TRAVELLERS COMMENTS
Last edited: Wednesday 2 May 2012 (2 weeks 6 days ago)
**TIMELESS TOURS' 2009 GALLIPOLI TOURS**
Travellers' Comments:
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Israel
2012 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**2012 DUBAI / OMAN TOURS**
Oman April 2012 (3 sisters from Rome, Italy)
Dear Tom,
The tour was very nice... The guide was kind and knowledgeable and the places visited met our expectations. Food also was good.
Thank you very much!
Marika Urciuoli
Dubai / Oman - February 2012
Well we are now back after a wonderful trip. Thanks for your organisation of the ground content – it all went very smoothly. We were met at Dubai and transferred seamlessly to Al Ain….
Our Oman guide was absolutely brilliant! He was funny and charming, and friendly and got on with everyone around him – to the extent that we were wandering around an old ruined castle that we had found by chance, and there were only two other people there – local guys, and after a chat with Khalid, they invited us back to their house for coffee, and ended up staying for lunch! A very interesting experience. We did change to timetable somewhat – Khalid made some great suggestions, one of which had us at a camel market where we were the only foreigners, but it was all really interesting, and people were very friendly even though we stood out as pretty weird! The desert camp was terrific too – there were only 10 foreigners staying there, so it was all very small and intimate.
Our cruise took us back to Muscat only a couple of days later, and Khalid met us again there off the ship, and took us around Muscat for the morning, and lunch, before he had to go and get some more tourists from Al Ain, so it was fantastic of him to do that – he and my daughter April got on really well, and we were like one happy family for a few days there, with me as the Mum, and my kids!
Anyway, thanks for the trip, we had a great time! I would love to go back one day, and see the south part of the country, and spend more time in the desert.
Cheers, Helena
2011 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**2011 SPAIN & PORTUGAL TOURS**
Spain & Portugal Trip - Private Driver Arrangements, Accommodation, Tours, Guides in Spain & Portugal: August-September
Dear Holly,
Just arrived back from 2 months away, and wanted to say thanks for arranging such a terrific holiday for the Moses’ and myself in Spain and Portugal. The itinerary was wonderful and the hotels very comfortable, and the guides and drivers were simply terrific.
Holly, I hope your trip was equally great, and thanks again for checking things out for me.
Best wishes, Judy Becher
**2011 SPAIN TOURS**
Spain Trip - Trapsatur 5 day Andalucia tour from Barcelona
Hi Holly – Just a note to thank you for the organising – all went seamlessly – great trip & experience.
Kind Regards, Ken Adeline
Kind Regards, Ken Adeline
Individual Spain Arrangements - May/June
Many thanks for your excellent work that got us to Spain, Paris and back last month. Despite the rush, every arrangement fell into place perfectly.
Cheers, Sue Hutchins
Many thanks for your excellent work that got us to Spain, Paris and back last month. Despite the rush, every arrangement fell into place perfectly.
Cheers, Sue Hutchins
**2011 MOROCCO TOURS**
Private Morocco Program and Barcelona – October 2011
Hi Holly
We had a great trip – and thank you for all your tips and help.
I think we had the same guide/driver that you had in Morocco – and he was very good. Nothing seemed to be a bother for him and we found the Moroccon landscape etc particularly interesting. The markets etc were also fun to explore..
The accommodation was also good – and in line with what we had discussed. Ironically it rained on the day/night we were going to camp in the desert – so they had arranged alternate accommodation for us – at our option. We decided to take the alternative they had arranged – a good call in the circumstances as we still got a good feel for the desert and dunes etc
Barcelona was also excellent – such a beautiful city. The accommodation was good..
All in all, a good and memorable trip.
Thank you for your help
All the best, Jill and George Forster
Family trip to Morocco - January
Hi Holly,
We are back!
We had a wonderful time in Morocco the guide (Adil) was fantastic!!!!!
… all the hotels were incredible and the service was impeccable. I would have no problems what so ever recommending Timeless Tours to anyone who is looking to travel to Morocco.
Many thanks again!
Liz Myers
**2011 TURKEY TOURS**
Istanbul – September 2011
This is just a short note to express our satisfaction about our stay in Istanbul. The Seven Hills Hotel, was ideal to our needs, well located nearby places of major significance and quality eateries. The service provided by the hotel was very good. The staff at reception/concierge and at breakfast deserve a special mention.
Our tour guide, Can Gunay, provided wonderful service. Not only is he knowledgeable, he is also friendly, genuine, relaxed, and obliging.
The location of The Marmara Pera was also ideal. Check-in was efficient and the staff friendly.
Regards, Michael Borowick (booked via Goldman Travel)
Turkey & Greece September 2011
Hello Holly and Tom,
We are home again and trying to settle down after a wonderful holiday.
We absolutely loved everything we did, Santorini was a favourite in Greece and Cappadoccia in Turkey. The hot air balloon was amazing, I am so glad I did it and it wasn’t scary at all.
Turkey is a beautiful country, I feel I could go back and explore all the parts we didn’t see, there is never enough time is there.
All our plans went very smoothly thanks to you two, it was a perfectly planned holiday.
Thanks again for all your help and advice.
Regards, Jan Pearce
Turkey - June 2011
Tom,
Just a quick note to thank you for your assistance with our recent trip to Turkey. Your accommodation recommendations were all excellent, the cave house hotel in Cappadocia, the Caravanserai in Kusadasi and the location of our Istanbul hotel were much appreciated. The balloon flight over Cappadocia was a real highlight. We will certainly be recommending your services to anyone interested in visiting Turkey.
Cheers, Mark Atkinson
Turkey May/June 2011 - Denice, Kaye and Mum - little report back
Dear Tom
A quick note to let you know that your independent tour of Turkey which you planned for us was marvellous.
We were happy with everything. The accommodation was perfect, the hosts very good and so helpful – a particular mention for your man in Antalya. A lovely, welcoming fellow – I said to him we would tell you what a lovely stay we had there – they couldn’t have been nicer. The cave house in Urgup was gorgeous and the view and position in Kas – what can I say!! Everything was planned perfectly and went off without a hitch. Thank you for all your input – the car hire did work perfectly especially for Mum, but for us too of course. We were very glad to have our own wheels which added a different dimension to our stay in Turkey.
Anyway, thank you once again for a great itinerary. I will tell others I know of your expertise.
Best wishes, Denice Campbell
PS I have included a post Kaye made on facebook re – driving in Turkey!
After several days driving on Turkish roads, I feel confident I know all 5 road rules:
1. Stop signs are merely a suggestion.
2. The whole road is yours.
3. Two lanes really mean four.
4. At all costs never use your blinker.
5. Beep horn and gesture wildly to alert other road users of all of the above!
Turkey – Ozturk Grand Sultan Tour May 2011
Hi Holly,
We did indeed have a wonderful time.
The Turkey tour was just great. Hamit did a wonderful job. At one lunch stop the restaurant was right on the bank of a river and Brian made a remark about how nice it would be to drop in a fishing line and soon after a fellow arrived with a fishing line for him to do just that. The hotels and various restaurants were terrific. The meals Hamit organised were typical Turkish meals that we might not have known to choose in interesting and scenic places. Staying in the old part of Istanbul was also very convenient. All the main tourist attractions were within walking distance and the tram was a block away which went to any of the further afield places of interest including connecting to the funicular to Taksim and the upmarket shops if you wanted to go.
We also enjoyed being able to have the launch trips and swims which would not be possible for large groups. The local guides were also very good.
Brian survived the hot air balloon and said he enjoyed it as they didn’t go very high. It was just at the end we went up high to get an overview of the valley he was a bit uneasy. However he was given the “white-knuckle” award by the pilot
Of course such a small group was a great advantage in being able to move more quickly around the busier venues such as Ephesus and gathering everyone back to the bus. They were a very compatible group people and as I guess you know all a similar age group. We are meeting some for dinner soon in Sydney and will have a big get-together when everyone is in back in Australia including Hamit.
Thank you for your organisation.
Kind regards, Beth and Brian
2010 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**TIMELESS TOURS' 2010 GALLIPOLI TOURS**
Interview with Clem Kealy (2010 Gallipoli for ANZAC Day Tour participant) - "Australian Veteran Comes to seek Turkish Brothers in Arms" by Jane Akatay Tuna, Hürriyet Daily News, 25 Apr 2010
Gallipoli
Hi Tom, I'd like to thank you for the excellent tour you organized for me to Gallipoli, I really enjoyed it. The accommodation you arranged was 1st class, much appreciated. Christine and I had a lovely holiday in France and Istanbul and this was a great addition. Thank you very much for your patience.
Regards, Steve Russell
Hi Tom, I'd like to thank you for the excellent tour you organized for me to Gallipoli, I really enjoyed it. The accommodation you arranged was 1st class, much appreciated. Christine and I had a lovely holiday in France and Istanbul and this was a great addition. Thank you very much for your patience.
Regards, Steve Russell
**2010 MOROCCO TOURS**
Morocco
Your arrangements worked perfectly and we had a terrific time.
Cheers, Sue Hutchins
Your arrangements worked perfectly and we had a terrific time.
Cheers, Sue Hutchins
Morocco Kovacs Tour
Just to let you know that everything went absolutely perfectly in Morocco.
From the time the driver was waiting for us at the airport on arrival until he dropped us off at the airport on departure it could not have gone smoother.
I must special out Rashid our driver who was friendly, charming, always ready to help in every way and absolutely punctual.
The guides were there and knowledgable and courteous and helpful. The Riads were as great as you had foreshadowed and sure enough Peter Dyer is a scream. Thank you again for great organization.
Steve Kovacs
Just to let you know that everything went absolutely perfectly in Morocco.
From the time the driver was waiting for us at the airport on arrival until he dropped us off at the airport on departure it could not have gone smoother.
I must special out Rashid our driver who was friendly, charming, always ready to help in every way and absolutely punctual.
The guides were there and knowledgable and courteous and helpful. The Riads were as great as you had foreshadowed and sure enough Peter Dyer is a scream. Thank you again for great organization.
Steve Kovacs
**2010 SYRIA/ JORDAN/ LEBANON TOURS**
Trip to Syria
Hi Tom - here is a note from our passengers - Neave Catchpool and Mary Winter: "Just a quick note to thank you for all the arrangements you made for our trip to Syria, which worked out splendidly. We would particularly like to mention our Syrian guide, Mr. Ahmad Zaghloul, who was not only prompt, energetic and knowledgable, but who became a real friend. He has a warm personality and a fine sense of humour, and we were sorry to say goodbye to him."
Regards, George Dingli – CHAT Tours
Hi Tom - here is a note from our passengers - Neave Catchpool and Mary Winter: "Just a quick note to thank you for all the arrangements you made for our trip to Syria, which worked out splendidly. We would particularly like to mention our Syrian guide, Mr. Ahmad Zaghloul, who was not only prompt, energetic and knowledgable, but who became a real friend. He has a warm personality and a fine sense of humour, and we were sorry to say goodbye to him."
Regards, George Dingli – CHAT Tours
**2010 TURKEY TOURS**
Bursa
Hi Tom, The Nurseys & McDonalds are back in Istanbul, at the Richmond (such a great spot) after our sojourn in Bursa; just thought I'd let you that we loved Bursa and everything we did there, the public transport we took from and back to Istanbul was great, efficient and fun, and the McDonalds said the trip to Cannakkale & back to Istanbul also, was just as successful. Bursa has so much to offer and we must have been the only tourists in the place - and that made it all the more special. We could definitely recommend it to any of your clients wanting to see more of Turkey; the guide for the day got us to many places in a short time and gave us lots of extra information.
All in all, a big success - thank you Tom. We'll be home next weekend and must settle to a more ordinary life - I think I told you we went to South America before this Turkey jaunt - the Galpagos and Peru - so Sydney is going to have to do for a while!
Caroline joins me in saying thank you and very best wishes to all your efficient team.
Jennifer Nursey
Hi Tom, The Nurseys & McDonalds are back in Istanbul, at the Richmond (such a great spot) after our sojourn in Bursa; just thought I'd let you that we loved Bursa and everything we did there, the public transport we took from and back to Istanbul was great, efficient and fun, and the McDonalds said the trip to Cannakkale & back to Istanbul also, was just as successful. Bursa has so much to offer and we must have been the only tourists in the place - and that made it all the more special. We could definitely recommend it to any of your clients wanting to see more of Turkey; the guide for the day got us to many places in a short time and gave us lots of extra information.
All in all, a big success - thank you Tom. We'll be home next weekend and must settle to a more ordinary life - I think I told you we went to South America before this Turkey jaunt - the Galpagos and Peru - so Sydney is going to have to do for a while!
Caroline joins me in saying thank you and very best wishes to all your efficient team.
Jennifer Nursey
Turkey
Hi Tom. I have been meaning to drop you a quick note to let you know Tony & Liz had an awesome time in Turkey. Everything you recommended worked perfectly - they loved Cappadocia and the entire trip ran like clockwork. Tony was very impressed with the Gulet - he said he was so surprised about the size of the rooms and the boat itself. Thank you again for all your assistance.
Abigail Elvy, Sales Consultant – Travelplan, Castlecrag
Hi Tom. I have been meaning to drop you a quick note to let you know Tony & Liz had an awesome time in Turkey. Everything you recommended worked perfectly - they loved Cappadocia and the entire trip ran like clockwork. Tony was very impressed with the Gulet - he said he was so surprised about the size of the rooms and the boat itself. Thank you again for all your assistance.
Abigail Elvy, Sales Consultant – Travelplan, Castlecrag
Turkey Trip
Hi, Just wanted to tell you that the trip worked out beautifully. Thank you for doing it all. The guides were great and full of info.
Jo Olsen
Hi, Just wanted to tell you that the trip worked out beautifully. Thank you for doing it all. The guides were great and full of info.
Jo Olsen
2009 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**TIMELESS TOURS' 2009 IRAN**
November 2009
Iran is a wonderful country to be an independent traveller - provided all the planning and bookings are done properly by an agency as good as Timeless Tours, as was ours when we visited Iran for 15 days. You need to spend some days with knowledgeable guides who will make the sites and sights come alive for you. Then you can also wander about freely, with the only restriction we found being that women tourists have to wear a long scarf (hejab) to cover their hair - something of a time saver each morning! - as well as covering their arms and legs. The accommodation, food and transport (we used planes, inter-city buses and cars) were all very good to excellent. Above all, the young and older people we encountered were friendly, courteous and welcoming - and proud of their long history which has shaped them; their Farsi language; their poets and heroes; the beauty of their land and its historic places. We visited Tehran, Shiraz, Yadz, Esfehan, and Kashan: the most beautiful for us was Esfahan (go there to see why!!), but all of them have special big and small things to see and enjoy… we long to make a return visit to explore more.
Lawson Lobb and Jill Harris.
Lawson Lobb and Jill Harris.
ANZAC '09
Dear Tom, I returned yesterday from the Anzac Day trip and am writing to say what a wonderful experience. Both Will the leader and Nazli, our local guide were friendly, informative and made the trip all the more successful. My thanks to them for a great experience.
Regards, Lorraine Gaffney
Dear Tom, I returned yesterday from the Anzac Day trip and am writing to say what a wonderful experience. Both Will the leader and Nazli, our local guide were friendly, informative and made the trip all the more successful. My thanks to them for a great experience.
Regards, Lorraine Gaffney
ANZAC Tour 2009
We are at Bangkok Airport, finally on our way home after a wonderful holiday. Just wanted to let you know that we had a great time and Will couldn't do enough for everybody. We would have no hesitation in recommending this trip to anyone. Thanks again!
Cliff and Rae Stern
We are at Bangkok Airport, finally on our way home after a wonderful holiday. Just wanted to let you know that we had a great time and Will couldn't do enough for everybody. We would have no hesitation in recommending this trip to anyone. Thanks again!
Cliff and Rae Stern
**2009 TURKEY TOURS**
Merhaba Tom
Just to let you know that Kerry and I am having a fab time. People at Museum Hotel have been so helpful and friendly. Specially Lily who asks to be remembered to you. She worked wiıth William she says. Also Kylie from Kappadocia balloons said hallo. Neon for the Nemrut daig tour was good. What a wonderful sunrise we had.
Thanking again. Gule gule Jacky and Kerry
Just to let you know that Kerry and I am having a fab time. People at Museum Hotel have been so helpful and friendly. Specially Lily who asks to be remembered to you. She worked wiıth William she says. Also Kylie from Kappadocia balloons said hallo. Neon for the Nemrut daig tour was good. What a wonderful sunrise we had.
Thanking again. Gule gule Jacky and Kerry
Western & Central Turkey Adventure
Hi Tom, I am back - I loved Turkey!! My favourite place was Istanbul followed by Kalkan and then Urgup - I did the balloon ride over Cappadoccia which was fantastic. Neon tours were good - only 10 on tour. The hotels used on the tour were fabulous so I would recomend this tour to anyone.
Also the Summingen hotel in Istanbul was great - would definitely stay there again.
Thanks for your help - I hope I can get lots of clients interested in Turkey now.
Kind regards, Jo Maclean - Ocean Grove Travel Pty Ltd
Hi Tom, I am back - I loved Turkey!! My favourite place was Istanbul followed by Kalkan and then Urgup - I did the balloon ride over Cappadoccia which was fantastic. Neon tours were good - only 10 on tour. The hotels used on the tour were fabulous so I would recomend this tour to anyone.
Also the Summingen hotel in Istanbul was great - would definitely stay there again.
Thanks for your help - I hope I can get lots of clients interested in Turkey now.
Kind regards, Jo Maclean - Ocean Grove Travel Pty Ltd
Gulet Cruise and Turkey Tour
Dear Tom, The boat cruise of course was a complete delight, the boat magnificent, the food terrific and, being so early in the season, we had the waterways pretty much to ourselves. The Gem of the trip (among many) was Sirince, an inspired choice which we all absolutely loved. Our disappointment was that we could not stay longer. The guides were all excellent and entertaining, meaning not boring.
What more can I say? Thanks for organising a fantastic trip for us, and if the proof is in the pudding, Turkey is a place I could return to tomorrow. Istanbul is my favourite city. Great work, Tom, we did appreciate your choices.
Best Regards, Hildegard Griffin
Dear Tom, The boat cruise of course was a complete delight, the boat magnificent, the food terrific and, being so early in the season, we had the waterways pretty much to ourselves. The Gem of the trip (among many) was Sirince, an inspired choice which we all absolutely loved. Our disappointment was that we could not stay longer. The guides were all excellent and entertaining, meaning not boring.
What more can I say? Thanks for organising a fantastic trip for us, and if the proof is in the pudding, Turkey is a place I could return to tomorrow. Istanbul is my favourite city. Great work, Tom, we did appreciate your choices.
Best Regards, Hildegard Griffin
**2009 SYRIA/ JORDAN/ LEBANON TOURS**
Syria/Jordan Trip
Dear Tom,
Just a quick note to let you know how fabulous the trip was. Everything went very smoothly particularly in Syria and Lebanon , our guide in Syria was a lovely, extremely informative lady who was passionate about her country.
In Lebanon also, even though it was a brief stay, we had another lovely guide. They are hoping that more tourists start visiting Lebanon again so please spread the word to your clients. The rebuilding of Beirut is so impressive with beautifully restored buildings and the city has an air of sophistication. Our hotel was close to the sea and it was very pleasant to stroll along the Corniche that runs along by the sea. The food was excellent and we had lunch at some very nice places particularly in Damascus and Aleppo, beautiful restaurants with central courtyards and fountains.
Forgot to mention Dubai - quite amazing place but so artificial. We thoroughly enjoyed the Desert Safari, very exciting dune bashing and very nice meal. Wish we were still over there.
Thanks again! Kind Regards, Maree and Greg
Dear Tom,
Just a quick note to let you know how fabulous the trip was. Everything went very smoothly particularly in Syria and Lebanon , our guide in Syria was a lovely, extremely informative lady who was passionate about her country.
In Lebanon also, even though it was a brief stay, we had another lovely guide. They are hoping that more tourists start visiting Lebanon again so please spread the word to your clients. The rebuilding of Beirut is so impressive with beautifully restored buildings and the city has an air of sophistication. Our hotel was close to the sea and it was very pleasant to stroll along the Corniche that runs along by the sea. The food was excellent and we had lunch at some very nice places particularly in Damascus and Aleppo, beautiful restaurants with central courtyards and fountains.
Forgot to mention Dubai - quite amazing place but so artificial. We thoroughly enjoyed the Desert Safari, very exciting dune bashing and very nice meal. Wish we were still over there.
Thanks again! Kind Regards, Maree and Greg
2008 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**2008 TIMELESS TOURS' GALLIPOLI TOURS**
ANZAC Tour 2008
Tom. We have been home from our tour for 2 weeks now and we wish to let you know of how great the ANZAC tour was for us. Our tour group were very compatable and we got on extremely well. As you would know when a tour group gets on with each other it makes for a first class experience. I am not sure what superlatives could describe Will's knowledge on ANZAC history or that of his efforts in organisation of the tour, but anything that we could say would not go anywhere close enough. We wish to thank Will and our fellow tour members for such a memorable experience. Of course our son Greg and his wife Faye were the instigators of us being on the trip and except for a tummy bug for Greg in Istanbul they also had a wonderful tour. Their were many highlights but the standout for us, apart from the actual ceremony on ANZAC day, was our couple of hours at Shrapnel Valley. So serene there your could feel the peace of the place. So beautiful but also so sad. After ANZAC we toured Turkey then went over to the USA to New York then visited friends in Ottawa before heading home via Las Vegas and Honolulu. To have visited ANZAC Cove on ANZAC day is the fullfilment of something we have always wanted to do and thanks to you and your staff it is now a memorable experience.
Once again many thanks....Alan & Eileen Jones.
Tom. We have been home from our tour for 2 weeks now and we wish to let you know of how great the ANZAC tour was for us. Our tour group were very compatable and we got on extremely well. As you would know when a tour group gets on with each other it makes for a first class experience. I am not sure what superlatives could describe Will's knowledge on ANZAC history or that of his efforts in organisation of the tour, but anything that we could say would not go anywhere close enough. We wish to thank Will and our fellow tour members for such a memorable experience. Of course our son Greg and his wife Faye were the instigators of us being on the trip and except for a tummy bug for Greg in Istanbul they also had a wonderful tour. Their were many highlights but the standout for us, apart from the actual ceremony on ANZAC day, was our couple of hours at Shrapnel Valley. So serene there your could feel the peace of the place. So beautiful but also so sad. After ANZAC we toured Turkey then went over to the USA to New York then visited friends in Ottawa before heading home via Las Vegas and Honolulu. To have visited ANZAC Cove on ANZAC day is the fullfilment of something we have always wanted to do and thanks to you and your staff it is now a memorable experience.
Once again many thanks....Alan & Eileen Jones.
Gallipoli 2008
Just back from our Turkey odyssey and had to let you know it was GREAT!!!!!
Will was just fantastic as our tour leader at Gallipoli and made sure everything ran smoothly - he knows so much about the campaign that although I thought I was well informed about Anzac he taught me facts I didn't know - brilliant.
All told it was a most memorable holiday, and if any of our friends or rel's every indicate they want to go to Turkey we will certainly tell them there is only one way to go --- with Timeless.
Best regards, Peter Lomax & Di Burt
Just back from our Turkey odyssey and had to let you know it was GREAT!!!!!
Will was just fantastic as our tour leader at Gallipoli and made sure everything ran smoothly - he knows so much about the campaign that although I thought I was well informed about Anzac he taught me facts I didn't know - brilliant.
All told it was a most memorable holiday, and if any of our friends or rel's every indicate they want to go to Turkey we will certainly tell them there is only one way to go --- with Timeless.
Best regards, Peter Lomax & Di Burt
Gallipoli Tour 2008
We are writing to congratulate Timeless on the quality of the recent tour we undertook to Gallipoli for the 2008 Anzac ceremonies. It was a more in-depth tour than we had ever imagined that gave us a far better understanding of the tragic events that occurred there in 1915. The small group enables to access areas that other larger groups could not (we know this first hand from friends who were on a large 45 person tour this year). The success of the tour was significantly due to the passion and depth of knowledge demonstrated by Will Willis. He gave us a great insight into the events at Gallipoli not only by taking us to the many sites, but also through his in depth commentary throughout the tour. Importantly, his commentary was very balanced and delivered without the heavy military flavour one might expect. Further, he could not do enough to assist all members of the group feel comfortable within their individual physical limitations, ensuring that each person gained the maximum benefit from the tour.
We will have no hesitation in recommending future tours to friends and colleagues. Regards, Julie and David Bell
We are writing to congratulate Timeless on the quality of the recent tour we undertook to Gallipoli for the 2008 Anzac ceremonies. It was a more in-depth tour than we had ever imagined that gave us a far better understanding of the tragic events that occurred there in 1915. The small group enables to access areas that other larger groups could not (we know this first hand from friends who were on a large 45 person tour this year). The success of the tour was significantly due to the passion and depth of knowledge demonstrated by Will Willis. He gave us a great insight into the events at Gallipoli not only by taking us to the many sites, but also through his in depth commentary throughout the tour. Importantly, his commentary was very balanced and delivered without the heavy military flavour one might expect. Further, he could not do enough to assist all members of the group feel comfortable within their individual physical limitations, ensuring that each person gained the maximum benefit from the tour.
We will have no hesitation in recommending future tours to friends and colleagues. Regards, Julie and David Bell
**2008 OZTURK TOURS**
Ozturk Grand Sultan Tour
The tour of Turkey was very comprehensive and enjoyable, and it was nice to be with a group of Australians on tour. I am feeling fitter now that I have managed all those archaeological sites… The itinerary very good, the meal inclusions excellent (its certainly difficult for singles when the meals are not included). The luncheon venues were a delight! I enjoyed the balloon flight over Cappadocia… The Turkish bath in Cappadocia was not to be missed!!
As far as the air travel is concerned—Cathay Pacific was excellent; Turkish Airlines very good. Please let Hamit know I enjoyed the Ozturk tour and it was an excellent idea to go with a company who knew the country so well. He can be well proud of his country of origin and I will have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who wants to go to Turkey in style! Thanks again for making arrangements.
Regards, Patsy Nugent
The tour of Turkey was very comprehensive and enjoyable, and it was nice to be with a group of Australians on tour. I am feeling fitter now that I have managed all those archaeological sites… The itinerary very good, the meal inclusions excellent (its certainly difficult for singles when the meals are not included). The luncheon venues were a delight! I enjoyed the balloon flight over Cappadocia… The Turkish bath in Cappadocia was not to be missed!!
As far as the air travel is concerned—Cathay Pacific was excellent; Turkish Airlines very good. Please let Hamit know I enjoyed the Ozturk tour and it was an excellent idea to go with a company who knew the country so well. He can be well proud of his country of origin and I will have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who wants to go to Turkey in style! Thanks again for making arrangements.
Regards, Patsy Nugent
**2008 TURKEY TOURS**
Annual Turkey Trip - Bodrum Day Excursion
Dear Tom, Well, Bodrum was a highlight, thanks to you, Chris and Bahadir.
Chris took me first to the Info centre. Here we waited a little while to try and contact the custodian of the little museum of the Halikarnassus Balikci. No success so we decided to chance it and grabbed a taxi. The museum turned out to be closed but a woman passing by -- thanks to Chris's fluent Turkish -- promised to ask at the baker's, where she was heading, about the key -- and the custodian. Not long after, he and a convoy of three others arrived, laden with tool-bags from which they produced jemmies, hammers and other useful tools. In a jiffy the museum was open and the work men departed. It is a small affair but interesting for someone like me interested in fringe things. There were manuscripts, copies of his books, portraits, photos, some yellowed by age, but fascinating. Chris read from some of the manuscripts written in pencil in English: vivid descriptions of the beauties of Bodrum of his time. There were also family photographs and a family tree. All well worth preserving but with more care than at present. Chris, who knows a surviving family member, tells me his main papers are in Izmir. There's a short book to be written -- all I need is collaborator who speaks Turkish? Chris? I did not mention it but should have.
Then to the Myndos gate. Some guide books say there is nothing to see. In a literal way that is true but ruins can speak to us in a way well preserved buildings can't. It was evocative to walk between the pillars, vestiges of the gateway where Alexander entered, and to see remains of old tombs dotted through the trees, was a moving experience for me. Bahadir joined us here and told fascinating stories of excavations there. Then on to the Mausoleum, just a quarry littered with stone remnants but again it can call up ghosts and visions. The model replica gives some idea of its magnificence, if not the callosal lscale. And one original relief has been retained, the rest carted off to the British Museum in typical nineteenth century imperialist style.
The castle and its treasure are of course the piece de resistance as you had prepared me to expect, but was even more fascinating than I had imagined. The amphoras and the story of their retrieval and restoration is just amazing, as it was to see how they were stowed away on the model ship. Not many spills of the precious contents I imagine. By the time we got to the holy of holies, specially opened for me, my energies were flagging a little but how thrilled I was to see so much. Tea in the gardens, overlooked by the peacocks, revived me. Chris was so thoughtful and considerate throughout. By this time Bahadir had left us to take a tour group, having had no lunch break I am afraid.
So Bodrum was a great success and a good choice.
This is to thank you Tom and also Chris and Bahadir -- I had not realised he had been diver as well as a marine archaeologist.
All best wishes, Laurie
PS The Tours info about books to read is a good one I think!
Dear Tom, Well, Bodrum was a highlight, thanks to you, Chris and Bahadir.
Chris took me first to the Info centre. Here we waited a little while to try and contact the custodian of the little museum of the Halikarnassus Balikci. No success so we decided to chance it and grabbed a taxi. The museum turned out to be closed but a woman passing by -- thanks to Chris's fluent Turkish -- promised to ask at the baker's, where she was heading, about the key -- and the custodian. Not long after, he and a convoy of three others arrived, laden with tool-bags from which they produced jemmies, hammers and other useful tools. In a jiffy the museum was open and the work men departed. It is a small affair but interesting for someone like me interested in fringe things. There were manuscripts, copies of his books, portraits, photos, some yellowed by age, but fascinating. Chris read from some of the manuscripts written in pencil in English: vivid descriptions of the beauties of Bodrum of his time. There were also family photographs and a family tree. All well worth preserving but with more care than at present. Chris, who knows a surviving family member, tells me his main papers are in Izmir. There's a short book to be written -- all I need is collaborator who speaks Turkish? Chris? I did not mention it but should have.
Then to the Myndos gate. Some guide books say there is nothing to see. In a literal way that is true but ruins can speak to us in a way well preserved buildings can't. It was evocative to walk between the pillars, vestiges of the gateway where Alexander entered, and to see remains of old tombs dotted through the trees, was a moving experience for me. Bahadir joined us here and told fascinating stories of excavations there. Then on to the Mausoleum, just a quarry littered with stone remnants but again it can call up ghosts and visions. The model replica gives some idea of its magnificence, if not the callosal lscale. And one original relief has been retained, the rest carted off to the British Museum in typical nineteenth century imperialist style.
The castle and its treasure are of course the piece de resistance as you had prepared me to expect, but was even more fascinating than I had imagined. The amphoras and the story of their retrieval and restoration is just amazing, as it was to see how they were stowed away on the model ship. Not many spills of the precious contents I imagine. By the time we got to the holy of holies, specially opened for me, my energies were flagging a little but how thrilled I was to see so much. Tea in the gardens, overlooked by the peacocks, revived me. Chris was so thoughtful and considerate throughout. By this time Bahadir had left us to take a tour group, having had no lunch break I am afraid.
So Bodrum was a great success and a good choice.
This is to thank you Tom and also Chris and Bahadir -- I had not realised he had been diver as well as a marine archaeologist.
All best wishes, Laurie
PS The Tours info about books to read is a good one I think!
2007 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**2007 OZTURK TOURS**
Hi - Grand Sultan October 07
Hi Tom. Just wanted to let you know that Hamit's Grand Sultan tour was a holiday of a lifetime! Bob and I had a wonderful time. We found the Turkish people warm and friendly, the food fabulous and the sights a dream come true for me. We had a great bunch of people on the bus and everyone got on well. I could not speak highly enough of Hamit and Yavuz our guide. They couldn't do enough for us and really went out of their way to make sure everyone was happy. Very personalised attention and real care for our enjoyment and welfare.
Thank you for managing to get us on the tour and making all the arrangements at such short notice. We loved our time in Bodrum so thank you also for that recommendation.
All the best and Merry Christmas, Marie-Anne & Bob
Hi Tom. Just wanted to let you know that Hamit's Grand Sultan tour was a holiday of a lifetime! Bob and I had a wonderful time. We found the Turkish people warm and friendly, the food fabulous and the sights a dream come true for me. We had a great bunch of people on the bus and everyone got on well. I could not speak highly enough of Hamit and Yavuz our guide. They couldn't do enough for us and really went out of their way to make sure everyone was happy. Very personalised attention and real care for our enjoyment and welfare.
Thank you for managing to get us on the tour and making all the arrangements at such short notice. We loved our time in Bodrum so thank you also for that recommendation.
All the best and Merry Christmas, Marie-Anne & Bob
Thankyou
Hello Hamit and Tom,
Now that I have been home for over 3 weeks, and getting slowly oriented again after 5 to 6 weeks of travel, I would like to thank you both for your part in my great travel experience. We had some wild, stormy weather, with flooding, in Newcastle the weekend before I arrived home, but fortunately my home escaped the consequences.
Hamit, how good is your “Grand Sultan” tour? I really enjoyed the experience. I have thought about highlights and a few are as follows:
Hello Hamit and Tom,
Now that I have been home for over 3 weeks, and getting slowly oriented again after 5 to 6 weeks of travel, I would like to thank you both for your part in my great travel experience. We had some wild, stormy weather, with flooding, in Newcastle the weekend before I arrived home, but fortunately my home escaped the consequences.
Hamit, how good is your “Grand Sultan” tour? I really enjoyed the experience. I have thought about highlights and a few are as follows:
-
all the places, people and experiences in Istanbul, including the Bosphorus cruise;
-
Gallipoli;
-
all the historical sites and places in Turkey – specially Ephesus;
-
restored Ottoman caravanserai hotel in Kusadasi;
-
a couple of swims in the Mediterranean Sea;
-
Cappodocia – landforms, cave dwellings and underground cities, the cave hotel, balloon flight;
-
an understanding of Turkish history and nation;
-
rural scenes/ traditional country people;
-
the tour group in the minibus and how well we got on together.
Tom, thank you and the people at Timeless Tours and Travel for your part in my travel experience. As well as the tour of Turkey, and flying Turkish Airlines, I enjoyed the experience of London, the UK and Ireland. All went very well. The County Hotel in London was quite good – I had no problems with the community toilet/ bathroom experience, and the hotel is at a good location. The tour director on the Trafalgar tour was excellent with a lot of experience and historical knowledge, as well as a good sense of humour. For an Australian, there is a lot of history in the UK and Ireland, as well as in Turkey! I also enjoyed the Bangkok experience, and thank you for your contribution in this regard.
Thanks, Hamit and Tom! Kind regards, Bob Cherry
Thanks, Hamit and Tom! Kind regards, Bob Cherry
Feedback re Ozturk Turkey Tour
The tour was everything they said and more. The accommodation was, wherever possible, in the old parts of the cities and quite charming. All very high standard. We stayed in a caravanserai in one place, and in a cave (a 4 star cave) in another. The organiser had gone to a lot of trouble to arrange for meals in unusual and also charming places. The organisation was also very generous - we went for a boat trip down the Bosphorus and we had a boat big enough for a hundred people all to ourselves. We followed the coast for quite a lot of the trip, which meant spectacular water views. One of the major highlights is the balloon trip - must go with Cappadocia Balloons though. That was an experience I will never forget - absolutely wonderful. Most other balloons sort of went up and then eventually came down - our firm's balloons went up and d! own like yo-yos. I didn't know you could do things like that with a balloon and wow!was it fun! Great value for money.
I think that anyone wanting to do a comfortable, entertaining, well-organised tour of Turkey would do well to consider Ozturk.
Susan and Sal
The tour was everything they said and more. The accommodation was, wherever possible, in the old parts of the cities and quite charming. All very high standard. We stayed in a caravanserai in one place, and in a cave (a 4 star cave) in another. The organiser had gone to a lot of trouble to arrange for meals in unusual and also charming places. The organisation was also very generous - we went for a boat trip down the Bosphorus and we had a boat big enough for a hundred people all to ourselves. We followed the coast for quite a lot of the trip, which meant spectacular water views. One of the major highlights is the balloon trip - must go with Cappadocia Balloons though. That was an experience I will never forget - absolutely wonderful. Most other balloons sort of went up and then eventually came down - our firm's balloons went up and d! own like yo-yos. I didn't know you could do things like that with a balloon and wow!was it fun! Great value for money.
I think that anyone wanting to do a comfortable, entertaining, well-organised tour of Turkey would do well to consider Ozturk.
Susan and Sal
Ozturk 17 Day Tour in Turkey
I want to let you know that the tour was first class, only 10 people plus Hamit and a local guide and a driver. We travelled comfortably in a small coach and stayed in small hotels off the tourist track for most of the nights. All of our lunches and dinners were lovely and some quite spectacular. I guess by now you will guess that I thought the trip was beaut - and you are right. I can heartily recommend it for anyone looking for something just a little different. The country and its people are great. We never felt uncomfortable or threatened.
Regards, Graeme Robin
I want to let you know that the tour was first class, only 10 people plus Hamit and a local guide and a driver. We travelled comfortably in a small coach and stayed in small hotels off the tourist track for most of the nights. All of our lunches and dinners were lovely and some quite spectacular. I guess by now you will guess that I thought the trip was beaut - and you are right. I can heartily recommend it for anyone looking for something just a little different. The country and its people are great. We never felt uncomfortable or threatened.
Regards, Graeme Robin
**2007 SYRIA/ JORDAN/ LEBANON TOURS**
Syria - 2007
You have been a wonderful guide for us in Syria... our visit has been far too short to see and appreciate everything!
Lawson Lobb and Jill Harris
Lawson Lobb and Jill Harris
2006 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**TIMELESS TOURS' 2006 GALLIPOLI TOURS**
Turkey/Greece
Hello Tom, Arrived home safely Saturday evening. We had a great time in Turkey and Greece. All the travel arrangements worked well, so thank you for your hard work. Will was an excellent guide and help. He led a very good tour leading up to and including Anzac Day and drove us through spectacular country in Turkey. So, thank you again Tom for your help.
Kind regards Peter and Anne
Hello Tom, Arrived home safely Saturday evening. We had a great time in Turkey and Greece. All the travel arrangements worked well, so thank you for your hard work. Will was an excellent guide and help. He led a very good tour leading up to and including Anzac Day and drove us through spectacular country in Turkey. So, thank you again Tom for your help.
Kind regards Peter and Anne
**2006 OMAN TOURS**
Oman 2006 - From Brig and Robyn
We have just returned from an amazing visit to Oman. We arrived with some reservations about our personal safety, and living conditions generally, and left with a magic aura, wanting more! It's one of the safest destinations we have visited, we were treated with great respect, the cities and countryside are clean, and the road network is as modern as any we have seen. Scenically it is amazing, ranging from barren, soaring mountains, to deserts and to beautiful emerald seas. Accommodation is excellent, food apetizing, and service friendly and helpful. Shopping the souqs is an added adventure! We adored Oman, and were looked after extremely well. We had the same driver all the way, and fell in love with him (Faisal).
Thanks again, Brig and Robyn
We have just returned from an amazing visit to Oman. We arrived with some reservations about our personal safety, and living conditions generally, and left with a magic aura, wanting more! It's one of the safest destinations we have visited, we were treated with great respect, the cities and countryside are clean, and the road network is as modern as any we have seen. Scenically it is amazing, ranging from barren, soaring mountains, to deserts and to beautiful emerald seas. Accommodation is excellent, food apetizing, and service friendly and helpful. Shopping the souqs is an added adventure! We adored Oman, and were looked after extremely well. We had the same driver all the way, and fell in love with him (Faisal).
Thanks again, Brig and Robyn
2005 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**TIMELESS TOURS' 2005 GALLIPOLI TOURS**
Gallipoli 2005
I would like to tell how much we enjoyed the whole trip. Your choice of hotelsin Istanbul, the Accura and the Richmond were goodchoices - close to the sights and to the 'feel' ofIstanbul. The tour of the battlefields and ANZAC DAY itself werewell conduct and well organised.
Thank you very much, Anthony and Ros Fairbrother
I would like to tell how much we enjoyed the whole trip. Your choice of hotelsin Istanbul, the Accura and the Richmond were goodchoices - close to the sights and to the 'feel' ofIstanbul. The tour of the battlefields and ANZAC DAY itself werewell conduct and well organised.
Thank you very much, Anthony and Ros Fairbrother
Sent to Alan Jones 2GB:
Dear Alan,
I have just returned from a trip with my family to Gallipoli for four days including Anzac Day followed by a trip around The Somme battle fields in France visiting the Australian sites and cemetries.
Dear Alan,
I have just returned from a trip with my family to Gallipoli for four days including Anzac Day followed by a trip around The Somme battle fields in France visiting the Australian sites and cemetries.
I have tried to instill in my children the heritage of our great country and the debt we owe to so many who have fought for us, especially the fallen.
I have taken my son to every Anzac Day march since he was three and the welcome home march for the Vietnam Veterans. As he is now eighteen I decided the time was right to take him, my sixteen year old daughter and my wife to Gallipoli.
We travelled around the Gallipoli Peninsula with our tour leader, who is a Vietnam Veteran and a Historian and who has now completed seven of these tours. He has a vast knowledge of the Gallipoli Campaign and Turkish History. For four days we travelled to Anzac Cove, Shrapnel Valley, Lone Pine, Johnston's Jolly, Quinns Post, The Neck, Suvla Bay, and Cape Helles.
Whilst I was in France I heard that back in Australia there was a lot of flack directed at young people because of rubbish left at the Dawn Service and that some were laying amongst the graves at the Lone Pine Ceremony. Some Australians just have to be knockers and some in the media are prime examples. There was no fault with the young people and there was minimal damage by the road widening at Anzac Cove, our guide said it has been done in a very sensitive way. What appeared to be massive damage on the television screen is actually the natural terrain.
As you have always supported young Australians I would like to put a view to you from someone who was there, rather than that portrayed through a television camera.
There were over six hundred buses end to end on the entry road to Anzac Cove for the Dawn Service, a line over six kilometres long. My family was on bus No.60 and it took us about fifteen minutes to walk to the site, you can only guess how long it took from bus No.600. We arrived at 10PM the night before and there were already young Australians there who had hiked how many kilometres from neighbouring towns into the site, after back packing across Europe.
During the night I was the coldest I have been in my life, the cold went through to your bones and you could not stop shivering. It certainly drove home the conditions of our diggers coming ashore wet, with pack, rifle and shovel, and under fire. There were twenty thousand of us there over night, of all ages, and there was not one case of bad behavior.
I was just so proud of our young people in the reverence and respect they observed during the service.
We then walked in a long orderly column up the long steep hill to Lone Pine on Second Ridge. Most Australians do not realise and would not believe how far our boys got to over such difficult terrain. This column contained Aussies of all ages, some, like a 78 year old lady with our group, stopping occassionaly for a breather, but all carried to the top with the emotion, all with no sleep.
The ceremony at Lone Pine is a completely different atmosphere, just as the Dawn Service and the March are in Sydney. There would have been at least twelve thousand at Lone Pine.
At both Anzac Cove and Lone Pine my family was lucky to get seats in the stands. At both sites the young people were packed in where ever they could find a space.
I was immensely proud of the reception they gave Mr.Howard, the obvious warmth of these young Australians as they mobbed their Prime Minister and insisted he do a circuit of the site to meet them all was outstanding.
When the Veterans sitting in the stands were called up to sit up the front with the dignitaries, the support they received from these young people was reflected in their faces as they walked forward, they were absolutely amazed and overwhelmed. One eighty year old plus digger kept going, like he was walking on clouds, right up to very front where Mr.Howard insisted he stay. I am a grown man and I have to admit I had a tears in my eyes. These old soldiers will remember that moment to their last days, not for shaking the hand of the Prime Minister or Prince Charles, but the overwhelming respect they received from these young Australians.
When we were leaving Lone Pine I turned to the other members of our tour and said I am just so proud of the young people of our country.
The criticism of the rubbish at Anzac Cove is unjust, there were only a few rubbish bins, not nearly enough for twenty thousand. The arm chair critics who were not there do not realise that the War Graves Commission employs the Turkish people to erect and dismantle the stands and clean up the sites, in a country of high unemployment.
Lone Pine was the site of the hardest and costliest fighting for the Aussies in the campaign, between the 6th and 9th August 1915 in 3 days and nights of fighting, there were 2000 Australian casualties and 7000 Turkish casualties. In 1918 a British visitor observed you could still see evidence of the bloodshed.
I honestly believe that a young digger laying in that hallowed ground would feel comfort in a young Australian wrapped in our flag laying next to him.
There was no disrespect, there was only the utmost respect. Australia should be proud of these young people who are the same age and are made of the same character as the boys they were there to honour.
Alan, I realise that this is too long for you to read, but I had to get it off my chest, and you understand young people.
Thank You, Yours sincerely, Warren Baker.
Timeless 5 day Anzac Day Program 2005
I have taken my son to every Anzac Day march since he was three and the welcome home march for the Vietnam Veterans. As he is now eighteen I decided the time was right to take him, my sixteen year old daughter and my wife to Gallipoli.
We travelled around the Gallipoli Peninsula with our tour leader, who is a Vietnam Veteran and a Historian and who has now completed seven of these tours. He has a vast knowledge of the Gallipoli Campaign and Turkish History. For four days we travelled to Anzac Cove, Shrapnel Valley, Lone Pine, Johnston's Jolly, Quinns Post, The Neck, Suvla Bay, and Cape Helles.
Whilst I was in France I heard that back in Australia there was a lot of flack directed at young people because of rubbish left at the Dawn Service and that some were laying amongst the graves at the Lone Pine Ceremony. Some Australians just have to be knockers and some in the media are prime examples. There was no fault with the young people and there was minimal damage by the road widening at Anzac Cove, our guide said it has been done in a very sensitive way. What appeared to be massive damage on the television screen is actually the natural terrain.
As you have always supported young Australians I would like to put a view to you from someone who was there, rather than that portrayed through a television camera.
There were over six hundred buses end to end on the entry road to Anzac Cove for the Dawn Service, a line over six kilometres long. My family was on bus No.60 and it took us about fifteen minutes to walk to the site, you can only guess how long it took from bus No.600. We arrived at 10PM the night before and there were already young Australians there who had hiked how many kilometres from neighbouring towns into the site, after back packing across Europe.
During the night I was the coldest I have been in my life, the cold went through to your bones and you could not stop shivering. It certainly drove home the conditions of our diggers coming ashore wet, with pack, rifle and shovel, and under fire. There were twenty thousand of us there over night, of all ages, and there was not one case of bad behavior.
I was just so proud of our young people in the reverence and respect they observed during the service.
We then walked in a long orderly column up the long steep hill to Lone Pine on Second Ridge. Most Australians do not realise and would not believe how far our boys got to over such difficult terrain. This column contained Aussies of all ages, some, like a 78 year old lady with our group, stopping occassionaly for a breather, but all carried to the top with the emotion, all with no sleep.
The ceremony at Lone Pine is a completely different atmosphere, just as the Dawn Service and the March are in Sydney. There would have been at least twelve thousand at Lone Pine.
At both Anzac Cove and Lone Pine my family was lucky to get seats in the stands. At both sites the young people were packed in where ever they could find a space.
I was immensely proud of the reception they gave Mr.Howard, the obvious warmth of these young Australians as they mobbed their Prime Minister and insisted he do a circuit of the site to meet them all was outstanding.
When the Veterans sitting in the stands were called up to sit up the front with the dignitaries, the support they received from these young people was reflected in their faces as they walked forward, they were absolutely amazed and overwhelmed. One eighty year old plus digger kept going, like he was walking on clouds, right up to very front where Mr.Howard insisted he stay. I am a grown man and I have to admit I had a tears in my eyes. These old soldiers will remember that moment to their last days, not for shaking the hand of the Prime Minister or Prince Charles, but the overwhelming respect they received from these young Australians.
When we were leaving Lone Pine I turned to the other members of our tour and said I am just so proud of the young people of our country.
The criticism of the rubbish at Anzac Cove is unjust, there were only a few rubbish bins, not nearly enough for twenty thousand. The arm chair critics who were not there do not realise that the War Graves Commission employs the Turkish people to erect and dismantle the stands and clean up the sites, in a country of high unemployment.
Lone Pine was the site of the hardest and costliest fighting for the Aussies in the campaign, between the 6th and 9th August 1915 in 3 days and nights of fighting, there were 2000 Australian casualties and 7000 Turkish casualties. In 1918 a British visitor observed you could still see evidence of the bloodshed.
I honestly believe that a young digger laying in that hallowed ground would feel comfort in a young Australian wrapped in our flag laying next to him.
There was no disrespect, there was only the utmost respect. Australia should be proud of these young people who are the same age and are made of the same character as the boys they were there to honour.
Alan, I realise that this is too long for you to read, but I had to get it off my chest, and you understand young people.
Thank You, Yours sincerely, Warren Baker.
Timeless 5 day Anzac Day Program 2005
Thanks
Hi Will....I would firstly like to thank you once again on behalf of Helen, James, Victoria and myself, for making our Gallipoli experience so special....I am absolutely convinced that the trip to Gallipoli and Turkey would have been wasted for the most part if we had not had your knowledge and experience. Your affability, demeanour and sense of humour are a credit to you, as is the group of diverse individuals you managed to blend into such a harmonious whole....Thanks mate, Warren, Helen, James and Victoria Baker.
Hi Will....I would firstly like to thank you once again on behalf of Helen, James, Victoria and myself, for making our Gallipoli experience so special....I am absolutely convinced that the trip to Gallipoli and Turkey would have been wasted for the most part if we had not had your knowledge and experience. Your affability, demeanour and sense of humour are a credit to you, as is the group of diverse individuals you managed to blend into such a harmonious whole....Thanks mate, Warren, Helen, James and Victoria Baker.
Thankyou for our Tour of Gallipoli
Just thought I say a huge thankyou for such a wonderful trip. It met all expectations and more. The country was fascinating, the scenery spectacular and the guides and people of Turkey were so welcoming and friendly. Our guides Jasmine and Chris were so knowledgeable and we had a ball with them.
We'd definately recommend this trip to anyone asking and have already convinced a few friends they should check it out.
Once again thankyou so much. We have some fantatstic memories.
Many Thanks Noeline Boland
Just thought I say a huge thankyou for such a wonderful trip. It met all expectations and more. The country was fascinating, the scenery spectacular and the guides and people of Turkey were so welcoming and friendly. Our guides Jasmine and Chris were so knowledgeable and we had a ball with them.
We'd definately recommend this trip to anyone asking and have already convinced a few friends they should check it out.
Once again thankyou so much. We have some fantatstic memories.
Many Thanks Noeline Boland
Anzac Day 2005
We had a fantastic time in Gallipoli, much of it due to your expertise and planning. We actually met another couple in France (who we spent a week with - small world) that were in Gallipoli at the same time as our tour group, but they missed the Lone Pine Service as their Turkish tour guide told them to wait for the bus to take them to it.
Kirsten and Duncan Bryce
We had a fantastic time in Gallipoli, much of it due to your expertise and planning. We actually met another couple in France (who we spent a week with - small world) that were in Gallipoli at the same time as our tour group, but they missed the Lone Pine Service as their Turkish tour guide told them to wait for the bus to take them to it.
Kirsten and Duncan Bryce
**2005 SYRIA/ JORDAN/ LEBANON/ IRAN TOURS**
Syria Travels
Dear Tom, Just to let you know that our travels have been going very well- thanks to your excellent arrangements...
We really loved Syria - quite a unique place - the souks of Old Damascus and Aleppo were amazing.
Arrangements in Turkey have also worked splendidly...
Car arrangements have also worked well - the car from Avis Adana got us up to Mt Nemrut with no trouble!
Best regards, Rob and Jane
Best regards, Rob and Jane
**2005 OMAN TOURS**
Oman 2005
Just to let you know, Tom, that our tour to Wadi Shab with "Johnny" (didn't see it written, but that's what it sounded like) of Mark Tours, was absolutely great. English was quite a struggle for him, but he more than made up for it with what he showed us, his patience and willingness - a thoroughly nice guide who was much appreciated. (Lunch was huge too!). Compared very well with some of the opposition. We'd certainly recommend them.
Regards, Mary & Pauline
Just to let you know, Tom, that our tour to Wadi Shab with "Johnny" (didn't see it written, but that's what it sounded like) of Mark Tours, was absolutely great. English was quite a struggle for him, but he more than made up for it with what he showed us, his patience and willingness - a thoroughly nice guide who was much appreciated. (Lunch was huge too!). Compared very well with some of the opposition. We'd certainly recommend them.
Regards, Mary & Pauline
**2005 SPAIN/ PORTUGAL/ MOROCCO TOURS**
Spain and Morocco 2005
Now that the normal work routine has returned, I thought I would give you some feedback on the trip.
Spain: The Hotel Londres E Inglaterra was wonderful. San Sebastion is a wonderful place to walk, eat tapas, and use as a base for a drive in the surrounding area. Both the Hotels Petit Palace in Bilbao and Sevilla were well presented very modern hotels. The Gugenheim museum was fantastic and worth 1/2 a day. The Bilbao hotel was on the tram line to the museum which made travel easy. Seville was wonderful also, plenty to see in the city itself.
Morocco: After the initial culture shock (two taxi drivers having a fight over who was going to get our fare; we went with a third!). Marrakech was fantastic. The Maison Mnabha was an excellent suggestion, we were sad to leave Peter and Lawrence. The Riad was immaculate full of atmosphere, nothing was too much trouble. We had several dinners (candlelight), there as well, one cooked in the hamman. The room had two dozen red roses, olives and nuts fresh each day, specially cooked biscuits on the last day. Breakfasts were great, freshly stewed figs, pastries etc. All in all a great place.
We went to the atlas mountains on a small group day tour and to Essaouira for the day with a driver. The La Maison Arabe was a great hotel but not in the centre of things like Mnabha and being bigger didn't have the same intimate feeling as Mnabha. It was much better than a Sheraton etc, type of hotel, but having been spoilt at Mnabha I would prefer Mnabha any day. The cooking class was held at La Maison Arabe's pool area some 10-15 minutes away by car from the hotel. The class was good but ended up only being a one course class. The most interesting thing was there was a Moroccan chef and a translator who turned out to be a professor at the University and we had a good talk to him about the current state of Moroccan culture and Politics. We were served the meal we cooked by the pool. Thank you again for your helpful suggestions we had a wonderful holiday.
John Giles
Now that the normal work routine has returned, I thought I would give you some feedback on the trip.
Spain: The Hotel Londres E Inglaterra was wonderful. San Sebastion is a wonderful place to walk, eat tapas, and use as a base for a drive in the surrounding area. Both the Hotels Petit Palace in Bilbao and Sevilla were well presented very modern hotels. The Gugenheim museum was fantastic and worth 1/2 a day. The Bilbao hotel was on the tram line to the museum which made travel easy. Seville was wonderful also, plenty to see in the city itself.
Morocco: After the initial culture shock (two taxi drivers having a fight over who was going to get our fare; we went with a third!). Marrakech was fantastic. The Maison Mnabha was an excellent suggestion, we were sad to leave Peter and Lawrence. The Riad was immaculate full of atmosphere, nothing was too much trouble. We had several dinners (candlelight), there as well, one cooked in the hamman. The room had two dozen red roses, olives and nuts fresh each day, specially cooked biscuits on the last day. Breakfasts were great, freshly stewed figs, pastries etc. All in all a great place.
We went to the atlas mountains on a small group day tour and to Essaouira for the day with a driver. The La Maison Arabe was a great hotel but not in the centre of things like Mnabha and being bigger didn't have the same intimate feeling as Mnabha. It was much better than a Sheraton etc, type of hotel, but having been spoilt at Mnabha I would prefer Mnabha any day. The cooking class was held at La Maison Arabe's pool area some 10-15 minutes away by car from the hotel. The class was good but ended up only being a one course class. The most interesting thing was there was a Moroccan chef and a translator who turned out to be a professor at the University and we had a good talk to him about the current state of Moroccan culture and Politics. We were served the meal we cooked by the pool. Thank you again for your helpful suggestions we had a wonderful holiday.
John Giles
2004 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**TIMELESS TOURS' 2004 GALLIPOLI TOURS**
Gallipoli ANZAC Tours
Just a note to say how wonderful the Gallipoli trip was, we really enjoyed it and it was all down to our fabulous tour leader Will. I've been on a number of tours throughout the years and he was by far the best leader ever. Thanks for a great time - we will definitely be recommending Timeless Tours and their Gallipoli trip.
Kymberly Clifton
Just a note to say how wonderful the Gallipoli trip was, we really enjoyed it and it was all down to our fabulous tour leader Will. I've been on a number of tours throughout the years and he was by far the best leader ever. Thanks for a great time - we will definitely be recommending Timeless Tours and their Gallipoli trip.
Kymberly Clifton
**2004 TURKEY TOURS**
Cappadocia - 2004
Tom, Have just returned from Turkey and just wanted to thank you for organising our trip to Cappadocia.
We loved every minute and everything worked like clockwork, from the pick up at Kayseri to the flight from Ankara to Istanbul. Ali, our guide was excellent with a wonderful knowledge of the history of the area and comparative religions. The Museum Hotel was a great experience and quite beautiful having dinner on the terrace overlooking the Valley and the town of Goreme. We also did some wonderful walks from the hotel into the township. Omar is a gracious host.
Finally, the hot air Balloon trip with Cappadocia Balloons was an experience never to be forgotten. We were lucky enough to have a German film crew on our flight with a guest anthopologist who had been living and working in Goreme for 20 years so his intimate knowledge of the area was a bonus.
Lars, Omar and Ali say "Hello" and if you are in touch please thank each one of them.I would have no hesitation in recommending both Timeless Tours and Matiana Travel.
Following the trip to Ankara we spent two days in Istanbul (one of my all time favorite cities) and then flew to Gocek to pick up the boat. Then there were two glorious weeks of wonderful weather sailing from Gocek to Finneke and back.
Our last trip to Turkey was 10 years ago and we were very impressed with the progress made but still the people are friendly and delightful. Not yet touristed out! It's a great country.
Karen and Peter Wilson
Tom, Have just returned from Turkey and just wanted to thank you for organising our trip to Cappadocia.
We loved every minute and everything worked like clockwork, from the pick up at Kayseri to the flight from Ankara to Istanbul. Ali, our guide was excellent with a wonderful knowledge of the history of the area and comparative religions. The Museum Hotel was a great experience and quite beautiful having dinner on the terrace overlooking the Valley and the town of Goreme. We also did some wonderful walks from the hotel into the township. Omar is a gracious host.
Finally, the hot air Balloon trip with Cappadocia Balloons was an experience never to be forgotten. We were lucky enough to have a German film crew on our flight with a guest anthopologist who had been living and working in Goreme for 20 years so his intimate knowledge of the area was a bonus.
Lars, Omar and Ali say "Hello" and if you are in touch please thank each one of them.I would have no hesitation in recommending both Timeless Tours and Matiana Travel.
Following the trip to Ankara we spent two days in Istanbul (one of my all time favorite cities) and then flew to Gocek to pick up the boat. Then there were two glorious weeks of wonderful weather sailing from Gocek to Finneke and back.
Our last trip to Turkey was 10 years ago and we were very impressed with the progress made but still the people are friendly and delightful. Not yet touristed out! It's a great country.
Karen and Peter Wilson
2003 TRAVELLERS' COMMENTS!
**TIMELESS TOURS' 2003 GALLIPOLI TOURS**
Gallipoli
Traipsing around the (Gallipoli) Peninsula was by far my favourite component of our five week Europe trip. I loved every minute of it.
If the next tour has half as much fun as we had on the trip then they will see it as a trip well spent.
Shaun Butler
Traipsing around the (Gallipoli) Peninsula was by far my favourite component of our five week Europe trip. I loved every minute of it.
If the next tour has half as much fun as we had on the trip then they will see it as a trip well spent.
Shaun Butler
ANZAC Tour
I took part in your recent tour, the only Kiwi in the group. What a wonderful experience. Will Willis is truly remarkable, so dedicated, enthusiastic and always helpful. And this year of course we had the added bonus of Harvey Broadbent. And I mustn't forget the young local Turkish guide who was excellent, and quite beautiful too!
If you have wondered if improvements could be made, I certainly can't think of any. I will recommend the trip to anyone, and will always look back on my adventure with great pleasure.
[I am a 2nd generation Anzac. My father survived Gallipoli and went on to endure and survive the Western Front].
Michael Broad, Dunedin, New Zealand.
I took part in your recent tour, the only Kiwi in the group. What a wonderful experience. Will Willis is truly remarkable, so dedicated, enthusiastic and always helpful. And this year of course we had the added bonus of Harvey Broadbent. And I mustn't forget the young local Turkish guide who was excellent, and quite beautiful too!
If you have wondered if improvements could be made, I certainly can't think of any. I will recommend the trip to anyone, and will always look back on my adventure with great pleasure.
[I am a 2nd generation Anzac. My father survived Gallipoli and went on to endure and survive the Western Front].
Michael Broad, Dunedin, New Zealand.
ANZAC Day 2003 at Gallipoli
The safe and satisfying Gallipoli tour provided by your company last month deserves the highest commendation. Your itinerary has a good balance of travel, accommodation and informed commentary. Will's personal identification with the tour party and his insightful explanations of the Gallipoli campaign were absolutely splendid. My wife and I felt your product was excellent value for money and have recommended it highly to our booking agent here in Melbourne. Please forward this greeting on to Will with our warmest thanks.
Doug and Bev Davis
The safe and satisfying Gallipoli tour provided by your company last month deserves the highest commendation. Your itinerary has a good balance of travel, accommodation and informed commentary. Will's personal identification with the tour party and his insightful explanations of the Gallipoli campaign were absolutely splendid. My wife and I felt your product was excellent value for money and have recommended it highly to our booking agent here in Melbourne. Please forward this greeting on to Will with our warmest thanks.
Doug and Bev Davis
ANZAC 03
Although it has taken me a good four months to get back to you I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your assistance in helping me organise my trip through Turkey in April.
I had a great time with the highlight being the ANZAC tour conducted by Timeless. The insight that the four days gave me into a part of my Australian history was unbelievable. Although I knew a little about the history of the ANZACs it was not until I spent the four days with Will and the guy who was writing the book (whose name escapes me) that I truly appreciated what went on there, how it all came about and how it all ended up, truly a great experience. The ANAZC ceremonies themselves were fantastic and made all the better by the great group we had on the tour. It was fantastic how well we all got along with each other, something not always experienced with other tours, and attributed to the way it was lead and conducted. Will's ability to interact with everyone was fantastic.
Jon Brennan
Although it has taken me a good four months to get back to you I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your assistance in helping me organise my trip through Turkey in April.
I had a great time with the highlight being the ANZAC tour conducted by Timeless. The insight that the four days gave me into a part of my Australian history was unbelievable. Although I knew a little about the history of the ANZACs it was not until I spent the four days with Will and the guy who was writing the book (whose name escapes me) that I truly appreciated what went on there, how it all came about and how it all ended up, truly a great experience. The ANAZC ceremonies themselves were fantastic and made all the better by the great group we had on the tour. It was fantastic how well we all got along with each other, something not always experienced with other tours, and attributed to the way it was lead and conducted. Will's ability to interact with everyone was fantastic.
Jon Brennan
For further tour information or to book a tour, please contact Timeless Tours.
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