Dear Anne,

 

I have been meaning to write to you and thank you for organizing such a tremendous holiday for us, but  we enjoyed ourselves so much and came back in such a rested state that I have put a lot of things on a long to do lt and just relaxed.

 

However our life is now returning to normal and we are catching up on our promises.

Firstly planning such a specialized holiday is very time consuming but with your expert help it was a very  enjoyable one.

 

My wife Maire is an archaeologist and has a keen interest in Geology and so as a present for her special birthday I had the idea that a visit to Catalhyuk, the oldest known city in the world be a fitting present and to find that it was so close to other great archaeological sites and the geology of Capadocia,  would be a great present.

 

We wonted an independent tour as there are no tours available that suited our needs and finding Matiana travel was a gift from the Gods.

 

You were very patient and helpful. It must have appeared strange to you that we kept changing our minds so often, we were so unsure of what we wanted. With your help  it turned into one of the holidays of a lifetime.

 

Looking back there is only one thing that I would have organized differently, To have flown into Konya on day 1. instead of flying into Ankara, and visiting Geordon on the last day. That said it was great to see the fertile plain between Geordion and Konya.

 

You provided us with a great guide/driver in Ali. Such a helpful intelligent and knowledgeable guide we have rarely encountered. At ever stop he was able to strike up a rappore with the local caretakers and they gave us a guided tour which may magic with Ali's translation. 

 

He also surprised us when he brought us to the museum in Corum. It is a hidden treasure housed in a beautiful building.

 

We got to visit the archaeological sites in Gordion, Caralhoyuk, Kultepe+ Karum and Hatusa-Yazilkaya. See the wonder Capadocia , stay in the best hotel room that we have ever been in in the Museum Hotel actually in a cave room with windows looking over the wonderful landscape that is Capadocia. We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary in the best honeymoon hotel room in the world. The food in the hotel was of the highest order.

 

Last night we saw a documentary on the television about the Hitites and their capital of Hattusas. It brought back memories of our visit and gave us a very warm feeling.

 

We hope to go back to Turkey in the next few years to visit the better known sites in the West.

 

We consider ourselves to have been extremely lucky to have seen such a beautiful part of the world before it becomes better known and full of tourists.

 

Again thanks for all your help.

  

David and Maire

Dear Anne,

Should I begin this with my childhood song:  "Anne, ma soeur Anne, ne vois-tu rien venir?" It would be fitting, as I am looking forward to you helping us prepare our next Turkey chapter.

The survey envelope came back with us, because the guy at the Nena Hotel Desk would not take it, and our transfer drivers that day did not speak any English.  It is a good thing because it forces me to keep in touch.

 

*Should you ever need someone in the US to give you a reference, please do not hesitate to contact me or Patty at anytime.

 

*In the early 80s I was a Tour Operator, and we were really good.  The quality of your pre trip services and your attention to details were the best I encountered in the industry.  The best bar none.

 

*Our tickets for Bejart at the Ataturk Cultural Center in Istanbul could not have better if we had ordered ourselves.

 

*Your courteous approach to my demanding and exacting requests were met with grace and a helpful eye.

 

*Your knowledge of Turkey is primo.

 

*Ali, our guide was funny and helpful. We all enjoyed his company and would probably want to organize a tour of tour Ottoman era and Mosque and other purely Turkish historic sites, based on Ali being our guide.

 

*Our driver was excellent and patient. Too bad we did not know a rudiment of Turkish to communicate with him.

 

*Omer's brief review of carpet making and what to look for in acquiring a tapis or rug was so short. The man is so knowledgeable we wanted more, more and more time with him, and would have definitely drunk more tea just to learn.  Together we purchase a few rugs. Patty and I got 2.

 

*The first night at the Nena was special, really special. I want 2 of their plush towels.  And a permanent seat at the balcony to look at the Sultanahmet in the evening.

 

*The only hotel we found a tad bit too rustic was the hostel in Egirdir, but the view of the lake and an opportunity to watch th sun come up on the lake made up for the cold water shower.  Brrr.

 

*Still need the name of the village up the road and would appreciate Ali telling us via email.

 

*Overall you get a momo (my nickname) SUPERBE, MAGNIFIQUE.

 

 Now on a few things not related to the survey.

 

*The hotel in Izmir is on our list of place to return to.  These ladies are absolutely graceful.

 

*The hotel in Bursa is on our return to list.

 

*Ilke was truly cute and helpful.  Please tell him that I went to AyaEbru and purchased some natural pigments. Also tell him that his mother replied to my request and my response to her is my next email.  I will be coming to Antalya to study with her in the next year 2008.

 

*The food in the villages was unequalled.  We purchased seeds at the Spice Market to try growing the Turkish vegetables in our garden, particularly the tomatoes and the eggplants..  Unfortunately we cannot make yogurt like the one we purchased on the boat toward the last stop of the Bosphorus cruise.

 

*I came to Turkey for: rugs, photography, and the fairy chimneys, I fell in love with the people and left too soon.

 

*Turkey is our 2010 vacation destination.

 

Not sure you are interested, but when my photos are on flicker, I will send you a link. And I hope you are willing to help us with our next Turkey trip.

Again, Merci d'avoir partagé votre connaissance de la Turquie avec nous et surtout  merci  de votre galanterie.

Sincèrement;

 

Monique, June 2007

Dear Anne,

 

I can't thank you enough for the wonderful vacation you planned for us. You are definitely five star. You understood what we wanted almost as if you knew us. There was no pressure and it was a pleasure dealing with you.
We have wonderful memories of every destination. All of the hotels have a special flavor in their own way.

The Sultanhan was very hospitable, the staff could not do enough to keep us happy. We had a wonderful brunch there even though it was between hours, they fixed up a special meal with tea on our arrival. Our dinner there was exceptional. Food and service as well as ambiance was wonderful.

Kalkan was amazing, what a beautiful village. The sea was exceptional. Villa Mahal was definitely 5 star. Beautiful room and grounds, great food, breathtaking views. It was a very relaxing place. Good way to start the vacation as we were very tired. We fully charged the batteries there.

Fethiye was another beautiful village, almost a city really. We loved the marina area as well as the sights and ruins we visited. Paradise Garden was warm, friendly and very accommodating. Grounds were beautiful and the view of Oludeniz was spectacular We felt as if we were guests at a relatives home.

They learned that we loved Latino music and prepared a special Latino theme evening of dancing starting at 9:30 PM at the pool bar. Music and much guest mingling proved to be a party till 4:00 AM!  Our first day there, the chef drove us to the Oludeniz lagoon and later picked us up. It was as if our uncle was taking us! Our last night we ate in Fethiye because we had shopping to do and were running late. We got back to Paradise Garden around midnight to find our friends waiting for us to have a night cap and mingle. Although we had not packed and were leaving early in the morning we stayed and of course got to sleep at 3:00 AM, but it was worth it. Robert was crowned "Eniste" in Fethiye!

Istanbul, my favorite city in the world never disappointed us. Ciragan Palace was excellent. The room  was beautiful and it was hard to leave the terrace with the views of the Bosphorus. Beautiful ships, boats, sail boats, ferries all added to decorating the magnificent Strait. Our only disappointment was the Tugra restaurant. Food and service did not hold up to what it was 13 years ago. It seemed rushed and the taste of the food was not the excellent Turkish food we had had there.

The transfers you provided us with were always on time and professional, thank you.

Korfez was excellent.

Feriye restaurant was amazing. I went there 3 times with my aunt and niece, each night was more enchanting than the one before.

My only regret is that I did not get a chance to meet you. I was really rushed with visiting family I had not seen in 13 years.
Hopefully the next trip. I am attaching a picture taken in Kalkan (Trio Restaurant), we can sort of meet this way!

Thank You So Much. From beginning to end you and your staff were so pleasant to work with and you made possible a vacation that we will remember forever. It was perfect!

I'll keep the Boutique Style reference, although I can't imagine anyone coming close to the experience we had with you.

Sag ol, we will keep in touch. Best regards to Ufuk and Ilke as well.

 

 

Fulya Ziegler, USA, June 2007

 

The service provided by you and your colleagues at Matiana Travel and the Museum Hotel was exemplary. The highlight to our trip to Turkey was most definitely in the Cappadocia region. A special thanks to our guide and the tours organized by Matiana Travel, with your assistance. I will recommend your services to anyone who asks.

Best regards and happy holidays, 

 

Adam  Schmidt

Words cannot describe the holiday that my mother and I had in Turkey. We both had a magnificent time and it was all thanks to you and your professionalism with putting the whole trip together which left us to enjoy a hassle free holiday. My favourite part of the trip was the cruise. The food was to die for and the staff were amazing. Most importantly though; my mother had the holiday of a lifetime. I  told her on our last night that I had bought the trip as a present for her and she was thrilled (and a bit cross that I had kept it from her). I wouldn't have changed a thing about the trip and return with NO complaints! I am indeed singing your praises. Thank you once again for a memorable journey through Turkey .

 

Kate Harrod

 

Dear Anne & Ali,

 

 

Hope you are both doing well. Anne, I would like to thank you for helping me arrange a wonderful & a very memorable trip. It was nice meeting you.

 

Ali – we had a wonderful time with you in Cappadocia, thank you for an entertaining tour & the interesting conversations that we had during our stay there. It was nice meeting you.

 

Thank You once again for making our trip very special and enjoyable.

 

Sincerely,

 

Pinakin & Karishma, May 2007

First I would like to thank you again for handling all of my requests so swiftly. I absolutely loved Istanbul!  It was such a wonderful trip and I feel like you are partly responsible for that.  I didn't even think to request a female guide and I thought it was extremely considerate of you to think of this.  I had no real knowledge of Istanbul or Turkish history or architecture before this trip and I cannot believe how much I learned.  Her English was amazing and she was so nice...I really felt like I was sightseeing with a friend!   The trip was truly wonderful and I felt very safe and well looked after the entire time.  I will most definitely pass your name along to friends who are visiting Turkey because I felt you provided such a good service.  Many thanks again...I look forward to my next visit!
Tesekkur ederim, 

 

Kristina Sekula, NZ