Escorted and private tours to Turkey, Greece, Egypt, China

I want to take this opportunity to thank FLO USA for a truly wonder tour of Turkey. My wife and I had a schedule that did not lend itself to a pre-established tour. Instead, we booked a personalized excursion that was both delightful and educational. Our tour essentially started in Cappadocia, the cultural cross roads of Asia Minor. Our guide in this region, Ahmet, and driver, Yahshir ( forgive the spelling) were great company. They made it a point to tailor the tour to our interests, which in addition to the classic sites was to get to know the people of this wonderful region.

We next went to Istanbul where Hakan, our guide and Sami, our driver, with skill and agility presented us a city that bustles like no other. The density of historical sites is unbelievable. The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar, to name a few, were breath-taking. Yet, to step out of my hotel and within a minute or two walk along the great wall of Constantinople was also a highlight to me. Just as in Cappadocia, the sights and smells were wonderful and the casual meal at Salyar, a small village on the Bosphorous, a culinary delight.

We could not leave Turkey without seeing Ephesus. It was more beautiful than any picture I’ve seen. The house of the Virgin Mary was a solemn experience for my wife and me.

There is no question that Turkey warrants a return trip and there is no question that we will use FLO USA again to coordinate it. Thank you Cengiz for a trip well-planned.

December 15, 2008

Dear Cengiz,

Prior to writing this letter I started to search the thesaurus to find the perfect superlatives to describe the beauty and wonderful time we experience during our visit to Turkey. Unfortunately, there are no words that can convey emotional feelings one gets as you travel throughout your beautiful country. Just when you think nothing can compare to the last site the next one is even more impressive. To give you some indication of our two week trip, Cynthia and I took over 2,000 pictures and four video tapes each 60 minutes. Trying to capture the essence of various ancient civilizations while trying to understand what life was like during those difficult times. While traversing the ruins we felt like we had just step out of a time machine and was taking a causal stroll down Main Street. What an amazing feeling to walk on stones worn down by the people and carts and to think of the hardships they had to endure. Our eyes were fixated on the unbelievable workmanship and trying to imagine the amount of effort it took to build these enormous cities of stone. To see the unique carved statues leaves a person breathless and wanting to see more. Even our excellent guide who has seen these sites many times before was in awe of such beauty.

The sites are only one aspect of this all inclusive FAM trip; I would be remised if I failed to mention the outstanding and variety of food dishes. If you’re an olive connoisseur like me you hit the jackpot. It is my understanding even the Greeks purchase olives from Turkey. The Turks serve several varieties for breakfast but you need to ask for them at lunch and dinner. We found that interesting since the countryside is covered with endless olive trees. The variety of food reminded me like being on a cruise ship so of course we had to sample everything. The hotels we stayed at put on a culinary display fit for a king. The accommodations for us were excellent some better than others. The hotel staff did an outstanding job and was always available at any given time. Despite the size of our group totaling around 70 plus agents, the speed of checking in and out was exceptional. Each evening we were able to meet on time for dinner and enjoy many different forms of entertainment. By the end of the day when retiring for the night you had time to reflect on all that you had seen.

For Cynthia and I we never judge a country by the great sites or the food but rather by the people. That is why we intentionally make a concerted effort to speak with them and try to better understand their customs, values and beliefs. We found the Turkish people to be compassionate, hard working and exceptionally friendly if you allow yourself to get to know them. If you go to Turkey with a poor attitude and expect everything to be handed to you or are not flexible in accepting unexpected changes then I say stay home. All these years we have had a preconceive description of Turkey based on the movie Midnight Express. We thought it was a third world country with dark and mysterious places and to be frank a dangerous place to visit. My co-worker who is from Turkey has been promoting his country from the time I first met him. It was by accident I came across FLO-USA FAM trip. When we compare the value of what I experienced to that of what it cost, the trip was priceless. My recommendation to anyone is never judge a country by some Hollywood movie you will only be deceived. Also, if Turkey is currently on you list of places to visit I suggest move it up to the top. The expression, one of the best kept secrets fits Turkey to a T. But I would not wait because the word is already out and there has been a substantial increase in visitors. Our only regret is we wish we had visited Turkey sooner instead of being haunted by one Hollywood movie that was a total misrepresentation and disservice to a wonderful country with beautiful people.

In conclusion, thank you Cengiz and your staff for everything. This trip will live forever in our memories. More importantly, it has changed our hearts and minds and now we know why your countrymen are so proud of coming from Turkey.

Sincerely,

Don E. Newton

Freehold, NJ

My trip to Turkey was great. Thanks for all the good work you put into the arrangements. You did your job really well, especially when we had to alter our plans at the end due to the arrival of the president of Iran and the shut down of all the roads to the airport. Both guides were very knowledgeable and took us to all the places that were on the itinerary. They spoke English really well and were at ease with our beginners’ understanding of their nation’s history. One of my most memorable experiences was the boat ride on the Bosporus. Stephen would probably identify Ephesus as his high point. If we ever get all the photos we took organized, I’ll send you several that show just how awesome our trip was. The Celal Sultan Hotel in Istanbul was ideal for Stephen and me. When we sat in the restaurant/bar on the top floor at night and looked west, we were about 400 meters from the Ayosophia and a kilometer from the Blue Mosque. Nice. The breakfast buffet was up to Stephen’s appetite with its wide variety of offerings. In fact the breakfast buffets at all three hotels were excellent.

John Lindley

Minneapolis, MN

Dear Shebby:

I’m sure my mother will also be in touch, but I just wanted to let you know that both Erol and Bulat/Bill were absolutely fantastic guides in Istanbul and Kusadasi/Ephesus, respectively. Between them and your totally excellent service along the way, we couldn’t have been more pleased with our experience in Turkey. I can’t wait to go back! I’ll also be sure to recommend FLO USA to anyone I know who is thinking of going – you all are totally fantastic. Thanks again for all your help!

Best regards,
Robyn Y. Nishimi, PhD
Sacramento, CA

I wanted to thank you Shebby (Flo-USA) for organizing my families wonderful day trip from Istanbul to Ephesus this month. I live in the U.S. and had contacted you on the online support at the end of June to see if you could organize a day trip from Istanbul, where we were going, to Ephesus for me and my family of five in July 2007. You said you could with a private guide. You answered my many many questions about doing such a tour patiently and promptly. The hotel to airport transfers in Istanbul worked great and our tour guide in Izmir/Ephesus was knowledgeable and flexible and took us to all the sights in the package plus a couple of sights that I hoped to see such as the Terrace Houses by paying the entrance fees. Taking my family on such a day trip was a big decision for me and so thank you for organizing it efficiently and wonderfully on short notice. It was a big highlight on our vacation and I hope to someday go on one of your longer escorted tours in Turkey. Thanks again.

Peri Ulrey

Fairfax, VA

Dear Cengiz,

I take this opportunity to personally thank both you, as president of FLO-USA, and Yesim, the BEST GUIDE in the WORLD, for the opportunity to see the wonderful country ofTurkey as it really is and not as it's politically portrayed. After 13 plus years in the industry and countless tours we feel qualified to make that BEST grading.

My wife and I, both Travel agents, and our very close friends (Robins) made the long flight and naturally arrived beat, whipped and exhausted at the hotel in Istanbul. After a short nap, liquid refreshment and the delicious food, we actually felt "almost human" again. We then met with our other set of travel agent friends (Martins) for a short evening. Beddy-by time and then hit the road in "our home on wheels" (bus) for a wonderful full day tour of Istanbul. Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and all points in-between. Great day. It was absolutely amazing the historical knowledge and culture, about both country and family, that Yesim was able to impart to our group.This set the tone for the following days on the road but they could not have been better.

For the next 10 days and nights we were being held in Yesim's hand for a completely enjoyable experience. We as a group especially like the way Yesim "ordered a perfect day" to tour Cappadocia.. warm and sunny.. and the following morning woke up to 2 inches of SNOW in a winter wonderland landscape and one hour later of "tough driving" the weather turned beautiful again exactly as our "best in the west" guide had ordered.

I speak for our small group of six and also for the rest of the other participants that we felt very fortunate to get the RED BUS and Yesim by the luck of the draw. YES: RED BUS RULES. Rampant sickness amongst the bus passengers tried to dampen our spirits but was unsuccessful.

Our guide Yesim and the driver and the opportunity to participate and get first hand experience of the "REAL TURKEY" as a country and the culture of the people was absolutely fantastic. Sharing/learning and experiencing Turkish culture and its history is a must do in ones lifetime.

We have future clients lined up for travel with FLO and will be booking them as their plans materialize.

Thanking you AGAIN for the experience, and look forward to future business together.

Karl & Chris Tibbetts

Garden Ridge, TX