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Turkey in 2010 - Tours for first-timers
Turkey is a gorgeous destination for travelers of all ages and incomes. If the fabulous weather doesn't sell you, the history will -- it was once the seat of the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman Empires. The trouble is, there's so much to do in Turkey, it's hard to know how exactly to plan a trip, especially on your first visit. Fortunately, there's this thing called a guided tour (wink wink). Here are three great Turkey tours for 2010:European Tours -- Classical Turkey
This tour includes major sites in Istanbul, Ankara, and the ancient city of Ephesus' Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, as well as Cappadocia's Kaymakli Undergound City. This is perfect for people who are into history and architecture, and who like to stay in four and five star hotels. Ten days, $945 per person for double occupancy, airfare not included.
Key Tours -- Deluxe Glories of Turkey
This 15-day, budget-friendly tour covers sites in Istanbul, Canakkale, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Antalya, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara, Gallipoli and the Dardenelles. Thirteen breakfasts and 11 dinners are included, as are the various transfer and admission fees, all for around $100 per day. Fifteen days, $1,499 per person for double occupancy, airfare from New York included.
Turkey at Its Best -- Private Tour of Western Turkey in Winter
(no link, call 949-719-2800)
This ultra-luxe package features sites in Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Antalya, and visits to Aphrodisias, Hierapolis and the Aegean coast. Private vehicles, English-speaking guides, transfers, taxes, service and entrance fees are all included, as well as three dinners and all accommodations (four and five star hotels). This trip is only available through March 2010. Ten days, $2,985 per person for double occupancy, airfare not included.
Hope that helps! Safe travels, and here are some links to more great Turkey content on Gadling:
Filed under: Turkey, Travel Deals
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Susan Savion Dec 15th 2009 2:23PM
I have been to most of the places mentioned on my two visits to Turkey, plus many wonderful additional places: The Black Sea Coast (Trabzon, another Aga Sofia, a monastery high on a cliff) and the eastern high mountains and yaylas. So beautiful!!!
Then there are the charms of Safronbule and the tomb of King Midas and Foca and Bodrum and so much more!
traveler Dec 15th 2009 2:42PM
I loved Turkey! I had no expectations and went only because I was already in Greece and Turkey was close. Ephesus was spectacular. Istanbul was probably the most interesting city I have ever visited. Other areas were equally interesting. I would go back in a minute!
Jack Watkins HM2 Dec 15th 2009 3:34PM
If a man is convicted of a crime in Turkey, and if he is determined to be intigent-but yet at the same time "Married", they government of Turkey can and will take his wife, place her in prison, and have her work off the "Fine" on her back. Let me remind you that all womens prison's in Turkey are places of prostitution. Enough said? Now, who was it that wants to go to Turkey?
n Patel Dec 15th 2009 3:59PM
it's for a vacation and site seeing jacknut not going for a crime spree. Why would anybody go to Turkey to commit a crime?
Banu Dec 17th 2009 12:56PM
I don't know where you get your information, but you are completely ignorant and ill informed.
joyfulones Dec 15th 2009 7:13PM
Turkey is a very friendly country. They love visitors. If you love history, shopping and great food Turkey is a great place to go. No matter what your budget, you can have a good time in Turkey. We have been there 6 times over the last 10 years. Our only regret is that other people are discovering our "secret getaway". Turkish money (Lira) is not based on the Euro, so you spend less and get more for your money then other EU nations.
carol wasinger Dec 15th 2009 4:51PM
Don't forget Capadocia!!! The caves are amazing. Turkey is great and safe. I am a single, older lady and I walked the streets of Istanbul by myself with no problem. You will have 5 different stations to go through when you check out of the airport on the way home to prevent you from taking relics.
Jack Watkins HM2 Dec 15th 2009 4:53PM
N-Pratel~
I'm trying to illustrate the condition of the judicial system in this country-or rather their lack of one. I have no intention of ever going back, because I will not give a country such as this the satisfaction of spending the money I would give them as a tourist. It is not because I fear committing a crime. You, on the other hand, you should go there. Go quickly, because it is obvious that you could care less about human-justice and more about feeling better about yourself-what with having stories to tell of the Turkish country side and all.
chloe clerq Dec 16th 2009 9:03AM
When I travel people get nervous when I say that I am American. And they start saying like we don't know anything about other countries we do that we do this. In the beginning I was surprised. Now not anymore.
The more I meet people like you the more I undertstand why people are angry at us.
Beth Dec 15th 2009 5:04PM
LOVE Turkey. Rent a car and drive through the country. So wonderful. Everywhere we went we met friendly people, great roads and loads of things to see and do. We stayed a month and still didn't see all that we wanted to see.
Turkey is ready for tourists!!!!
CINDY Dec 15th 2009 5:52PM
Ever see the movie "MIDNIGHT EXPRESS"? It's a TRUE STORY about an american who gets caught commiting a crime and ends up in a turkish prison. Not that I would commit a crime while being there, but that movie scared me into NEVER wanting to go to Turkey for any reason!! They LOVE putting people in prison over there!! And if you come from another country, ALL THE BETTER!! And their prisons make american prisons look like COUNTRY CLUBS!! Yikes!! I think I'll pass!!
chloé clerq Dec 16th 2009 8:55AM
comments like this make other countries think we are stupid and uncultured. Sometimes I think they are right.
Eva Dec 15th 2009 7:19PM
USA has 4% of world's population but 25% of world's prisoners. The USA loves to put people in prison much more than any other country. Do not travel there!
Banu Dec 17th 2009 1:02PM
Cindy.....have you also watched all the movies in the States that depict people going to prison, sometimes innocent people...and all the horrible things that happen to them? In that case...you may want to move someplace else...because its surely not safe to live here either...is it? ;-) Get a GRIP. Turkey has a NO TOLERANCE rule when it comes to drugs. Pehaps if America did the same...we wouldn't have the problems that we do here. Something to ponder.
joyfulones Dec 16th 2009 6:37PM
Hey Jack and Cindy, I guess you will never travel to the Southern states of the US since the film Deliverance was made there and they sodomize people in the South. How about New York? it is rife with "American Gangsters", Italy? full of Mafia, just think of "Godfather 1,2,& 3", "Goodfellas" etc., it must be true, they have been arresting scores of Mafia bosses in Italy lately. I hear bears eat people who go to Alaska. Shall I go on? hey, I hear the world is ending in 2012!!!!!!! ..what is up with you people?, making blanket comments about countries you have never visited and social systems you have no understanding of. Human rights violations? why stop at Turkey? have you been reading any news stories lately? if you have something to say based on real life experiences not a movie made 25 years ago, then please share your real knowledge. Don't just spread stories you picked up at the Movies. Back to the topic on hand, those of us who have traveled extensively ( I have been to four continents), Turkey is a delight to visit. I felt comfortable traveling as a single woman and my husband and I keep going back because it is SAFE, fun, fascinating and we can have a great time and truly get away to a different culture than ours. Turkey has become the playground of Europeans for a good reason.
judy Dec 15th 2009 8:30PM
would not step foot in turkey....until they admit their country killed over 1 million armenians...disgusting!
Banu Dec 17th 2009 12:57PM
Judy...I understand your position on this and I can respect it. However...please keep in mind that most countries in this world have some type of trangression in their history...but it's just that...history.
dwoods6 Dec 15th 2009 8:57PM
I agree with joyfulones. Jack and Cindy, you are two ignorant people!!! Jack, you act as if Turkey is a third world country! Give me a break, you have nothing to back up what you are saying.
Cindy, everything you said was based on a movie. You have never even been there, are you serious?
What is the matter with you people? You make us as Americans look like idiots. WE look like the ignorant ones when people like you open you mouth.
FlyGirl Feb 17th 2010 2:29PM
After spending a few weeks touring the Greek islands I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a few days in Turkey. Much of it in Istanbul, with a day trip to Ankara as well as Ephesus. Having traveled much of the world I would without a doubt list Istanbul as my favorite city. The people were fabulous, the history amazing and the weather much like I was used to having spent most of my adult life in San Diego.
LIfe is short, make the most of it.
Bob Dec 15th 2009 10:38PM
Well, Turkey being a tourist destination probably means that Americans are becoming as poor as the Russians. Turkey has been long been the place for the Russian to take vacations. Now, if Obama will take over the bankrupt American airlines, may be the government will give us a big discount to fly on a broken down socialist American airplane. But, then Cuba is closer.