Hi Liz,
Here we are back in Australia after our travels in Turkey and afterwards in Hungary.
Our tour of Turkey was wonderful from
beginning to end and the organisation was perfect at every step of the
way. We appreciated the visit from Ihsan at our hotel on our arrival in
Istanbul and his assurance of being available via mobile 24/7 in case of
problems. I did call him twice to confirm pick up times. He was also
very supportive when Ilona and I got sick in Kusadasi - we had a to miss
a full day's touring the day we were scheduled to go to Ephesus but
thanks to the reorganisation, we visited Ephesus with Ali the next day
when we felt much better and also visited Hierapolis and Pamakkale as
scheduled - so we didn't miss anything. Please thank Ihsan for us as we
don't have his personal email.
Our treatment the day we were sick
was exceptional. Our guide Ayca kindly arranged for us to be taken to a
clinic in Selcuk, where we were examined most efficiently and then put
onto beds and given intravenous medication - we stayed there for several
hours until mid-afternoon. We left with our temperatures back to
normal, with antibiotics to take and feeling much better, although it
took a few days to fully recover. We cannot speak highly enough of the
caring and competent treatment we received at the clinic. I think the
clinic is part of the West Aegean Health Service.
Istanbul was a delight for us, as we
explored Sultanamet and its small streets and the Blue Mosque and
Topkapi areas and then at the end of our tour, over on the Istiklal St
side. Our guide took us to a Turkish rug centre, where we bought a rug
we really didn't want but it will be a lovely souvenir of Turkey.
Actually we bought a second smaller rug at another rug display centre on
the way to Pamukkale.
All of our guides were very good and
looked after us well. At Gallipoli we had a retired professor Kenan
Celik who is a world expert on that campaign and was a mine of
information on what happened and could have happened. We came away with a
deeper understanding of both sides of the battles there but appalled by
the waste of young lives.
Hayim showed us Sophia and Topkapi
Palace - very informative and friendly but left us alone with his rug
merchant mate whose persuasive powers were greater than our
determination not to buy. Mustafa took us to the Spice Market and the
Bosporus tour and also the Dolmabahce Palace - the PA system on the boat
was unfortunately poor and the commentary therefore partly missed but
overall it was a good day. Ayca was terrific and took us to from
Canakkale to Troy, Pergamon and on to Kusadasi - both ancient cities
fascinating. He also arranged for our treatment when we were sick. Ali
was also great and took us to Mary's House, Ephesus and
Hieropolis/Pamukkale - also fascinating.
Cappadocia was wonderful including
the hot air balloon ride - we're very glad we went there - it's such a
fascinating place and Goreme is a lovely town. Our guide was excellent. A
Japanese group on our minibus had its own guide fluent in Japanese - he
said Turkish and Japanese are similar!
Back in Istanbul we liked Istiklal
and the Taksim district and on our last day visited the Modern Art
Museum and the wonderful Van Gogh exhibition.
Our hotels were varied but all were
good. The Canakkale hotel is historic and quaint and maybe only 2 stars
but it was only for one night - our room was at the front and revellers
kept us awake until 2 a.m. - I think it was 18 March celebrations. The
staff at the boutique hotels were very helpful and friendly.
Our tour of Turkey exceeded our
expectations and we will tell all our friends how great is was. Ihsan
was keen that we leave with a good impression of Turkey so please assure
him that we did and please thank him for us.
If you would like any further
specific feedback I would be glad to give it. I've already passed your
details to a friend whose children are planning to visit Turkey.