Review from Diana R. from Australia

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297972-d2072025-r577917505-Ephesus_Kusadasi_Guide-Kusadasi_Turkish_Aegean_Coast.html

A customised 9-day tour of Turkey with Tugrul Sokmen
Reviewed May 4, 2018

There is something magical about Tugrul Sokmen! Three of us from Australia contacted Tugrul with our wish lists for a customised 9-day tour of Turkey... and that's when the magic began. He put together the most amazing holiday that ticked all our boxes… which included our wish to do and see everything without spending too much money! Tugrul took us from the uniquely eroded and carved-out stone pillars of Cappadocia where we stayed in a natural rock hotel, to a sunset walk through the healing thermal waters of the travertine terraces in Pamukkale, to the most fascinating tours of the ancient cities of Hierapolis, Priene, Aphrodisias, Ephesus, Troy and Assos where his encyclopaedic knowledge of the history had us spellbound. All of this was interlaced with the most delicious Turkish meals, tea and coffee with all the locals in the country towns and villages that we passed through… it was everything we had asked for and more... as many of the locals were his friends who welcomed us with open arms! What an honour and treat for us Aussie girls! Our days were filled to the brim with laughter, fascinating conversations, discussions and debates… if you are looking for a guide with intelligence (Salutatorian in his graduation year) and a wicked sense of humour… Tugrul is your man! Too soon our last day arrived – we caught the ferry across to the European side of Turkey and spent the day in Gallipoli where thousands of Australians, New Zealanders and Turks lost their lives in WW1. Tugrul had us walk down onto the beach at Anzac Cove as the sun slipped behind the clouds and twilight settled over us... bringing the words of the poem For the Fallen to mind... "At the going down of the sun and in the morning - we will remember them." Wow… spine tingling stuff. I told you he is magical! The three of us left Turkey in love with the country and its people… and each of us with a new and dearly loved friend… Tugrel Sokmen.

Date of experience: April 2018​