This jam packed trip was incredible!
Turkey | Mar 31 - Apr 7, 2023

K
Kristin P.
Newnan, GA | Reviewed on Apr 13, 2023

This jam packed trip was incredible, and I can't speak highly enough of Berat and our full time guide Erdam.

The trip: Wow! Berat managed to squeeze 4 different locations filled with activities in 7 days for a family of 9. Our ages ranged from 10-70. We could not have been happier with the trip itself.

The service: Above and beyond!
Erdam had 9 people to rangle, and he was the kindest, most patient guide filled with knowledge and fun stories for both the kids and adults. He was flexible with our requests to add stops, and was all around a great guide. We ADORED him.

Berat: She actually came to lunch with us one day to surprise us, and she went way above and beyond trying to help track down a lost passport. (Which she found at a restaurant) She did WAY more than she was required to do, and we are so very thankful we were working with her. She had great communication with us, changed the schedule as needed, and she personally drove around one of us during the passport debacle to track it down. I don't know any other agency that would have done that.

Hotel Reviews
Sirkeci Mansion Hotel
Istanbul

Great breakfast, and the location was perfect!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Perfectly located to walk right across the street to major attractions. It was even quiet at night for a city.
Staff
Really nice people and very helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Helike Hotel
Nevsehir

Our favorite hotel. It was super unique and the heayed floors were amazing! The breakfast spread here was amazing too.

Authenticity & Character
The views!!!!
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nisanyan Houses
Selçuk

Beautiful and unique. We loved the character of the rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Best part about this place. Beautiful inside and gorgeous views!
Location
The hotel was great for the younger people in the party. For the grandparents in the group, the walks to the room and town were very steep, and there are not really other options to get around. We did fund super nice people in the village below to help drive them back up though.
Staff
Very helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pam Thermal Hotel
Pamukkale/Denizli

Nice hotel. Decent dinner offered, and had cool amenities.

Authenticity & Character
More like a resort, but still nice
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul
Discover Byzantine + Ottoman Istanbul
İstanbul

We really enjoyed this tour. The Palace, Monique, and cistern were great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Public Boat Tour on the Bosphorus
Public Boat Tour on the Bosphorus
İstanbul

The public boat tour was a little underwhelming. The day was drizzly, and without a guide, there was not much to it.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)
Visiting Göreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage)
Cappadocia

Loves Cappadocia and everything here. This was our favorite place.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sightseeing Around Uçhisar and Discovering the Cappadocian Valleys
Sightseeing Around Uçhisar and Discovering the Cappadocian Valleys
Cappadocia

Amazing! Loved this as well. We stopped at a rug making shop for a demonstration. We really enjoyed that.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise
Hot Air Balloon Tour at Sunrise
Cappadocia

We did not get to do this due to the wind. Pretty bummed about that. Perhaps let future travelers know that this option only goes about 50% of the time and to be prepared for a back up option. We did the ATV tour at sunset, which was a great experience though. We appreciated Berat changing that out for us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kaymaklı Underground City
Kaymaklı Underground City
Cappadocia

Really amazing! Loved this !

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Avanos: Discovering the Ceramic Tradition and Light hiking in the Love Valley
Avanos: Discovering the Ceramic Tradition and Light hiking in the Love Valley
Cappadocia

Great little place who let us all try it. We enjoyed this!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus
Explore the Ancient City of Ephesus
Turkey

Great spot. And Erdam was a perfect guide. He even squeezed in Mary's house for us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Pamukkale and Hierapolis
Pamukkale and Hierapolis
Pamukkale

Again, great experience here. Appreciated the guides knowledge.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Berat Ornek
Berat
Berat Ornek
Local specialist in Turkey | Replied on Apr 14, 2023

Dear Kristin,

Many thanks for your positive review - we are so glad to hear you had a great time in Turkey. It was a joy to meet you and your family in person. We look forward to hosting you here again in the near future.

All best regards on behalf of Trail Travel team,
Berat