TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

• A VALID Canadian passport is required.   Passports (and  if required most Visas) should be valid for at least six months beyond date of scheduled return.
• Ensure that there are two blank pages in your passport so that any required visas or permits can be attached.
• Travel outside of Canada requires infants and children to have their own passport (and if required, Visas)
• A VALID Canadian passport OR Canadian Resident Card will be required for re-entry into Canada.

VISAS

• Travelers are responsible for securing and fulfilling visa and passport requirements to enter/exit a country. For details on each countries specific requirements please visit CIBT’s web site at www.ca.cibt.com
• IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING UNDER A NON-CANADIAN PASSPORT PLEASE ADVISE YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR AS YOU MAY HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS. For  Non-Canadian passports, please visit CIBT’s web site at www.ca.cibt.com.

Note -  Entry to another country may be refused even if the require information and travel documents are complete.

Memory of a Lifetime

The Story

During my initial consultation with clients in California, and while reviewing details later that day, I noted that one of their daughters would be turning 16 during their private tour of Greece and Turkey.

Remembering the thrill of clients for whom I had organized a surprise birthday party at the top of a mountain in Turkey (complete with almond cake, candles and fairy lights in the garden of their lovely hotel) I organized a surprise for Katherine – not only upon landing from her hot air balloon ride but also when she arrived back at her hotel for breakfast.  That was a day of cakes and surprises and, judging by this note I received by mail, her sixteenth birthday will always hold special memories for her and her family.

This is why I love my work!  There is nothing more rewarding that orchestrating dreams and with my global network of Virtuoso partners, the options are endless.

Please, let me orchestrate your dreams.

I love Turkey.  Its rich and colourful history, carefully preserved and shared with the world through its open palaces, mosques and UNESCO Heritage Sites, beckons North Americans more than ever.

In order to keep up with the ever-growing list of  hotels, and because I know that my clients like to stay at different types of hotels – from super-luxurious to small family-run –   I try to visit at least once, but more often twice a year.  During those visits, I inspect hotel rooms and restaurants, sample menus and seek new contenders.  I like to personally experience an hotel or restaurant before I recommend it or include it in one of my private tour itineraries.

As more world travellers seek to experience Turkey’s truly special combination of new and old, Asia and Europe, so the number of  local tour operators increases and generally speaking, those suppliers are both honourable and reliable and you will have an amazing trip.

However, when you book your trip to Turkey  through the Internet, how do you know who you are dealing with?  After all, a beautiful or seemingly professional web site, even with a more “luxury” feel to it  is not necessarily indicative of a company that honours its word or its commitments.

There are several sites that I have visited recently that look very chic and use clever words to excite the reader.  However, in at least one instance, I know from experience that there is no substance behind those words and that what you think you will get, is not necessarily what you will get.

Moreover, when the site gives you a sense that there are “travel counsellors” or others working with that company, check it out.  You may be surprised to find there is just one employee – the owner!  And that person runs another business or two, single-handedly.

Here are some tips, based on my experience, that I hope will help you to navigate the plethora of websites selling tours in Turkey.

1.  Don’t be convinced of credibility by a good-looking site!  They are a dime a dozen in template format!  Dig deeper …

2.  Read Terms & Conditions very carefully, keeping in mind that while it may look “proper”  it may have been copied from another company’s web site!  I found exactly that situation when I googled a few sentences from one site  – only to find the words (and format!) were identical to a competing company’s website.

3.  Research the reputation of the company.  I have worked with many different suppliers in Turkey and would be happy to share my experiences of the best – for all budgets – with you.  As well, contact your local Turkish Embassy or official Turkish Tourism Office.

4.  Don’t believe everything you read.  Check it out!  What does the term “luxury” mean to you?  To the tour operator?  Is it the same?

5.  Note if any information is vague or missing or links broken when you click through the site … why is it missing?  What should be at the end of that click?

6.  You won’t be able to see their books, but research will help you to identify financially stable companies.  If the company runs out of money after you have paid, some or all, how will you get your money back?  Also, how would that affect your holiday if it runs out mid-way through your trip?  I know of a situation where this happened.

7. Review TripAdvisor but keep in mind that you should consider the reviews of tour operators, hotels, restaurants etc. and not individuals. After all, that individual may not be around when you arrive. And just because that individual is likeable, it doesn’t mean that the service offered is up to the quality you expect.  Read between the lines of the reviews.

8. If the website has a name associated with it, google the name to see what else you may find.  For instance, if that luxury looking web site has any connection with budget or low-end businesses and you are seeking a luxury experience, you may like to consider how that might affect service delivery to you.  Of course, if budget is your mode of travel, you probably wouldn’t be looking at a luxury web site anyway.

9.  Before parting with any money, contact TURSAB the Turkish Association of Travel Agents, and ask if the agency you wish to book with is current with their membership and how you are protected in the event of bankruptcy by the Tour Operator or loss of deposit, funds etc.

10. Most tour operators are happy to provide client references.  Rather than simply accepting online “kudos” statements, ask for names of people you can contact and who travelled during the same year as you intend to visit.  Ask them, by email, Skype or telephone, when they stayed (situations change), which room they were in, how were the beds, bedroom sizes, whether bathrooms were clean (they usually are spotless in Turkey, but it’s good to ask …) how far away are shops, restaurants etc., is there public transportation close by, etc.  In other words, try to get a well-rounded reference that talks of the total experience. If possible, try to identify if that reference is from somebody who shares your travel style, e.g. backpacking, luxury, because then you will be speaking the same language, so to speak.

The wise do-it-yourself (DIY) traveller to Turkey will protect his or her hard-earned money by doing some thorough research before placing a tour deposit with a local (Turkey) tour operator through the Internet.  As I said earlier, Turkey is an amazing country with some of the most warm and friendly people you will ever meet.  As in every country, though, a little prudence goes a long way.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like help selecting a local tour operator.

Milk Dessert with Raspberry Sauce

I am both thrilled and saddened that Bozcaada, a rustic and charming Turkish island in the Aegean, has been voted the second favourite island destination in Europe by Conde Nast readers.  Thrilled because I visited the island earlier this month,  before it received the award and subsequent publicity, and -  inevitably -  an increase in traffic.  There were a few French people, but overall, the island was very rustic and a jewel of simplicity. I’m saddened because the secret is out!  By the way, Mykonos took the number one spot and coincidentally, I visited it on my honeymoon in 1969 when it, too, was quiet and unspoiled.  I’m sure I would notice a few changes there today.

Back to Bozcaada now …  This rustic and charming island is easily accessed by ferry from Cannakale.  We stayed in a small hotel close to the harbour where fishermen mended their nets and fishing boat traffic scuttled around.  We ate at local restaurants and I soon discovered one that met all my criteria for taste, presentation, ambiance, etc.  Lodos restaurant is  a family-run business that seems to know the recipe for contented customers!

Lodos Restaurant, Bozcaada

As we sat in the small dining room of the cute little building, just steps from the harbour, I felt as though we were sitting in the living room of a warm and welcoming home.  The owners and their sons seemed to be natural hosts, welcoming everybody as though they were family.  A fisherman came in with freshly caught fish and after some discussion and a discerning examination of his wares on the stainless counter in the kitchen, he left with a smile on his face and there were smiles on the faces of all who witnessed this refreshing suggestion of the merits of a more simple life.

When we ate our first meal there, I shared a dessert as I was very full after mezes and a delicious main course of fresh, grilled sardines.  The title of the dessert we ordered intrigued me – sutlu karadut – milk pudding with red mulberry.  I now call it Bozcaada Island’s Best Dessert Recipe!  When it came to the table, it was so pretty and we were so keen to taste it that I forgot to take a picture! Anyway, it was simply delicious – creamy, not too sweet with a rich red mulberry sauce drizzled over the top.  This was a dessert to remember!   So much so that after eating at another restaurant the following evening, we made our way back to this restaurant for dessert!  After ordering one each this time, I asked whether they would be willing to share the recipe.  Turkan and Nejat seemed thrilled and sat down together to write out the recipe.  I am sharing this with you in the hope that you will one day visit Lodos Restaurant on Bozcaada to thank them personally!

Recipe for Sutlu Karadut (Milk Pudding with Red Mulberry)

For 10 people

.5 litre full cream milk

.5 litre heavy cream

4level dessert spoonfuls of white sugar

2 (envelopes) of gelatine

4 lavender flowers

1 dessertspoon of chopped lemon (with rind on)

250 grm. white chocolate

Sauce

250 grams red mulberries (or other berries)

.50 grams of potato flour or two dessertspoons sugar if berries are not very sweet

One cup of red wine

4 sticks of cinnamon

2 stems of lavendar

Combine all pudding ingredients and bring to the boil, whisking gently.  Cool. Strain the liquid and discard the flowers, lemon etc.  Pour the custard into small ramekins or moulds and refrigerate.  Remove from refrigerator about one hour before serving.  Invert moulds and gently slide the dessert into the centre of a small white plate.

Heat the ingredients for the sauce.  Bring to the boil and reduce the sauce until it thickens slightly.  Remove the cinnamon sticks.  Cool.   Before serving, drizzle the room-temperature sauce over the top of the pudding and decorate the plate with lavendar flower stems.

Note:  I made the dessert (picture above) for friends last night and have adjusted the measures above, slightly.  In particular, I will use two envelopes of gelatine in future instead of the four originally suggested by my gracious hosts.  As well, I omitted the potato flour from the sauce as my frozen raspberries were a little tart, so instead I added some sugar.

A few months back, during some routine visits, I was impressed to observe the amenities of some of the newer yachts.  Some had super-contemporary interiors with white leather furniture and chrome, others were more classic in decor, and bathrooms were the real surprise for me:  Italian marble and porcelain were not uncommon and they were spacious, as were the very luxurious and spotless cabins, complete with Egyptian linen towels and bedding.  The menus can be tailored to any taste and are guaranteed to include local, fresh and delicious ingredients.  Witness the skills of the chef as he prepares freshly caught seafood, deliciously crisp and flavourful salads and variations of vegetarian dishes using eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil etc.  Needless to say, your crew will pamper to your every need – or not, if you prefer more seclusion.

There are many different routes and yachts available.  The key is knowing which works best for your lifestyle, group dynamics, timing and budget.  This is where my  close connection with Southern Cross Blue Cruising comes in.   Working as a team, we will make sure that your sailing trip is exceptional.  And the price to you is the same whether I co-ordinate with them or you do it directly.  The benefit of working with me, though, is that I will take care of all the details:  transfers, hotel accommodation where needed, domestic flights, etc.  so that all you need to do is review the itineraries and menus that I will send to you, show up … and relax.

If you prefer to sail on a beautiful wooden, custom built schooner, known in Turkey as a ‘gulet’  you will be surprised at the luxury these vessels offer.  These hand-crafted yachts are of ancient design with a wide beam and enormous forward and aft deck space, ideal for lounging and eating whilst sailing along ancient trade routes.  You’ll be visiting antiquities only accessible from the sea while your professional crew oversees all of your needs.

Naturally, there are several routes to choose from.  One of the itineraries would have you embark in Bodrum, the meeting point of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.  where you are first welcomed by your captain and crew for a safety briefing before departing the harbour.

Your Blue Cruise will explore the Gulf of Gökova, a protected gulf which cuts deeply into the interior of the country from west to east. The pine forest covered shores contain numerous bays, some with family owned taverns yet others completely unpopulated. Crystal-clear waters invite you to take a sea bath or to enjoy some snorkeling. Steady winds, especially in the early afternoon and moderate swells guarantee a true sailing pleasure. You’ll visit the ancient Roman theater and silky beach of Cedreae, the ruins of Knidos, the privately owned World Heritage bays of Mersincik, the labyrnth of bays called English harbor where English submarines used to hide from enemy warships, the old ruins at the village of Kissebukku, the wild donkeys of Black Island and the peaceful bay at Orak Island.

Your gulet is fully equipped with snorkeling gear, fishing lines, beach towels, linens and the crew speak English.  One of the highlights of the cruise is fresh, locally grown produce featured at all meals which are taken on the aft deck.  The Blue Cruise is one of the most memorable trips of a lifetime, bringing together famous Turkish hospitality, comfort and the rich history of the Aegean.

Iif you would like to know more about a yachting holiday or Blue Cruise in Turkey, please contact me.