18-night “Eastern and Unknown Turkey” tour

Bora Özkök of Cultural Folk Tours (Cypress, CA; 800/935-8875) was one of the best guides that I have ever traveled with.

It was wonderful to have a guide who can make you love Turkey. He talked about growing up in eastern Turkey and how it has changed since he was a boy. It was a pleasure to hear him talk about politics, native flowers, dancing — everything. I learned a great deal about the country and met some very interesting people.

May was an excellent time of the year to visit eastern Turkey. The weather was great. In Istanbul and northern Turkey it was in the upper sixties and low seventies during the day, with cool evenings. When we got to the most southern area of Turkey, around Urfa, the temperature was 90 degrees during the day. Fortunately, we had almost no rain.

I enjoyed when ours was the only American tour bus at a historical site (several times). Bora had a Mercedes bus for our group of 17. I especially enjoyed his numerous photo stops.

My 20-day/18-night “Eastern and Unknown Turkey” tour cost $4,760 in 2007 and included economy airfare from New York and two meals a day. I paid an additional $720 for a single supplement and requested business-class airfare, which cost $2,453. Extras included $200 for a hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia. The Turkish visa was $20, which I obtained when I arrived in Istanbul.

Our itinerary included Istanbul, Safranbolu, Ankara, Cappadocia, Yazilikaya (where the Hittite ruins are over 3,400 years old), Amasya, Yasi Cai, Trabzon, Lake Van, Mardini, Urfa, Mersin and Istanbul again.

The highlight, for me, was our visit to Mt. Nemrut. En route, we stopped several times to take pictures of bridges and the wild scenery. There were deep gorges and high mountains.

Finally, in the distance we saw Nemrut. The mountain has an artificially pointed peak of piled rock and earth that was built by King Antiochus Theos I. Originally, there were statutes about 20 feet high of Greek gods sitting down as well as others of lions and eagles. I got an excellent picture of the head of King Antiochus, who lived between 86 and 38 B.C.

The East Terrace has great views of the surrounding country. Yes, I used my hiking boots and walking sticks. It made the 20-minute walk easier. My only complaint is I had to buy extra film — I took over 540 pictures.

MARLENE SNEDAKER

Point Pleasant, NJ