We are a family of 4 looking for a budget tour to Turkey for June 2003. Can you help us?

I haven't done it, but friends have and swear by Overseas Adventure Tours. Their Turkish trip is really excellent. What ages? I'm not sure that they cater to families -- at least with children.

Dave, would you consider going on your own? It is quite easy to get around Turkey and many people speak English. taxi's and flights are quite affordable if you would rather not rent a car and drive on your own. I would suggest a day tour on your first day in a place like Cappadocia and then do it on your own after that. The hotels in Turkey are the cheapest I have ever found so I am sure you could get by without spending alot of money.

In 1996 I took a tour with Pacha Tours (based in New York) and it was excellent. Couldn't beat the price and they only handle Turkey. Excellent guide and driver and we lucked out by having only 4 on our tour! May have been because of the particular tour I chose, "In the Steps of St. Paul." However, this tour covered everything I wanted to see. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Dave,<BR><BR>You can find some hotels fares lover then $50 Bed and Brealfast If you start tour from Istanbul I recommend you take a daily tour in Istanbul because you will find many travel agencies there really cheap (You will hear many times &quot;CHEAPER THEN WATER&quot; when you get there) then you can rent a car for your trip by yourself. If you are loking for a travel agency to book your trip, I don't recommend you Pacha Tours they are not in NY anymore and YES They have a price that you can not find any travel agencies in the USA or Europe but when you get to Istanbul you may joint an international tour where you can see tourists from france spain Belgium or From USA.<BR>If you decided to rent a car you can start from Istanbul to Bursa then to Canakkale after to Izmir and Kusadasi close to Ephesus. After Ephesus you may go to Bodrum to Marmaris and BLUE YACHT with GULET takes 4 days or more it depends of your request OR you can drive to Pamukkale then to Antalya.<BR>From Antalya to Konya (I recomend you stay a night in Konya) then to Cappadocia (nevsehir) DO NOT TAKE A TOUR in HERE DO IT YOUR SELF because if you book a tour here your will waste your time Buy a map of area and drive every each place and ENJOY the wiev and ruins. After CAPPADOCIA DRIVE TO HATTUSHA not to ANKARA. If you love Archaelogy I want you see The capital city Hittite SO BEATIFUL ruins and also ALACAHOYUK on the way to ANKARA you may see.<BR>If you have any other question you may write me I can give you detailed trip that you can follow.<BR><BR>Sinan Akdeniz

Sinan: What are you talking about?! Dave asked for advice on a budget tour and you told him to do it himself and that Pacha Tours wasn't located in New York. I just looked them up and this is the website http://www.pachatours.com The website gives a New York address. Sure, he could do it himself but driving yourself in a foreign country is a different story. My observation during my tour says it wouldn't be that easy unless you have a lot of time.

I'd suggest Pacha Tours. I did their 14 day Turkish Delight tour in September, all meals included, cost was around $1800 which included airfare from Minneapolis. We averaged about 20 people, which varied from day to day as people came and went. I've also done three tours with OAT and I've never seen a teenager or younger--range from 30-40's and up in age. Any other questions you can email me direct.

I apoligize about Pacha Tours I didn't know that they RE-OPENED their office in NY. I am living in NYC, The year before last year they had really big office on Broadway and had more then 15 officers BUT last year I went to their office to see my friend working this office but she was not there because they told me that Pacha decided to close NY Office. I apoligize again.<BR><BR>BUT I insist to do your tour yourself instead of BUDGET (???) tour. If you are paying $150 per day YOU are not seeing Turkish Culture YOUR ARE WASTING YOUR MONEY and TIME<BR>Sinan Akdeniz

Hi Dave,<BR>The best thing for you is to visit the web-sites about Turkey.There are lots of alternatives.If they give you any clue,I can highly recommend you to search web-sites www.reservingturkey.com or www.mysticturkey.com or www.discoverturkey.com They are really well informative.Have a nice holiday Dave...