Testimonials for our archaeological tours
From archaeology tours to sailing vacations and crewed yacht charter, we like to think we offer the very finest holidays in Turkey – but we are always trying to improve.

Our clients come from very different walks of life and age groups. We’re delighted that many come back to travel on our escorted archaeological tours and cultural cruises in Turkey again and again. We feel that their testimonials describe who we are and what we do far better than we ever could. Here’s a small selection.

We were lucky enough to welcome international best selling novelist, Tess Gerritsen, on our Cruising the Carian Coast trip June 2007. This is what she had to say:
“This was one of the best vacations of my well-travelled life. It was the perfect mix of sybaritic swims and mindblowing archaeology, awe-inspiring walks and meals featuring the freshest fruits and vegetables that this beautiful country has to offer. And the travellers you’ll meet on the Almira are a special breed - curious, intelligent, and adventurous. Just the sort of people you want to spend 2 weeks with! We loved the trip, absolutely loved it!”
Tess Gerritsen, Maine, USA

Turkey travel photos: Not only can you read what our customers think. Some of them have put up their own picture galleries on the web, so you can actually see:
Barb Scamman’s picture gallery - Barb travelled on our Sailing the Lycian Shore gulet cruise in May 2007.

Leonie Burger’s photo gallery - Leonie came on our In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great tour in April 2007.

Robin Hemphill’s picture gallery - Robin came on our From Halicarnassus to Ephesus gulet cruise in September 2007.

“We so enjoyed the cruise. As a tour guide myself, I am, I suppose, the most critical sort of audience, but I was simply knocked over by the whole experience: we loved Almira, the wonderful gulet with its delightful and efficient crew, and those beautiful sites explained with such passion and sensitivity. Well done indeed.”
Professor Richard Holmes, Winchester, UK, historian and presenter of BBC TV series including War Walks and Wellington, and author of numerous books including ‘Tommy’, ‘Redcoat’, and ‘Dusty Warriors’.

“This was the best vacation of my life (and I haven’t been the least bit deprived!). I learned more in these two weeks than in any year in college with the best professors, and I absorbed it in a way that will continue to inform my understanding of the world for the rest of my life.”
Ann Senechal, Boston, USA

“We enjoyed every aspect of the tour...we’re immensely grateful to you and the gulet’s crew for all your hard work in making it such an enjoyable, informative, and unforgettable experience.”
The Miles family, Cambridge, UK

“we loved being with Jennifer Tobin.  She was insightful knowledgable and wonderfully enthusiastic...The boat was sensational - much more than we ever expected and the crew excellent.  The food was fabulous.  Ben and I both agreed that this was our best most memorable vacation and we’ve had many in the last 50 years or so - both on and off sailboats. thanks so much Peter.”
Joan Giordano, New York, USA

“Thanks so much for a wonderfully interesting and enjoyable holiday… Catering excellent on boat. Boat crew was terrific. Great mix of education and pleasure. Overall, a five-star, wonderful experience...We appreciated your personal thoughtfulness, Peter, and attention to detail. I would change very little if I were you!”
Michael Thawley, Washington D.C, USA

“Peter Sommer is a real find — an excellent communicator and tremendous enthusiast.”
Alan Moss, Liverpool, UK

“What a great week, wonderful food, incredible sights, excellent care from the crew, and even full sail into Fethiye bay. Wonderful memories of Turkey and the gulet Almira.”
Anne Whitley, Spokane WA, USA

“The Almira is a gorgeous boat, even better then expected. Thanks so much to the captain and crew who were so attentive.”
Pier Francesco Ferrucci, Milan, Italy

“Thanks to Peter for organising and leading such an educational, entertaining, and relaxing holiday.”
Dave Rogerson, Tewkesbury, UK

“The trip was fantastic and we all had a great time. I believe everyone was very pleased that they joined the customised land tour as well as the gulet cruise. Many, many thanks for all your help in putting it together over such a long period of time. The holiday was flawless.”
Samuel Thawley, Glasgow, UK

“Peter’s guiding was meticulous and extremely thoughtful. The piece of the trip that really distinguishes it from another tour of its kind is Peter’s intimate connection with the place and the history as it allowed us to see places, meet people, and have experiences that would not have been otherwise available...All of these things combined made us feel special: we weren’t on a pleasure cruise, nor were we on a boring dry tour sponsored by some Harvard professor who made us listen to lectures at night. That element of our being special and different from all the others we encountered is the priceless part.”
Manine Golden, Boston, USA

“Very impressive and good…..Everything anticipated well, dealt with skilfully and sensitively. A very individual approach; no one feels like a number. It couldn’t have been better — really!”
MK, London, UK

“Peter Sommer has the most engaging way of sharing information. No lectures aboard ship. No formal introductions to the next day’s visits. But instead, a beautiful unfolding of information, delivered on site. Hadrian introduced beside his granary. Roman baths explained amidst the ruins of baths. Quotes from writers of the day to bring to life these ancient ruins...and so we eager ‘students’ came to a real understanding of the many people and civilisations which shaped this coast.”
Libby Cryer, Connecticut, USA

“I enjoyed the whole ambience of the tour. The gulet Almira is fabulous. The hospitality was exceptional, we felt like guests rather than customers. The mealtime banter was like being with friends rather than strangers, the sailing was beautiful, as was the scenery. The historical tours were fascinating, and somehow I now know a lot more about the history of Turkey than I did before I went. I didn’t think about work once on the trip, and at the end of it I was thoroughly relaxed. I think the price we paid was well worth it.”
Helen Abell, Tewkesbury, UK

Contact us now to check availability and request further details.