary and suggesting that early starts would benefit us all - Everyone in the group agreed and willingly complied. Tamer knew so much and so many people on the way. Having only five for the first few days then another 4 [two couples who quickly fitted in to our daily regimes] was the BEST! Tamer got on with everyone but as we were both teachers we got on really well. Our Driver was also great.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Tamer in my opinion is one of kind - so he or anyone with his guiding attributes would be ideal.We only knew the travel company when we met our guide-Tamer with their company welcome packs... The hotels were fine apart from one very big hotel - hundreds of guests and the food a bit ordinary.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Only the first point with locals benefitting.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent. Sometimes a bit of information overload but we were given the freedom to ask, explore on our own and meet back at decided upon times - i.e. we felt a bit in control and some couples opted out of some activities. A great sense of camaraderie developed within our relatively small group [5 then 9] due to the varying but similar expectations of the members and the personality, professionalism and dedication of our GUIDE Tamer made the trip excellent for me.Janet Chambers review 14 Mar 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Staying in a cave hotel in Cappadocia, wonderful atmosphere, huge bed with jaccuzi and really lovely food.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
It is long days traveling in the bus but worth it to see as much as you can in the time frame.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely benefitted local people as we stayed in small family run hotels.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a great time and it was a very good introduction to Turkey. We will be back to see more.Bernice Gunn review 31 Dec 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Ephesus and Cappadochia2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you travel in winter, it's cold ! Also it's worth spending an extra day in Istanbul.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not really4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Sights were very impressive, however there is a fair amount of travel on some days. Our guide was very experienced and knowledgeable. Food options were disappointing - most lunches were at service stations and most evening meals were hotel buffets. Very cheap, but I'd have preferred better restaurants.Ashley Woodford review 23 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Istanbul. It was worth taking the extra day in Istanbul and I'm sure we could have spent more time there.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Beware that as well as the archaeological sites visited, which is what we chose the vacation for, there are visits to 'traditional' leather and carpet manufacturers and a wine tasting which are of course just opportunities to sell us things.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not very much. On the good side, we ate at many small independent restaurants while traveling as a group but on the bad side I felt that the ethos of Responsible Travel had been lost by the time the arrangements got as far as the local travel company involved. To be fair I don't think the vacation we booked is listed on the Responsible Travel website but it was available from the company that we were put in touch with when we inquired about another.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We did what we went to do and saw what we went to see. There were too many early starts and we would have liked more time at some of the sites, time which instead was spent in carpet and leather salesrooms.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for taking the time to get back to us with your tour feedback, this is very much appreciated.
We agree totally with your comments about Istanbul, it's a fascinating city with lots to see and do. On the tour we aim to visit the most famous highlights, but you could easily spend a few extra days here and still only scratch the surface. We're happy to add extra nights either in the same tour hotel or in somewhere different if people prefer. I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed the city.
I am sorry however that you weren't happy with some of the other stops which were included on the tour. The tour is designed to try to provide an overall view of the country, and so including things like wine tastings and visits to local crafts is there intentionally so we are not just doing classical or historic sightseeing all the time. It's always a tricky balance to strike with stops where shopping is available though, and we do make a conscious effort to include less of these stops than others. We don't remove them completely though as we know some of our travelers do appreciate being able to shop in a reputable store with good quality produce. Equally, we know that some people aren't as keen, so we're sorry if these stops affected your enjoyment of those days.
I'm also sorry that you felt the trip didn't benefit local people that much. To provide some more info on that, firstly when operating our tours in Turkey, we only employ local staff members, both to provide employment and as we feel that local guides can provide much better inside knowledge of both modern Turkish life and culture as well as the historic information, than foreign guides can. We also tend to recommend local restaurants for our groups to dine within, work with local tour operators for additional options (such as hot air balloon flights) and also support a number of independent craft producers in Turkey which we visit as mentioned above.
Thanks once again for choosing to travel with us and for taking the time to post your feedback.
Jennifer Easson review 5 Jul 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The sunrise balloon ride over Cappadocia plus the serenity of Anzac Cove at Gallipoli2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Try everything - the optional yours, the food, etc3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We supported local people economically. I would like to see water coolers in every hotel and other tourist destinations in order to reduce the use of plastic water bottles.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentAnon review 21 Nov 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Ephesus - an incredible place2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Avoid the Collossae Thermal Spa hotel if at all possible. It's an appalling dump3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not especially, although having the local guide (Asli, who was brilliant) was obviously better than having a UK guide4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
David Horan review 4 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Balloon flight2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Dont expect too much time at historical sites3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Marginally4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Summary: A skim over the surface of the major Turkish site with little time for serious exploration. Too much emphasis on overpriced shopping opportunities. This tour involved lots and driving due to the distances involved and as a result time spent at the various site was quite short. The tour of Gallipoli concenterd on the Australian sites and our American and Pilipino travelers had no idea what it was all about. For them a visit to the highly rated museum may have given some context to the various cemeteries and a visit to one of the British cemeteries would have given broader coverage. Troy was also difficult although we would have needed a historian to be able to make a better interpretation of the endless piles of stones. The Acropolis of Pergamum was better served as there were more visible remains. Ephesus was great although the village of Sirince was just a tourist trap. We spent an inordinate time at the leather shop which used up time which could have ben more usefully spent later at Hierapolis visiting the museum and looking at some of the tombs. To our surprise we found the Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum interesting as we had enough time to do our own explorations. The “traditional” Turkish folklore evening was much better than anticipated mainly due to most of the guests being Turkish. The early morning balloon flight (not included and 120e) was the highlight of the trip as I think we had a particularly good pilot. The long drive to Ankara and then Istanbul was rather tedious. Hotels : Great….. Sirkeci Mansion Hotel and Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel Iris Hotel appeared to be empty apart from us but food was good. Colossae Thermal Hotel was fine apart from the vast dining room which was like a bear garden Elevres Stone House, fine hotel but rather boring food.Lesley McManus review 28 May 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The balloon ride in Cappadocia, closely followed by the visit to Heiropolis, a fascinating site.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for long coach journeys, but these were broken up by several interesting stops on the way.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local people definitely benefited from the tourism both on our trip and from the many others, obviously on the same circuit as us. I didn't feel there was much emphasis on reducing environmental impact. In fact, we travelled in a full size coach even though there were only 19 of us, but I suppose that is too many for a mini-bus. And the ability to be able to spread out during the long journeys was much appreciated. As for conservation, most of the sites were carefully managed so that damage caused by the hoards of visitors was kept to a minimum.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We have travelled with another small group vacation company for the last 10 years, so I was a little bit nervous of using a different company. However, my fears were quickly put to rest as this is one of the most interesting vacations I have been on. I particularly appreciated the use of headsets as we would have had difficulty hearing our guide in the throngs of tourists. The mix of nationalities and age groups was also welcome. Our guide, Perihan Asan, was very informative and lively and made the vacation so enjoyable.Gillian Willcocks review 1 May 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
I loved the balloon ride over Capodocchia, and found Galipoli very moving. I have probably spelled both incorrectly, but not feeling very well today, my excuse! I also found the whirling dervishes very spiritual, though it was but for tourists...the four ancient sites were all beautiful.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you have plenty of sleep before you leave your home!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I would hope all three.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I thought it ticked all the boxes as they say - looking at the atlas beforehand it was obvious we were covering a large mileage in 7 days on the road, and we were all tired with the long days, but that was what we had bought into. All interesting places to visit and, having only visited Istanbul before (twice) my eyes were opened to the expansion of Turkey's economy and aspirations enormously, which was most enlightening. Delightul, friendly people, good clean quiet hotels, buffets became boring but, again, that is what we had paid for, no more. A decent cappucino would have been nice, did find one in the end - made by an Aussie trained barista!Holiday Reviews
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