Staff Stories: Talking Turkey with Irene

From the Ottoman treasures of Istanbul to the time-worn ruins of Troy and Ephesus, our customer service executive, Irene, discusses her recent holiday to Turkey.

Turkey: it’s a nation of contrasts and historical highlights, and few cities capture its essence quite like Istanbul. Having once been Byzantium, then Constantinople, and finally Istanbul, the city has been the crown jewel of numerous European and Asian empires. With its Ottoman palaces, Roman ruins and Byzantine architecture, the city proudly displays its cosmopolitan culture to this day, and you can explore its finest sights with one of our award-winning Turkish getaways.

Whether you’re well acquainted with the treasures of the Sultans or are new to its Anatolian resorts, rest assured there’s never a dull in vibrant Turkey. Our customer service executive, Irene, was lucky enough to experience this fascinating destination first-hand and we recently chatted with her about her experiences with escorted touring in Turkey. Having spent time in Istanbul, Ephesus and legendary Troy, here’s what Irene made of her experience.

1. What were you most excited about leading up to the tour – did it live up to your expectations?

I was looking forward to visiting Istanbul and it definitely exceeded my expectations.

2. Were there any experiences that stood out as a top highlight for you?

Visiting the ANZAC memorial in Gallipoli was certainly memorable – the sheer number of graves and monuments was incredibly moving and there was a piper there playing which was a nice touch. We also saw dolphins so that was an added bonus!

3. Did anything about Turkey surprise you?

How lovely the people are and how kind they are to their cats and dogs.

4. Do you often go on escorted tours and, if so, what do you think the benefit of having a tour manager with you is?

I don’t usually but it is such an advantage having an experienced tour manager guiding you and providing you with an untold number of historical facts.

5. Did you find there was enough time to enjoy things at your own pace?

Yes, I felt there was just enough time at leisure in the evenings to relax and digest the experiences we enjoyed in the daytime.

6. How did you find this tour’s activity level, and do you have any tips for staying comfortable throughout each excursion?

This is a fairly active tour, soI’d definitely recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and a hat, and ensuring you have water at all times.

7. Were there any new foods that you tried that you’ll try to find/recreate back home?

The kofta was absolutely delicious out there and I’ll definitely be trying to recreate this. Maybe one of my Turkish colleagues has a secret recipe from grandma!

8. If you had to sum up your whole experience in three words, what would they be?

Captivating, immersive and unforgettable.

9. What advice would you give to others who might be tempted to head out on this tour?

This is a fantastic tour, which includes so many wish-list sights and excursions in one visit.

10. What did you prefer: the bustle of lively Istanbul or the laid-back coastal ruins of Ephesus?

I enjoyed them both for different reasons, but I’d love to go back to Istanbul.

Explore Turkey’s most impressive sights with Newmarket Holidays

Is Turkey calling your name? Give one of our friendly holiday planners a call today to kick-start your own wish-list escape or to simply chat about the different options we have on offer. You can also find full details on our Turkish itineraries on our dedicated webpage or explore our full range of destinations, here.