Most Inspirational Moment
The archeological sites.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go
Suggestions
No
Reviews
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Reviews
Highlights ofTurkeu
Good driver. Excellent guide. Hotels well chosen. Itinerary great. Initial Airport pickup bit chaotic.
Turkey Trip
Great sites, lovely fellow travellers…guides great fun and helpful throughout…fascinating country with big old cities and lovely coastline and mountains. Will return one day.
Most Inspirational Moment
Istanbul and Ephesus and Kus
Thoughts on Group Leader
Great...Good sense of humour and knowledgeable
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go!
Suggestions
No
Packed trip in a fascinating country
This is a whistle stop tour of lots of the major sites in Turkey. Starting in Istanbul, going over to Gallipoli, then down the west coast to Troy and Ephesus, going over to Pammukale, then down to the turquoise coast and Kas before going to Antalya, inland to Cappadocia and then finally back to Istanbul. It covers a lot of distance and is pretty full on, but the sights make it all worthwhile. If you like archaeology and history in general then this is great trip. But the optional boat trip on the coast and the balloon ride in Cappadocia are also moments of pure relaxation. In hindsight, I think the trip might be better as a 3 week trip with some more down time. It was pretty rushed sightseeing in Istanbul at the end, though another option is just to add more days on at the end.
Most Inspirational Moment
For the main programme, I loved the visit to Ephesus as it gave me so many good memories of visiting as a child with my parents. But for pure enjoyment, the optional boat trip on the turquoise coast and the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia were truly awe inspiring.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ebru was a wealth of information with detailed knowledge on every sight including stories to bring the places alive. There was maybe too much for us to take in, and a shorter brief with more free time to explore may have been a better approach, especially in the hot sun. She took us to some interesting restaurants and was well organised with the group tipping kitty, which took away some of the stress from the holiday.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take some good books and music for the long drives. You also need to stay for extra nights in Istanbul if you want to see everything.
Highlights of Turkey tour
I have recently gotten back from a 15 day tour of Turkey. It was an amazing trip but was busy to include everything on the itinerary. I’m glad it included as much as it did which is why I booked with exodus but it would have been good for the trip to be longer so that could see what was on the itinerary in more of a leisurely pace and other attractions Turkey has to offer.
Most Inspirational Moment
The whole trip was great but the highlights for me were seeing Ephesus, visiting Pamukkale and swimming in Cleopatras pool, the hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys in Cappadocia and seeing the whirling dervishes.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our tour leader Ahmet was brilliant. He was very knowledgeable about all the areas we visited and so passionate when explaining everything to us. He was able to answer all the questions anyone in the group had and engaged well with everyone. The trip ran very smoothly thanks his expertise.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This trip is perfect for anyone who wants to cram as much of the main tourist sites Turkey has to offer in one trip. Some days can be quite long and there is a lot of walking around the historical sites with a lot of uneven paths so ensure you take good walking shoes with you.
Suggestions
Had the best time on this trip but think I will have to go back to visit a few different areas to see things that I didn’t get a chance to whilst there for the 15 days.
Full on
This trip is pretty full on, with long days on the road and often crowded visitor sites. (Ephesus and cruise ships = M1 only a holiday weekend) If the options are taken there is very little down time. Leisurely/moderate does not really describe it. Hotels used range from excellent to a compromise too far. On many occasions we arrived at the destination too late in the day to get local bearings, but in most cases it was worth it given what had been seen along the routes. Food was acceptable at all times although some breakfasts left something to be desired, such as drinkable coffee. Most hotels had water and kettles in the rooms, but water enroute did not follow the normal Exodus expectations. Turkey has an inflation problem, many of the costs noted in the trip notes were somewhat out of date, it also has a penchant fore closing roads at short notice forcing route changes. Overall this trip gives a very good overview of what Turkey has to offer away from the ‘sun and sand/all inclusive’ packages, be aware that there is very limited time in Istanbul. It is worth planning a few extra days.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking on the pottery sherds that litter many of the sites and realizing how old they are likely to be.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The group leader was excellent at explaining the history and giving extra information, however, some explanations could have been shorter to maintain interest. He was enthusiastic to show his country and helpful at including extra activities and visits.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for long days. Be prepared to go with the flow. Pack light, the internal flight has a baggage limit of 15kg. Avoid rooms ending in '16' if you use the Anzac Hotel (they are on the fire escape)
Suggestions
The ground operation needs a bit of tweaking, (no initial pickup, van too small when returning to Istanbul) An extra day in Istanbul or even an optional extension would be useful.
Cradle of civilisation
An extensive tour, taking in the most historic ancient and modern cities in Turkey. Countless UNESCO world heritage sites, wonderful cuisine, friendly people, fabulous weather, and every day was a school day. Educational and entertaining, I’d recommend this tour to any traveler.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were so many, Ephesus and the library of Celcus, Gallipoli, Aspendos, ballooning over Cappadocia and the magnificence of the Hagia Sofia.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tolga was a great leader and tour guide. His knowledge and passion for Turkey was infectious, we wanted to know more. Every days drive would begin with our Turkish words of the day. Every site was spoken about with confidence and even on down time, he’d recommend things to do or places to dine. He felt like one of the group, rather than the person in charge. A gentleman.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go with no preconceived notions, and be surprised and educated every day.
Suggestions
Add on 3 days at the end to explore Istanbul as I did. The organised tour takes in some sites but there’s so much more. Be aware that some sites do not allow photography or videotaping, but you’re not told that until after you’ve paid your admission fee.
An Excellent Introduction to Turkey
Turkey is a beautiful country with so many different regions all with their own unique culture and landscapes. This trip is an excellent way to get a taste of each region while visiting all of the highlights you picture when you think of Turkey (and some you’ve probably never heard of!). We absolutely loved every minute and learned so much more than we ever have on any other trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
The hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia - it was a very early morning for us, but it was so worth the wake-up call. The number of balloons up in the air at the same time all floating silently through the sunrise was incredible. I'm a bit afraid of heights but still opted to do the excursion and I'm so glad I did!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alp is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to Turkey's history. The amount of knowledge he has on every site we visited was truly impressive and he is clearly very passionate about his country. He also cares deeply about the people on his tours and anytime someone expressed a particular interest in a destination, he made sure they had as much time as possible to explore and enjoy.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Each region we visited has its own local delicacies that you can't find everywhere - ask around and be sure to try as many as you can. Also, be sure to pack comfortable shoes for walking. Although there aren't massive amounts of walks, some of the sites have lots of stairs and uneven ground you definitely want to be prepared for.
An excellent holiday and guide
An excellent holiday exploring a country with a great depth of historical and cultural sites. The day visiting the 1915 Gallipoli battlefields was fascinating and our day there was the only one where we did not visit an UNESCO World Heritage site.
Most Inspirational Moment
Ephesus and the library of Celsus (third biggest after Alexandria {Egypt} and Pergamum) and its massive theatre, familiar to Saint Paul, who lived in Ephesus for a time. It was the largest theatre in the ancient world. After seeing the old harbour (now four miles from the sea; the silting up process explaining why Ephesus was abandoned in the sixth century), we had lunch of pancakes made fresh in a wood burning oven. Watching the three ladies making them was also fascinating.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our guide Tolga was great, knowledgeable and amusing, a strong character and one with the confidence to read poetry that has moved him, written by the Sufi mystic, Mevlana, by his mausoleum and home of his Dervishes. We could not have been in better hands.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Because of the distances travelled in a very large country, take two novels too read in transit.
Suggestions
Four improvements: - 1. As usual, the arrangements for meeting the Exodus Representative in the “Meeting Lounge” went awry, as it was not manned. 2. It would be a good idea to give each traveller a small pin to wear, so we can recognise each other at the airport! 3. Istanbul Hotel - rather ludicrously I was woken at 0100 to be handed a sheet of paper about an orientation meeting at 0900. She first tried to open my room door, which I had secured, then knocked. Extraordinary! I thought it was something from the police but it was merely a note that should have been handed to us at check in. 4. During the welcome to the tour meeting, I was given a list for our party and asked to fill out my passport number- I was the only one with my details missing! However, I noticed my date of birth and passport number had been included but against someone else’s name. So, I drew an arrow and pointed out the discrepancy which meant that at least two errors (20%) had occurred and the whole document needed checking. My offer to do it was rejected because I would discover people’s ages. This recurring error caused problems at other hotels we visited and the juxtaposed passport numbers made Wi-Fi login impossible.
Two weeks in Turkey
The trip is varied with historical sites, geological wonders, cultural sites and scenic beauty. I particularly liked Pammukale, Cappadoccia, and the ancient cities.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking through the scenery of Pammukale under a full moon.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Alp was very informative concerning the history and culture of the region. He was also patient and available to help us.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Prepare for hot weather and a substantial amount of walking.
Suggestions
I would recommend this trip to lovers of history. I would also recommend, doing as I did, arriving before the trip and staying after in order to spend time in Istanbul.
A varied tour...history,culture,swimming,great food...what more could you want!
This was our ninth Exodus tour and it didn’t disappoint. We saw so much in 2weeks..Gallipoli,Cannukale, Pammukale,Ephesus,Troy,Antalya and Kas, Capadoccia……..the list goes on….. so much interesting history ,architecture, beaches etc etc. There is a lot of travel so you need to expect that…..most was broken up with interesting visits. Our guide was so knowledgeable and we felt we really got the most out of our visits to the various sites. The driver was a lovely man… very safe. The hotels were on the whole good…some very nice eg Safronbolu ,Kas and Antalya. The food was excellent and varied…our guide took us each evening to great local restaurants and helped us choose local dishes. The final two days were full on travel so that was hard. A delay caused by an accident on the motorway meant we hit Istanbul rush hour traffic. We went two days early……worth it to see Istanbul but you need even more time! It is a fantastic city…very walkable although the Bosporus cruise is worth doing.
Most Inspirational Moment
Lots..... The boat trip at Kas to the sunken city .Enough members of our group went so we got a private boat. Ephesus Capadoccia...scenery and underground city Gallipoli Antalya...lovely town Sunsets Whirling dervish ceremony and the Rumi mausoleum in Konya The theatre at Aspendos Others in the group would say the hot air balloon ride.....it is very expensive...195 euros.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Emir was a five star leader.Our group was very varied with some young people as well as a variety of older people with varying levels of energy but Emir tried always to keep everyone happy. He was always patient and was great fun. His English was excellent and his knowledge and love of his country while remaining objective was amazing. He was very stimulating to be with. If he didn’t know the answer to a specific question he researched it.....he was keen to know everything. I have come home determined to read up about Greek gods etc. A real people person.....he seemed to know lots of people on every stop and they all loved to talk to him. He took us every evening for a group meal and that helped us enjoy the Turkish food and order confidently. The driver was such a nice man but not much English.....frustrating not to be able to chat to him. We did learn a bit of Turkish in the end!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t bother to take walking boots...strong trainers are enough. None of us did the Lycian walk although we intended to do it. It was too hot and only a two hour walk so not really worth it. The boat trip was a better option. It is hot in August....take light clothes. There were opportunities to wash clothes. Go early or stay to see Istanbul. Take a head scarf...long shorts were fine. They give you a skirt if it is necessary. Loads of ATMs and change places. All hotels had hairdryers. Take swimming stuff...lots of chances to swim in pools and beaches.
Suggestions
You do need to be able to manage your own luggage at times....not all hotels have lifts so best to travel fairly light. Sometimes the bus can’t drive up to the hotel in the old parts of town. Several restaurants don’t serve alcohol if they are near a mosque....but they have good soft drinks and of course,tea!