Guide in Turkey

Being loyal ITN subscribers, and packrats, we scanned several years of back issues as we researched our October-November ’05 trip to Turkey. We found a reader’s referral (May ’99, pg. 117) for a guide/tour operator, so we followed up and made contact with Mehmet Ozbalci of Turfantastik Tours & Travel (Millet cad. Inan Is Hani No: 5 / 610, Aksaray, Istanbul, Turkey; phone [90] [212] 589 33 25, fax [90] [212] 586 32 56, e-mail turfantastik@tnn.net or mehmetozbalci@tnn.net).

Mehmet is the owner/operator of his small company and personally plans and leads custom small-group trips throughout Turkey. For our group of eight, he planned our entire trip and personally escorted us around Turkey for three weeks.

Our all-inclusive, 21-day package cost $2,800 per person and included hotels, a beautiful bus, a full-time driver, Mehmet as our guide, a 110-foot yacht for a 3-day cruise, all admissions and all meals except for lunches and dinners in Istanbul.

Mehmet is a walking encyclopedia of Turkish history, culture and the three major religions that developed in Asia Minor (which includes present-day Turkey). He is the finest guide we have ever had in our many years of foreign traveling.

BRUCE KERFOOT
Grand Marais, MN