Hello Everyone!

I've gotten into a problem selecting driver guides for Istanbul and Athens and could REALLY
use some suggestions for our party of five people.

Problem One: Istanbul - I thought that I had a reservation with Levent Solmaz but it turns out that he's unavailable on our day due to a prior commitment. Who else do you recommend in Istanbul besides him?

Problem Two: Athens- and this is a rather sticky one. I currently am holding a reservation with Dennis...the son of "George The Famous Taxi Driver" and I'm in a pickle about what to do.

I have read glowing reports about George.

I have also read unsatisfied reports about his son Dennis. Unfriendly, uninformative, refusing to talk, rip-off restaurants, etc. (Since we are a party of five people, George's taxi is too small, hence winding-up in his son's limo.)

Have any of you experience with my situation and can set me straight or give alternate suggestions on a really good, friendly, driver guide?

I'm in charge of organizing the private driver guides for our trip in April, and it would just devestate me to get a "dud". :mad:

I'm getting stressed out about the situation since time is running out. Any and all suggestions or comments are truly welcomed!



Eric

Hi Eric,

I very highly recommend the following qualified and competent guides for Kusadasi/Ephesus and Istanbul. I've also referred these guides to several others on LCT, who were equally pleased with their excellent guiding capabilities. They are both very heavily booked throughout the year; therefore, if interested, I suggest contacting them ASAP.

Emek Evin - Kusadasi/Ephesus
emekevin@hotmail.com

Fatos Esra Ozal - Istanbul
fatos65@superonline.com
guidefatos@hotmail.com
Cell: 011-90-1-532-211-23-71

Anyone visiting both areas would do well to secure the services of both these outstanding women, who really made our visit to Turkey as memorable as it could be for us. Please feel free to inform them that Denise referred you. They will take fine care of you!

I second Denise's recommendations. We were very happy with the guides.

Dear Denise and Sedona,
Thank you both for your kind and thoughtful replys regarding Istanbul. ;)

I'm still working on Athens. I looked over the various comments on guides on the LCT Private Guide forum, as well as searching Google and came across Nicolas from www.greece-private.com
I wonder if he's the same Nicolas as is mentioned on the LCT forum. His website looks great and he sounds totally sincere. Anyone familiar with him? Comments?

Thanks everyone for you kind patience with me on this quest...



Eric

I have seen the name Spiros on some of the other forums for Athens. Anyone know how to contact him?
Thanks,
Eric

Hi Eric,

I do have a suggestion for Athens. You can send an email to Rick Steves' site and inquire of a guide for Athens. I've written several times, requesting guide contact information and have been extremely pleased. We recently toured with a Rick Steves guide in Amsterdam who was excellent and charged a very reasonable fee. Here is the contact information:

http://www.ricksteves.com/about/contact_form.cfm?recipient=main

I hope this helps you. Let us know how you make out in your quest.

You might want to try Paul at Greek Taxi, admin@greektaxi.gr.

Admittedly, we did not use him for a tour, only for transfers. But he seemed very nice, takes many people on tours, speaks great English (lived in the US for years). I believe other people on CC have commented on him--you might want to search over there for reviews of him. He is not a licensed guide by the way (I think), only a driver.

Eric, I gave Denise the referral to Fatos. If you are luck enough to get her please tell her that Kathy and Jody send their regards.

http://www.greecetaxi.gr/index/private_tours.html

Eric here is Nicholas's website.
We used him many years ago. Had also used George once, but that was along time ago and have read that he is just way too busy these days.
For Istanbul have you emailed Nejat Incedogan?
He is a liscenced guide.
nincedogan@yahoo.com

Hi Claudia,

Yes, indeed I contacted him and our group is now all set. Worry is over, and now I'm looking forward to the trip!

Thanks everyone for your kind replys...



Eric