My family is taking our first cruise and will stop at Ephesus and Istanbul. We wish to book local guides to to show us around. I've found a couple on the web, and wonder if they are trustworthy. Does anyone have advice for me?
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
We used the guides recommended in Rick Steves' book and were very happy with them. Just go to: www.srmtravel.com
Posted by
nanaimo
156 posts
We visited Kusadasi on our cruise last fall and when you leave the port there are lots of taxis competing to take you to Ephesus. We were asked for 75 Euro for 4 but when we said no, another driver offered to take us for 50 Euro and then we paid him an extra 10 Euro to take us up to the top of the mountain to the Virgin Mary's last hour first. Well worth the cost especially commpared to the ship price.
Posted by
OP
Stuttgart, Germany
2 posts
This is GREAT advice! I'll see if my wife likes your recommendation. She worries about safety, but I think these cabs would be fine.
Thanks for taking the time to advise me.
BTW, we're also going to Bari, Italy; Olympia, Greece; and Dubrovnic, Croatia. I have Rick's books covering Greece & Croatia, but there's nothing on Bari. Got any thouhts on any of these?
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
473 posts
At the entrance to Ephesus, there will be a number of government-licensed guides. Many of them will speak English (others will have other languages as a second language). The government-licensed guides will have an official ID, with their picture, hanging from their neck or otherwise prominently displayed. These would be your best option. Also, at Ephesus, about half-way through, there is an additional exhibit of homes of the wealthy. It's an extra fee to enter, payable at the entrance of the exhibit. If you have the time, definitely go in. It's well worth the cost, with some beautiful mosaics.
Make sure to bring water and any snacks you may want with. There is no where to purchase anything once you enter.
Posted by
nanaimo
156 posts
Sorry...I forgot to mention earlier that if you time it right, when you reach the end of your visit to Ephesus, they have a reenactment play of the centurions and dancers and the Caesar type and his wife . Dont know how often they perform as we just happened to be leaving when it started so you could enquire as it made for some good photo ops.