Good Morning Travelers!

Has anyone used the "Cosmos" travel agency for the "Leisurely Tour" of Turkey? A friend is going on the April 2008, 14 day bus tour. (I have never been on a bus tour. I usually plan my own trips and use rental vehicles. Kind of like to do my own thing...)

Good? Bad? Any comments are appreciated.

Travel Chic

I did hear of Cosmos but do not have experince with. But I still like your way of travelling
That sounds more Chic.......

Happy travelling,
Murat

I don't know anything about Cosmos but I vote for doing your own thing....

we did a three week Cosmos tour of the British Isles in October, 2001.

The tour guide ridiculed the Irish and Americans for flying their flags every day.
She talked about every thing under the sun including politics and religion from start of daily trip to mid afternoon.
Informed us that if we made air reservations as part of the Cosmos package, we did not have to confirm our outgoing flights.

When we got to the airport at about 0600 for that early flight, we learned our flight had been canceled before we left the states. We able to get the last two seats available on the noon flight, the last two at the back of the plane on the starboard side.

That was our first and last guided tour.

No need to get into evening meals or the hotels.

We've used Cosmos once in the early 80's, and then my parents twice in the last few years - once for Ireland, another for Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

No complains for any of the trip.

The hotels are the ones in the brochure. So, check those out to see if that's within your standard.

We always buy our own air tickets.

I used Cosmos for a two week tour of Italy. The guide was okay, but being a bit of a history buff I had issues with some of her presentations.

What I enjoyed is that I got to see more than I would have on my own, simply because I wouldn't have stopped at some of the places along the way.

The food wasn't fantastic, but it satisfactory.

I would like to add a comment as it falls into my profession;

Ronkala: I believe you do not like to do a package holiday by saying it was your last guided tour.

Guided tours depending on how organised can be a lot more interesting and informative. In a package tour planning and cost factor is the main issue. If you arrange your own private tour with a guide result can be far more successful but not as cost effective as packages.

Like Diane said, her interest was history and guide fulfilled her expectations by showing sites she was not aware of.

Guided tours of small groups or private guided tours generally speaking is more success, as flexibilty, choice of restaurants, choice of vehicle, timing at sites according to general interest together with guides uninterrupt attention. Ofcourse guides skills are important as well.

Comparing your own study and the package offers can be a step before deciding....

Happy travelling,

Murat

I was on the Leisurely Tour of Turkey about 10-15 years ago, and it was terrific. However, you need to know that Cosmos is a budget tour company which means that the hotels they use are 2-3 stars, not great , but adequate. The food too was just adequate. The good points about Cosmos are as follow: you see more than you could ever see on your own in the same amount of time, the guides are generally very good and knowlegeable in Turkey because they are licensed by the Turkish government-at least that was the case when we went. Also, the people on the tour are generally a mix of Brits, Australians and some Americans most of whom who are very well travelled and are very good travellers-ie. very little complaining and very flexible. I think they choose to spend their money on many budget tours rather than go on one first class tour. We had some Australians on our tour who were doing three different Cosmos tours back to back, over a period of 6 weeks. It's been a very long time since I've been on a Cosmos Tour in the past ten years, so I do not know how they are now. When we went we were satisfied. Having said that, I do think you would enjoy Turkey,whether you go on your own or with a tour group. I have travelled pretty extensively, and it is one of my favorite countries.