We just took our family of 5 to Turkey and loved every minute of it. A Rick Steve's travel advisor gave us the name of Lale Aran of SRM Travel. She is amazing. She was so helpful and so easy to work with. I had questions about how we would be accepted there after the travel ban and a few concerns because of what I've read in the media in the States and she put all of my concerns to rest. Our trip was one of the best trips we have ever taken as a family and it had everything to do with Lale and our tour guide, Mert Taner.
We visited Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Ephesus. Mert was so knowledgeable about basically everything. He taught us about Islam and the Koran at the Mosques and Christianity and the Bible in Ephesus. He helped us understand the politics of the country and he was wonderful with our three kids - 14, 11, 9. He was very patient when our kids got tired and he even helped distract them a couple of times. I cannot say enough about how helpful Mert and Lale were for us.
We registered with the Embassy before we went and we received a few travel warnings, but we never felt unsafe and we didn't see any unrest. There was campaigning for a referendum coming to vote next month, but they were much like the campaigns we have here with large signs, billboards and tables set up with information. I had been nervous about telling people we were from the States, but no one was rude when they found out. In fact, most were thrilled because Americans aren't traveling there anymore and the travel industry is hurting. We never once felt anything but welcome while we were there.
We went to the Grand Bazaar and ate food from different stalls. A police officer laughed at my reaction to the spices in my food. That was basically my interaction with police forces in Turkey.
We hit all of the major tour sites and even did a balloon ride in Cappadocia. We stayed in Cappadocia Estates and ate every dinner at the Greek House there. We saw the underground city and the open air museum. In Ephesus, we toured the ruins and visited a weaving school to look at rugs. We also saw a fashion show at a leather store.
It was so much fun. We wanted our kids to see that people are different, but kind and they shouldn't make judgements about a group of people without meeting them first. Turkey did this perfectly.
I wouldn't hesitate to go back with my family in an instant.