Easymade Turkey Tour – Istanbul to Cappadocia
Tour is rated as #2 in destination Canakkale
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✈️ Flights to Turkey (IST)
💎 Why we love it ?
Ease into your Turkey Experience as part of a small group tour heading from magical Istanbul down the Aegean Coast. Visiting the Battlefields of Gallipoli, one of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, and absorb yourself in history with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the Temple of Artemis. Continue to visit Cappadocia with its unique landscape.
🏁 Tour Itinerary: Easymade Turkey Tour – Istanbul to Cappadocia
Day 1 – Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours free to explore at your own pace. Overnight Istanbul.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Sirkeci Mansion Hotel or similar.
Day 2 – Istanbul Old City (B)
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace, and the Hippodrome. Cruise between two continents on the stretch of water that separates Europe from Asia in the afternoon with an optional ‘Half day Bosphorous Cruise’. Overnight Istanbul.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Sirkeci Mansion Hotel or similar.
Day 3 – Gallipoli Battlefields (B, D)
One of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston’s Jolly, original trenches, and tunnels. Overnight Çanakkale.
🏚️ Hotel Option: MD Barbaros Hotel or similar.
Day 4 – Troy – Acropolis of Pergamon (B, D)
Step back in time today as we visit Troy and its famed Trojan Horse, followed by a tour of the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political center in its time. Overnight Kuşadası.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Boutique Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar.
Day 5 – Ephesus – Kusadasi (B, D)
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village, we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. Overnight Kuşadası.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Boutique Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar.
Day 6 – Pamukkale (B, D)
This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Overnight Kuşadası.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Boutique Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar.
Day 7 – Kusadasi to Cappadocia (B)
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Cappadocia. Cappadocia is an extraordinary national treasure and is perhaps even the jewel in Turkey’s illustrious crown.
Overnight Cappadocia.
🏚️ Hotel Option: MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia Hotel or similar.
✈️ Domestic flight between Izmir and Cappadocia is included.
Day 8 – Northern Cappadocia (B, L)
Today our first stop is Esentepe, followed by a visit to Uchisar Castle. We then trek through Rose Valley to Cavusin, where we stop for lunch and learn about hand-made pottery. Afterward, we visit the Pasabag Fairy Chimneys, followed by Devrent Valley and Urgup Winery to taste the delicious vines of Cappadocia. Overnight Cappadocia.
🏚️ Hotel Option: MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia Hotel or similar.
Day 9 – Southern Cappadocia (B, L)
This morning, we head to Pigeon Valley and then Red Valley. After visiting the village of Cavusin, Cave churches and head to Kaymakli Underground City, the biggest in the region. Overnight Cappadocia.
🏚️ Hotel Option: MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia Hotel or similar.
Day 10 – Cappadocia to Istanbul (B)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, arriving at approximately 10:30 am, and our tour concludes.
✈️ Domestic flight between Cappadocia and Istanbul is included.
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Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions
- Our contract
- All bookings are made with Fez Turizm Ticaret Ltd Sti. trading as Fez Travel (hereafter referred to as Fez Travel, us or we). Trooper Tours, Fez Cruise and Fez Plus are also registered trademarks of and operated by Fez Travel Ltd.
- By booking a product with us you will be deemed to have read, understood and accepted these Booking Terms & Conditions (which constitutes the entire agreement between you and us) and your booking will be accepted by us on this basis. The services to be provided are those referred to in your booking confirmation / invoice.
- A 'Client' (You) is all persons named on the booking form intending to travel with Fez Travel.
- A 'Product' is any service sold by Fez Travel.
- A contract between you and us comes into existence when we have confirmed the booking in writing and issued a Confirmation.
- The person submitting the booking form (that incorporates these terms and conditions), either in hard copy or online warrants that s/he has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and understand these terms and conditions.
- We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion without further explanation.
- Information and Pricing Policy
- Before a booking is confirmed, we reserve the right to amend brochure prices due to any circumstances outside our control, such as but not limited to changes relating to governmental action, increases in transportation costs (including schedule airfares and the cost of fuel) changes in any dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services (including landing taxes or embarkation/disembarkation fees at airports), increases in admission fees and exchange rates.
- Bank transfers are accepted as the full amount payable as published. We can only accept credit card payments in Turkish Lira (TRY). The full amount payable in Turkish Lira is calculated by taking the daily buying exchange rate on the date of sale multiplied by the full amount published and payable. The daily exchange rate can be found at www.tcmb.gov.tr. Your bank will use their exchange rate when charging your credit card for the amount of Turkish Lira that was withdrawn by us. We accept no responsibility for variations in the final transaction amount due to foreign currency and other fees and exchange rates used by banking institutions.
- Any reduced prices or discounts that become available after you have paid your deposit will not apply to you. If you wish to cancel your booking to take advantage of a cheaper price, normal cancellation conditions will apply.
- Deposit & Final Payment
- Group Tours, FIT (Independent) & Private Tours: The following non-refundable deposits are required within 7 days of booking to hold a place for you on a group tour. In the case of FIT & Private tours a further deposit may be required by a specific hotel, tour operator, cruise line, airline or other principal. Final payment is due 42 days prior to departure. If your booking is made within 42 days of the departure date, then the full amount is payable at the time of booking.
In the case of FIT & Private tours a further deposit may be required by a specific hotel, tour operator, cruise line, airline or other principal. Final payment is due 42 days prior to departure. If your booking is made within 42 days of the departure date, then the full amount is payable at the time of booking.GBP EUR AUD NZD USD CAD 150 175 240 300 250 240 - Gulet cruises: Clients are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total booking cost must be paid within 7 days of booking. Full payment is required 60 days prior to departure.
- Accommodation, Day Tours & Products with a total value under 350 Euro: Full payment must be received within 7 days of booking.
- Group Tours, FIT (Independent) & Private Tours: The following non-refundable deposits are required within 7 days of booking to hold a place for you on a group tour. In the case of FIT & Private tours a further deposit may be required by a specific hotel, tour operator, cruise line, airline or other principal. Final payment is due 42 days prior to departure. If your booking is made within 42 days of the departure date, then the full amount is payable at the time of booking.
- Child Discount Rates
- The minimum traveller age for escorted group tours is 8 years. The exception to this is cabin charter gulet cruises – see clauses 26e & 26f below.
- Children aged from 8 – 12 years of age travelling on an escorted group tour in Turkey with two accompanying adults will receive a discount of 25% off the full rate. The child discount cannot be combined with other discounts. At the time of booking, whichever discount is the highest will be applied to a booking.
- Children of any age are welcome to participate in Day Tours and on independent travel programs or private gulet charters. Children aged 0-7 travelling on a day tour will be free of charge. Children aged 8-12 years travelling on a day tour will receive a discount of 50% off the full rate.
- Children receive discounts on tours involving travel in Greece; however applicable discounts are dependent upon the specific itinerary, and will be advised by us at time of booking and applied upon confirmation.
- Persons under 18 may book any of our tours only if they are travelling with a parent or legal guardian. There can be no exceptions to this policy.
- Airport transfers
- Airport transfers, where included in the tour, are available upon the start of services, for inbound transfers and the final day of tour for outbound transfers as per the tour itinerary. If you book pre-tour accommodation through us, the check in date would be deemed as the start of your services with us.
- stanbul airport transfers where included in the tour are available for all flights from either Ataturk or Sabiha Gokcen airports.
- Full flight details including arrival time and flight number must be provided a minimum of 48 hours prior to arrival. Failure to provide full and correct details may void transfer entitlement.
- Airport transfers are only available to and from tour hotels as specified by Fez Travel.
- LuggageIn addition to any personal items such as a handbag or laptop computer, you are entitled to have one main piece of luggage and a cabin bag or day pack. Please note that some domestic airlines in Turkey have a luggage limit of 15kg. If your tour program includes a domestic flight and your luggage exceeds 15kg you will be responsible for any excess baggage fees.
- Free TimeCertain periods during the tour may be designated as "free time". These periods are provided primarily to give the Client a chance to rest, relax and/ or explore. The Client is free to use this free time as they wish. We do not accept responsibility for any loss, accident or injury which occurs during such 'free time'.
- Tour Inclusions and ExclusionsThe price of your tour includes all accommodation, transport and sightseeing as listed in the inclusions section of your itinerary. Your tour price excludes any item not mentioned in the inclusions section of your itinerary. This includes, but is not limited to: air travel unless mentioned within the inclusions of the tour; airport arrival/departure taxes, visas, personal insurance, personal items such as, but not limited to, extra beverages at meals, food or snacks at times other than your meal included on the itinerary, laundry, telephone, fax or Internet/E-mail access charges, film, fees for taking photographs or videos in certain locations, fees for changing money, medical expenses, excess baggage fees, customs duties, shopping and tips or gratuities. In short if it's not mentioned in the inclusions section of the itinerary then its not included.
- Guaranteed Departure ProductsGuaranteed Departure Products are guaranteed to depart on the dates advertised in the brochure except where beyond the control of Fez Travel by Force Majeure and include all tours within the brochure and on the website with the exception of products detailed in clauses 24, 25 and 26.
- Minimum Number ProductsMinimum Number Products are all Products that are not listed as Guaranteed Departure Products on our website. In the event that a minimum number product fails to secure sufficient bookings on any departure date, we will inform you or your Agent. In such a case you will be given the option of changing to an alternative date or Product of comparable value or upgrading to another tour or a refund of all monies paid. In this case, we will use our best endeavours to find a suitable alternative.
- Maximum Group Size ProductsMaximum number products include all tours with a Greek travel component and Gulet cruises. A maximum limit of 20 passengers is set for these tours. Maximum gulet numbers vary according to available cabin space. Bookings will be closed and not be accepted after this limit is reached. This limit may be changed at our discretion without notice if extenuating circumstances necessitate this. The maximum group size does not apply to ANZAC Day products.
- Gulet cruises
- Availability must be confirmed with Fez Travel in writing prior to acceptance of any booking.
- The departure date of a gulet cruise may not be changed by the client within 2 weeks of departure.
- Single travellers must pay single supplement. The option to twin share with another traveller is not available. The option for a cabin with two single beds is not available as most gulets only have double beds.
- The departure date of a gulet cruise may not be changed within 72 hours of departure.
- Children under 12 years of age are not permitted on cabin charter gulet cruises.
- Young travellers aged between 12 – 17 years undertaking a cabin charter gulet cruise must share a cabin with an accompanying adult.
- Amendments & Cancellations by You
- You can cancel at any time cancellation fees apply as follows. The cancellation will be effective as at the time that we receive a written request from you or your Agent. The following cancellation charges will apply:
Days before Departure Group Tours / FIT & Private Tours Day Tours / Transfers / Accommodation Gulet Cruises 43+ days Deposit Nil 60+ days Deposit 42 - 29 days 25% Nil 60 - 31 days 25% (Deposit) 28 - 14 days 50% Nil 30 - 16 days 50% 13 - 3 days 100% Nil 15 - 0 days 100% 2 - 0 days 100% 100% - After your booking has been confirmed proposed amendments must be provided to us in writing by 'the Lead Client' and will incur an administration fee of equivalent to EUR 50.00 except for the first change that will incur no fee or as otherwise agreed. No requested change can be guaranteed.
- If any number of your party is prevented from travelling because of death, injury or serious illness of the client, close relative or friend, redundancy or jury service, it may be possible to transfer the booking to another suitable person or departure date or tour of similar standard and cost provided that written notice is confirmed by Fez Travel.
- If a refund is payable to you either because of an amendment or cancellation, the refund amount will be calculated according to these conditions and with consideration of evidence of exceptional circumstances. All bank fees incurred for processing/transferring the credited amount to the client will be the responsibility of the client.
- No refund is given for a partially used Product.
- No refund is available on bookings that received a discount due to a special offer or promotion.
- You can cancel at any time cancellation fees apply as follows. The cancellation will be effective as at the time that we receive a written request from you or your Agent. The following cancellation charges will apply:
- Cancellation By Fez Travel
- All Fez Travel Products are subject to a minimum number of participants except for guaranteed Departure Products listed in Clause 24.
- We reserve the right to cancel any confirmed booking in any circumstances, however, we will not cancel a Guaranteed Departure Product except in the unusual circumstances of force majeure, defined here as war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, flight cancellation or any other external circumstances beyond our control. Compensation is not available if we are forced to cancel or in any way change a tour due to force majeure. However, where we are unable to provide the tour booked, we will return to you any monies paid to us or offer an alternative date or holiday of comparable standard.
- Change of Hotels and Itinerary
- We publish all product information in good faith and we will use our best endeavours to operate all Products as advertised. However, we reserve the right to change the tour itinerary at any time.
- If we make a major itinerary change before departure, if time permits, we will inform you as soon as possible before your departure. A major change is one that affects at least one day out of five of the itinerary. When a major change is made, you may choose between accepting the change, obtaining a refund of money paid on the land portion of your trip, or accepting an alternative tour of the same or lesser value.
- We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or events outside our control. In such emergency circumstances, any additional costs of necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of a change of itinerary, including visas, vaccinations, or non-refundable flights.
- The hotels listed on the our website are intended to be used on all departures, however, from time to time hotels may be changed in order to meet operating requirements and local conditions. We reserve the right to substitute hotels without prior notice. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, including alternate hotels for additional departures on the same date, or hotel location changes within or outside itinerary cities, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent or higher standard, when available, to those shown. No refunds are provided for hotel changes. Full cancellation penalties as noted above apply.
- Accommodations
- Organised tour accommodations are based on twin/double/triple share accommodation.
- Single travellers may share a twin room with another traveller of the same sex, if available. If a same-sex room share is not available then the single room supplement will be payable. Room shares are arranged in order of booking.
- For pre and post tour accommodations the entire room will be reserved for you. We cannot arrange shared pre and post tour accommodations for single travellers. Payment of a single supplement is required in this instance.
- We will make every effort to accommodate people travelling together in their requested room type, however, this cannot be guaranteed.
- Special requests such as bed types, smoking preference and connecting rooms are subject to availability.
- If you are booking a triple room, please note that in some hotels, the third bed may be a “fold-away” bed. Availability of triple rooms is limited. We are not liable if a hotel can only provide a fold-away bed, and no compensation is payable to you in any such instance.
- Single rooms may be smaller than a twin-bedded or double room.
- The advertised hotels are intended to give an idea of the type of accommodation that may be expected. The actual hotels used for any given tour may change due to many reasons such as group size, availability, time of year, hotel standard has dropped or simply we found a better hotel. We update the website immediately if and when any changes take place. If and when we do change hotels it will be to a hotel of equal or higher standard and will be at no extra cost.
- Travel Documentation
- It is your responsibility to be in possession of a valid passport, visa permits, vaccinations, preventative medicines and other medical certificates and all necessary travel documents.
- We are not liable for damages arising from changes in regulations or laws to the necessary travel document requirements. We provide information about these matters in good faith, however without liability.
- We are not responsible if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct passport, visa or other documentation.
- In the case of lost or stolen documents, while we are happy to assist in any way possible, we cannot be held responsible for any additional costs and you are not entitled to any reimbursement or compensation of paid travel expenses.
- Travel InsuranceUnder Turkish Law, adequate insurance is mandatory for all Clients to cover at least but not limited to personal accident, death, medical and repatriation expenses, loss of luggage and cancellation or curtailment of a Product and should not exclude any planned adventure activities from the time of booking for the full duration of the Product as a minimum. A Client and their personal belongings are the sole responsibility of the Client. Fez Travel accepts no liability on the Client's behalf where Fez Travel has provided a Product of reasonable standard. You are fully responsible for arranging your own insurance. You will be asked to provide proof of your travel insurance on Day 1 of your tour. You will not be able to join the tour without it.
- Health, Safety and Conduct
- Prior to booking, all Clients are expected to satisfy themselves that they are fit and able to complete the itinerary of their chosen tour as described in the brochure. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or illness you must declare the true nature of such conditions at the time of booking, and make arrangements for the provision of any medication or other treatment which may be required during the tour. Such a client is required to provide a medical statement from a General Practitioner to confirm they are fit to travel. Failure to make any such disclosure will constitute a breach of these booking conditions and relieve Fez Travel from any obligations and liability.
- While we are happy to take special meal requests, we cannot be held responsible if they are not provided at hotels or restaurants during the tour.
- It is your responsibility to have any inoculations that may be required for your intended destinations. You must advise Fez Travel of any allergies or other physical conditions which might affect you during the tour. We reserve the right to decline or accept any person as a member of the tour or to decline or retain any person if such person's physical condition, mental well-being or behaviour interferes with the operation of the tour. There will be no refund in such cases.
- Client Exclusion and Local LawYou agree to accept the authority and decisions of Fez Travel's employees and its supplier's employees and representatives whilst on tour. If in the opinion of such persons, your health or conduct before or after the departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of the tour, you may be excluded from all or part of the tour without prior notice or any liability on the part of Fez Travel. In the case of Client ill health, we may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the Client. Passengers agree to comply with the laws and regulations of the countries they travel. We will not be liable to any Clients who commit illegal or unlawful acts whilst on tour.
- Liability of Fez Travel
- Fez Travel Products and in particular, adventure activities, contain an element of risk to the personal safety of the Client that other package holidays may not contain. By accepting these Booking Conditions you are aware of the risks inherent in their chosen travel and you undertake such risks at your own volition. We accept no liability of Client's damages where we have fulfilled our Duty of Care to Clients by providing Products of a reasonable standard. We accept no liability if there has been no fault on the part of Fez Travel or its' suppliers, and the reason for the claimed damages was either the Client's fault or a result of unusual circumstances beyond the control of Fez Travel by force majeure or otherwise and the consequences of which could not have been avoided even with all due care.
- In respect of carriage by air, sea and rail and the provision of accommodation, our liability in such cases will be limited in the manner provided by the relevant international conventions.
- We accept no liability if you incur additional costs through delay, accident or disruption of the Product(s) beyond our control by force majeure or otherwise.
- Optional activities not included in the tour price are not part of the tour or this contract. Although your tour guide may assist you to arrange optional activities this does not imply liability on our part. The contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the optional activity provider.
- Where you occupy a seat in a vehicle fitted with a seat belt, neither Fez Travel nor our agents or contracted service providers will be liable for any injury, illness or death or for any loss or damages or claims arising from any accident or incident if the seat belt is not being worn at the time of such accident or incident.
- Combination tripsMany of our tours are designed to fit with other departures to create a longer trip. This means that some of your group may have been travelling together prior to you joining the tour. If you would like information regarding whether your trip is part of a combination trip, please ask before you make your booking.
- Tour Meeting PointIf you forsake your inbound airport transfer, or book a product that doesn't include an inbound airport transfer, you are responsible for transportation to and from the Tour Meeting Point. The Tour Meeting Points are as set out in the relevant brochures or as advised by Fez Travel in the pre-departure pack for your tour at www.feztravel.com/Packs.asp
- Photography and Marketing
- Our authorised representatives may take photographs and films of you while using any Fez Travel Product. We reserve the right to use said material for any advertising or promotion in any medium we choose without obtaining further consent. You grant us a perpetual, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable licence to use such images for publicity and promotional purposes.
- We also reserve the right to use any comments you make, questionnaires or complimentary letters with respect to us, or our Products, minus any identifying information, in promotional literature without obtaining further consent.
- Personal DataAll Client data is protected in accordance with "Protection of personal data" laws. By making a booking with us, you agree to our use of this data in order to meet contractual and other tour operations obligations. We reserve the right to use this for direct marketing purposes, market research, customer demographics, statistics and information of Fez Travel and its business partners. If you do not want your data to be used by us, you may advise us by email, and said data will be destroyed.
- ComplaintsIf you have a complaint about any of the Product arrangements you must raise the complaint immediately with a Fez Travel employee so that we can use our best endeavours to rectify the problem. We cannot rectify a problem we are unaware of. Failure by you to complain on the spot will extinguish or at least reduce our liability to pay compensation. Should we be unable to resolve the problem on the spot, a complaint must be made in writing within 90 days of completion of the product.
- Updates to terms and conditionsFez Travel reserves the right to update and / or alter these terms and conditions at any time, and it is the Clients' responsibility to be familiar with them. The latest terms and conditions can always be found on the Fez Travel website: www.feztravel.com and will supersede any previous versions.
- General
- No employees or representatives of Fez Travel have any right to alter, vary or waive any of these terms and conditions, nor to undertake any liability whatsoever on behalf of Fez Travel, unless such be in writing and signed by the Managing Director of Fez Travel.
- All contracts for bookings made with Fez Travel are governed by Turkish law and are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Turkish courts should any dispute arise between parties to this contract.
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Easymade Turkey Tour – Istanbul to Cappadocia
From: $1,674.00
Nick –
A quick review. The tour company and tour guide were excellent. I LIked to call him “Charmin”. He was knowledgeable and accommodating. Traveling during the pandemic made things trickier for the guide I am sure. He has to constantly remain vigilant checking out museum attraction openings and closings and time constraints. Also, he had to go out of his way to make sure that we could always have a place to eat since not many restaurants are open during the day. But he always found a place for us. The hotels were great particularly we’re looking forward to the cave hotel and it did not disappoint. Also, the staff at the Levni went above and beyond to help. They sent the bellman with us to our Airbnb after our tour was finished to help with our luggage because they knew I had an injured shoulder. He carried 8 bags up 3 flights of stairs. The driver was extremely safe and the crew we traveled with were fun and excited to be able to be out and seeing so many great things. Turkey has a lot to offer and a great deal of History. The only place I could see for improvement in the tour is perhaps providing the guest with a cheat sheet that they could look at with pertinent timelines and historical facts. I While I followed along quite easily because I’m a history buff my friend was a little bit lost because the information was all new to him set times he kind of zoned out, but he enjoyed everything thoroughly. Now that I am back I to am wishing I could have remembered all the tidbits our guide told us along the way that made Turkey so special. I do of course remember fun facts about yogurt, female pilots, rugs, etc. LOL. Also, We felt very looked after and completely safe and enjoyed not having any traffic and having to think about everything. I have been to 55 countries and this was at the top. Thank you again. I will return to Turkey and will use Tour radar and Fez travel. Thank you.
Lynda –
Overall I think Fez Travel did a great job. The organisation was great, we had an international and domestic flight and the transfers were great. Our names were listed outside the airport. We had a brief wait in Istanbul airport for a driver but this was nothing. I have been with other tours where you leave the airport and there’s no one there and that’s a nightmare. All the drivers and guides were on time or usually early for the tours. Our two guides Khan and Aras were great, cannot praise them enough. I’ve never know a guide with so much knowledge as Khan and he had such patience and tolerance with the group. Also our driver Murat was the safest and best driver. Khan also kept his mask on the whole time which made me feel safer. Some of our group said they had asthma so refused to wear masks, but I think they should have been made to wear visors in the bus. The itinerary was great. Our group had slightly different itineraries, for example one involving a drive from Pamukkale to Kayseri, while we flew. We drove 3 hours back to Kusadasi, then next day an hour to airport, an hour flight, then an hour to Cappadocia, so driving there is only about 4 hours more and get to see more places on the way. I think Fez should offer options on travel and give prices for each. Most of our hotels were really nice and the staff in all of them were fantastic. All the hotels were Covid safe. This does involve more plastic unfortunately with most hotels abandoning buffet. Our nicest hotel the cave MDC hotel in Cappadocia had the best system, with guests using plastic gloves and then guests could use the superb buffet breakfast. The worse hotel was the Barbados hotel which had plastic on everything in the room, including the kettle, towels, toiletries, completely unnecessary. All the hotels were clean except my room at MDC hotel. A dead spider shot out when I used the shower, but it was still there the following day after the room had been cleaned. When I complained the manager was apologetic and the room was cleaned within 10 minutes even though I said I was happy to wait till next day so I think that is great service. I suspect the room had not been used in a while. As the rooms are previously cave homes there is natural dust and fine debris falling from the ceiling. Also as they were previously homes, each room is different and the bedding and cushions are authentic Turkish. I loved it. Turkey felt safer than UK. All restaurants and hotels and airports routinely took temperatures, sanitizer were widely available. There were social isolation stickers on the floors in airports. I would thoroughly recommend this itinerary, I would encourage hotels to reduce their use of plastic in
Jennifer –
I would highly recommend this tour to experience a broad cross section of this amazing country. Our guide, Onur, was just brilliant – he knew so much about landscapes and histories and was inclusive, respectful and funny! Thanks for an unforgettable experience!
ShelleyMalone –
After much research, we decided on the”Easy Made Turkey Tour.” After spending 10 days with the awesome guide, Serdar, he quickly moved up to the VERY top of our favorite Tour Guide list. He’s been in the business for 35+ years. What we appreciated most was his thorough knowledge of history and connecting it to Roman & Greek Mythology, Islam & Christianity beliefs. The tour company was very organized and made all the accommodations & travel arrangements once we had arrived in Istanbul. We had well-planned daily itineraries and Serdar was quite flexible in the timing of them whenever the tour group wanted to add/change something. Our driver was fantastic and the vehicle was top-notch – clean, A/C & roomy. The sites were amazing and the craft places were educational and fun to shop at. In Cappadocia, Serdar made arrangements for our group to experience “Turkish Nights” and “Whirling Dervishes”. Both were a lot of fun. The hotels were excellent, with the exception of the one in Cannakkale (old & dirty). They all had good breakfast buffets. We had upgraded our stay in Cappadocia because we wanted to stay in a nice “cave” hotel – excellent decision. We also decided to fly to Cappadocia (from Izmir) after the Pamukkale stop because we didn’t want to waste a day driving 10 hours. Instead, we spent that extra day seeing sites that aren’t on the typical tour trek – Priene, Miletus & Didim. That day was one of our favorites as Serdar had made arrangements for us to see those impressive places with another excellent guide. We flew back to Istanbul from Cappadocia which gave us the flexibility to have a hot air balloon ride, since weather can play havoc with balloon flights. After enduring the long ride to Cappadocia, the rest of our tour group liked our idea about flying back to Istanbul instead of driving, so the tour operator made their flight arrangements with no problems. Flying back also builds in an extra chance for the balloon ride. We have two areas of improvement – hotels & airport transfers. Hotels – the hotel choice in Canakkle needs to change as it was old & dirty. The hotel in Pamukkele upcharged each guest $10US for internet and would not issue refunds when the power went out & internet couldn’t be accessed. Those, in our group, that did not “upgrade” their Cappadocia were disappointed that they didn’t have a “cave” hotel especially when that hotel lost power, too. Airport Transfer – the tour stated that airport transportation to/from the Istanbul airport were part of the package. However, we arrived the day before and stayed the day after the tour began. Despite several attempts to work something out, the tour company refused to provide the “included” transportation because we didn’t arrive/leave on the exact tour dates. It shouldn’t have mattered because they had to make arrangements for the different arrival/departure times for the other tour group members. So, we had to make our own arrangements costing us $50US. The tour operator staff that we were with, each day, were professional, courteous, knowledgeable and truly wanted to provide the best experience possible! All in all, though, we had a fantastic time and can’t wait to return!
Anonymous –
After much research for our Turkey Trot, we decided on the “Easy Made Turkey Tour.” We fell in love with the cities, the country, the people, the food, our tour guide (Serdar Ozkan) and our tour group. After the Pammukale stop, we had made arrangements to fly (from Izmir), instead of a full-day drive, to Cappadocia. Instead, Serdar made arrangements to spend that extra day at incredible places that don’t get many tourists — Priene, Didim and Miletus. It was one of our favorite days and we felt privileged to have the sites to ourselves. This tour was well-organized with detailed itineraries and flexibility in the daily schedule. With the exception of one hotel in Canakkale (it was old and dirty), the accommodations were excellent with nice breakfast buffets. We “upgraded” our hotel in Cappadocia so we could stay in a “cave” hotel, which was another great choice. Those in our group who did not upgrade wished they had. We were fortunate to be able to end the trip with a balloon-ride. But, we had built in flexibility in our schedule to move our flight, if necessary and it was (balloon flights are unpredictable due to weather). We flew back to Istanbul from Cappadocia, instead of having that same long drive. The rest of the tour group did the same as one long drive was enough. The tour company made all the in-country flight arrangements. The only complaint we have is regarding the airport transport in and out of Istanbul. The tour package stated that the price included the transportation to/from the airport upon arrival/departure. Because we arrived/departed a day before and a day after the official start/end dates, we had to make our own arrangements and pay $50US. We tried several times to work that detail out with the tour operator, but they would not budge. The other members of the tour group had complaints about 2 hotels–the one in Pammukale (upon checkin,each person was upcharged $10US for internet fees & then couldn’t use because the power went out-no refund) and the one in Cappadocia (not the upgraded one) which also lost power. Overall, we had an excellent experience and cannot wait to return!