Patterns of Turkey - 13 Days

Customer Reviews

• MR

  Martin

  · May 31st, 2024
  A great itinerary, good choice of hotels! They were incredibly organized, and communicated well. They took care of everything so all we needed to do was enjoy. They are based in Turkey, so they really know the right people and places. I highly recommend Tour Altinkum!
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  Trip date: May 2023
• BW

  Blair

  · October 17th, 2023
  This was an amazing experience and I’m very satisfied with Tour Altinkum. I am in my late 30s and traveled with another female friend who is in her 70s. We had 3 guides during our 2 week trip and 2 out of 3 were excellent. (The not-so-great tour guide was quiet and difficult to keep up with amongst the crowds, but still knowledgeable). The bulk of our trip was with Ali who was very knowledgeable about the history of Turkey and all of the sites we visited. He was fun and we enjoyed having him as our guide. Transportation was comfortable and reliable. The “tour group” changed each day as people would join us for 1 or 2 days. I think the most we had for 1 day was 10 people but usually we had 5-7 people in the group. The hotels were great and all well-located, and we especially liked our hotels in Bodrum and Cappadocia. The included breakfasts (in our hotels) and lunches were good too. They did a good job of planning lunches that allowed us to try a variety of Turkish foods. It was easy enough to reach the tour company during our tour if we had questions. We asked for a few modifications, such as extending our stay in 1 location, which they accommodated. A detailed trip itinerary was provided upon request. Some days had a lot of walking on uneven surfaces, mostly for visiting ruins. But even the streets in Istanbul can be uneven and require a lot of stairs. Also, while I did appreciate that some flights were included vs long drives, there were still 2 days that were very long (leaving at 8am and arriving at the destination at 7pm). However they did a good job of allowing frequent breaks to use the bathroom, get a coffee, etc. I also appreciated that most mornings we started at 9am or later, and most of our days didn’t feel super packed. I’m not a fan of the group tours with 7am start times and 9pm finish times. One recommendation is for the tour company to collect money ahead of time for entrance fees to sites and museums vs paying for it while in Turkey. This would make it easier for both of the tourists and guides, even if it was deducted a week or so before the trip start date to account for the inflation occurring in Turkey. I also think it’d be nice to include the Basilica Cisterns as part of the tour in Istanbul. Overall, it was a fabulous experience and I would recommend Tour Altinkum to others!
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  Tour Altinkum Travel commented on this review

  Hello Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It's a great pleasure for us to hear that you enjoyed your trip with TOUR ALTİNKUM TRAVEL. Your feedback always motivates us to serve you better. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind... Show more
  
  Trip date: October 2023
• SW

  Susan

  · October 16th, 2023
  Much more that what I expected! Everything went smoothly, guides were personable and knowledgeable. Hotels were good and well located. Go!
  

  Tour Altinkum Travel commented on this review

  Hello Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It's a great pleasure for us to hear that you enjoyed your trip with TOUR ALTİNKUM TRAVEL. Your feedback always motivates us to serve you better. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind... Show more
  Trip date: October 2023
• PV

  P Vasantha

  · April 1st, 2023
  Overall, the trip was good. We had good and comfortable hotels & very good driver (Borat) and guide (Barbaros called Barb). However, I need to highlight a few issues: 1. We were not advised that the tour around Istanbul on the first day was a full day walking tour. Had we been informed we would have come prepared for it. 2. I one of the hotels, there wasn't any room service and dining available for dinner. The tour only had breakfasts and on the days of a full day tour lunch was provided. We were on our own for dinners. 3. I don't understand why 2 nights in Bodrum was part of the tour. It was a free & easy and we were on our own. It's off season for Nodrum & nothing to do. The hotel, which is Akkan Beach Hotel was bad. No hot water in the bathroom. Water pressure was very low. So the last w days of the tour was so disappointing. 4. No cultural performances or shows with dinner was organised. On our last night in Istanbul we had to ask the hotel and they arranged for us the night cruise with dinner & performances. The tour should have included one night for this - Globus did that when we went on a tour to Austria & Switzerland. Despite the above, we had a good time. Kudos to Celal Sultan hotel in Istsnbul & Fresco Caves in Cappadoccia. The dinners we ordered in Celal Sultan & in Khan Hotel in Antalya was excellent. Kudos to the manager Murad and his assistant also named Murad in Celal Khan hotel for the excellent service. The ladies who served us breakfast in Fresco Caves hotel were so pleasant too. We truly enjoyed the Hot Air balloon ride as well. Thanks
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  Trip date: March 2023
• DH

  Dahlia Paras

  · August 9th, 2022
  My review:We did the 14 day turkey budget friendly tour , and it was wonderful from beginning to end . Kerem handled all our booking , plane tickets , and optional excursions , and he answers all my questions quickly , since at first I was apprehensive to get a tour company form Turkey . When we got to Turkey , Seda was my go to person . She will what’s app me the day before a tour or trip to another city to remind me the pick up and to send us plane tickets / bus tickets . It was very systematic , and organized . During tours , we met people from different countries and it was what make it interesting .The tour guides we’re all great - Hattice, Sukran in Cappadocia , Matie in Pamukkale and Ephesus were the best . They all make the tour informal , fun , and easy going . The hotels were all excellent - the best is the Fresco cave in Cappadocia , excellent service , excellent place . All the hotels were centrally located and lots of restaurants to eat and short walking distance to old town . The least hotel I did not like was the Best Western Plus Khan Hotel - receptionist are not that welcoming and friendly , and if you ask for assistance they are not that receptive . The problem I encounter with the tour , the picked up van from Antalya Airport was very hot inside , so the 25 minute trip was like we were inside the oven . Our pick up person we’re very busy talking on the phone that she did not notice at all that it was so hot . We all got a headache after that transfer . I did told Seda about it and she act on it right away . The public bus ride were okay . We like the Pamukkale bus better , the Kamikloc bus was dirty ( Bodrum to Pamukkale ) . Hotels - Celal Sultan ( Istanbul) old charming hotel , good customer service , good breakfast , small cramped rooms Woyn Point Hotel ( Fethiye ) - new hotel , close to wharf , good customer service , have Netflix ? El Vino Hotel ( Bodrum ) - charming hotel , on the hill , overlooking the sea . Pretty . We nicknamed it Bougainvilla hotel Colossal Thermal Hotel ( Pamukkale ) - only stayed overnight since we got here late and left early the next day . It is a big resort hotel full of young families with young kids . Efe Boutique ( Kusadasi ) - average boutique hotel with coffee shop and restaurant downstairs , but it is across the sea and balcony is to die for ….. just do people watching and watching the sunset , and walked to the town. We love Kusadasi . Love the atmosphere and the people . Overall - excellent tour company . We felt like we were on a guided tour but at the same time we were also on our own since there were enough time at night that you can still go around the old town because your pick up the next day is still at 0900 , unlike bus tours you have to leave by 0700. We would definitely use them again coming back to Turkey . It is a safe country to visit , too many things to see , and very friendly people. - [ ]
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  Tour Altinkum Travel commented on this review

  Hello Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It's a great pleasure for us to hear that you enjoyed your trip. Your feedback always motivates us to serve you better. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind Regards,
  Trip date: July 2022
• 

  Naeem

  · December 10th, 2021
  Great tour with excellent tour guides who were enthusiastic about their city and towns. Able to quickly see a lot of cities with few days. The tour host was available 24/7 to answer any questions and to help accommodate your needs.
  

  Tour Altinkum Travel commented on this review

  Hello Thank you for sharing your experience with us. It's a great pleasure for us to hear that you enjoyed your trip. Your feedback always motivates us to serve you better. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind Regards
  
  Trip date: December 2021
• S

  Sigitas

  · October 24th, 2020
  Well i had as single person tour package and i can say it is not worth (charging £380 extra) but if you are couple or group of friends then it is ok. Hotels was different type of quality, Best one in Cappadocia and Kusadasi 5* worst was in Bodrum 2* including breakfast... Daytime Tours was good and interesting from location and with different guide best one i enjoy in Cappadocia. All transfers from hotels to stations or airport was excellent . Was very helpful receiving updates about trip everyday from tour coordinator Kerem, or you can get answer from him about trip anytime . Big thank you to him!
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  Tour Altinkum Travel commented on this review

  Dear Chris; Thank you for share your experience. It's a great pleasure for us to hear that you enjoyed your trip with us. Your feedback always motivates us to serve you better. We are looking forward to seeing you again. Kind Regards,
  Trip date: October 2020