ccarlson

We will be in Amasra for one day 8a - 8p in September. We don't like to take the ship's excursions. Does anyone have advice on what to do for the day? Should we hire a private guide/car?

otherchelebi

Depending on your tastes and the amount of time you have and the weather:

1. short time, any weather, an hour in Amasra, castle and all
plus 30 minutes scenic driveup to Bartin and One hour drive around bartin to see old ottoman wooden houses.
Home cooking type meal or Southeastern Turkish type Kebap for lunch in Bartin.
Amasra-Bartin 21 kilometers winding.

2. Longer time: Small group tour to Safranbolu for restored old ottoman small town with meal in town and some souvenir shopping.
= If possible, drive by Seker Canyon. Will add 2 hours
Amasra-Safranbolu 94 Kilometers (58 miles)
Bartin- Seker Kanyonu/Yenice 87 kilometers


3. Longer time, good weather, 127 Kilometers to Pinarbasi + 10-20 km to wterfalls and canyons.
Recommended :
- quick walk through Amasra
- glance at wooden houses of Bartin wnd some phorography on the route and in Bartin and Amasra.
- Scenic drive to PashaKonagi at Pinarbasi for lunch/tea and visit to Ilica waterfall/ Gozleme and tea at parking.
- Nice 2 kilometre walk to see Valla canyon from scenic spot

You may wish to read my blog report on Amasra, Bartin, Pinarbasi, etc.

We have not been to Seker canyon but may have been there and written about it by the time you arrive in Amasra. So look for my Fodors reports.

I saw on internet that you can possibly get Tempo Tours to arrange something for you for a small group from the cruise.

Or you can get a local guide with a decent minibus but will need to study the sites yourself a little bit.

ccarlson

Thank you. I am having a difficult time finding a local guide on the internet? I contacted Chevy Tours but I haven't heard back from them yet.

ccarlson

Where can I find your blog? I see alot of posts from you on Fodors....

otherchelebi

Sorry for not giving link.

I started the trip report aat this blog :

http://ahmetcafercelebiler.blogspot....sra-inkum.html

but continued with this one :

http://otherchelebistravels.blogspot...t-ii-ulus.html

parts III and IV follow on Otherchelebistravels.


If you enjoy this sort of writing which may not be too informative but fun to read, you may wish to read my other trip reports on Fodors, before they are edited and published.

Send a note to Fest Travel. They are the top tour operator in Turkey and even if they cannot organize an inexpensive day tour for you themselves, they should be able to call and arrange a dependable local guide.

http://www.festtravel.com/en/

ccarlson

Having a REALLY difficult time finding a private guide in this area. Fest tried..but no luck because the guide they know works for the cruise lines.

trtourorganizer

Hello Carlson, do you have an exact date, may be i or a friend of mine may be help since we will be touring around istanbul and environs.

ccarlson

Sept 8. Thank you!