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INSIGHT
TRAVEL AGENCY
Ibrahim Serin Sok. No: 16/1
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, an independent Turkish
Tour Operator specializing in private, small
group and cultural tours in Turkey, has been
located in Istanbul for approximately 7 years
until January of 2007, when we moved to the
Antalya area. Insight Travel Agency is licensed,
bonded and a member of TURSAB (Association of
Turkish Travel Agencies) License No: 4799. To
the right is a picture of the original location
of Insight Travel Agency in Istanbul; one of the
last authentic Ottoman Houses in Sultanahmet.
Insight Travel, Istanbul
(Original Location)
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Insight Travel – Kas, Antalya |
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This is the new location of
Insight Travel in the center
of Kas (pron. “Kosh”) on the
Lycian Coast between Fethiye
and Antalya. See balcony on
left with the Turkish flag.
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. Suleyman
and our team of reliable and
experienced guides as well
as Nihat, Ilyas and other
skillful drivers will make
your stay in Istanbul safe,
informative and insightful. |
Insight Travel – Kas,
Antalya |
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Our latest focus is on
bringing you new programs
for the Mediterranean region
of Turkey, especially in the
area between the towns of
Fethiye and Antalya. The
Lycian Coast is rich in
natural beauty and has clear
clean waters. Most of this
part of the 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. |
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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, with Suleyman
Tirasoglu, an English teacher and professional
guide. They first started conducting tours nearly 10
years ago 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 four
years ago to develop new programs and is now an
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.
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 for about 6 years. 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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Behlul in Istanbul |
Behlul Dundar was born in
Amasya, a beautiful inner Black Sea town,
and studied in eastern Turkey in Erzurum. A
graduate of Ataturk University; he has a
degree in archaeology. He was with us at the
very beginning of his guiding career. On his
first Insight tour with a religious group
from the U.K. Behlul entertained everyone
with stories of a famous folktale character
“Nasreddin Hoca” and had them laughing all
the way as we crossed over the Anatolian
plateau. He would like to conduct a
tour featuring the route of Alexander the
Great in Asia Minor. |
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Erol Savda has been working
with us for about two years. 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. |
Erol and Singing Nuns in Sultanahmet |
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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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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 has recently opened a
small locale in Sultanahmet called
Sokullu Cafe and Restaurant.
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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 in Cappadocia.
She was born in Izmir and graduated
from Ankara University. Pinar has
been living in Cappadocia for the
past four years and she is a
specialist in Cappadocia, but also
knows other areas of Turkey very
well and she is quite enthusiastic.
Guests truly enjoy their tours with
Pinar, who makes the magic of
Cappadocia come alive.
Pinar Sahin |
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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 1995 when 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
latinamerican 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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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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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
Volkswagen Volt minivan. The Volt
minibus seats a maximum of 8 people.
It features reclining leather seats,
individual lighting and A/C-Heating
control, adjustable armrests, CD
player and radio, mini-fridge, large
luggage storage area and lots of
legroom. It also has plenty of
headroom (most people can stand up
inside!) so getting in and out of
the van is easy. The large
tinted-glass windows offer great
viewing on tours. |
Nihat and guide Hakan Sozen |
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Nihat in Cappadocia |
Our professional chauffeur,
Nihat Abanoz is
likely to meet you for
transfers at the Istanbul
airport or to tour you in
Istanbul. Nihat is a native
of Istanbul from Kasimpasa
on the Golden Horn. He is a
young man but has a lot of
driving experience and
handles the vehicle so
smoothly in the narrow
streets of Istanbul that you
will hardly be distracted
from your sightseeing. Nihat
is also attending English
courses to be able to
communicate better with our
guests. |
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Ilyas Yelgen has been
with us as a driver for two
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 a
new Mercedes minibus with a
capacity for 15 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 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 for the
past 7 years. 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
Sultanahmet |
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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 is
now the main driver used for
our Grand Tour of Turkey.
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 (left)
with the copper seller in
Kas |
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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 15 meter
long, 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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Insight Travel Agency in Kas. |
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Read About our
Year in Kas! |
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