Recommended in Turkey

During my visit to Turkey, Feb. 20-27, ’04, a friend and I had the good fortune to have as our tour guide Ms. Gülden Güllü (1786 s. 8/1 Sagsoz Apt., 35540 Karsiyaka, Izmir, Turkey; cell 90 532 441 9685 or e-mail gulden90@yahoo.com).

Licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism, she was the best guide ever (and I am 70 and have been “around” a lot). She was full of facts, history, humor and energy and was most kind.

I can recommend two hotels from this trip: in Istanbul The Ambassador (in the U.S., phone 800/188-6758 or e-mail reservations@hotelambassador.com) and, on the south coast in Antalya, Hotel Alp Pasa (phone +90 242 247 56 76, fax +90 242 248 50 74 or visit www.alppassa.com; rates run €30 per person, double, and up). Both hotels were small, full of charm and more than comfortable.

For her services, we paid Ms. Güllü $300 for the week. In addition to this, we gave her $1,300 to make all of our ground arrangements; she hired a car and driver, booked hotels, etc.

Ms. Güllü is the most vibrant young woman I’ve ever met. We’re still corresponding.

HAROLD F. WILKINS
Minneapolis, MN