Alaine Michka

Benicia, CA
Egypt Cultural Adventure Travel Agent Specialist

Travel to Egypt to experience an abundance of stories.   You will expand your personal horizons and appreciate your place amidst one of the oldest civilizations on the planet.  Now rushing 105 million people into a vastly changing landscape, Egypt...
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Turkey Travel Agent Professional

UNESCO Ottoman Era Mosque Built 1609-1616
UNESCO Ottoman Era Mosque Built 1609-1616

No matter your taste, there is something for everyone in Turkey: history, archaeology, religion, nature, adventure, luxury, shopping, beaches, snow sports and sailing. It is no irony that this landmass has served as a bridge between East and West, lying as it does in both Asia and Europe and I am convinced that the main reason it has served as a barrier is out of pure jealousy for the richness that Turkey has to offer.  A predominantly mountainous country, situated at the crossroads of the BalkansCaucasus, Middle East, and eastern Mediterranean, Turkey is sensorily breathtaking.  Turkey is bound on the north by the rough, cold waters of the Black Sea, but turning inwards has the historic port on the old Silk Road of Trabzon and looking further up the cliffs in the Kaçkar Mountains is the famed Sumela Monastery.  The lower elevations of this region are home to the famous tea and hazelnut (findik) production. Three-fourths of the country is maritime, its coasts being a hotspot from Russian oligarchs, British retirees, to local sailors. Sailing schools and trips are everywhere.  The near 1000 miles of the Mediterranean coast with its turquoise waters is quickly becoming some of the most sought-after tourist spots, both domestic and internationally, as seen in the growing Expat community around Oludeniz, where you can paraglide off the mountain to the beach below and rural Uzumlu.  If you are adventurous, you can raft, canyon, ride quads or zipline within the canyons of Kropulu Canyon, Kemer or Alanya.  Summer brings cycling tours spinning along the coastlines from Bodrum to Gocek to Fethiye and if you cycle, I say bring your bike, the roads are perfectly suited!  You will never be in short supply of textiles, simit (the local ring sesame bread) and the most loved and cared for stray dogs and cats in any country I’ve ever seen.  The Taurus Mountains are ever present bringing shelter to the resorts on the coastline.  Antalya and Alanya are large cosmopolitan cities with beaches, nightlife and designer shopping.  The RIXOS of Antalya is a personal favorite and Belek is a golfer’s paradise with Championship courses.  One-third of the land area is rich for agriculture, seen driving the very well maintained roadways through villages in the acres upon acres of nothing but fields of lemons, olives and huge tomato greenhouses, not to mention the always fresh supply of produce in every market and road stand in every town along the way.  The chief port and commercial centre along the Bosporus, Istanbul forms a sprawling agglomeration of uniquely defined suburbs with its nearly 15 million inhabitants: Kadikoy with its hip café scene, Fatih with its 4000 shops in The Grand Bazaar, the finance hub of The Ottoman Empire.  Be sure to taste the rose or pistachio covered Turkish Delights from Haci Bekir, the oldest producer.  Don't miss Hagia Sophia Mosque and at the end of the Empire, the Dolmabahce Palace.  There is the bright red vintage cable car that climbs Istiklal Caddesi of Beyoglu, with the beautiful Galata Tower in the scene. There is plenty of shopping, including the local brands of Koton and LC Waikiki.  The Turks are famous for textiles and sellers from Africa and the Middle East come to the  Istanbul textile district to obtain their products for their own stores.  For a new perspective, catch a cruise up the Bosporus Strait to see the sights.  Turkey has a rich archaeological legacy, visible driving the highways. Scenes from Classical Europe to the Islamic Middle East are littered everywhere, some designated UNESCO World Heritage sites: UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Blue Mosque and Hospital of Divrigi, the old Hittite  capital of Hattusha, the remains at Nemrut Dag and Xanthos-Letoon, the city of Safranbolu, and the archaeological site of Troy.  There is Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia, where one can take in the sites in a hot air balloon, and Hierapolis-Pamukkale, known for its terraced basins of mineral formations and petrified waterfalls, where ruins of the thermal baths and temples constructed there in the 2nd century BCE are still present.  Göbeklitepe is a Neolithic sanctuary near Sanliurfa believed to be one of the oldest man-made religious structures. The limestone pillars that stand on the top of a mountain ridge are decorated with reliefs of animals and abstract pictograms.  Ephesus is the site of the first church built honoring Mary, mother of Jesus, near the city of Selçuk in IzmirMount Nimrod is located on a part of the Taurus MountainMiletus is mentioned in The IlliadDidyma has a head of Medusa carved into the stone.  Other favorite sites are Gazianteppe, Aphrodisias and Pergamon.  Turkey’s stories will call you back again and again to become a part of your story.

My Travel Albums

My Stories of Turkey
Bamboo/Silk Handmade Turkish carpets

My Reviews

4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Multigenerational Family of Six Vacation
There is no way this would have been such a completely incredible vacation had we not had your (Alaine's) assistance and guidance.

The use of personal guides was extremely rewarding and made the experience that much more enjoyable. The personal touch provided, learning about their lives, the flexibility they provided, and their knowledge not just of the area but also of local conditions all added to our experience. Having free time at the end of each day was also a plus for us as it allowed us to do a little exploring. The grandkids sure liked climbing around the Cappadocia fairy chimneys and caves.

We will have so many memories that will last the rest of our lives.
By  Family "T"  from  Escondido, California
Traveled to  Turkey ~ Middle East
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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2 of 3 people found this review helpful
Memorable and Unforgettable Trip to Turkey
This was our third time to Turkey, yet everywhere we went it brought us old and new memories. If I could change anything, I would stay in Izmir for at least three days and from there go to Alacati, Cesme and Sirinci. I wish we could stay 1-2 days longer in Istanbul, but we had a deadline. All the hotels were great choices. Ms. Alaine and Mr. Yusuf, the administrator of our local tours and private transportation were on top of the itinerary and very informative and they were great at following up. All the drivers and tour leaders were very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Turk Fatih Tutak restaurant in Istanbul is highly recommended. Thank you again. We look forward to working with you again in the near future for our other trips that we are dreaming about.
By  Masoumeh and Hossein  from  Thousand Oaks, California
Traveled to  Turkey ~ Middle East
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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3 of 5 people found this review helpful
A perfectly executed last minute business trip
Alaine was referred to me by a colleague after an urgent search with a deadline for my domestic travel requirements. I had a hard time finding a professional that could deliver, but Alaine demonstrated commitment to the task, communicated effectively, and was able to provide quick feedback. She quickly grasped what I sought and offered seamless options with my specific criteria. Alaine remained professional, kind, positive, and encouraging despite my stress.
By  Eitan  from  California
Traveled to  California ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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3 of 5 people found this review helpful
Trustworthy, Knowledgeable and Personal Planning
Alaine Michka is a rare find and can help you navigate your trip because she's traveled the world and embraced different cultures. Alaine has an enriched awareness of the nuances of traveling abroad and has the ability to tailor your trip to meet your desires while exceeding your expectations. Alaine is someone you can entrust to make your trip a reality, she will ensure your desires come to fruition with precision and care!
By  Cruz Family  from  Boise, Idaho
Traveled to  Hawaii ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Prompt and Detail Oriented Service
Our experience working with Alaine was very pleasant and stress free. She was prompt and very detailed oriented making sure things were accurate. During our trip from beginning to end everything went as planned and we had a blast!
By  Richard  from  San Diego, CA
Traveled to  Spain ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Destination Expert:

  • Turkey
  • Istanbul
  • Ephesus
  • Cappadocia
  • Fethiye

Travel Specialist:

  • Nature
  • Historical Sites
  • Spa & Fitness
  • Shopping
  • Ballooning

Languages I Speak:

  • English
  • Arabic
  • Turkish

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Industry Affiliations:

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