3 independent reviews for Eastern Turkey tour, small group
Reviews for Eastern Turkey tour, small group
Judith Popple review 7 Jun 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hot air balloon flight.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking over uneven surfaces and carry water with you as there is a sites are quite exposed3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We visited a couple of local companies. Sadly water was available in plastic bottles so not good for the environment4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
ExcellentRead the operator's response here:
Dear Judith,
It's great to hear that you had an excellent trip with us in Turkey exploring some of the lesser-visited parts of the country. Regarding the provision of plastic water bottles, this is due to the unfortunate lack of potable water in many parts of Turkey and as you mention, many of the sites are quite exposed and there is a good deal of walking so water needs to remain available on the tour. However, you'll be glad to know that we have just recently renewed our partnership with Water 2 Go and cover the costs for offering complimentary filtration bottles to our clients (who will just have to pay postage). This should reduce the necessity of providing plastic bottles in areas such as Eastern Turkey, and will further improve our trips' impact. Overall, our team is very glad that you had a fantastic trip and I hope you'll consider travelling with us again in the future.
Kevin Cox review 23 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Visiting the “Ghost City” of Ani on the Turkish/Armenian border. The visit to Gobelki Tepe!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Carefully check the language of host's itinerary. If there is a particular site/place you wish to visit make sure you are actually going to spend time there as opposed to “seeing” a site. This happened at Van Castle. A travelling companion & I believed we would enter the castle but we only got to see it from the outside; this was a shame since this was one of most recommended sites in Van. To our disappointment instead we spent time at a silver jewellery shop & looking at Van cats. The cynical amongst us would suggest this was perhaps a “commission” driven stop! There is a statement in the itinerary about taking a “broad sweep” ; make sure this sweep is to your liking! Be careful of your engagement with the guide concerning any political/religious matters including anything to do with Armenia. Although I did ask the guide if was OK to ask certain questions; having posed them I received very cool and completely biased views. Take heed!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We only took a couple of internal flights that was positive. I would have liked to have visited some co-operatives where we could with better certainty felt our financial contribution into the infrastructure. On a personal level there was too much attention to visiting very specific shops/outlets that allowed no freedom of choice unless you split from the group.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
In terms of the area - it’s wonderful! Go now before it becomes too commercial with Western Europe/rest of the world visitors.Dianne Greaves review 11 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The archaeology sites.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You don't go to everything that's on the itinerary.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Sometimes.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Two sites on the itinerary not seen with no acceptable explanation why. One hotel changed through no fault of the host company but the alternative was not as good and in a area near no sites.Holiday Reviews
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