Jeff L. - Texas
October 8, 2005
Itinerary: Highlights of Turkey Tour

Dear Rina,
First of all, [our guide] Aret Suzme is just a fabulous person to be with and we all almost broke into tears when we had to say good-bye on the last day. He was always early to pick us up and tended to all of our needs in every way. He made the trip. Mustafa the driver was very nice as well. I will miss him and now think of him every day when I make my Turkish tea, which I'm hooked on. Perhaps on our next tour, which I think would be in the northern Black Sea area, we could request that Aret be our guide. 

The Assos hotel was a wonderful place to be. The Gamirasu was unique and just great.

The highest quality of food at pretty much every place. The meals were about the same products, but all good and fresh. Aret was quick to point out local specialties that were great. All of the restaurants and refreshment units were just fine.

We found the people to be friendly and clean. Just about like being at home, but not much English was spoken, only enough to get by with tourists. Every one was polite. In the cities, one would think that one was in a US big city. It is a safe place to be.

We got just about the same response before the trip as we do after. With the "where are you going?" and "where did you go?" the answer Turkey drew the same strange expression on friend's faces. "Why" or "won't you get blown up by a car bomb" and all of that. For just about every American, Turkey is not a destination even thought of. We knew nothing about the place or the people when we left. So, what a fine trip it was and an education about your people and the places. We have traveled to many places and find that Turkey is surely one of the best kept travel secrets in America.

My biggest educational surprise is how much similarity there is between the US and the Turkish people. I was keen to note the news shows and advertisements on the television. We have big cities and a lot of farmers in between them, too. I was also surprised at the enormity of the tourism business. Another feature that now many people notice is the existence of trash on the streets. In the US, I would have to say that we are pigs when it comes to tossing things out of a car window. In Turkey, I did not see this. This says a lot for the culture and national pride of the average person.

Until the next time, and kindest regards.
Jeff L.