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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 2 of 2)
Michael Dec 16th 2009 1:35AM
I work for Sprint Worldwide International Dept. and is amazing how many calls we receive from American people traveling to Mexico. Many of the calls are from customers traveling to the MEXICAN RIVIERA. Every employee there dont understand how can so many Americans visit a country that is so talked down in the states. I want to say that at least 80% percent of the calls that come in to our dept. are from people all over the U.S. requesting information for their vacation to MEXICO....I read a document on the internet that at least 20 million Americans visit Mexico every year , followed by Canada with 11 million and the U.K with 9 millions. I dont understand how MEXICO can be the number one country visit by Americans even though we have a bad image of the country its people that come to this country....DONT GET IT!!!!
michelle Dec 16th 2009 1:47AM
Turkish people are very sweet...i want to go to Turkey
Lin Dec 16th 2009 1:51AM
Our son lived in Turkey for almost ten years. He returns each summer to teach near Istanbul.
I visited him on two occasions in 1994 and in the Spring of 2001.
He learned to speak Turkish while in college. In Turkey, he learned Spanish (from Spain) and taught himself Arabic.
He returned to the USA in late 2001 and is teaching Turkish language and Ottoman history at a University while pursuing his second Masters and a Phd.
He now also speaks Farsi (Iran).
We both love Turkey and its people. Visitors to Turkeyt are its best form of advertising.
Avoid large tour groups. They are too structured. One such group said the wait staff of one hotel did not speak English. They spoke English to us. The secret: DO NOT BE A TOURIST.
Just be yourself. Avoid flashy dress and keep you image low key. Show genuine interest in them. DO NOT BRAG YOU ARE AN AMERICAN (anywhere in the world).
Just be a person that people will want to meet.
SEK2344 Dec 16th 2009 2:11AM
It is a beautiful and historic place to visit but is way down on my list of places to travel. When I was in the Army and stationed in Germany, we could not visit Turkey because it was a restricted area and off limits. If you were stationed their, you could not leave the post unless you went in pairs and well armed but that was back in the mid 1960's, a long time ago. I don't know what the political climate is at this time or how safe it is but there are at least 10 other places I would pick for a vacation before I would visit Turkey.
Banu Dec 17th 2009 12:57PM
You would be surprised and impressed...I am certain, at the advances and changes in Turkey since the 60's! Give it a try...I am positive you will be hooked!
nilpojsinaj Dec 16th 2009 4:17AM
Merhaba (hello) Jack and Cindy: Turkey is a beautiful country, with really proper respectful people who will invite you to sit, drink cay (tea), talk about your family, and then do business. It is a Muslim country that Ataturk modernized for women, industry, society, etc. I met the current President on a plane, going to meet President Bush at the time (he was 2nd in charge at the time). I am married to a Turkish lady who enjoys modern life, but understands her history. Turkey is steeped in history, and has many religious areas. Midnight Express was not filmed in Turkey, but in Malta with Armenian actors, with an ax to grind. The atrocity issue is a political, government to government problem, not the fault of any current living Turkish citizen, who are very family oriented, obedient citizens. Look at the current atrocities that have occurred in the world - Jack and Cindy: GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE!! 1949 to 1987, China, Communists against the Chinese public, 40 million DEAD -- 1975 to 1979, Cambodia, Khmer Rouge, against the public, 1.7 to 2 million DEAD -- 1975 to 1999, East Timor, Muslims, against Roman Catholics, 200,000 DEAD -- 1985 to NOW, Sudan, Mainly Muslim militia and government, initially against mostly Animists & Christians; now mainly Muslims, about 200,000 DEATHS; millions dislocated -- 1994, Rwanda, mainly Hutus, victims mainly Tutsis; some moderate Hutus, about 800,000 DEAD -- 1995 to 1999, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbian Orthodox Christians (mainly), victims Muslims (mainly), 200,000 DEAD -- 1998 to 1999, Kosovo, mainly Serbian Orthodox Christians, against mainly Muslims with 400,000 displaced; deaths unknown -- 1997 to NOW, Democratic Republic of the Congo, government, army, army irregulars and rebels, against the general public, with about 6 million KILLED as others suffered rape, destruction of property. etc. DEATHS CONTINUE. Why the quietness about Sudan, who Angelina Jolie has asked President Obama for help? I have visited Turkey many times, and they are more civil in manners than some Americans, who lack the world view perspective. I lived in Spain for 3 years, and I can understand being near so many countries. As an American, I can trace my ancestry back to 1676 here in America, and then even to England, so I am true blue American. HEY Jack and Cindy, try the prisons in Mexico, in Thailand, in China, in North Korea (mmmm), in Iran, in Russia (gulag anyone?), etc. Turkey punishes drunk drivers by taking them 20 miles from their town and making them walk back with a police escort. The U. S. charges money, court time. I was in the military, and if I had to have a foreign soldier in a foxhole, I would chose a Turkish soldier, who have a fierce reputation as a fighter. Sure, Russians visit there, just like the Germans, English, Swedish, etc. Whoopee do! BE WARNED!! DO NOT INSULT ATATURK! They revere him as a national hero who modernized Turkey. Drugs? Communist leanings? Turkey frowns on both, oh boy! I saw archaeological sites that are amazing! The Mediterranean is beautiful, unlike the sewer mess in Los Angeles, San Diego. Guess where I will retire? Spain, Turkey, who knows? And the food is to die for, so good!! Allahaısmarladık (good bye).