Athens and Istanbul

[adjen]

We are taking a cruise in June that stops at both Athens and Istanbul. We would like to take private tours of both for a party of 8. Can anyone recommend private tours that includes a guide at the major sites, as we have not been to these cities before, for either or both cities?

Adjen:confused:

[tally10]

We are taking a cruise in June that stops at both Athens and Istanbul. We would like to take private tours of both for a party of 8. Can anyone recommend private tours that includes a guide at the major sites, as we have not been to these cities before, for either or both cities?

Adjen:confused:

 

We visited both Athens and Istanbul while on the Carnival Freedom in 2008. Both ports were wonderful. I don't think I can recommend private tours on this board (it may be against Cruise Critic policy) but you can google and find them. The funny thing is that for Athens, the one we secured a few month's prior turned out to not be the one who met us. Our's was late and another one showed up pretending to BE HIM. He asked to see our papers, which had the contracted price, and proceded to give us a wonderful tour including taking us to a family restaurant for lunch where we experienced all kinds of Greek food. When we had had enough, he took us back to the ship but was willing to keep touring. It was a wonderful day. Upon sailing, we received an email from the one we had contracted with wondering what had happened to us. That is when we knew we had been duped. We had the most incredible day and did give him our guide's name and they worked it out themselves. So, beware of the bait and switch tactics. There are guides at the Acropolis you can hire for little money. It was an amazing sight. In Istanbul, we took a ship's tour but there are so many private tours out there. Join your roll call and see what tours your fellow cruisers have put together. I hope you get to see Ephesus and also cruise by the Stromboli Volcano. It was a great itineray and you will enjoy it so much!

[Cruise Junky]

You can recommend them if someone asks I think. You just can't start threads to recommend tour guides and you can't recommend tours that you haven't taken yet.

[RVfromAZ]

Ports of call boards usually have a wealth of information.

[martyap]

In Turkey (Istanbul, Ephesus) I would highly recommend Ephesus Shuttle

http://www.ephesusshuttle.com/Private-Tours/Istanbul-Tours/8

 

Mr. Fevzi Turhan's company will provide an excellent tour and will respond promptly to your emails.

 

Tell him Marty referred you.