HELP: Guided tours of ISTANBUL, EPHESUS, BODRUM- recent experience?????
Jun 11th, 2009 | 07:48 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2006
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HELP: Guided tours of ISTANBUL, EPHESUS, BODRUM- recent experience?????
We are looking for the best options for guided tours of the above places. We have 3 days in Istanbul ( 2 full days and 2 half days; 1 day in each of the others from a small cruise ship) There are many suggestions listed but none recent. Also should we go for a private tour as opposed to a group tour as private is quite expensive???? There are only 2 of us and we usually do most site seeing on our own but think some of these places would warrant at least one day of guided touring. Has anyone used Backpackers Travel or Aldelphi Tours? Too many choices!!!!
Jun 11th, 2009 | 08:02 AM
#2
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,619
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just curious, what cruise? We just retuned from a Oceania trip - we had a private guide from Ekol tours for Ephesus. Istanbul we did on our own with the Rick Steves book. The private guide from Ekol was probably half of the ships excursion price - we booked ahead of time using the internet. We were a little put off in Turkey at first, it is different than other European countries but once we became accustomed to the mild solicitations from locals we really enjoyed ourselves. Also prices can be "fluid" like for taxis and such, its good to get an idea of what something should cost ahead of time.
Jun 11th, 2009 | 08:33 AM
#3
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Although I don't have a recommendation of a tour company for Ephasus, I have a little story:
On a 2005 cruise which stopped at Kusadasi, Turkey, a group of us (12 friends)took a van trip to Ephasus booked through the cruise line. The guide was a charming older man who was a teacher or college professor. We had a terrific tour through the ruins of Ephasus as well as the surrounding area. Since this was to be a half-day tour, we assumed at noon that we were returning to the ship when the guide said he had "something special" he wanted us to see. We were taken to an unidentified (at least in English) single-story building with a beautiful back yard where we were served lunch. There was no mention of how this was to be paid, but we all enjoyed it and didn't mind if we were presented with a bill. After lunch we were led to the building which turned out to be a rug factory. We had a tour, then a strong sales pitch, then a stronger sales pitch. Eventually most of us went outside while one of our party purchased a small rug. We laughed and suggested that, with her purchase, she probably paid for our lunch. We boarded our van to return to the ship followed by our charming guide who told us our lunch had to be paid for(using a soft tone of voice). At this point I don't remember exactly how much he suggested, but I think it was in line with what we would have paid in a medium-priced restaurant. We all paid without complaint and felt it was simply another good travel story. We still laugh over it, but it demonstrates one situation travelers might encounter.
On a 2005 cruise which stopped at Kusadasi, Turkey, a group of us (12 friends)took a van trip to Ephasus booked through the cruise line. The guide was a charming older man who was a teacher or college professor. We had a terrific tour through the ruins of Ephasus as well as the surrounding area. Since this was to be a half-day tour, we assumed at noon that we were returning to the ship when the guide said he had "something special" he wanted us to see. We were taken to an unidentified (at least in English) single-story building with a beautiful back yard where we were served lunch. There was no mention of how this was to be paid, but we all enjoyed it and didn't mind if we were presented with a bill. After lunch we were led to the building which turned out to be a rug factory. We had a tour, then a strong sales pitch, then a stronger sales pitch. Eventually most of us went outside while one of our party purchased a small rug. We laughed and suggested that, with her purchase, she probably paid for our lunch. We boarded our van to return to the ship followed by our charming guide who told us our lunch had to be paid for(using a soft tone of voice). At this point I don't remember exactly how much he suggested, but I think it was in line with what we would have paid in a medium-priced restaurant. We all paid without complaint and felt it was simply another good travel story. We still laugh over it, but it demonstrates one situation travelers might encounter.
Jun 11th, 2009 | 10:00 AM
#4
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,619
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ITS THE LAW - all visitors to Turkey MUST visit a rug shop. Just kidding, but on the private tour we booked with Ekol tours we also were taken to a similar set up. Lovely setting, tastey food followed by rug demonstation and sales pitch. The place we went had a "tip jar" so we put 20TL for the "free lunch" and did not purchase a rug. Then in Istanbul there were numerous locals at the major tour sites wanting to show you around and then show you rugs. We heard one man say "Let me give some information so I can show you some rugs" - as I said, at first this was annoying but eventually we got used to it and just moved along.
Jun 11th, 2009 | 08:45 PM
#5
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
We have been to Turkey last month, and it was really a wondeful trip. We are a couple of budget conscious over 50's and enjoy low impact travel, but this time we decided to take help from a local travel agent...and we were rewarded with an excellent holiday. We were delighted with Ann's - www.boutiqueturkey.com - ability to match our travel experiences in Turkey with our love of nature, people, food and interesting neighborhoods. We were totally enthralled with the level of accommodation, personalized itinerary, smooth connections and excellent value.
On our first ever use of a travel agent, we were rewarded with an excellent holiday.
Jamie
On our first ever use of a travel agent, we were rewarded with an excellent holiday.
Jamie
Jun 12th, 2009 | 08:17 AM
#7
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,619
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lajolla - on Rhodes we had planned to mainly walk around the town - I had read in some guidebooks that there were several interesting sites (Hall of the Masters? street of the Knights?) but we ended up going to the beach that day. We had planned a beach day for Mykonos - had read there were several pleasant ones not far from town and a boat that hopped between them but the weather did not cooperate and we ended up just walking around the town and having dinner off the ship. In conclusion - I would think Rhodes town you could do on your own and on Mykonos there are not really alot of sights to see besides the general charm of the town. Have a great trip - we loved it and it sounds like your itinerary is not too different from ours.
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Jun 16th, 2009 | 05:55 AM
#8
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3
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We have just finished a tour in Istanbul and Ephesus from the Windstar. Turkey is a beautiful country and I am sure you will love the experience.
We were recommended by a friend to use the services of a private tour guide in Istanbul. They met her 2 years ago and they were very happy. So we contacted this local guide and she stayed with us for 3 days before the cruise in Istanbul and then flew to Izmir to guide us in Ephesus.
This was a huge success. For the sake of the consistency of the information and also because we got to know each other while we were in Istanbul.
She is the sort of guide who is reliable, knowledgeable and conscientious but also amusing and manages to be informative without being boring. if you want to contact her try [email protected]
Good Luck and Enjoy!
We were recommended by a friend to use the services of a private tour guide in Istanbul. They met her 2 years ago and they were very happy. So we contacted this local guide and she stayed with us for 3 days before the cruise in Istanbul and then flew to Izmir to guide us in Ephesus.
This was a huge success. For the sake of the consistency of the information and also because we got to know each other while we were in Istanbul.
She is the sort of guide who is reliable, knowledgeable and conscientious but also amusing and manages to be informative without being boring. if you want to contact her try [email protected]
Good Luck and Enjoy!
Jun 21st, 2009 | 12:29 AM
#10
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
We are so happy to have traveled to Europe...Turkey has taken us by surprise... it's so laid back and relaxing...but of course all our details were planned ahead and the food has been the best!
Ephesus was a little warm but given what you see, that's forgotten immediately. We haven't booked our excursions from the Windstar , we privately booked through the guide I have mentioned.
The costs are VERY affordable compared to what they sell on the cruise . Go ahead!
Enjoy your holiday
Ephesus was a little warm but given what you see, that's forgotten immediately. We haven't booked our excursions from the Windstar , we privately booked through the guide I have mentioned.
The costs are VERY affordable compared to what they sell on the cruise . Go ahead!
Enjoy your holiday
Jul 1st, 2010 | 04:10 PM
#11
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Hi lajolla,
We were on the Celebrity Equinox 10 day cruise in the Eastern Med. - - stopping in some of the towns you mentioned. We are budget minded, and did Mykonos and Rhodes on our own, leisurely wandering around and enjoying it all immensely.Great lunch by the shore in Mykonos and since I had already spent a week in Rhodes about 5 years ago, remembered my way around (sort of). I don't think it would pay to get a guide on both these islands, - - the ship hands out an info. sheet, and a little research of your own should be sufficient for you to get the utmost enjoyment out of both. Ephesus is a different story. I had been wanting to go there for the last two decades and didn't want to miss a thing, so after months of searching the internet for Tours on most of the stops, our ship made, I came up with a winner. I'm sure other travellers have their favourites, - - there seem to be many honest reliable companies to choose from wherever you go, but we had such a great one I think he must be special. The Tour Co. was Denizhan, our guide was Volcan Bugdeyeken, and we had a driver too but can't remember his name. Volcan was so knowledgeable, friendly and patient, and even though two HUGE ships pulled into port on the same day and I think ALL the passengers chose Ephesus as their Tour, Volcan managed to steer us around the unforgettable sights, - - I'm sure that without him all we would have seen would have been heads and hats. We had a full gorgeous day, - yes we DID stop in a rug maker's - . I wasn't too keen having read much about this "required" stop, but it really was interesting, and one of our group wanted and did buy a lovely rug. Volcan speaks very good English, the price was the cheapest of all our tours, and he found us a neat restaurant in Kusadasi. I know that drivers everywhere have their own arrangements with certain restaurants etc., but we were not disappointed. I asked for a cappuccino, and although it wasn't on the menu the owner said he would make me a "fake" one. I've been making fake ones every day since I got home - - a little nescafe, a little warm milk, a good dollop of whipped cream on top sprinkled with chocolate powder. Everyone we met was cheerful, helpful and welcoming, and I can't wait to go back to Turkey again. If you're interested I will find Denizhan's Email address for you. Unfortunately it seems that one has to be extremely careful about NAMING Co's/Restaurants etc, or else you're putting yourself in the position of being accused of having a "connection" with that Co.It happened to me on the one other review I wrote about our best Tour ever - - on the Amalfi Coast. Six of us had the most perfect memorable day imaginable, and I did rave about it, - - but some self appointed watchdog butted in with his suspicions, aided by another crony who charged in, and a few others who picked on the restaurant I NAMED (gasp!), assuring one and all that "everyone" knew about this place and "all" the drivers did too. I had asked our driver to take us to a local restaurant where the prices were reasonable and the food good, and he did just that, so I was happy to recommend it. Did I think that we were the only ones who had been taken there?? Did I think that the driver and the restauranteur were strangers??? PLEASE!!! I almost let this carping spoil my trip, but realized in time that it's a pity these nitpickers have nothing better to do with their time. I just checked that thread again after quite a while had gone by and found that the instigator had managed to inject another barb! Actually it got me laughing and I couldn't stop. What some folks will do to get the last word!!
Anyway lajolla, (we used to live next door in Del Mar), do your homework. Not all the tours I chose were winners. In fact the one in Sicily was a rip off and a great disappointment. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck, and you will be seeing such exciting and wonderful places, your memory bank will be full of joy.
Montanabrit
We were on the Celebrity Equinox 10 day cruise in the Eastern Med. - - stopping in some of the towns you mentioned. We are budget minded, and did Mykonos and Rhodes on our own, leisurely wandering around and enjoying it all immensely.Great lunch by the shore in Mykonos and since I had already spent a week in Rhodes about 5 years ago, remembered my way around (sort of). I don't think it would pay to get a guide on both these islands, - - the ship hands out an info. sheet, and a little research of your own should be sufficient for you to get the utmost enjoyment out of both. Ephesus is a different story. I had been wanting to go there for the last two decades and didn't want to miss a thing, so after months of searching the internet for Tours on most of the stops, our ship made, I came up with a winner. I'm sure other travellers have their favourites, - - there seem to be many honest reliable companies to choose from wherever you go, but we had such a great one I think he must be special. The Tour Co. was Denizhan, our guide was Volcan Bugdeyeken, and we had a driver too but can't remember his name. Volcan was so knowledgeable, friendly and patient, and even though two HUGE ships pulled into port on the same day and I think ALL the passengers chose Ephesus as their Tour, Volcan managed to steer us around the unforgettable sights, - - I'm sure that without him all we would have seen would have been heads and hats. We had a full gorgeous day, - yes we DID stop in a rug maker's - . I wasn't too keen having read much about this "required" stop, but it really was interesting, and one of our group wanted and did buy a lovely rug. Volcan speaks very good English, the price was the cheapest of all our tours, and he found us a neat restaurant in Kusadasi. I know that drivers everywhere have their own arrangements with certain restaurants etc., but we were not disappointed. I asked for a cappuccino, and although it wasn't on the menu the owner said he would make me a "fake" one. I've been making fake ones every day since I got home - - a little nescafe, a little warm milk, a good dollop of whipped cream on top sprinkled with chocolate powder. Everyone we met was cheerful, helpful and welcoming, and I can't wait to go back to Turkey again. If you're interested I will find Denizhan's Email address for you. Unfortunately it seems that one has to be extremely careful about NAMING Co's/Restaurants etc, or else you're putting yourself in the position of being accused of having a "connection" with that Co.It happened to me on the one other review I wrote about our best Tour ever - - on the Amalfi Coast. Six of us had the most perfect memorable day imaginable, and I did rave about it, - - but some self appointed watchdog butted in with his suspicions, aided by another crony who charged in, and a few others who picked on the restaurant I NAMED (gasp!), assuring one and all that "everyone" knew about this place and "all" the drivers did too. I had asked our driver to take us to a local restaurant where the prices were reasonable and the food good, and he did just that, so I was happy to recommend it. Did I think that we were the only ones who had been taken there?? Did I think that the driver and the restauranteur were strangers??? PLEASE!!! I almost let this carping spoil my trip, but realized in time that it's a pity these nitpickers have nothing better to do with their time. I just checked that thread again after quite a while had gone by and found that the instigator had managed to inject another barb! Actually it got me laughing and I couldn't stop. What some folks will do to get the last word!!
Anyway lajolla, (we used to live next door in Del Mar), do your homework. Not all the tours I chose were winners. In fact the one in Sicily was a rip off and a great disappointment. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you luck, and you will be seeing such exciting and wonderful places, your memory bank will be full of joy.
Montanabrit
Jul 1st, 2010 | 10:45 PM
#12
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 4
sorry for butting in. The name Ekol travel comes up positively frequently on Ephesus forums of Trip Advisor.
Backpackers frequently breaks the Trip Advisor rules by soliciting and self advertising so the destination experts are not happy with that company.
as one of the posters said earlier, the major historic locations of istanbul can be done easily without a guide, because most are close to each other at Sltanahmet easily reached by tram or taxi from the docks.
two sggestions:
Tell your guide that you would like to eat at the restaurant of Hotel Bella in Ephesus, which will have very different regional greens and salads.
Either walk, or tell your guide or taxi driver "Gulluoglu" to stop on the way back to your cruise ship for the best Baklava in Turkey. This shop is at Karakoy under the multistorey car park, and across from the historic arrivals and departures building at the docks.
Backpackers frequently breaks the Trip Advisor rules by soliciting and self advertising so the destination experts are not happy with that company.
as one of the posters said earlier, the major historic locations of istanbul can be done easily without a guide, because most are close to each other at Sltanahmet easily reached by tram or taxi from the docks.
two sggestions:
Tell your guide that you would like to eat at the restaurant of Hotel Bella in Ephesus, which will have very different regional greens and salads.
Either walk, or tell your guide or taxi driver "Gulluoglu" to stop on the way back to your cruise ship for the best Baklava in Turkey. This shop is at Karakoy under the multistorey car park, and across from the historic arrivals and departures building at the docks.
Jul 8th, 2010 | 02:15 PM
#13
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Hi lajolla ,
You can contact with MrSemih. He is organazing excellent tours. We had a wonderful day in Istanbul and Ephesus thanks to MrSemih´s knowledge and personalized dedication to satisfy our interests and keep our pace. [email protected]
You can contact with MrSemih. He is organazing excellent tours. We had a wonderful day in Istanbul and Ephesus thanks to MrSemih´s knowledge and personalized dedication to satisfy our interests and keep our pace. [email protected]
Jul 10th, 2010 | 05:01 PM
#14
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
I just posted a trip report that included Istanbul. We had a very good city guide by the name of Sema Uysal. She spent the entire day with us and showed us all the sights. If you want a private tour, I recommend her: [email protected]. If you don't want to visit a rug gallery, just tell her ahead of time. If you do want to buy a rug, Sema will find you a good place to do it!
Aug 23rd, 2010 | 01:48 AM
#16
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Daily Ephesus & Virgin Mary HouseTour
Ephesus Tours
The first establishment of ancient Ephesus within the border of Izmir province, Selcuk district dates back 6000 B.C, Neolithic Age called Neolithic period. There are settlements of Hittites and Bronze ages at Ayasuluk Hill where the castle is and hill towns around Ephesus (prehistoric hill settlements).
Name of the city was Apasas during Hittites period. Ephesus being a port where immigrants coming from Greece about 1050 B.C was moved to around Artemis Temple in 560 B.C. Ephesus wandered today was established by Lysimakhos one of the generals of Alexander the great in 300 B.C. Ephesues living the most magnificient periods of Hellenistic and Roman ages was the capital of Asia state and had 200.000- person population as the biggest port. Ephesus changed the location in Byzantium Era again and came to Ayasuluk Hill in Selcuk where it was founded first. Ayasuluk captured by Turks in 1330 and being the center of Aydinogulları started to become small as of 16. century and was given the name of Selcuk after the establishment of our republic in 1923 and now it is a touristic town with 30.000-person population.
Ephesus being one of the most important centers of ancient world took always an important role in civilization, science, culture and art fields throughout the history dating back 4. thousand B.C.
Ephesus being the main gate between East and West (Asia and Europe) was an important port. This location made Ephesus be the most important politic and commerce center of its age and the capital city of Asia state in Roman Period. However, Ephesus does not owe its importance in ancient age to only being a significant commerce center and being capital. The biggest temple of Artemis culture based on old goddess (Kybele) tradition of Anatolia is situated in Ephesus. This temple is accepted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Ephesus being one of the most important centers of ancient world took always an important role in civilization, science, culture and art fields throughout the history dating back 4. thousand B.C.
Ephesus being the main gate between East and West (Asia and Europe) was an important port. This location made Ephesus be the most important politic and commerce center of its age and the capital city of Asia state in Roman Period. However, Ephesus does not owe its importance in ancient age to only being a significant commerce center and being capital. The biggest temple of Artemis culture based on old goddess (Kybele) tradition of Anatolia is situated in Ephesus. This temple is accepted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
http://www.bodrumlook.com/en/bodrum-...gunluk-turlar/
Ephesus Tours
The first establishment of ancient Ephesus within the border of Izmir province, Selcuk district dates back 6000 B.C, Neolithic Age called Neolithic period. There are settlements of Hittites and Bronze ages at Ayasuluk Hill where the castle is and hill towns around Ephesus (prehistoric hill settlements).
Name of the city was Apasas during Hittites period. Ephesus being a port where immigrants coming from Greece about 1050 B.C was moved to around Artemis Temple in 560 B.C. Ephesus wandered today was established by Lysimakhos one of the generals of Alexander the great in 300 B.C. Ephesues living the most magnificient periods of Hellenistic and Roman ages was the capital of Asia state and had 200.000- person population as the biggest port. Ephesus changed the location in Byzantium Era again and came to Ayasuluk Hill in Selcuk where it was founded first. Ayasuluk captured by Turks in 1330 and being the center of Aydinogulları started to become small as of 16. century and was given the name of Selcuk after the establishment of our republic in 1923 and now it is a touristic town with 30.000-person population.
Ephesus being one of the most important centers of ancient world took always an important role in civilization, science, culture and art fields throughout the history dating back 4. thousand B.C.
Ephesus being the main gate between East and West (Asia and Europe) was an important port. This location made Ephesus be the most important politic and commerce center of its age and the capital city of Asia state in Roman Period. However, Ephesus does not owe its importance in ancient age to only being a significant commerce center and being capital. The biggest temple of Artemis culture based on old goddess (Kybele) tradition of Anatolia is situated in Ephesus. This temple is accepted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Ephesus being one of the most important centers of ancient world took always an important role in civilization, science, culture and art fields throughout the history dating back 4. thousand B.C.
Ephesus being the main gate between East and West (Asia and Europe) was an important port. This location made Ephesus be the most important politic and commerce center of its age and the capital city of Asia state in Roman Period. However, Ephesus does not owe its importance in ancient age to only being a significant commerce center and being capital. The biggest temple of Artemis culture based on old goddess (Kybele) tradition of Anatolia is situated in Ephesus. This temple is accepted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
http://www.bodrumlook.com/en/bodrum-...gunluk-turlar/
