‘Fabulous’ guide in Turkey

Five of us took a personal tour of western Turkey with Mehmet Ozbalci in March ’04. A reader had recommended him in a short letter (May ’99, pg. 117). He truly is a guide “extraordinaire.”

Not only is Mehmet knowledgeable about Turkey and its wonderful history, he is a caring, patient, engaging individual.

Every day was a new adventure visiting all of the wondrous sights plus small villages and the friendly people of Turkey. On one occasion we enjoyed lunch outside in a remote village restaurant with a saz player serenading us; the saz is an instrument that is plucked. Afterward, we took the musician in our van to his village. Special treats like this added to our memorable journey.

We were in Turkey for 17 days with Mehmet and an additional two days on our own. The tour price for land only was $1,900 and included hotels (all clean, comfortable and charming and in excellent locations), airport transfers, dinners (except during the two days on our own), breakfasts, all admission fees, a comfortable Mercedes van and driver, a boat tour on the Bosphorus, a boat trip to Caunos, the Istanbul-Cappadocia flight and Mehmet, our fabulous, English-speaking guide.

Mehmet will customize a tour to your interests: Turkey to the west, to the east or through the lens of a camera. We are planning to return for a trip to eastern Turkey with Mehmet.

If you are interested in a personalized, price-competitive journey to Turkey with an extraordinary tour guide, contact Mehmet Ozbalci by e-mail at Turfantastik@turk.net or visit www.turfantastik.com.

NANCY ANDERSON
Bonsall, CA