Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...
A lot of time spent driving from one site to another but there was so much to see and do that the long minibus journeys were worth it. I hadn't expected so many nationalities there so that was a nice surprise and the mixed age range worked very well
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia was magical - I've read some reviews saying it was expensive but I think the cost compares well with similar flights in the UK. Also, seeing Pamukkale at sunset was a sight I'll never forget, but I would have liked longer there. And the Turkish Hamam experience is something that will stay with me for life - probably for all the wrong reasons!!!
What did you think of your group leader?
Funda was brilliant - her knowledge and enthusiasm for sharing her country and culture with us was faultless. My only criticism is that, being so small she needs to find a better way to identify herself at the airport as she got lost in the crowds and was very difficult to locate. Praise too to our driver Takim - glad it was him and not me negotiating that Friday evening traffic back into Istanbul.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As others have said - take plenty of anti-diarrhoea tablets. Euros seemed to be the preferred currency in some areas. Be careful in Antalya where most of us got ripped off in one way or another. Note - the two hour boat trip in Antalya is exactly the same as the one hour trip but is done at half the speed (and costs twice the price)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel in Kusadesi is very disappointing - totally out of keeping with the rest of the trip - this review would have earned 5 stars were it not for the 'mass tourism' experience there. And remember that this is a highlights trip - it is not advertised as an in depth tour of all the archaeological sites the country has to offer so, in many cases, you don't get time for more than a quick taster and overview of their history - if you want to spend hours and hours at Ephesus and Aphrodisias book some other trip.
Deborah Aubyn
Highlights of Turkey
Written
Turkey is an amazing country and this tour gives a comprehensive taste of much of what there us to experience - friendly people, great food (despite one or two exceptions), amazing archaeological sites and architecture, art, landscapes and weather (again, in the main!). Really great trip for those who expect a lot from their travels. You will probably feel that you didn't have enough time there, i certainly did.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Difficult to pin-point; as a lover of landscapes, i really loved walking bare foot on Pamukkale the naturally occurring terraces of carbonates deposited by hot springs (even though it was damp and over-cast, in fact for me that made it special); there were some really beautiful sunsets by the coast; and the eroded tufa landscape of Cappadocia is mind boggling (as are the homes past and present built in them). And some of the ruins are breath-taking, in particular the theater at Aspendos, the theater at Termessos shrouded in mountain cloud, the dizzy height of Pergamon, and the very intact stadium at Aphrodisias, i couldn't believe it. Then there are the beautiful mosques, the Byzantine mosaics, the impressive museums. And finally modern day treats of shopping in the baza and relazxing in a hamman. All fantastic.
What did you think of your group leader?
I thought she was really nice, and very impressed with her knowledge both local and historical considering we went to so many places and Anatolia was peopled and governed by so many different cultures over the Millenia. She very rarely said 'I'm sorry I don't know' despite our many questions. Also this was my third trip with Exodus and this was the first time a group leader gave me a language lesson (an a4 sheet of numbers, useful phrases etc) and how to the pronounce them, it went a long way. She proposed very good restaurants for our meals, all the sub standard meals (3) that i had, i sourced myself!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes - pack a light waterproof mac, hat/ scarf / gloves and at least one warm jumper as there are sometimes thunderstorms and it gets cold. Food and especially drink were quite a bit more expensive then i'd anticipated. Buy a string for your sun glasses to hand round your neck you're always putting them on and taking them off! If you get travel sick make sure you bring tablets as some long days driving (fine though plenty of great landscape to see out of the window). Make sure you bring enough camera memory, on the last day i was having to edit to make room for new photos! Also unlike other trips there was no reading material on the bus, so make sure you have something.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I fed back to Exodus that my only disappointment was that there wasn't an option to hike in Cappadocia, even for an hour or two, which I would have loved. Perhaps they'll address this if enough people request it! Despite that I would still rate this trip as 5/5.
Joseph Grech-Attard
HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY
Written
First time I used exodus. Impeccable service for the money one pays. In general, hotels, sites, guide, driver, etc were all one expects from such a trip. Well done Exodus. I shall be using you again in the near future, probably as soon as next year! God be with us all.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Istanbul's cleanliness despite the 17 million who live there.
Fantastic food.
The fact that all Western civilisation started from there, including all of Christianity.
The gentleness of the Turks, including that of our driver and guide.
What did you think of your group leader?
Could not have been better. Difficult to find such a well-informed, gentle and helpful leader, who made our stay super-enjoyable.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes. Two advices.
1. Do not do Termessos! Not worth the climb, except for the excercise!
2. Try and chose your own restaurants where possible. It's fun and exciting and worth all the hastle! Try and eat where the Turks eats and not the majority of tourists.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes.
1..Take off Termoessos from the tour.
2. Chose a better hotel in Kusadasi.
3. Suggest, rather than 'impose' restaurants.
Justin Cantor
HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY
Written
You do lot traveling but see so much turkey off tourist track but be prepared for some tourist bits september 2011. such variety if you into roman stuff holiday for you. only thought in danger over developing best bits
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Balloon flight over Cappadocia mountanis that was amazing but not cheap whole area is great. but experince of life time event. Troy was susurprising good and istanbul Hagia sofia is terrific . aspensis theater intact was amazing. Ephesus is all cracked up to be. but hotel in kusadsi is so un exodus it felt I was on package holiday it was no good and hotel in istabunal could been better but hotel in old antalya was amazing owner was charecter to
What did you think of your group leader?
our leader was great very helpful driver was great glad i did not drive into Istabunal on peak friday night traffic it was experince . gave us bags advice which we took for most eating places and they were spot on. although want hassle can fine few resturant of your own. take boat trip when in Antalya is worth it but go on small one and haggle as they lower price lot and do not beleive big group coming on as they never appear when he told us . when went on boat ride in istabunal do not let unknown person lead towards boat that did not exist. as i was not happy and did not go telling others not to. which in end they did not
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
makes sure got money for water as you drink lot there. do not leave anything valuable in your case as one bags was looked through. someone had camera stolen on tram in istabunal so keep all items hiden and tied to belt or yourself
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Its amazing huge and friendly country. people nice . just be careful in cities as cities any where can be dangerous.
in danger of over developing west will exodus do east as that not as developed. we been with exodus 3 times and hoope to go on another when we can afford it
Pamela Dewhurst
HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY
Written
Marvellous holiday, varied itinerary with spectacular architecture, guided by a very experienced and helpful guide. You will get the feel of the real Turkey.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Blue Mosque and the Haga Sopia, both in Istanbul were not to be missed, Cappadocia caves and the underground City of Derinkuyu, with seven levels of tunnels, made this holiday a trip, not to be missed by anyone.
What did you think of your group leader?
The Turkish Tour Guide, Funda, made this holiday run smooth and she seemed to go that extra mile to make your holiday marvelous.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you have been to Turkey before and just experianced a beach holiday....... you have not seen the real Turkey.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
When being guided on holiday, there is nothing to compare with local knowlege.
Gary Houghton
HIGHLIGHTS OF TURKEY
Written
Fantastic fortnight in Turkey. Saw so much of the country in such a small amount of time, visiting the cost, ruined hill top villages, country retreats, Troy and Ephesus. I found it very interesting and certainly showed me the hidden country that you don't always see on the 'normal' beach holiday.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The best part of the trip was the balloon ride in Cappodocia, which was such an incredible experience as there were around 30 balloons in the air that day. We saw the amasing sights of the volcanic landscape from a privledged point of view, and I really enjoyed it. But learning about the history of the ancient ruins and seeing these mystical places was also an inspiration for me, which Termessos captured effortlessly in its secluded magnificence.
What did you think of your group leader?
Phylis was incredibly knowledgable about the sites, reciting the history from memory. She is a good guide
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I think this is a good trip to go on, and certainly shows you so many different aspects of Turkey which you weren't expecting. You are a long time on the coach at times, but that is the price you have to pay for seeing so much of the country- and it is worth paying. Turkey has so much history and so many different aspects, which this trip gives a good snap shot of.
The trip was a very informative and enjoyable one. What made also this 14 days thrip so enjoyable was an exelent guide and a very good driver plus the group( age 24years to 72) were superb.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Istanbul was exiting, Cappadocia ,Efesus and all the Sites were wonderful to visit. It is fantastic to see how much has been excavated. We were in Efesus 30 years ago and it is amazing how much has been uncovered since then.
What did you think of your group leader?
Arzu Tutuk was our group leader. She is a first class leader, very knowledgeable,took great care of everyone and always happy. Mustafa Akdag, our driver did also a very good job driving us savely these 3500km!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This is our first trip with Exodus and all the informations we got from them were good. If one reads their instructions well before taking off one will be save with them. One advice is: Always wake up every morning in a good mood knowing that that the day will be an exciting one and forget beeing grumpy about small things ect. and your day will be a wonderful one!! Have a nice trip with Exodus!!
from 21 reviews.
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