Cruising to Ephesus Traveller Reviews

Our second Peter Sommer trip and it didn't disappoint. Cruising along the Turkish coast, visiting the most breath-taking archeological sites with an expert guide who brought the ancient cities to life with passion and enthusiasm. The gulet was comfortable and the food fabulous, the crew excellent and fellow travellers great company. Time for swimming in quiet bays or relaxing on deck as we sailed towards the next site. The best way to travel!

Peter Sommer is simply the best. You know that when everything runs so smoothly, a lot of detailed background work and planning has gone on before you arrive. The guides are experts in their field, knowledgeable, passionate and brilliant at bringing the archeological sites to life so you feel you have gained an insight into the ancient world.

Everything about this tour exceeded our expectations, from the exhilaration of sailing on the ship, to the food, to the company of the other guests, the attention, skill and professionalism of the crew, to the guide's encyclopedic knowledge and passion for his subject, the beauty, interest and variety of the sites we visited and the pace and scheduling of the whole thing. Apparently effortless but clearly Very well organised.

It's hard to comment on Peter Sommer directly as interaction with the tour operator usually only occurs when something goes wrong, which it didn't. I can only say that the ship, the crew and the guides have been chosen with great care. Clearly in the background everything is done to make everything as good as it can be.

Looking at the brochure is one thing but did the holiday live up to it......YES! Everything worked like clockwork. Met at the airport and taken to Bodrum where we boarded our gulet. cabins were small but comfortable and the food guaranteed no one could possibly go hungry! A small group of us which gelled very quickly, helped by a common interest in history of all kinds. The itinerary was planned in such a way that each day was split into two parts. Visiting the various archiological sites and mooring in various bays for swimming or simply relaxing. The knowledge of our main guide (Filip) was simply astounding. Incredibly well read and with the ability to tell stories and answer questions making everything easily understandable and instantly formed a bond with the group. His companion, Ugur took care of the organisational side of things with an ease that ensured everything was where it should be, when it should be. And don't forget the crew of our gulet....Nothing was too much trouble for them....Well done! I could wax lyrical about the sites...The experience of being at sea when the sails were used....But, suffice to say...The whole experience was even better than the brochure said it would be. The wonderful memories of this holiday will stay in my mind forever.

Peter Sommer Travel delivered at every level. The tour went as they said it would. The logistics were handled exceptionally well and the people at head office were always available to answer any queries before the tour.

A really wonderful experience

Very well organised trip

Peter Sommers organised an excellent trip, which exceeded all of our expectations

Efficient. Good information was provided before the trip and all aspects were well organised,

Boarded a gulet in Bodrum, and the cruised up the Ionian coast to Ephesus and back, exploring the ruins of Greek and Roman cities along the way. We were accompanied by professor of ancient history and an accomplished Turkish guide throughout the trip, both of whom were able to discuss in depth not only the history of the various sites, but also the culture, traditions and cuisine of Turkey and its ethnic populations.

Peter Sommers Travels is one of the best, if not THE best, small boat and small group tour operators in the world.

It was everything we hoped for, and more. The gulet accommodations were excellent, and the crew and guides were as well.

Peter Sommer is remarkable. We are delighted with him and his staff. They are full of answers, and respond promptly to any questions we may have. I cannot think of any recommendations for improvement!

Excellent communication with the tour operator. Beautiful Turkish gulet with comfortable accommodation and a great chef. Wondrous Turkish sites visited. Fabulous weather.

Professional and highly competent. One feels that Peter Sommer and his colleagues genuinely want their customers to have the times of their lives.

What a wonderful trip! I loved being on the gulet cruising along the coast. The whole experience - the amazing sights, the knowledgeable guides, the delicious food, the good company, the lovely weather and the beautiful boat - made for a delightful 7 days.

Peter Sommers gives a personal, well organised and very professional service. I couldn’t fault them.

We had 7 fun and educational-filled days cruising from Bodrum to Ephesus on a lovely wooden gulet with 14 other like-minded people. The accommodations and meals were excellent, and the hardworking crew ensured that our every need was met. The tours to various archaeological sites exceded my expectations so much so that I wanted more time at each site. I appreciated having a subject matter expert guiding us through the sites; his outstanding knowledge was enhanced by his theatrical presentation style. The local Turkish tour leader was an invaluable source of information about the country and bent over backwards to accommodate his guests. This was a thoroughly enjoyable trip that I highly recommend to able-bodied folks interested in history and archaeology who are looking for a small cruise, instead of a floating city.

Peter Sommer Travels is an excellent tour operator with a nice selection of inviting holidays. The information provided at every stage of the process was comprehensive without being overwhelming. They made it easy to book the holiday. I highly recommend this operator.