Itinerary help please -- again
 

I have tried contacting some of the travel agents that TTP suggests using in Turkey, but they all want to add all these guided tours and drivers to pick us up and take us everywhere. Of course, I told them that I do not need those kind of services but then I feel they lose a little interest.

I am definitely brain dead in planning my Turkey trip. Now someone told me to go directly from Istanbul (arriving at 4:30 p.m.) directly to Secluk, spend 2 nights there, then go to Cappadocia (1-2 nights) and then I need to go to Kalkan (4-5 nights) and I want to end up in Istanbul (3 nights). Is Cappadocia that awesome or can it be missed? The only reason I am compelled to go is for the wonderful sounding baloon ride.
Help please.

I'm sure you will get more help if you put more details -- or at the very least "Turkey" in your title.

Hi hedgepath,

I am also helping people in TTP but I haven't seen your post there. Would you reming me what you want and how many days are you going to stay in Turkey?

For first visitors not seing CAPPADOCIA is big MISSING. Of course if you go to Turkey for rest I can not say anything, just WELCOME to Turkey.

Please do not hesitate to contact me FREE OF CHARGE and NO ADDITIONAL SERVICE. Only ADVISE.

Have a nice trip in Turkey

Sinan Akdeniz

t

It would be a shame to miss Cappadocia, If you have the opportunity. The fact is that some of the seaside resorts would be similar to any other but Cappadocia is unique.

When we have visited, many years ago, they did not have the baloon ride, but the caved churches and villages and the natural structures were facinating.

Only thing to add, you may need a good guided tour to cover all in one or two days. Some of them may be more interested in taking you to the shops and restaurants than the attractions!!

TTP suggests quality and reliable services. However if a travel agency can not sell a guided tour they can not earn money. They might loose interest as you suggested but I am sure Tom's reliable sources would still help you.

Yes Gurcan, Hot Air Ballooning is real hot in Cappadocia. Hope next tiem you come you will have this wonderful experience. If you need advice just drop few lines.
Happy Travelling.

Hi. I'm the guy who runs TTP (TurkeyTravelPlanner.com), and I'd sure like to know if agents I recommend are putting the hard sell on you. If you can give me details of who, how and what, I'll talk to them about it.

It's in the nature of the travel agency business--in Turkey, or the USA, or anywhere else--for agents to suggest travel services, because selling travel services is how their business operates. Like me, they want to help travelers, but they can only afford to spend a certain amount of time for free. If they don't get some sales, they'll go out of business.

An example: if you ask a travel agent to buy you a bus or train ticket, s/he may do it, spending $5 worth of work time and office overhead to earn a commission of $3. Obviously, the agent is doing you a favor, hoping that you may need some other service that will pay at least $5, and hopefully a bit more. If you don't, you don't, and s/he loses. If you do, the agency becomes a viable business.

You're in the driver's seat. If you don't want to buy, you don't have to. I've chosen the agents I recommend because they have excellent reputations for reliability and customer service. So far I've only gotten rave reviews about them, but I'd certainly like to know if your experience was different.

Regards,

Tom Brosnahan