Turkey is My Favorite Country
(25 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Daniel Oppliger
Davis, CA
Group Travel Expert
Travel Specialist in River Cruises in Turkey and China. Dan Oppliger knows all about group travel, as he has hosted group tours the world over. He has visited 60 countries, and has guided tours extensively throughout Chile, China, Costa Rica and ...
Travel Specialist in River Cruises in Turkey and China. Dan Oppliger knows all about group travel, as he has hosted group tours the world over. He has visited 60 countries, and has guided tours extensively throughout Chile, China, Costa Rica and Turkey.
As a travel agent and adviser, he has also managed group travel to destinations in Argentina and Chile. As a travel agent and tour guide, Dan specializes in river cruises with top vendors, such as Avalon. He likes Avalon, as it features roomy cabins and beds that face the water. For groups, Ama Waterways makes it real easy to reserve and hold you space until you get organized.
Therefore, Dan can help you with all your group travel needs, as he knows how to balance out an itinerary. He will help your group avoid the tourist traps while including fun activities on your travel schedule, such as evening shows.Ask Dan about activities, such as yachting adventures, bicycle rental, or specialized programs.
He can assist with group travel for both large and small groups – private and organizational. In his role as travel agent specialist, Dan can make any tour more casual and exciting. He can find just the right suppliers to cater to your travel needs, whether you travel with a group or on your own. Do you want to visit the floating markets of Asia?
Maybe you want to sample Turkish cuisine. In either case, you can book a vacation that will give you the opportunity to realize your travel dreams.Dan knows how to negotiate with vendors so you can get a river cabin or hotel upgrade without paying extra. Seek his advice and guidance to book a one-of-a-kind river cruise or to plan a unique travel experience.
Contact him today for all the details.
Can Be Reached At
1-915-280-2922
Shirley and Daniel in Cappadocia
What is your favorite county? I am always asked this question. Without hesitation, I say, "Turkey." Do I get the looks. They people say, "I've been to Ephesus." Yeah, on a shore trip. You did not experience the food, culture, Turkish bath, shopping, dining, the people.
The Five Best Things about Turkey.
1) Is the food. I was interview on Turkish TV. They asked me what I liked best about Turkey. I said the food. You have breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea time, dessert time. It never ends. And as my daughter askes, "How do they make vegetable taste so good?"
Breakfast begins with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and bread. Add in jam, lentil soup and a spread of food you won't forget. Add eggs, cheeses, cherry preserves, Mandarin Orange juice bread, tea, Turkish coffee. This is just the start, but you should get the idea.
Other meals include an array of starters. Some places don't have menus. You go to the back of the restaurant and point to what you want. They bring out 5 or 6 starters from dill with yoghurt, babaganoush, lemon grass, lemons, assorted salads, cigarette pastires, breads. They claim to have 500 eggplant dishes.
The main dish may be simple grilled meat fish, sliced meats from the spit, baked lamb from a broken pot. It is all good. You cannot try to get a bad meal.
Some restaurants specialize in desserts. A store full of baklava or a dessert restaurant.
2) Shopping. I have brought back linens, towels, bath robes, spices. tea. I have been there 5 times. I have a list for next time including a lamp. I have saffron and cherry tea here. I have yet to purchase a rug, but I see one in my future.
3) History. Where is the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, I asked? Just down this alley. This was my first day in Bodrum. They have ruins thousands of years old. Everywhere you go. The sites amaze me. Even the minor sites, ie Didyma and Miletos. There are many that can only approached by sea. St. Paul traversed Turkey at least three times. He also sailed the coast. The sites are just amazing. Ephesus excavation has been ongoing since my first visit. The upper terrace was rubble during my first visit. Now you can tour where the well to do lived. Oh by the way there is where Paul was jailed and he caused a riot over here.
4) The people are amazing. They are truly hospitable. You need to get out and meet them. Nothing is in English. We needed to get on the tram to get into the city from Dolmabahce Palace. Not being able to figure it out, a local adopted us, used his ticket to let us past the gate. He then told us when to get off. This has happened many times. I try to pay, but most of the time they refuse to take money. Once off they point you to where you want to go.
5)Sailing. The Turquoise coast is famous among Europeans who come for what is known as a Blue Voyage. You may charter a 6-8 cabin yacht or just book a cabin. The wooden yachts are built to an ancient design and most do actually sail. You get three meals a day plus tea time, most days. Some opt for two nights dining locally during the week. You sail to small villages, ports dine aboard. Ashore we have found Turkish baths, a barber shop, mud baths, beaches, forests, ruins, turtle sanctuaries. You cook prepares fantastic meals. Most yachts have small ice machines and of course a bar. This is a sailing cruise without an itinerary. This confuses people. Just go with it!
I said five things. I mentioned a Turkish bath. Going to the Hamman is a treat. You a given a towel as you store your belongings in a locker. Once wrapped you guided to a hot slab where you bake for a while They you are scrubbed with a loofah mitt. Then comes a bag of soap foam. You are scrubbed by your bather. (Warning, you towel may come off!) By now your dead skin is seen before you a rinsed with hot water. You are then let to dry. Each place is a little different and may include a massage and chiropractic moves. You then cool down with a nice drink and are on your way. I know you are going to ask- I have had both male and female bathers. We have gone with a male and the towel stayed on us, with the female, well.
Don't forget the history. Maybe I will buy a carpet on my next trip.