Margy P. - Washington DC
September 01, 2004

Dear Rina,

We had a most interesting and enjoyable time in Turkey. The arrangements that you made for us were excellent. Car transfers went extremely well and were timely, guides were very well informed and anxious to make sure that we received as much exposure to sights and information as possible. 

The Seven Hills Hotel and Esbelli Evi worked very well for us. We found them interesting places to stay with accommodating management. The Kismet was an excellent hotel, and the service was excellent including dining and room service. 

We had a fascinating time in Istanbul and a friend drove us all over the city after we had walked for three days to most of the Sultanahmet sights. We also went out to Koc University where we have friends in the administration; they drove us along the Bosphorous, which was beautiful, and we had an excellent dinner over looking the sea. We loved the Turkish cuisine and enjoyed excellent and interesting restaurants at each of our stops. 

All of our day at Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary and Artemis temple was fascinating. I particularly enjoyed the museum at Selcuk, it is a jewel. We loved Cappadoccia. Our guide there was excellent, we had him for two days. Our walk/hike through the Red and Rose Valleys was a highlight. The fairy chimneys, Devrent Valley were also very interesting. Ihlara was beautiful, but I should have gone with your recommendation for the Soganli valley. The sites south of Urgup sounded very interesting. We really loved our trip and you did a great job. I should have begun corresponding with you directly much earlier in the planning. We traveled fast and hard, so our three days on the Mediterranean coast were relaxing. By the way, our two nights at the International Hotel at the Istanbul Airport were outstanding. The hotel is beautiful and all of the service excellent. It really worked well for us with the early flights to Dalyaman and back to London and the States. 

Thank you for all of your insight. We will recommend you to any friends interested in traveling in Turkey. It is truly an amazing country and we hope it will be asked to join the EU. I enjoyed reading Stephen Kinzer's book The Star and the Cresent and I plan to continue reading more Turkish history, novels and poetry. 

Margy P.