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Paul J S

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Aug212012

Tour/Activity

Istanbul City Hop-on Hop-off Tour

Istanbul, Turkey

My Rating
5 star rating: Highly Recommended

My Review

Excellent. A wonderful opportunity to view the city and get orientated, visually and via the commentary, as well as being able to take photographs from above street level. Took exactly the 90 minutes as advertised. Easy to swap on-line voucher for tickets at departure on Divan Yoli Street near Aya Sophia.

Aug202012

Tour/Activity

Gallipoli Day Trip from Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey

My Rating
3 star rating: Worth doing

My Review

The saving grace of this tour was that the guide taking us around the Gallipoli area, he was superb, he could not have been better. Also pick up was on time . However, the small mini-bus - 15 seater for 15 of us, meant we were cramped and it was not suitable for such a long trip of 5 hours or more each way, though okay for locally around Gallipoli area - just not on main roads when a larger more comfortable bus is needed. The driver on the way out was a nightmare. He wandered all over the road, used the indicators only once (in view of a police car), did not use his seatbelt and took 6 incoming calls plus made one outgoing one also - NOT using hands-free. To westerners this is unacceptable and we felt put us at risk. The stops en-route seem to be more to suit the driver and courier's cigarette breaks than the client's convenience. The first stop on the way out was abysmal! Filthy cafe, slow service and the toilets next door in the OPet garage disgusting. Returning driver was much better, but still cigarette stops required even though we were behind schedule and back at midnight only.

Aug192012

Tour/Activity

Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar

Istanbul, Turkey

My Rating
4 star rating: Recommended

My Review

Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, 10/10 for him. The only disappointment was that Grand Bazaar was closed because it was first day of Eid - and we were not offered anything in it's place to compensate (like the underground cisterns or Sulaimaniya). The included lunch was okay, but not wonderful, as a lot of Turkish food can be and we felt we were being rushed through to make way for other incoming tours.