Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say as it was all great. The valley walks are fascinating. We also went on an early morning (start before sunrise) balloon trip which was brilliant- well organised and magical. Over 100 balloons in the air at the same time. It was like fairyland as we set off in the early morning twilight seeing all the flames from the gas burners lighting up the balloons - never to be forgotten! Remember to take your camera! One thing that will always stay with us is one morning whilst walking through a local village an old lady gave us some freshly baked bread to taste and a man came across with some molasses he was preparing in which we dipped the bread - it was like nectar. Someone else then came over with grape juice to sample. What a nice gesture by a poor community.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ferat was an excellent leader, living up to the exodus high standards we have always experienced. Our driver was also excellent, very safe and thoughtful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a travel sink plug for the sink in the hotel - there wasn't one in it! Although the walks are easy you will still need good boots as the ground can be rough.

Suggestions

The hotel bedrooms / bathrooms were adequate & clean but not of the usual standards we expected. The sitting areas are comfortable & plentiful in traditional décor. The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful.

Most Inspirational Moment

the Hot air balloon flight was incredible, the views of the 'fairy chimneys' amazing. The rock formations of the 'red valley' and the white. Goreme open air museum with its many churches and frescoes.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Omer was a calm ,relaxed guy with a sense of humor and plenty of knowledge, a really likeable fellow: he never was put out if my wife was recording whilst he was talking of the churches ,history or else. He always obliged when we stopped to take pics

Advice for Potential Travellers

We would recomend taking trekking poles as they do help with unsteady terrain and climbing on the rocks.

Suggestions

We ate too much ,perhaps if we had to choose our lunch we would have preferred it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Contouring Table Mountain. I was worried but Ilhan, our guide, gave me confidence to do it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ilhan Senturk...superb leader. As I said before, he gave lessons. We learnt so much. We enjoyed so much. We were a team helping each other when needed. He never rushed us. Lovely guy with a sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it. No such thing as cannot.

Suggestions

On your packing list please add sink/bath plug. I was advised to take £100 of Lira. A tad more would have been more comfortable. Tell people about the hot air balloons in more detail as the cost is quite high.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walking on the table top mountain and the amazing scenery on the walk around the mountain and the valley - in fact too many highlights to mention. One of the most amazing holidays I've ever had.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ilhan was amazing. He was exceptionally knowledgeable on all subjects and was happy to answer any questions we put to him. A big thank you to him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You need really good walking boots for this holiday.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just being in the peace and beauty of such a fantastic environment. The Turkish bath was a fun experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fahti was knowledgeable, friendly and adaptable - able to flex the tour to suit the group's wishes and needs (e.g. adding in extra features of interest, being supportive to less fit walkers). He related well to local people we encountered and was helpful and considerate at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The historical and cultural aspect of the area is fascinating. But don't expect too much of the frescoes in the cave churches. Most have not been preserved and many have suffered vandalism.

Suggestions

A photographer's paradise.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Red Valley and the high outcrop above it, fabulous!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader was very friendly and organised and seemed to know everyone in each small village we stopped in.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you don't mind heights, or fancy challenging yourself if you're a bit scared of them, definitely take the opportunity for a hot air balloon ride. Also, the walking is very manageable for people of low/medium fitness. I was a bit worried I hadn't got myself fit enough in the weeks leading up to the holiday, but it was all relatively easy walking with just a few short steep uphills here and there.

Suggestions

The Green Hotel is a bit basic, but does have spectacular views from the rooms and terrace.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery, the hot air balloons every morning, the view from the plateau - the sight of an older group decending a steep slope with one gentleman, who was quite shaky on his legs and appeared to be in his late 70s, being stopped from toppling by someone behind him holding his belt from behind all the way down.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very quiet and sweet, but not very engaging. His pace was good for the walking and he took care of those who struggled. He listened to what the group said they wanted and did his best to arrange it, particularly issues around food. He opened up more towards the end of the week, which was nice.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do take walking poles, a hat, sun cream. I had walking boots, but some of the group got by with walking sandles - I preferred boots.

Suggestions

I really enjoyed this trip. The group were lovely. We were all women, apart from one man, which must have been a challenge for our guide! I have not laughed this much in years. The walks were mostly gentle, with only two days which were slightly more challenging. The scenery was just incredible. Those who had the hot air balloons said it was worth it and were proud of their certificates saying they had done it. The Turkish bath was good, although busy. Hotel staff lovely and friendly. Might do this trip again!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a lot but I think getting up early and watching the balloons take off from the valley really had the wow factor. And the balloon trip was brilliant.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fahti very informative and helpful, took on board a few suggestions made by members of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and expect to see lots of interesting things..

Suggestions

For light sleepers take ear plugs because there is a mosque opposite and when the call to prayer goes out at 5am the local dogs and cockerels join in! On the plus side you don't need an alarm clock and its great to get up early and watch the balloons!

Most Inspirational Moment

Although all the walks were good, my preference was the Ilhara valley. One of the reasons for this was the wildlife we saw beside the river that gave an additional dimension. I also very much enjoyed seeing the hot air balloons passing over our hotel and getting up early on a couple of mornings to photograph them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ilhan was great. He managed the group and individuals very well and even managed to teach us some Turkish. We enjoyed his information about the area and specifically the places we visited. We also enjoyed his stories and jokes on the bus. There was some heavy rain during our week. Ilhan changed the itinerary around so that it did not spoil any of the walks and even found us a tea house to shelter in during a particularly heavy downpour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

No - the description in the brochure was clear. The walking was not arduous at all. Moderate was the rating and that described it well.

Suggestions

The Green Hotel was a good central place to stay. It was basic, but clean and comfortable. The food was good throughout the week, but not a huge variety - we were often given the same choices. So you needed to try each offered to get variety.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say as it was all most enjoyable. I felt a sense of achievement every day as I was considerably less fit than most of my group but I still got there in the end! I was really pleased to see so many wild flowers despite being told that the spring flowers were over.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of his country and had a thorough knowledge of the paths and tracks in the area in which we were walking. He very capably juggled our itinerary to cope with at times difficult weather conditions, making sure that we were safe and did not miss any of the highlights, and in fact adding a few extras.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Wet weather gear! We had some torrential rainstorms but were always conveniently nearby local cafés !

Suggestions

The food, although we ate out every evening at a different restaurant, was repetitive. I didn't know there were so many varieties of lentil soup! The mezes were terrific and varied but the main courses were the same everywhere.