Review from Elinor G. from Portland, Oregon

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297972-d2072025-r280562428-Ephesus_Kusadasi_Guide-Kusadasi_Turkish_Aegean_Coast.html#REVIEWS

One of our best guides anywhere!
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Reviewed June 16, 2015
Tugrul was an amazing guide for us. First and foremost he is incredibly knowledgeable well beyond what we expected. Yes, he knows about Ephesus, the buildings, etc but he insists on using precise terminology (about, for example, the so-called "amphitheater"); he knows about engineering (and would talk about how the Romans built their aquaducts); about Pythagorus and what he taught people; about the marble and the sargophagi; about the type of labor it took to build the place; the details about the books in the Library and what the inscriptions say...and on and on. He didn't dump the information on us: He revealed it in response to questions so we never felt as though he was just going through rote reporting. He was listening to our specific interests. Amazing. THEN he also understood my husband's walking limitations and planned the visit so it was easy going. Because of this we also had the place almost completely to ourselves until we got to the Library. His flexibility with the tour was perfect but he was oh so right about insisting that we get all the way to the Library. (He threatened to carry my husband, which would have been amusing to see since he is much larger than Tugrul). When we wanted to go to a rug place at the last minute he called and arranged that. Then he took us to a lovely uncrowded restaurant where we got terrific fresh seafood that they were willing to prepare without salt...again for my husband. Tugrul was open to discussions about contemporary Turkey, about the situation with Armenians, relations with Greece...He was open, informed, and passionate about his love for his country. He was fine with the fact that we disagreed about some things...all done with an open heart and mind. We learned a lot about ancient and modern Turkey. Oh...and his English is close to perfect and where it wasn't he loved getting feedback to make it even better. In sum, intelligent, knowledgeable, flexible, kind, open minded and eager to learn. What more can one get in a guide? He is now, I hope, a friend.