Personal Guide to Ephesus
Mar 25th, 2007, 10:18 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Personal Guide to Ephesus
We (2 adults) will take the ferry from Samos to Kusadasi for a day trip to Ephesus. Any names of individuals for a private tour to meet us at the port? Search of this site does not bring up recent recommendations. Is it better to wait and hire a guide at the gate? Is it possible to do Ephesus, Terrace House and House of the Virgin Mary in one day? Many thanks, brenda
Mar 25th, 2007, 12:48 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sure that you can hire a guide at the gate, but after doing some research on Turkeytravelplanner.com, I decided to go through Anker Travel for a guide. They are an agency based in Kusadisi, and I was very pleased with their services. Will let you know how it turns out in early August, if that's not too late!
Mar 25th, 2007, 02:17 PM
#3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We used a company called Ekol Travel. Very reasonable prices and yes they met us at the port! Look at www.ekoltravel.com
We took the 4-5 hr tour that included House of the Virgin Mary.
Very easy to deal with via e-mail - prompt and professional
We took the 4-5 hr tour that included House of the Virgin Mary.
Very easy to deal with via e-mail - prompt and professional
Mar 25th, 2007, 09:41 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 962
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A private tour sounds best.
We hired a guide at the gate, and tried testing his English. It sounded fine and he told us before he retired he had been the English teacher at the local high school. So we hired him.
I think that was the last thing he said that we understood.
Later in Selcuk, we were on a two day rug haggle-fest, and we told the rug guy and his friend about the Ephesus guide. Their eyes got big and they knew his name. Apparently the guide had been their teacher in high school, and they said they all could speak English better than him.
Yeah...Anker Travel sounds like a better bet.
We hired a guide at the gate, and tried testing his English. It sounded fine and he told us before he retired he had been the English teacher at the local high school. So we hired him.
I think that was the last thing he said that we understood.
Later in Selcuk, we were on a two day rug haggle-fest, and we told the rug guy and his friend about the Ephesus guide. Their eyes got big and they knew his name. Apparently the guide had been their teacher in high school, and they said they all could speak English better than him.
Yeah...Anker Travel sounds like a better bet.
Mar 27th, 2007, 04:17 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To enjoy Major sites whereever in the world, I would contact a reputable Travel Agency to assign me a good guide with knowledge not only in history but at mithology etc. as well. In this case;
Ephesus always amazed me so I guess I have been there personally, not for business which I am in travel industry professionally, 10 times or so. At least 3 of the visits were with a good guide. Each time I am thrilled with the richness of the site and enjoy fully as it is my first time. So I have the chance to go back there, but if a traveller passes this great place without a fine explanation & guiding it will be a shame. When would you get back to Ephesus again? So better pay a little more than usual and make the visit properly.
A note for travellers : In Turkey no one but only Travel Agencies licenced by TURSAB (Turkish association of Travel Agencies)can organize a trip. Guides themselves can not lead individulas or groups. If they do so they commit a crime and one who pays for also take place in this crime. At museums guides are allowed to do the tour of the site only!!!! However as one poster mentioned better guides usually will not be hanging around the museum gates, for your info........
A good guide charges 100 Usd or more for a day.
Happy Travelling,
Murat
Ephesus always amazed me so I guess I have been there personally, not for business which I am in travel industry professionally, 10 times or so. At least 3 of the visits were with a good guide. Each time I am thrilled with the richness of the site and enjoy fully as it is my first time. So I have the chance to go back there, but if a traveller passes this great place without a fine explanation & guiding it will be a shame. When would you get back to Ephesus again? So better pay a little more than usual and make the visit properly.
A note for travellers : In Turkey no one but only Travel Agencies licenced by TURSAB (Turkish association of Travel Agencies)can organize a trip. Guides themselves can not lead individulas or groups. If they do so they commit a crime and one who pays for also take place in this crime. At museums guides are allowed to do the tour of the site only!!!! However as one poster mentioned better guides usually will not be hanging around the museum gates, for your info........
A good guide charges 100 Usd or more for a day.
Happy Travelling,
Murat
Mar 31st, 2007, 07:08 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi,
Your time is enough to visit Ephesus, Terrace House and House of the Virgin Mary in one day. I am agree with the others and Azim Tours, Meander Travel and Sammys Travel are the other options for your private tour arrangments + to Anker Travel, Ekol Travel.
Your time is enough to visit Ephesus, Terrace House and House of the Virgin Mary in one day. I am agree with the others and Azim Tours, Meander Travel and Sammys Travel are the other options for your private tour arrangments + to Anker Travel, Ekol Travel.
Apr 13th, 2007, 10:41 AM
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
guides can organize tours arranged through their travel agents collobrating and this is not a crime.
the transportation used have to carry tursab travel agency licance in the front of the transportation and guides are suppose to have badges.
regards
nejat incedogan
the transportation used have to carry tursab travel agency licance in the front of the transportation and guides are suppose to have badges.
regards
nejat incedogan
Apr 13th, 2007, 12:27 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have a good look into law 1618 Nejat....
If Tursab catches tours not operated according to the rules, býth guests and organizers will be effected by the outcome.
Guides ofcourse if pass the business and the paperwork to a licenced travel agent can lead their own tours but necessary paperwork should also be present in the vehicle and an official invoice to client to be presented....
This will hopefully stop illegal tours also without proper insurance and unfair competition between guides, agents and others. Tax paying honest agencies & guides will be protected by this way.
Happy travelling,
Murat
If Tursab catches tours not operated according to the rules, býth guests and organizers will be effected by the outcome.
Guides ofcourse if pass the business and the paperwork to a licenced travel agent can lead their own tours but necessary paperwork should also be present in the vehicle and an official invoice to client to be presented....
This will hopefully stop illegal tours also without proper insurance and unfair competition between guides, agents and others. Tax paying honest agencies & guides will be protected by this way.
Happy travelling,
Murat
Apr 14th, 2007, 08:28 AM
#11
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have hired Levent Solmaz to pick us up at Izmir (the port where our ship docks) and to keep us for the day -- to go to Ephesus, HOVM, Temple of Artemis -- in June. His website is
http://www.leventsolmaz.com/
He was recommended to me highly by a family from my town who used him last year for Izmir. He also operates out of Kusadasi and Istanbul. They said he was honest, reliable, spoke English very well and was knowledgeable. In my correspondences with him he has been prompt, courteous, uses excellent English and has an enthusiasm for all things Turkish. We have also hired his assistant Sedet for Istanbul. I would contact him immediately as he is very sought after. If he can't do it, his assistant Sedet might be able to. Sedet is equally capable.
P.S. He may require a group. We are 8.
Starwhite2
http://www.leventsolmaz.com/
He was recommended to me highly by a family from my town who used him last year for Izmir. He also operates out of Kusadasi and Istanbul. They said he was honest, reliable, spoke English very well and was knowledgeable. In my correspondences with him he has been prompt, courteous, uses excellent English and has an enthusiasm for all things Turkish. We have also hired his assistant Sedet for Istanbul. I would contact him immediately as he is very sought after. If he can't do it, his assistant Sedet might be able to. Sedet is equally capable.
P.S. He may require a group. We are 8.
Starwhite2
Apr 14th, 2007, 11:02 AM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Starwhite2, just to make the difference clear, all official guides are having a licence on the language they followed the special course for becoming a guide by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
This enables guides to lead tour organized by Licenced travel agencies by the same ministry, but guides can not sell and lead tours on their own without proper certification of a travel agency as the law suggests. In another way of saying; private persons can not hire guides privately and utilize the tour. Either the guide should bring this inquiry to a travel agency to legalize or they are employed by the official travel agent...
It sounds a bit complicated but guides are not able to give the same reassurance as the travel agency would. Ofcourse the importance would only be experienced if unvanted occasions happens.
Simple practive should be, people buying tours should as an official invoice for the services they have purchased and look for TURSAB sign infront of the vehicles they have been transported. Ask for insurance of the vehicle too just to be in the safe side....
Turkish guides in general and especially the specialists are very well educated on their field and pattionate about their profession as well.
Happy travelling,
Murat
This enables guides to lead tour organized by Licenced travel agencies by the same ministry, but guides can not sell and lead tours on their own without proper certification of a travel agency as the law suggests. In another way of saying; private persons can not hire guides privately and utilize the tour. Either the guide should bring this inquiry to a travel agency to legalize or they are employed by the official travel agent...
It sounds a bit complicated but guides are not able to give the same reassurance as the travel agency would. Ofcourse the importance would only be experienced if unvanted occasions happens.
Simple practive should be, people buying tours should as an official invoice for the services they have purchased and look for TURSAB sign infront of the vehicles they have been transported. Ask for insurance of the vehicle too just to be in the safe side....
Turkish guides in general and especially the specialists are very well educated on their field and pattionate about their profession as well.
Happy travelling,
Murat
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BarbWas
South America
9
May 30th, 2013 02:26 AM
