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Talk
"Alper is a guide without peer. We deeply
appreciated his humor; intelligence; boundless energy; knowledge
of history, culture, and flora; efficiency and skill as an
arranger; and his instincts and relish as a foodie intent
on making sure that we were properly introduced to Turkish
cuisine. Around Harvard we talk of the "two dinner rule";
that is, the ultimate test of a person is whether he or she
is someone with whom one would enjoy dining two nights in
a row. Alper easily passes the 17 dinner test; never did I
tire of his company, and Robert felt the same. As a guide
he never disappointed nor gave less than 100%. While Robert
and I have a large core of similar interests, Robert is basically
a "ruins" person, while I am more interested in
culture, aesthetics, and flora. Alper easily accommodated
both of us. Turkey was fantastic, and never, at any time
during
the trip did we ever receive anything less than the warmest
possible welcome from Turks--even when I cheered for Japan
in the Turkey-Japan World Cup match!"
~ Susan Pharr and Robert Mitchell
Turkey Custom Trip
"In addition to the major sites, our favorite places
were those that would not have been on an ordinary tour:
the home stay, ghost town, archaeological sites less visited,
and unique hotels. Our Istanbul guide was superb, remarkably
knowledgeable and wonderful. We requested a church not on
our tour and she knew the entire iconography of the mosaics.
The driver was a wonderful person and professional. Our main
guide, Salih Orgun, was outstanding. He didn't allow us to
waste a minute - a 30-min gap was an opportunity to him! He
was sensitive to each individual and went out of his way
to make our experience memorable. His knowledge of food, wine,
and restaurants was amazing - he recognized our interests
and simply excelled in terms of quality and scenic locations.
We were deliciously overwhelmed. Turkey is a beautiful country,
and this trip fulfilled a 50-year desire to see its sites,
historic monuments and much more."
~ Bill and Virginia Camfield
Heather Logan and John Hughes
"We made lasting friendships with our guide and driver
from Istanbul. They were truly wonderful and so good with
our children. We would recommend this trip to anyone."
~ Lynn Owens
"I wanted you to know that Turkey was all
you promised, and more. We all feel very lucky to have experienced
it. The entire trip went without a hitch, due to our amazing
guide, Alper. He was extraordinary in every way and our
entire
group feels like we have made a friend for life. Thanks to
you and your company for a fabulous holiday!"
~ Jeanne Newman
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"The whole trip was fabulous! The pension
in Sirince village was picturesque and we loved the cave
house in Urgup. Both Ephesus and Cappadocia were great
places to
go, especially since we had just one week. I'd highly recommend
this same itinerary and accommodations to other families.
Both Alper and Sevim were so knowledgeable and bent over
backwards
to meet our needs. Their English was great, and Sevim had
a nice way of using questions to draw us in as she presented
facts and history. Thanks for your help arranging this
trip!"
~ Bonnie Campbell-Hill Family
Steve, Laura (12) and Bruce (10)
Custom Family Adventure
"Wildland Adventures does a good job of varying
accommodations between very comfortable historical hotels
and simpler places where one can connect better with the
local
people.
The boat accommodations were surprisingly spacious and
comfortable. The village home stay was a great experience.
We definitely
bonded with our guides. They were wonderfully knowledgeable
and warm - great human beings! This was a splendid trip
which I would recommend to anyone."
~ B. & C. Russett
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"Thank you for your wonderful organization. There's nothing
I can suggest to make it better because everything was already
perfect."
~ H. Harris
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
" This was one of the best trips I've ever taken.
It surpassed all my expectations. I wish I was still there.
Our guide
was terrific and went out of his way to take us to interesting,
off the path sites that were not part of the itinerary.
The homestay was an excellent opportunity to interact with
the
villagers who were so warm and friendly."
~ R. Zuckerman
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"My wife and I had a magnificent trip to Turkey. We were
blessed with the two best guides we have had in all our world
travels."
~ T. & J. Briggs
Turkey Custom Group Trip
"Cappadocia was really a highlight. We liked
it so much that we changed our morning flight to Istanbul
to the evening one in order to get another full day of
hiking
in with Haydar! He was absolutely tremendous, the hikes he
has are wonderful as you see all the main sights but without
the crowds. The Urgup Evi cave hotel was also a wonderful
place to stay."
~ D. Harrison
Custom Turkey Trip
"All our guides were enthusiastic, professional and fun
to be with-including Mehmet, who knew everything and everyone
and who took us to dinner at his own home. Haydar, so charming
and versatile, his musical talents surprised us. Gunhan,
in Istanbul, was a knowledgeable historian with a good sense
of humor."
~ D. & J. Axon
Turkey Custom Trip
"The hikes were my favorite. It's not often that a traveller
with a group can enjoy the interesting landscape in such
an intimate way. The hike in Goreme was the best. I especially
enjoyed the few times that we were in archaeological sites
by ourselves. This happened in both Termessos and Arycanda.
Eating in the small restaurants and learning about the local
food was a pleasure. The cuisine is very rich with variety
and the preparation was done with care and attention to detail.
Good food adds so much to the quality of a trip."
~ P. Zalucha
Turkish Coast Odyssey
"Our trip had many highlights. Cappadocia was fascinating,
the drive along the Mediterranean Coast of Turkey was breathtaking,
the Dalyan River cruise was an unexpected treat, the Yesil
Ev was a unique and thoroughly enjoyable place to spend our
last few days in Istanbul. But without a doubt, our most memorable
experience was in Cirali at the Olympos Lodge. This relatively
undiscovered little village has it all-great deserted beach,
dramatic mountainous backdrop, and crystal clear water. The
hotel itself was amazing. The service was excellent, the gardens
with peacocks, ducks and chickens wandering all around were
charming, dining al fresco every night on gourmet Turkish
cuisine was the height of romance. This was the ideal honeymoon
getaway."
~ A. & C. Rousso
Custom Turkey Honeymoon
"The authentic Turkish cuisine throughout
the trip was outstanding-the octopus caught by the captain
marinated and served fresh, uncooked was delicious. At
most
meals there were so many courses served, we would eat too
much not knowing how much more was coming-a delicious problem
you might say."
"There were so many places and experiences I
enjoyed: a) the stay with the village family-because I was
able to learn about a way of life so different from mine,
b) hiking to see remote ruins, the countryside and walking
through villages seeing daily life, c) the fabulous scenery
and food on the cruise along the beautiful coast, d) Cappadocia-so
wondrous, e) the splendor of the palaces and mosques, f)
the
picnic lunch in Babayan village, g) the shopping experiences
in the old bazaars and spice market."
~ J. Capen
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"We are surfeited with ancientnesses. I am
up-to-here with museums and ruins that start around 3000 BC.
I simply, in my ignorance, was not prepared for Turkey. It
has so much accessible history! Museums and ruins that you
can walk around in and walk up to and touch…not roped-off,
glassed-in remotely viewed!"
"The people we encountered were uniformly
friendly and open. They have not yet learned about Texans!
So many of our friends when hearing of our plans to visit
Turkey would say; Why? The quick answer is; Why not? For
the
real answer, better allow me an hour or more. My family and
I are true fans. Food. Fun. Educational. Hell, we had it
all.
And, in my storied and feeble late middle age, I have met
the most complete, honest, caring, helpful guide/woman/friend
in Sevim"
~ D. McEwen Family
Family Custom Trip
"Our itinerary was so carefully planned we had the ruins
of Termessos and Arycanda, my favorites, practically to ourselves
and they were awe-inspiring."
~ S. Wainer
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"Obviously the itinerary was carefully planned to give
us a variety of places to see, historical, natural, charming
towns, villages, the warm and lovely home stay family. I loved
the hiking-don't reduce it!"
~ N. Ball
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"Alper was not only extremely knowledgeable
about almost every place/thing we encountered, but he also
handled our never-ending questions with patience and good
humor. When logistics problems arose, he handled them efficiently
and effectively, resolving them in a manner which satisfied
everyone. He displayed an extraordinary degree of sensitivity
and concern for others and went out of his way on many
occasions
to arrange unique experience for us to make our trip special.
We feel privileged to have had him as our guide and friend
in Turkey."
~ S. K. Bachelder
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"To say we liked the food is an understatement.
We enjoyed the Turkish cuisine, especially breakfast at
the
hotels and our village homestay, our farewell dinner, our
picnic lunches, all the meals aboard the gulet."
"We especially enjoyed the stay in the village.
(I still cannot believe that I had a marvelous time in
a place
where twelve people shared one bathroom, and at a time when
I had diarrhea to boot.) The hike to the grotto and the
grotto
itself were glorious. We also enjoyed every minute on board
the gulet, swimming in the Mediterranean, sleeping on deck,
mooring in a quiet and secluded Simena and near Gemilar
Island.
The extra trip to Xanthus and Tlos was spectacular as we
arrived very early in the morning in time for sunrise over
the ruins.
We particularly enjoyed hiking around Goreme and the spectacular
formations and caves with remnants of frescoes. All the
hikes
were grand adventures both physically and aesthetically."
"It takes a separate paragraph to describe
how highly we all thought of Alper Ertuby, who was our guide.
It is great to find someone who is so gracious, enthusiastic,
knowledgeable and thoughtful. Alper anticipates the needs
of the people in his group and to cater to these needs
and
wishes without being unctuous. He taught us a great deal
about Turkish history as well as current politics. All
of his descriptions
and background information were presented as though he were
telling it all for the first time, fresh and new, not some
kind of rote spiel. He was consistently in search of new
and
better information about the places we visited, answered
all of our (sometimes stupid) questions. He also has a
delightful
sense of humor and open friendliness which made all of us
on the tour feel as though we had been together forever."
~ C. & A. Billings
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"The food was superb, best cuisine we've ever had. Our
trip leader, was by far the best guide we have ever had on
any trip. Extremely knowledgeable and verbal, constantly thinking
about our needs and comfort, flexible when necessary. His
idealism was wonderful as was his kindness to all. I am truly
in awe at the job he did, always with good humor. The family
we stayed with in the village was as warm and caring as if
they truly had been our own family."
~ J. & A. Vander
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"The most consistently good, interesting, fun and nutritious
food I ever remember having on any trip! This was the most
wonderfully designed and executed group trip I've ever experienced.
I'm very impressed by the careful and thorough planning that
went into it. There aren't enough superlatives in any language
to describe Alper; a most wonderful human being. Knowledgeable,
dedicated, flexible, organized, unflappable, fun, relaxed,
dependable."
~ H. Kaplan
Turquoise Coast Odyssey
"We enjoyed our experience in Cappadocia most because
of your specialist local guide. We felt that we saw the countryside
and the people through the eyes of a man who understands and
cares deeply about his land and his culture. The hiking and
the conversation were wonderful and we wished we'd arranged
a longer stay in the area. The "cave" guest house
in Cappadocia was a great pleasure - lovely accommodations
and charming reception. Our hosts were gracious and informative
and entertaining."
~ J. Matthews
Turkey Custom Trip
"The accommodations were so well chosen. The Esbeli House
in Cappadocia was like being in someone's home. Sokulla Pasa
was very charming, an excellent location. The Villa Perla
was in a great location with a charming hostess in an unusual
old Ottoman design with a lovely courtyard, beautiful gardens
and view."
~ P. Snyder
Custom Turkey Trip
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