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INSIGHT
TRAVEL AGENCY
Ataturk Blv. Mentese Sok. 6/C
KAS, ANTALYA - TURKEY
TEL : 90 242 836 3692
FAX : 90 242 836 3694
info@tour-turkey.com
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ABOUT
INSIGHT TRAVEL AGENCY - TURKEY
Insight Travel Agency is an independent Turkish
Tour Operator specializing in private, small
group and cultural tours in Turkey.
The original Insight Travel office was
located in Sultanahmet, Istanbul for nearly a
decade in this authentic Ottoman House which is
still used as Rina's home in Istanbul when she
is there and sometimes as accommodation for
special guests. Insight Travel Agency moved to the Antalya area
in 2007 but is
still an Istanbul agency because the main
base of operations is there.
Istanbul is the
arrival and departure point for most of our
clients so we continue our high-quality transfer
service and small group tours in Istanbul with
our team of reliable and experienced guides and
skillful drivers who will make your stay in
Istanbul safe, informative and insightful.
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Insight Travel - Istanbul
(Original Location) |
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INSIGHT TRAVEL - KAS - ANTALYA |
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This is Insight
Travel Agency in Kas, (Antalya).
Our agency is just off the main
street (Ataturk Bulvari)
across from the Municipality
building on Mentese Street.
We look forward
to seeing you in our
beautiful Mediterranean town
if you are coming our way...
Insight Travel Agency is
licensed, bonded and a
member of TURSAB
(Association of Turkish
Travel Agencies) License No:
4799. |
Insight Travel
- Kas, Antalya |
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This photo of Kas was taken
while Rina was paragliding!
Kas and the Lycian Coast is
is rich in natural beauty
and has clear clean waters.
Most of this part of the
Turkish coast is graced with
small agricultural towns,
fishing villages and ancient
ruins. The area is perfect
for the Blue Cruise, diving,
hiking, swimming and sports
and much more. We have a
visit to Kas included in our
small group Grand Tour of
Turkey. |
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Kas Harbor |
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Insight Travel was founded by Rina Svensson, a
former retail manager in the U.S. and also a sales
associate for Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Suleyman
Tirasoglu, a professional
guide. They first started conducting tours in 1998 in Cappadocia and became experts in the
central and eastern Turkey regions. Rina holds
American-Turkish citizenship; has traveled
extensively and lived in different regions of Turkey
including Izmir, Eskisehir, Cappadocia, Istanbul and
the Antalya area. Rina is the owner and sales
manager of Insight Travel. |
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Rina Svensson |
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Emre Bilge joined the Insight Travel team in
2003 and is now a full agency partner. Emre was born in Gaziantep, in eastern Turkey,
but came to Istanbul at an early age, when his
father went into the textile business. He is a
graduate of Istanbul University majoring in
economics but has worked both in the leisure and
business branches of tourism. Emre is in charge
of operations, promotion and website design and
likes to participate in diving and the other
adventure sports available in our area. |
Emre Bilge |
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OUR PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDES
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Grand Bazaar, Istanbul |
We use only professional tour guides certified
by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism, and prefer
those who have high language fluency levels,
extensive knowledge, experience and a sense of
humor. They are eager to share their
discoveries and insider tips, and will help to
make your tour as enjoyable as possible. We have
guides available in English, Spanish and other
languages and specialists on the various regions
of Turkey or special interest such as Biblical
tours. |
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Our Insight tour guides are normally reserved
well in advance and we recommend booking of your
private tours and cruise excursions as early as
possible in order to get the best guide
available. We also have some guides, who work as
drivers, but it is preferred to use both a
driver and a guide for the most comfortable and
safe touring. Our Istanbul and Anatolian guide
team consists of a group of enthusiastic
individuals who really know their stuff. Here is
an introduction to some of our best guides: |
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Suleyman
on tour in Eastern Turkey |
Suleyman Tirasoglu is a native of the
Antalya area and was born in a mud-brick house
that had no running water and electricity in a
village by the Toros (Taurus) Mountains. His
family lives in Finike and has an agricultural
business. He studied mathematics and English for
two years in Istanbul at the Marmara University,
but graduated from Anadolu University and became
an English language teacher. After this, here is
the story in his own words: “I moved to Izmir
and got my guiding license from the Tourism
Ministry in 1997 after |
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successfully completing the professional tourist
guide course there. My first job as a guide was
in Cappadocia, an interesting region of central
Anatolia. Later I formed a partnership with
American and Turkish partners and opened a
travel agency there after exploring and walking
through nearly every valley, cave, church and
underground city. I also began to guide in other
regions of Turkey. After completing my military
service in the region of Kars (northeast Turkey)
we moved the agency to Istanbul in the year
2000. I strolled through Istanbul, street by
street and also completed my knowledge by
traveling extensively all over Turkey on
research. I have enjoyed touring many people
during my time as a professional guide and I see
each person as an individual. I continue to look
forward to meeting those who want to learn about
our wonderful country and I hope to get the
chance to share it with you”. |
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Kunt Mehmet Kuntasal has been guiding for
Insight Travel since 2002. He was born
and lives in Ankara in central Turkey and has a
degree from the Middle East Technical
University. He is a city planner by profession
but took his guiding license in 1984. He is very
experienced in all regions of Turkey, including
both land and sea tours and has completed
special courses with the Ministry of Culture to
become an expert in faith tourism. Mehmet also
works as a guide-driver. He has a great sense of
humor and is very easy going and works well with
small and large groups.
Mehmet in
Ephesus |
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Erol and Singing Nuns in Sultanahmet |
Erol Savda has been working
with us since 2005. He is a very
flexible guide who gets along with
everyone. Erol guides mostly in
Istanbul but greatly enjoys being on
the road for longer tours around
Turkey and also does outgoing tours.
He was born in Istanbul and studied
at 9 May University in Samsun to be
an English teacher. He taught in
Anadolu High School in Istanbul but
later took his guiding license in
the same city in 1997 and became a
free-lance guide. |
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Bulent Aslan was born in
Istanbul, but grew up in Izmir and
studied in the American Collegiate
Institute. Later he graduated from
Bilkent University in Ankara. He
passed the professional guiding
course in Antalya in 2002. Bulent
mostly guides for us in Istanbul,
but is very experienced in tours all
over Turkey and also outgoing tours
to other countries.
Shopping is fun with Bulent! |
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Kemal at Aspendos Acropolis
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Kemal Capar was born in
Kayseri in the central area of
Turkey not far from Cappadocia. He
studied English Education at the
University of Gazi in Ankara and
later took a professional guiding
license in 1985. He is very
experienced, detail oriented and not
only does cultural tours, but also
adventure tours with diving, blue
cruise and more. Kemal is a
specialist on archaeology, biblical,
flora and fauna of Turkey and acts
as both a guide and driver for
individuals. He currently resides in
Istanbul but spends part of the year
in Bodrum and is willing to tour all
around Turkey.
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Mustafa Mirkelam was born in
Sanliurfa in southeast Turkey. He is
a very experienced yet active guide
and has lots of energy. He is a
graduate of Ankara Gazi University
and still lives in Ankara. Mustafa
estimates that he has seen about 80%
of Turkey. He is a Turkey expert,
and also caters to individuals or
groups with special interests such
as Biblical tours. He enjoys outdoor
sports and is an expert driver too.
Mustafa Mirkelam |
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Kutay Berk was born in
Canakkale near the ancient site of
Troy. He graduated from Tekirdag
School of Tourism and later went on
to Study English at 9 September
University in Izmir. Kutay has been
guiding since 2001 and is very
experienced in Istanbul, Cappadocia
and also guides in all of western
Turkey.
Kutay in Termessos, Antalya |
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Birdal Oymak was born in Kars
in the northeastern region of
Turkey. He is a graduate of Adnan
Menderes University with specialty
in tourism and hotel management. He
became a professional guide in 2002.
He worked for a brief period in the
US and was a professional
photographer and has also worked for
Ceylan Intercontinental Hotel.
Birdal is an expert on Istanbul and
the classical sights of Turkey.
Birdal Oymak at Insight Travel
Agency, Istanbul |
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Remzi Kaya is one of our most
experienced guides in Cappadocia. He
was born in Konya, the city of
Mevlana, was an English teacher and
also taught in the adult learning
center and the tourism college in
Urgup. He has been guiding for 20
years and is an expert on the
Cappadocia region. Remzi guides for
both Insight Travel and guests of
Gamirasu Hotel, our partner in
Cappadocia.
Remzi Kaya |
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Pinar Sahin is one of our
professional guides for the
classical western tours and guides
both in Spanish and English.
She was born in Izmir and graduated
from Ankara University. Pinar has
been living in Cappadocia for the
past six years and knows the area
very
well. She is quite enthusiastic.
Guests truly enjoy their tours with Pinar, who makes the magic of
Turkey come alive.
Pinar Sahin |
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Birsen Urcan was born in
Izmir and studied to be a
professional guide at Ege
University. She was the hotel
manager for Gamirasu Hotel in
Cappadocia and now works full time
as a guide in Cappadocia where she
has been living for 8 years. Birsen
is a specialist in Cappadocia and
also tours in other areas of Turkey.
She guides in both Spanish and
English
and has a lot to share for our
guests who visit the region of Cappadocia. |
Birsen Urcan |
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Inan Akpinar was born in
Izmir in 1979. He is a graduate of Erciyes
University. Inan has had his professional
guiding license since 2001 and is an expert
on the Aegean area including Izmir, Ephesus,
Pamukkale, Sardes, Pergamon and more. He
also knows Istanbul and Cappadocia very well
and has guided for years all around
Anatolia. He enjoys doing tours of the seven
churches and is generally available if
booked early for daily tours of the classic
Aegean sites in the summer, and for all of
Anatolia in the off season. He is a very
enthusiastic guide and explains clearly,
bringing you closer to the daily life of
those who lived in the ancient cities. |
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Inan Akpinar
Kadir Kacar |
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Kadir Kacar was born in 1969
in Denizli (near Pamukkale and Hierapolis).
He guides in English, German and Spanish and
is a valuable member of our team. Kadir also
does outgoing tours and is a certified
multi-language translator. He has been a
professional guide since 1991 and in 1995 he was
part of the "Faith Tourism Project" of the
Ministry of Tourism and Culture. When Kadir
was still in the university he founded a
dance school and later taught ballroom and
Latin American dances in the winter halves of
the year. He graduated in 1998 from the
Bosphorus University in Istanbul with a BA
in translation. |
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Ismet Turan was born in
Adiyaman, in eastern Turkey and has
worked as an English teacher,
translator, in import-export,
business administration, purchasing
and management. Ismet has a diploma
from the Ankara University
department of English Language and
literature and also took a course in
Hotel Management from Cornell
University. He received his
professional guiding license from
the Ministry of Tourism in Ankara
and began guiding in 1989. He now
resides in Antalya and is married
with three children. Our guests
enjoy Ismet’s depth of knowledge and
warm humor. He guides in every area
of Turkey. |
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Sevim Sipahi is an expert
guide for the whole Aegean region
including Ephesus, Troy, Pergamon,
Pamukkale, Miletus etc. but knows
her way well around Istanbul and
other regions. Born in Izmir, a
graduate of Ankara Gazi University
and formerly a school teacher for
most of her career, Sevim now
dedicates her time to showing
esteemed guests the historical,
cultural and natural treasures of
Turkey. We enjoy working with her
immensely as she is such a sweet
lady, and our guests love her
guiding.
Sevim Sipahi |
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Erkut
Aldeniz seakayaking in Kas |
Erkut Aldeniz was born on
Imroz Island (Gokceada) in the north
Aegean Sea in 1971 and attended
primary school in Canakkale and then
later studied in Izmir and then
Istanbul. Erkut went to Hacettepe
University and earned a BA Degree in
American Studies in 1994 then took
his professional guiding certificate
from the Ministry of Tourism in
1995. He first started guiding in
Kalkan and stayed there for 3 years,
also working in travel agency
management, then did his military
service with the Air Force where he
was positioned at HQ NATO 6th ATAF.
Thereafter he moved to Cappadocia
and worked there for 5 years. He has
guided all over Turkey and knows
nearly every area like the back of
his hand. Erkut now resides in Ankara. |
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Erkut has also traveled abroad to
other countries, helped to train travel
agents in the US, he took a horse riding
course at the rider’s club in Izmir, is a
sea kayaking paddler, has an advanced open
water diving certificate and one of his
greatest hobbies is cooking, which he takes
very seriously. Erkut’s goal is to combine
cultural sightseeing tours with outdoor
activities (not necessarily meaning
adventures and adrenaline) in a way that the
'guide' becomes also the rider, the paddler,
the dive buddy and accompanies the guest in
all aspects of the tour. 20 years from he
still plans to guide and would also like to
train other guides. He likes to define each
itinerary according to the guests'
conditions, needs and requirements.
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See
testimonials
to see what our clients say about our guides
and services. |
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OUR DRIVERS AND VEHICLES |
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Insight Travel provides you with
modern, comfortable non-smoking
transportation for your tours and
airport transfers. We use
fully-insured late model,
air-conditioned mini, midi or coach
buses. A car may also be used for
private tours and transfers of
individuals. Your safety and comfort
is a priority!
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The latest addition to our fleet
which will ensure your tour or
transfer is done in comfort and
style is our new luxurious
minivan. The minibus seats a maximum of
17 people.
It features reclining seats,
individual lighting and A/C-Heating
control, adjustable armrests, large
luggage storage area and lots of
legroom. It also has plenty of
headroom so getting in and out of
the van is easy. |
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Fehmi
and van in Istanbul |
Our main professional
driver; Fehmi Beyhan,
is likely to meet you for
transfers at the Istanbul
airport or to tour you in
Istanbul. Fehmi was born in
the city of Van in Eastern
Turkey but has been working
as a driver in Istanbul for
years and he is very careful
and skilled. Fehmi is the
expert driver for Istanbul
and surrounding areas such
as Bursa, Edirne and
Canakkale, but also knows
most of Turkey quite well. |
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Ilyas Yelgen has been
with us as a driver for many
years now, but originally
helped run Fener Restaurant,
an excellent fish restaurant
in the famous Kumkapi area
of Istanbul where he
transferred restaurant
guests every evening through
the back streets of
this old part of town. He
has a
new Mercedes minibus with a
capacity for 14 passengers,
and is an expert in Istanbul
and the surrounding areas. Ilyas speaks English.
Ilyas at Insight Travel in
Istanbul |
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We cannot say enough for the
service that Mustafa
Keles has given us
throughout the years from
the very beginning in 1998 with our
first agency in Cappadocia.
He has been nearly
everywhere in Turkey and
actually once did a private
tour for just one guest
starting in Eastern Turkey,
all the way to the west, off
and on the beaten track on
his own for approximately a
month!
Mustafa (2nd from left) with
Pinar and Thomas Family |
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Mustafa Keles speaks
English, and so does his
Nephew Yasar, who
tours locally for us in the
central area of Turkey, and
more particularly around
Cappadocia. Yasar is a great
driver and a fun companion
for a tour. Faruk Keles,
also part of the big family
in Cappadocia has a nice
boutique hotel in Goreme.
Yasar and his van |
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Hazim Beyhan has been
part of our team since 1999. Originally
from Van in eastern Turkey,
but living in Istanbul for
years now, he is an expert
on tours for nearly anywhere
in Turkey. He speaks English
well and has a degree in
tourism management. Hazim is
an excellent driver and has
a new Fiat Albea with A/C.
He is energetic, positive
and treats all guests like
VIP’s!
Hazim and his car in
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Dursun Aksu is one of
our most friendly drivers
who has a new Volkswagen
Crafter that is very
comfortable. Dursun was born
in Istanbul but his origin
is from Giresun in the black
sea. His father was a
professional driver too.
Dursun has been driving
since 1986 and knows just
about everywhere in Turkey.
Dursun is now the main
driver used for our Grand
Tour of Turkey.
Dursun and his van in Kas |
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Necdet Kabakli was
born in the Besiktas
district of Istanbul. He
started working for us many
years ago for our Istanbul
tours and transfers but now
drives mostly for the
cultural tours. Our guests have described
his driving as being
extremely safe and
comfortable. His Mercedes
minibus is top class and he
treats everyone as a VIP,
yet has a warm and natural
personality with lots of
humor.
Here is Necdet and his
van in Kekova |
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Mustafa and friends cruising
on gulet |
Mustafa Dogan was
born in Kas near Kalkan and
Antalya. Rina has known him
since she first came to
Turkey. He has a three-cabin gulet and
tours our passengers for
Insight cultural tours and
also privately. He has a
variety of blue cruise
programs from a daily cruise
to Kekova to longer cruises
in the Mediterranean and
Aegean. He is also an
excellent cook and knows
when to put the right music
on at the right time. You
will enjoy a cruise with
Mustafa. |
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OUR EXPERIENCE AND FOCUS
Our cultural Insight Tours are a
product of research
carried out over the years. We offer
these unique cultural Turkey tours
on demand and allow a maximum of ten
passengers unless the tour is taken
by a private group. We also offer a
variety of regional tours to places
like Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon,
Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya,
Cappadocia, Bursa and Safranbolu, as
well as our Istanbul specialties. In
Istanbul and Ephesus we offer land
excursions for cruise ship
customers.
Insight Travel is also a specialist
on private tours anywhere in Turkey,
classic and tailored programs to fit every budget, driver and guide
services, self-drive programs, car
rental, gulet cruise and hotel
reservations throughout Turkey. We
can provide domestic and international flight tickets
originating from Turkey.
Insight Travel’s focus has always
been to serve our clients on a one-to-one basis,
but travel agents are also welcome
to contact us. We provide quality
and security in your Turkey travel
arrangements from the moment you
arrive in Istanbul if you have
arranged a transfer with us.
We prefer to work with smaller hotel
properties and boutique hotels,
local restaurants and other local
partners in Turkey to bring support
to the hard-working families and
entrepreneurs who treat our guests
with respect.
Insight Travel strives to offer good
quality for price and personal service for whatever type
of tour you choose. Most of our
clients are looking not just for a
tour, but for an experience of the
flavor and culture of Turkey. We aim
to please the needs of any guest,
whether it is for business or
pleasure.
Our goal is to give you an "Insight"
into the culture, history and
timeless beauty of a land, which is
part of the heritage of Western
Civilization and the world.
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PRIVATE TURKEY TOURS
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For those of you who choose
a private tour of Turkey,
the limit is your time and
imagination. We will help
you plan something according
to your particular needs and
interests, such as classic
Turkey itineraries, cultural
experiences, Turkish
cuisine, honeymoon, boutique
and historical hotels,
walking tours, photography,
religion, folklore, village
life and more.
Drennan family, private
tour in Cappadocia
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INSIGHT SMALL GROUP TURKEY
TOURS |
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These tours focus on
in-depth experiences and
opportunities for
interaction with the Turkish
people and cover Turkey,
region by region giving
enough time to really see
the sights, including some
that normal tour groups do
not go to. We offer
accommodation in high
quality 4* and special
category hotels, such as
converted Ottoman houses,
caravanserais, and
stone/cave hotels. Where
suitable hotel category is
available we prefer hotels
in central locations, so
that our |
Insight
tour on the way to Gallipoli |
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groups have time for some
discovery on their own. Group size
is limited to 10 passengers maximum
for Insight cultural tours. |
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CLASSIC TURKEY TOURS
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These tours ideal are for
those who want to see the main
historic sights and major
attractions of Turkey. Accommodation
is in good 4* hotels, but upgrades
are available. Group size may vary.
Tours will be conducted by Insight
Travel and partner agencies. |
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TAILORED TURKEY TOURS – CITY
PACKAGES – LAYOVERS IN ISTANBUL |
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Tailored tours may be group
or private tours that fit most any
budget and time frame. You may take
a short excursion from Istanbul to
visit another city or area of Turkey
or combine short ongoing and daily
tours to make your own tailored
group tour. Tailored tours are
available year round and offer you
the choice of hotel, where you would
like to spend leisure days and which
sights you want to see – so they are
very flexible. Tailored tours are
conducted by Insight Travel and
partner agencies. If you have a
layover in Istanbul and want to see
the city, keep in mind that the
Istanbul airport is about 20-30
minutes from the historical center
of Istanbul. If you have a minimum
of 6 hours layover (waiting time for
your next flight), we can arrange a
tour of Istanbul for you. Normally
the tour arrangement will be totally
private, but if your arrival is
early enough we may also transfer
you to one of our group tours and
back. |
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ISTANBUL AIRPORT TRANSFERS |
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Private airport transfers
from the Ataturk International
Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport in Istanbul are reasonably
priced and ensure your security and
comfort. For individual airport
transfers, our driver or
representative meets you at the
Istanbul airport after you have gone
through customs. Please look for
your name and the Insight Travel
sign. If for any reason you do not
see it, as the airport can get quite
busy, continue to Meeting Point 1 on
the left and wait for our
representative. Even if your flight
is delayed or baggage is lost and
you come out late, do not forget to
look for your representative as he
or she will wait as long as
possible. It rarely happens, but if
we are delayed by traffic, please
make a phone call from the nearby P.T.T. (post) office in the airport
and we will let you know where your
driver is. Your transfer person will
assist you with your luggage,
finding an ATM machine or currency
exchange booth before you leave the
airport. Airport transfers are
normally included with Insight
Cultural Tours and Classic Tours
that we offer, but are NOT offered
with tailored tours and hotel
reservations alone. We offer airport
transfers in Izmir, Kayseri
(Cappadocia), Antalya, Ankara and
other areas of Turkey. |
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BOOKING REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR
TOURS |
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We recommend booking early
for special Insight tours, as
group size and the number of the
rooms available in some hotel
categories are
limited. We reserve the right to
substitute similar available hotels.
We will need to have information
such as your full names as on your
passport, address, telephone/fax
number and at minimum a credit card
guarantee to begin the booking
process. According to the tour or
service required, you pay a minimum
deposit and further payments as per
agreement. |
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Deposit toward any Insight Travel
service constitutes full knowledge
and acceptance of all terms and
conditions. Change and cancellation
fees may apply. Cost of an escorted
tour does NOT include air
transportation, airport taxes,
excess baggage, health, accident,
baggage and trip cancellation
insurance, port taxes, passport
expenses, visas, laundry, beverages,
tipping for personal service,
gratuity to guide and driver or
anything which is not specifically
mentioned. Insurance: Insight Travel
and its partners are not responsible
or liable for loss, damage or theft
of personal luggage and other
belongings, nor personal injury,
accident or illness. We reserve the
right to decline to accept or to
retain any person as a passenger
should such person's condition or
action impede the operation of the
tour or rights, welfare or enjoyment
of other passengers. Insight Travel
reserves the right without notice,
to withdraw all or any part of the
tour and make necessary changes.
Insight Travel acts only as an agent
in securing hotel; transportation
and other travel services and shall
not be liable for any failure by any
person or company to render
transportation, lodging or other
tour services. All cancellations
must be in writing and are per
agreement regardless of the cause.
No refunds of any amount will be
paid less than 72 hours before
arrival, for no show or while on
tour. |
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THANK YOU! |
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Rina and the Insight team
would like to thank our loyal
clients for all of their support and
friendship throughout the years. We
are continuing with the same
spirit and hope
that those of you who have seen
Istanbul, the Aegean and perhaps
Cappadocia will consider another
visit to Turkey to discover the
unspoiled Mediterranean area with
us! |
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Read About our
first year in Kas! |
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