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“Turkey has now become my favorite place I have ever been “Allison and Scott Miller | October 2021
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the most wonderful time in Turkey. Everything was absolutely perfect! Asli was a wonderful host in Istanbul. We enjoyed seeing the entire city – she was so knowledgeable of Istanbul’s rich culture and history. The city has so much to offer to its visitors and we truly wished we had more time to explore it. We loved meeting Andrew in Cappadocia! The landscape is out of this world, and we loved having Andres show us around. We loved the people of Cappadocia and especially loved the stop in Avanos with the pottery makers. Mustafa that worked there had such a beautiful soul, we teared up when we left because of his kindness. The touring was top notch with Andrew, and we were very sad to leave him – he made our experience in Cappadocia magical! I can speak for Scott and me both when I say the highlight of the entire trip was out time spent with Bulent in Izmir/Ephesus. We wanted to take him home with us! How neat is it to have an archaeologist who helped excavate Ephesus give our tour? We enjoyed living a day in his life, it was such a treat. I cried when we said goodbye!
“We really had a great experience with Sea Song, 100% reliable and best service possible”Ignacio & Graciella Granda | October 2021
We returned from Izmir and everything went smoothly with a beautiful sunny day!!! Yesterday experience was great so you can definitely recommend to anyone who wants to have a Hamman experience! We really had a great experience with Sea Song, 100% reliable and best service possible so please tell Karen although I am sure she knows she has everything under control!!! Thanks
“The Istanbul tour and the Ephesus excursion were marvellous”John Bruckmeier | October 2021
Before I depart for the USA very early tomorrow morning, please allow me to compliment your company for the excellent guides and transportation provided. The Istanbul tour and the Ephesus excursion were marvellous. Again, my thanks and I hope to return to Turkey in the future.
“Our trip was great thanks to your excellent organization and professionalism from the entire Sea Song team”Gabriela and Jorge Espinosa | August 2021
We are already in Madrid waiting for our flight back to Mexico and we really appreciate the excellent experience on our trip to Turkey. It was great thanks to your excellent organization and professionalism from the entire Sea Song team. Your country is fascinating and we fell in love with the people, history, culture, and food. We would love to return to learn more in the near future. If so, of course you will hear from us again. Thanks for all the details on the occasion of my birthday. The night at Sunset was magical and the cake with the delicious and emotional message.
“In one word – success!! Thank you Sea Song for the amazing work”Dunlap family | July 2021
Amazing trip! Turkey is so diverse! We were lucky as some sights were empty because of Covid. Our guide in Istanbul was amazing, Our guide in Cappadocia was phenomenal he cared so much. Hotels were all great. The highlights were: Gulet in Bodrum, Balloon in Cappadocia, Cooking Class in Istanbul, Picnic – great perfectly set in Cappadocia.
“Loved the treatment and our tour guides”Tatiana Teo family | July 2021
Loved our tour guides – our first one was Juan in Cappadocia, he spoke so many languages including Spanish which was great for our family. He gave just the right amount of information and took us to all of his favorite spots that most people don’t know about. He also went beyond his job description to make us happy – including getting a chocolate milkshake. Our next guide in Istanbul Tulay was also amazing. She gave just the right amount of info and was interesting and great with my three young girls. Would highly recommend using their tour company and guides.
Note: please take a look at the lovely painting we received from the 3 girls about their cooking class
“We couldn’t be happier with the trip and that we went when we did. It felt like we had the city sights to ourselves”Brad Weiland family | June 2021
Our highlights were: the Hagia Sofia, all the wonderful food (including the cooking class), Topkapi Palace, the Bosphorus cruise, and wandering around the Asian side of town, Galata (neighbourhood and tower were also great), and the bazaars (and without crowds). The cooking class was wonderful- and will be a great memory for all of us. It’s something we’ve talked about on several other trips but have never done. Would highly recommend for anyone else as a really nice complement to the typical tourist sightseeing. Tulay was a wonderful guide. Really fantastic and can’t imagine this trip without her.
“Our travels were seamless, each location and hotel were uniquely stunning and so very different from what we expected”Mimi, Jeff, Mia, Jay and Camille Kane | June 2021
I wanted to reach out and thank each and everyone of you for being a part of our amazing, fantastic, and once in a lifetime trip to the lovely country of Turkey. We know that these trips truly take a team effort, and each of you obviously played an integral role in our families trip being beyond remarkable. Covid- 19 hurdles were our biggest fears, and you all handled the curveballs gracefully and without a pause in the fabulous itinerary. Our travels were seamless, each location and hotel were uniquely stunning and so very different from what we expected. Your Sea Song guides were knowledgeable and unflappable. Perfect qualities to handle a pandemic in the world.
A day has not passed without thoughts of our trip!Anthony Sica | January 2020
I have no idea how to put into words exactly how magical our time in your beautiful country was for our honeymoon. From our pickup at the airport to every single person you arranged for us, I simply can’t express how wonderful they were. Our tour guide of the city, was INCREDIBLE! She let us be in control of what we wanted to see and we also loved how she did not bombard us in the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Market. She brought us to only a few, reputable sellers who we liked so much we went back again on our own time to visit. Our gulet in Bodrum is something we will remember for the rest of our lives. I can’t thank you enough for making this trip so wonderful. I am already planning a return trip for our 5 year anniversary.
We would definitely recommend Sea Song to anyone going to Turkey!Rebecca C | October 2020
We have returned home safely from our Cappadocia trip and I wanted to let you know that everyone had and amazing magical time. The Museum Hotel was spectacular, it was absolutely beautiful and we loved the food and service. Our guide was friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable and our driver was always on time. We felt very fortunate to be able to do the hot air ballooning, especially when we found out how often it is cancelled because of weather. Overall, we were so impressed by the places Sea Song chose for the itinerary and how responsive and accommodating you were during the entire planning process. We would definitely recommend Sea Song to anyone going to Turkey.
Istanbul completely seduced us!Patty Dryden | January 2019
Istanbul completely seduced us; the history, the people, textiles, the food. Two Sea Song greeters saved us much anguish when we landed at 6:50am. We sailed through customs, luggage claim, and into a van bound for the hotel like a waltz. I imagine some passengers are blear-eyed, still waiting to go through customs. When you say “highly recommend” I will whip out the credit card. No questions asked.
Our visit to Istanbul was a pleasant surprise!Bunny Jahnke | April 2019
Our visit to Istanbul was a pleasant surprise. The Sea Song agency did a marvellous job in organizing to cover the highlights of the city in time allotted. From our VIP arrival to departure it was going like a Swiss clock. Our guide was excellent, knowledgeable and friendly as well as the driver. The selection of historical sites was well planned. We were also surprised to see the city of this size so clean and full of life. Thanks to Sea Song organization, we left Istanbul with very fond memories and might consider returning one day to see the rest of the country.
Istanbul was an absolute highlight of our vacationBruce and Kathy Sim | May 2019
Istanbul was the absolute highlight of our vacation. What a fabulous city- the history, natural beauty, and universal warmth of the people was striking. We loved it! We walked everywhere. We went out at night. We felt as safe as we would in our own neighbourhood at home. Which brings me to Sea Song. Tremendous service and attentiveness throughout our stay in Turkey. The tours were terrific - great itineraries executed on time with gracious hosts and hostesses, including pickup and delivery to and from the airport. But towering over all our experiences for the entire trip were the two days in Istanbul with our guide. He’s an extremely well educated religious scholar, who really made the city, its history, and its architecture come to life for us. We learned so much - especially how little we knew to begin with! (but I guess that’s the whole point of traveling) He even helped us shop for rugs, artwork, and jewelry. We felt lucky to have spent a couple of days with him.
Sea Song are FANTASTIC!Usman and Malena Ally | August 2018
Not only were the private guides in Istanbul and Cappadocia very knowledgeable and charming, they were friendly, and went above and beyond to help us make the experience unforgettable. They recommended great food places that were not tourist traps, and even went so far as to arrange drivers to pick us up at our hotel, take us to the restaurants where a table was waiting, and drive us back. On the night of our anniversary, our guide made a very romantic reservation for us (flower pedals on the table, drinks, and great food) and provided transportation. I cannot speak highly enough of them.
Karen is a true gem in the travel world!Michael Harms | August 2018
We’ve fallen in love with Turkey – and we have no doubt that this was exactly Karen’s plan! She meticulously planned our trip balancing the unmissable sights of Istanbul with off-the-beaten-path sights, neighborhoods, and experiences. We loved the opportunity to explore Istanbul like a local while still visiting the must-sees that we had read about. During our time in Cappadocia, we also were able to see so much more than we would ever have been able to on our own and throughout our time in Turkey, we had a knowledgeable guide to ensure that we learned the history and context of everything we visited.
When the only glitch of our trip occurred, a weather-related hot air balloon ride cancellation in Cappadocia, Karen’s team sprung into action – finding us spots on the next day’s sold out balloon flights.
Karen is a true gem in the travel world! We’ve worked with several travel specialists and she is hands-down the most professional, personal, and detail oriented specialist we’ve worked with. When we go back to Turkey (when not if), we’ll surely turn to Karen to put together another flawlessly executed adventure!
All good, thank you!!Kirsten, Dwight, and Elsa | April 2018
Istanbul is fascinating – full of history and full of vibrancy. SO much to see and experience. Sea Song has done a great job – all of the tour agencies should take a page out of their book. The guide was great, very professional, the driver was great, very safe. The agency provided maps, books, recommendations, etc for us on arrival, the boat was great (Dwight will say over the top – Elsa and I loved it) and the cooking class was a great break from dining out. All good, thank you! Off to Cappadocia now......
The 8 day trip exceeded our expectations and was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experienceGail and Brandt | March 2018
It was a pleasure meeting you last week and now that we are home I just wanted to send a quick note to tell you how happy Gail and I were with the services your company provided. The 8 day trip exceeded our expectations and was truly a once-in-a-lifetime-experience. The guides and drivers were all first-rate professionals and the cars/vans very comfortable. The Vault and The Museum were exactly the type of hotels we look for when we travel independently and the upgraded room at The Museum was one-of-a-kind magical.
Do yourself a favor, if you haven’t been to Turkey yet, make it happen……… and make it happen with Sea Song.Joanne Baglieri | September, 2017
There are trips to Turkey, and then there are magical trips to Turkey. Those magical trips where you are enveloped into a wonderful culture and experience, which create lifetime memories. Trips that start with a fantastic airline’s inflight service such as Turkish Airlines. Trips where the tour guides are professional, responsible, well-spoken, educated, and passionate about their land. Trips where the hotels make you feel like a family member, and not a credit card transaction. Such is Sea Song; they are truly your partner in Turkey. Whatever you need, Sea Song is the answer. Their VIP airport transfer service is highly recommended. Tour guides like Cenk in Istanbul, and Yavuz in Bodrum, who become your friends, and their infectious passion becomes yours. Do yourself a favor, if you haven’t been to Turkey yet, make it happen……… and make it happen with Sea Song. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
We could not have expected better serviceKelley and Michael Nobles | February, 2017
I really do not know where to begin because absolutely everything about this trip was perfection. From the VIP airport service (which I highly recommend), to our amazing guides Anka (Istanbul) and Ozan (Izmir/Ephesus), hotel accommodations, restaurant recommendations, itinerary planning, and everything else provided, we could not have expected better service. My husband and I travel regularly and because of Sea Song, this was by far the nicest, calmest experience we have had overseas.
Our guides (mentioned above) were definitely a highlight of our trip. They could not have been more knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. Anka truly went out of her way to ensure our enjoyment, even calling a restaurant while we were eating to make sure we had help getting a taxi on the way out. She texted us daily, even when we weren’t scheduled to tour with her, to make sure we did not need help or suggestions.
In short, I highly highly recommend Sea Song and hope to plan another trip in the future to explore more areas of this beautiful region.
We only had two days in Istanbul but our Sea Song guide, Cenk ensured that we saw all the historic highlights while imbuing us with a deep appreciation for the historic & cultural influences that shaped this amazing country and made us want to return for a longer visit. Highly recommend Sea Song.
I would recommend them to absolutely ANYONE who visits TurkeyHamideh Family | August, 2016
I hope you will pass along our sincere thanks to Sea Song. They were AMAZING. Our guides were on time, knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating, and you were so right when you said they were the best in the business! Sinan, our guide was fantastic! He was just a GEM and so were Erkin and Yousef. They were incredibly professional, honest, organized, and reliable! Overall, I would recommend them to absolutely ANYONE who visits Turkey, and their services were just all around top notch. Sinan guided us through each of the sites in such an informative, compelling manner and we just never wanted the tours to end! I would recommend them to anyone, hands down.
I wish Seasong did tours everywhere!Holyfield Family | June 2016
Frankly, we were amazed at the service we received on our trip. From the moment we arrived in Istanbul until the moment we left, we were pampered and cared for like VIPs. It was incredible. The crew of the Caner IV were outstanding - their chef was beyond description! - and they treated us like royalty. We loved both our guide for the Anatolia section of our tour and the Istanbul portion. Both guides were friendly and knowledgeable, but even more than this, they were passionate about their country and about sharing the things they loved about it with us. We left feeling like we'd been welcomed into the culture in a way that was truly meaningful to us. I wish Seasong did tours everywhere! I would never book a tour through anyone else.
Trip was seamless and stress free.Mohsin Family | March 2016
From the moment we arrived at the airport where there was someone waiting for us, helped us with the airport formalities, baggage etc. Till the end of the trip when they helped us check in fast, the trip was seamless, highly enjoyable and stress free. Our guide was a sweet, highly knowledgeable and accommodating lady. Sea Song has an amazing guide on their team. Thanks for helping us make wonderful memories that will last forever.
They felt safe with your guide and driver.Travel Agent – Getaways Travel | October 2015
Mrs. Newland was very concerned prior to their arrival in Turkey about security. I had assured them that they wouldn’t be taken anywhere the guides felt was questionable.
They felt very safe with your guide and driver. They loved Istanbul and especially their guide. It was much better, in all aspects, than they had imagined. They also thought the day they spent in Ephesus was a wonderful and interesting experience. They felt they received a fabulous experience at an excellent price too! Overall they were impressed with Turkey..... the people, the economy, the welcome, the hotels, the transportation, but especially they were impressed with Sea Song.
And it was glorious indeed!Veet and Nance | November 2015
We are back from a glorious trip to Turkey. And it was glorious indeed! Thank a bunch. Sea Song (and Karen, the owner) did a magnificant job. The accommodations were first rate – all included an upgrade. The guides were superb, well versed on history/geology. Especially notable were ourguides in Bodrum and Cappadocia. They all had recommendations for shopping and restaurants as well as pottery/carpet weaving demonstrations (very interesting). I am the proud owner of a copy of Hittite era wine decanter. Nance claims this as the best trip ever, I am with in that regard.
Seems like Sue and I should start thinking about another trip in 2016!!John and Sue | October 2015
Just a quick note to thank the whole Sea Song staff for planning a great trip for Sue and I to Istanbul. The whole 3 days were wonderful and memorable and the hotel was in the heart of all the things we wanted to experience in Istanbul. Our guide was wonderful and willing to adjust our schedule to allow us to focus on areas of specific interest. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were breath-taking, the Cistern incredible, the Bazaar – well no way to describe that, but a highlight that none of your guests should miss.... was the boat trip on the Bosphorus. No better way to see the European and Asian sides than that – pretty special. Great staff, great drivers and a wonderful guide, everyone enthusiastic, on time, and supportive. Seems like Sue and I should start thinking about another trip in 2016!!
“The trip was perfect.”Colnon Family | June 2015
Turkey was amazing. The trip was perfect – not one glitch throughout. Upon reflection there were no highlights because each and every part was so terrific. In Istanbul the guide was great. We felt so well taken care of. Cappadocia was awesome. We loved the hot air balloon after all!! The gulet was like a dream - the staff so warm and welcoming. The food was so good that we never ate ashore after all. Anyone who doesn’t do these three aspects of this amazing country is making a big mistake. We can’t rave enough about the whole experience. It was truly a once in a lifetime journey.
“Sea Song, what a team!”Gloria and Tony | June 2015
As we get ready to say farewell to this beautiful country we wanted to thank you and all of those who made our visit a magical one.!!!!!!! All arrangements were perfectly executed with care and concern and efficiency. Everyone so friendly and helpful we couldn’t have asked for better. Thank you for all of your efforts on our behalf. Sea Song, what a team!!!!!. Karen, thanks for your leadership, advise, and sharing your team. We’ve been totally spoiled.
“...the trip was enlightening, inspiring, memorable and rejuvenating...”Amy Cassell and Paul De Santis | January 2015
The trip was FABULOUS! And the guides outstanding...everything was great, great, great...the room upgrades were outstanding (especially at The Four Seasons, where they gave us a 1 bedroom suite.)
One simply cannot see those two cities without having Sinan in Istanbul and Sofia in Greece as your guides! They were beyond amazing...perfect pace and tempo...incredibly articulate with outstanding knowledge...clearly both academics but great story tellers. It made the tour for us, and our extended group, so enjoyable.
And I truly could not have scripted the two cities better...as connected as their histories are and our current political and religious climate being what it is, the trip was enlightening, inspiring, memorable and rejuvenating. What I always hope travel to be.
“They will not disappoint!”JODIE JACOBS | November 2014
I chose Karen and her team at Sea Song because a good friend had used their services (with great success) for an earlier trip to Turkey. We traveled to Turkey in October 2014 with a group of six adults. From the moment I contacted Karen by email to begin planning our trip, until the day we left Turkey, I felt that everything was first class. We arranged a VIP pick-up from the airport upon arrival and immediately I could see why Sea Song has such a good reputation. Each and every person that works with Sea Song is excellent, including drivers and transport personnel. When I first contacted Sea Song I worked out the parameters of our trip with Karen, then I worked with Cigdem, a Sea Song sales associate, to arrange all the details.
Cigdem and Karen were great—I always felt like we were in good hands and there wasn’t ANY question too small or not worthy of an answer. Once we arrived in Istanbul, Sea Song’s guide, Esin, showed us the old city and other parts of Istanbul—she couldn’t have been better! She was knowledgeable and personable and we had the best time. Esin made last-minute itinerary adjustments to avoid the large cruise ship crowds. We still saw everything on our itinerary, just in reverse order! Sea Song is great for folks wanting the experience of staying at the Four Seasons in Istanbul or small boutique-type hotels as well. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or using a travel service for the first time (as was the case for us), I highly recommend Sea Song. They will not disappoint!
“No trip has ever gone more smoothly.”Amy Cassell and Paul De Santis | June 2014
Karen Fedorko Sefer and her team at Sea Song are absolutely first class. They worked with me to plan a 12-day trip to Turkey in June of 2014 for my family (my wife and I, two 17-year-olds, an 11-year-old, and my 76-year-old mother). I chose Karen and her team specifically because she lives in Turkey. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left, I felt like the team was looking over our shoulders making sure everything happened when and how it was supposed to. Our family has traveled extensively and I can honestly say no trip has ever gone more smoothly. Drivers were where they were supposed to be, guides were ever present, and excellent with the children and the adults. Sea Song’s suggestions—which gulet to rent, how long to stay, where to stay and why, where to eat, activities to do—were all spot on.
During our trip, Karen’s team made numerous last-minute itinerary adjustments and reservations. Karen called me personally one of the days to make sure all was good. If you go to Turkey there is only one company to work with and it is Sea Song. Karen and her team have got Turkey wired for the high-end traveler.
“All was expertly arranged.“SHEILA ROEN | December 2014
Karen Fedorko and Sea Song arranged a four-day trip for us in October 2014 from Istanbul to Cappadocia before our cruise departure. Our time in Cappadocia was wonderful, in large part due to the professionalism, compassion, and care of our guide Gokhan and our driver Selim. The vehicle was comfortable and spacious and we were always picked up on time. Gokhan especially was mindful of my husband’s mobility problems and did his best to make sure we saw everything and my husband was able to navigate most areas. He is a most engaging young man and very knowledgeable and we enjoyed his company. He was more than willing to make any adjustments to our sightseeing or lunch venues that we wanted. From the pre-trip contact, to the detailed itinerary (always at our discretion) to the Museum Hotel stay (in Cappadocia) and our return to Istanbul, all was expertly arranged. Karen and her staff deserve all the accolades they receive.
“The entire day was arranged to perfection, with the lunch in a private home a wonderful addition.“DR. AARON AND KATHRINE WALLENDER | November 2013
I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the remarkable experience in Kusadasi. My husband and I found Sea Song Tours through Conde Nast Traveler as a highly recommended vendor partner, and we found that to be without blemish! It was perfect.
The entire day was arranged to perfection, with the lunch in a private home a wonderful addition. Our guide, Mutlu, was particularly amazing. He was insightful, passionate about his field, and a wonderful host. I cannot say enough wonderful things about our guide, and the day's arrangements.
Thank you for arranging the entire day's agenda, and logistics to perfection. It was not only relaxing, but informative as well.
I would highly recommend Sea Song Tours and our guide to anyone coming to Kusadasi. Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful travel experience!
“We could not have been more pleased.“DINA B. ALTMAN | July 2013
We used Sea Song for our recent trip to Turkey and found their service was exceptional. Karen Fedorko Sefer and her colleagues did an outstanding job planning, getting us into museums in a timely manner and offering excellent guides to assist us. The car and driver were also very good. The cars were spacious and clean and the drivers did a great job maneuvering through the traffic and were very prompt to pick us up. She also had a VIP service at the airport that was exceptional in every way with red carpet and all. We could not have been more pleased. I would use them again and recommend them to all our friends who will be traveling to Turkey.
“The services were amazing, we had the best time in Turkey.“ROGER & TERRY CARROBOURG | July 2013
My wife and I just returned from a month away in Europe including a cruise on the Mediterranean with two stops in Turkey. We had planned two private tours through Sea Song at the two stops in Turkey, Istanbul and Kusadasi / Ephesus. The services were amazing, we had the best time in Turkey. We were away 30 days from home and both my wife and I loved our time in Turkey the best. We would say both Cenk in Istanbul and Rabia in Ephesus had a lot to do with that.
Starting in Istanbul, our driver was attentive and careful. Cenk (our guide) was careful to explain to us specific history, background information and took time to explain specific items, very friendly and easygoing, which we especially enjoyed.
Both guides' knowledge and care they took with us and the information they shared with us made us feel very comfortable and special.
Rabia was very knowledgeable as well and ensured we were informed of each place we stopped at and advised us where to go and what to watch for. The highlight was lunch in Sirince village at someone's home. We were well received and treated to a beautiful meal served in a serene, cool (comfortable) backyard. At the same time we were there, the call to prayer could be heard and it was a very special moment. At the time of booking these two special tours, we did not realize Holland America also used Sea Song's services in Turkey and we felt our tours were truly special as we shared our experiences with others on the ship.
Both Cenk and Rabia were truly special guides, and both drivers were very good as well. Thanks again so very much to everyone at Sea Song for making this tenth anniversary trip for my wife and I special, we look forward to returning to Turkey.
“Nothing could have been better.“BRIGITTE | November 2012
Based on a very high recommendation from a friend, we booked a two week trip within Turkey with Sea Song. Everything went perfectly, our guides were fantastic, not only knowledgeable and great in conveying their knowledge but also personable and fun to be with. We exchanged email addresses with two of our three guides. We loved all the sights we saw in Istanbul, enjoyed the combination of antiquities and modern life, the incredibly friendly people and the delicious food. Back in the US, I immediately purchased a Turkish cookbook. The trip was arranged to pre-celebrate my husband's upcoming 75th birthday. We enjoyed the area of Cappadocia, the hot-air balloon ride, the underground cities, the castles, churches and the fairy rocks. Ephesus was overwhelming in vastness and multitude of undug architecture, murals, mosaics, etc. The smaller sites of Priene and Didyma were equally informative and beautiful.
We have been telling friends about our experiences in Turkey arranged by Sea Song…a few of them have added such a trip to their bucket list. We certainly want to return sometime in the not too distant future.
“Every detail was handled perfectly.“A. TARCZYNSKI | November 2012
We booked a one day shore tour of Kusadasi and Ephesus, as written up in Conde Nast and were very happy with our day. It was for six, professionally organized with driver and a guide, Rabia. Every detail was handled perfectly and our guide was a font of information. In one day we saw all that time would allow, and it included a delicious lunch in a private home. Rabia was knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to share her country's customs and history with us. Sea Song is a quality company and when I return to Turkey for a more extensive tour, I will contact them again. We would highly recommend this company and tour to all!
“Everything was fantastic.“DAVID AND MOLLY | June 2010
Several years ago, we used the “Conde Nast Travel Specialist” list to find someone to help coordinate a trip. It was an excellent experience. When we decided to visit Turkey, we pulled out the list again. We had a few days in Istanbul to ourselves in conjunction with the Formula 1 Grand Prix. For the rest of our visit we worked through Karen. We recently returned from our two week visit to Turkey. Karen and her team at Sea Song helped coordinate several parts of our visit including visits to several archaeological sites, a 5 day cruise on a Turkish gulet in the Aegean Sea, a visit to Cappadocia, and of course, Istanbul.
We had a wonderful time in Turkey. Everything was fantastic. The highlight of the trip was the gulet and crew. The ship was great and the crew was fantastic. Captain Mustafa, Alaattin, and Volkan were perfect hosts and made the whole experience memorable. The food on board exceeded our expectations. The visit to Knidos was remarkable. The photo on my screen saver is now of the (gulet) and it makes me smile every time I see it. All of the tour guides throughout our visit were extremely friendly and helpful. In particular, we really enjoyed our time with Ozgul in Cappadocia. Ozgul was able to help us understand more about life in Turkey. She was very patient with all of our questions, extremely informative, and just fun to be with. Prior to the visit, we were not convinced that we really wanted to go to Cappadocia. We are so grateful that Karen suggested it and kept it in the itinerary.
Without working through Sea Song, we would have experienced only a small fraction of what is an amazing country. We frequently travel to countries on our own. We have now also used Travel Specialists twice. If you are visiting a country for the first time, are not very familiar with it, and want to really get to know the country and have a customized experience, we would highly recommend a Travel Specialist like Karen. The key... let them know your interests. You'll have a wonderful experience.
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the most wonderful time in Turkey. Everything was absolutely perfect! Asli was a wonderful host in Istanbul. We enjoyed seeing the entire city – she was so knowledgeable of Istanbul’s rich culture and history. The city has so much to offer to its visitors and we truly wished we had more time to explore it. We loved meeting Andrew in Cappadocia! The landscape is out of this world, and we loved having Andres show us around. We loved the people of Cappadocia and especially loved the stop in Avanos with the pottery makers. Mustafa that worked there had such a beautiful soul, we teared up when we left because of his kindness. The touring was top notch with Andrew, and we were very sad to leave him – he made our experience in Cappadocia magical! I can speak for Scott and me both when I say the highlight of the entire trip was out time spent with Bulent in Izmir/Ephesus. We wanted to take him home with us! How neat is it to have an archaeologist who helped excavate Ephesus give our tour? We enjoyed living a day in his life, it was such a treat. I cried when we said goodbye!
Before I depart for the USA very early tomorrow morning, please allow me to compliment your company for the excellent guides and transportation provided. The Istanbul tour and the Ephesus excursion were marvellous. Again, my thanks and I hope to return to Turkey in the future.
Amazing trip! Turkey is so diverse! We were lucky as some sights were empty because of Covid. Our guide in Istanbul was amazing, Our guide in Cappadocia was phenomenal he cared so much. Hotels were all great. The highlights were: Gulet in Bodrum, Balloon in Cappadocia, Cooking Class in Istanbul, Picnic – great perfectly set in Cappadocia.
Loved our tour guides – our first one was Juan in Cappadocia, he spoke so many languages including Spanish which was great for our family. He gave just the right amount of information and took us to all of his favorite spots that most people don’t know about. He also went beyond his job description to make us happy – including getting a chocolate milkshake. Our next guide in Istanbul Tulay was also amazing. She gave just the right amount of info and was interesting and great with my three young girls. Would highly recommend using their tour company and guides.
Note: please take a look at the lovely painting we received from the 3 girls about their cooking class
Our highlights were: the Hagia Sofia, all the wonderful food (including the cooking class), Topkapi Palace, the Bosphorus cruise, and wandering around the Asian side of town, Galata (neighbourhood and tower were also great), and the bazaars (and without crowds). The cooking class was wonderful- and will be a great memory for all of us. It’s something we’ve talked about on several other trips but have never done. Would highly recommend for anyone else as a really nice complement to the typical tourist sightseeing. Tulay was a wonderful guide. Really fantastic and can’t imagine this trip without her.
I wanted to reach out and thank each and everyone of you for being a part of our amazing, fantastic, and once in a lifetime trip to the lovely country of Turkey. We know that these trips truly take a team effort, and each of you obviously played an integral role in our families trip being beyond remarkable. Covid- 19 hurdles were our biggest fears, and you all handled the curveballs gracefully and without a pause in the fabulous itinerary. Our travels were seamless, each location and hotel were uniquely stunning and so very different from what we expected. Your Sea Song guides were knowledgeable and unflappable. Perfect qualities to handle a pandemic in the world.
I have no idea how to put into words exactly how magical our time in your beautiful country was for our honeymoon. From our pickup at the airport to every single person you arranged for us, I simply can’t express how wonderful they were. Our tour guide of the city, was INCREDIBLE! She let us be in control of what we wanted to see and we also loved how she did not bombard us in the Grand Bazaar and Egyptian Market. She brought us to only a few, reputable sellers who we liked so much we went back again on our own time to visit. Our gulet in Bodrum is something we will remember for the rest of our lives. I can’t thank you enough for making this trip so wonderful. I am already planning a return trip for our 5 year anniversary.
We have returned home safely from our Cappadocia trip and I wanted to let you know that everyone had and amazing magical time. The Museum Hotel was spectacular, it was absolutely beautiful and we loved the food and service. Our guide was friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable and our driver was always on time. We felt very fortunate to be able to do the hot air ballooning, especially when we found out how often it is cancelled because of weather. Overall, we were so impressed by the places Sea Song chose for the itinerary and how responsive and accommodating you were during the entire planning process. We would definitely recommend Sea Song to anyone going to Turkey.
Istanbul completely seduced us; the history, the people, textiles, the food. Two Sea Song greeters saved us much anguish when we landed at 6:50am. We sailed through customs, luggage claim, and into a van bound for the hotel like a waltz. I imagine some passengers are blear-eyed, still waiting to go through customs. When you say “highly recommend” I will whip out the credit card. No questions asked.
Our visit to Istanbul was a pleasant surprise. The Sea Song agency did a marvellous job in organizing to cover the highlights of the city in time allotted. From our VIP arrival to departure it was going like a Swiss clock. Our guide was excellent, knowledgeable and friendly as well as the driver. The selection of historical sites was well planned. We were also surprised to see the city of this size so clean and full of life. Thanks to Sea Song organization, we left Istanbul with very fond memories and might consider returning one day to see the rest of the country.
Istanbul was the absolute highlight of our vacation. What a fabulous city- the history, natural beauty, and universal warmth of the people was striking. We loved it! We walked everywhere. We went out at night. We felt as safe as we would in our own neighbourhood at home. Which brings me to Sea Song. Tremendous service and attentiveness throughout our stay in Turkey. The tours were terrific - great itineraries executed on time with gracious hosts and hostesses, including pickup and delivery to and from the airport. But towering over all our experiences for the entire trip were the two days in Istanbul with our guide. He’s an extremely well educated religious scholar, who really made the city, its history, and its architecture come to life for us. We learned so much - especially how little we knew to begin with! (but I guess that’s the whole point of traveling) He even helped us shop for rugs, artwork, and jewelry. We felt lucky to have spent a couple of days with him.
Not only were the private guides in Istanbul and Cappadocia very knowledgeable and charming, they were friendly, and went above and beyond to help us make the experience unforgettable. They recommended great food places that were not tourist traps, and even went so far as to arrange drivers to pick us up at our hotel, take us to the restaurants where a table was waiting, and drive us back. On the night of our anniversary, our guide made a very romantic reservation for us (flower pedals on the table, drinks, and great food) and provided transportation. I cannot speak highly enough of them.
It was a pleasure meeting you last week and now that we are home I just wanted to send a quick note to tell you how happy Gail and I were with the services your company provided. The 8 day trip exceeded our expectations and was truly a once-in-a-lifetime-experience. The guides and drivers were all first-rate professionals and the cars/vans very comfortable. The Vault and The Museum were exactly the type of hotels we look for when we travel independently and the upgraded room at The Museum was one-of-a-kind magical.
There are trips to Turkey, and then there are magical trips to Turkey. Those magical trips where you are enveloped into a wonderful culture and experience, which create lifetime memories. Trips that start with a fantastic airline’s inflight service such as Turkish Airlines. Trips where the tour guides are professional, responsible, well-spoken, educated, and passionate about their land. Trips where the hotels make you feel like a family member, and not a credit card transaction. Such is Sea Song; they are truly your partner in Turkey. Whatever you need, Sea Song is the answer. Their VIP airport transfer service is highly recommended. Tour guides like Cenk in Istanbul, and Yavuz in Bodrum, who become your friends, and their infectious passion becomes yours. Do yourself a favor, if you haven’t been to Turkey yet, make it happen……… and make it happen with Sea Song. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
Frankly, we were amazed at the service we received on our trip. From the moment we arrived in Istanbul until the moment we left, we were pampered and cared for like VIPs. It was incredible. The crew of the Caner IV were outstanding - their chef was beyond description! - and they treated us like royalty. We loved both our guide for the Anatolia section of our tour and the Istanbul portion. Both guides were friendly and knowledgeable, but even more than this, they were passionate about their country and about sharing the things they loved about it with us. We left feeling like we'd been welcomed into the culture in a way that was truly meaningful to us. I wish Seasong did tours everywhere! I would never book a tour through anyone else.
From the moment we arrived at the airport where there was someone waiting for us, helped us with the airport formalities, baggage etc. Till the end of the trip when they helped us check in fast, the trip was seamless, highly enjoyable and stress free. Our guide was a sweet, highly knowledgeable and accommodating lady. Sea Song has an amazing guide on their team. Thanks for helping us make wonderful memories that will last forever.
Mrs. Newland was very concerned prior to their arrival in Turkey about security. I had assured them that they wouldn’t be taken anywhere the guides felt was questionable.
They felt very safe with your guide and driver. They loved Istanbul and especially their guide. It was much better, in all aspects, than they had imagined. They also thought the day they spent in Ephesus was a wonderful and interesting experience. They felt they received a fabulous experience at an excellent price too! Overall they were impressed with Turkey..... the people, the economy, the welcome, the hotels, the transportation, but especially they were impressed with Sea Song.
Just a quick note to thank the whole Sea Song staff for planning a great trip for Sue and I to Istanbul. The whole 3 days were wonderful and memorable and the hotel was in the heart of all the things we wanted to experience in Istanbul. Our guide was wonderful and willing to adjust our schedule to allow us to focus on areas of specific interest. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque were breath-taking, the Cistern incredible, the Bazaar – well no way to describe that, but a highlight that none of your guests should miss.... was the boat trip on the Bosphorus. No better way to see the European and Asian sides than that – pretty special. Great staff, great drivers and a wonderful guide, everyone enthusiastic, on time, and supportive. Seems like Sue and I should start thinking about another trip in 2016!!
Turkey was amazing. The trip was perfect – not one glitch throughout. Upon reflection there were no highlights because each and every part was so terrific. In Istanbul the guide was great. We felt so well taken care of. Cappadocia was awesome. We loved the hot air balloon after all!! The gulet was like a dream - the staff so warm and welcoming. The food was so good that we never ate ashore after all. Anyone who doesn’t do these three aspects of this amazing country is making a big mistake. We can’t rave enough about the whole experience. It was truly a once in a lifetime journey.
As we get ready to say farewell to this beautiful country we wanted to thank you and all of those who made our visit a magical one.!!!!!!! All arrangements were perfectly executed with care and concern and efficiency. Everyone so friendly and helpful we couldn’t have asked for better. Thank you for all of your efforts on our behalf. Sea Song, what a team!!!!!. Karen, thanks for your leadership, advise, and sharing your team. We’ve been totally spoiled.
The trip was FABULOUS! And the guides outstanding...everything was great, great, great...the room upgrades were outstanding (especially at The Four Seasons, where they gave us a 1 bedroom suite.)
One simply cannot see those two cities without having Sinan in Istanbul and Sofia in Greece as your guides! They were beyond amazing...perfect pace and tempo...incredibly articulate with outstanding knowledge...clearly both academics but great story tellers. It made the tour for us, and our extended group, so enjoyable.
And I truly could not have scripted the two cities better...as connected as their histories are and our current political and religious climate being what it is, the trip was enlightening, inspiring, memorable and rejuvenating. What I always hope travel to be.
I chose Karen and her team at Sea Song because a good friend had used their services (with great success) for an earlier trip to Turkey. We traveled to Turkey in October 2014 with a group of six adults. From the moment I contacted Karen by email to begin planning our trip, until the day we left Turkey, I felt that everything was first class. We arranged a VIP pick-up from the airport upon arrival and immediately I could see why Sea Song has such a good reputation. Each and every person that works with Sea Song is excellent, including drivers and transport personnel. When I first contacted Sea Song I worked out the parameters of our trip with Karen, then I worked with Cigdem, a Sea Song sales associate, to arrange all the details.
Cigdem and Karen were great—I always felt like we were in good hands and there wasn’t ANY question too small or not worthy of an answer. Once we arrived in Istanbul, Sea Song’s guide, Esin, showed us the old city and other parts of Istanbul—she couldn’t have been better! She was knowledgeable and personable and we had the best time. Esin made last-minute itinerary adjustments to avoid the large cruise ship crowds. We still saw everything on our itinerary, just in reverse order! Sea Song is great for folks wanting the experience of staying at the Four Seasons in Istanbul or small boutique-type hotels as well. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or using a travel service for the first time (as was the case for us), I highly recommend Sea Song. They will not disappoint!
Karen Fedorko Sefer and her team at Sea Song are absolutely first class. They worked with me to plan a 12-day trip to Turkey in June of 2014 for my family (my wife and I, two 17-year-olds, an 11-year-old, and my 76-year-old mother). I chose Karen and her team specifically because she lives in Turkey. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left, I felt like the team was looking over our shoulders making sure everything happened when and how it was supposed to. Our family has traveled extensively and I can honestly say no trip has ever gone more smoothly. Drivers were where they were supposed to be, guides were ever present, and excellent with the children and the adults. Sea Song’s suggestions—which gulet to rent, how long to stay, where to stay and why, where to eat, activities to do—were all spot on.
During our trip, Karen’s team made numerous last-minute itinerary adjustments and reservations. Karen called me personally one of the days to make sure all was good. If you go to Turkey there is only one company to work with and it is Sea Song. Karen and her team have got Turkey wired for the high-end traveler.
Karen Fedorko and Sea Song arranged a four-day trip for us in October 2014 from Istanbul to Cappadocia before our cruise departure. Our time in Cappadocia was wonderful, in large part due to the professionalism, compassion, and care of our guide Gokhan and our driver Selim. The vehicle was comfortable and spacious and we were always picked up on time. Gokhan especially was mindful of my husband’s mobility problems and did his best to make sure we saw everything and my husband was able to navigate most areas. He is a most engaging young man and very knowledgeable and we enjoyed his company. He was more than willing to make any adjustments to our sightseeing or lunch venues that we wanted. From the pre-trip contact, to the detailed itinerary (always at our discretion) to the Museum Hotel stay (in Cappadocia) and our return to Istanbul, all was expertly arranged. Karen and her staff deserve all the accolades they receive.
I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for the remarkable experience in Kusadasi. My husband and I found Sea Song Tours through Conde Nast Traveler as a highly recommended vendor partner, and we found that to be without blemish! It was perfect.
The entire day was arranged to perfection, with the lunch in a private home a wonderful addition. Our guide, Mutlu, was particularly amazing. He was insightful, passionate about his field, and a wonderful host. I cannot say enough wonderful things about our guide, and the day's arrangements.
Thank you for arranging the entire day's agenda, and logistics to perfection. It was not only relaxing, but informative as well.
I would highly recommend Sea Song Tours and our guide to anyone coming to Kusadasi. Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful travel experience!
We used Sea Song for our recent trip to Turkey and found their service was exceptional. Karen Fedorko Sefer and her colleagues did an outstanding job planning, getting us into museums in a timely manner and offering excellent guides to assist us. The car and driver were also very good. The cars were spacious and clean and the drivers did a great job maneuvering through the traffic and were very prompt to pick us up. She also had a VIP service at the airport that was exceptional in every way with red carpet and all. We could not have been more pleased. I would use them again and recommend them to all our friends who will be traveling to Turkey.
My wife and I just returned from a month away in Europe including a cruise on the Mediterranean with two stops in Turkey. We had planned two private tours through Sea Song at the two stops in Turkey, Istanbul and Kusadasi / Ephesus. The services were amazing, we had the best time in Turkey. We were away 30 days from home and both my wife and I loved our time in Turkey the best. We would say both Cenk in Istanbul and Rabia in Ephesus had a lot to do with that.
Starting in Istanbul, our driver was attentive and careful. Cenk (our guide) was careful to explain to us specific history, background information and took time to explain specific items, very friendly and easygoing, which we especially enjoyed.
Both guides' knowledge and care they took with us and the information they shared with us made us feel very comfortable and special.
Rabia was very knowledgeable as well and ensured we were informed of each place we stopped at and advised us where to go and what to watch for. The highlight was lunch in Sirince village at someone's home. We were well received and treated to a beautiful meal served in a serene, cool (comfortable) backyard. At the same time we were there, the call to prayer could be heard and it was a very special moment. At the time of booking these two special tours, we did not realize Holland America also used Sea Song's services in Turkey and we felt our tours were truly special as we shared our experiences with others on the ship.
Both Cenk and Rabia were truly special guides, and both drivers were very good as well. Thanks again so very much to everyone at Sea Song for making this tenth anniversary trip for my wife and I special, we look forward to returning to Turkey.
Based on a very high recommendation from a friend, we booked a two week trip within Turkey with Sea Song. Everything went perfectly, our guides were fantastic, not only knowledgeable and great in conveying their knowledge but also personable and fun to be with. We exchanged email addresses with two of our three guides. We loved all the sights we saw in Istanbul, enjoyed the combination of antiquities and modern life, the incredibly friendly people and the delicious food. Back in the US, I immediately purchased a Turkish cookbook. The trip was arranged to pre-celebrate my husband's upcoming 75th birthday. We enjoyed the area of Cappadocia, the hot-air balloon ride, the underground cities, the castles, churches and the fairy rocks. Ephesus was overwhelming in vastness and multitude of undug architecture, murals, mosaics, etc. The smaller sites of Priene and Didyma were equally informative and beautiful.
We have been telling friends about our experiences in Turkey arranged by Sea Song…a few of them have added such a trip to their bucket list. We certainly want to return sometime in the not too distant future.
We booked a one day shore tour of Kusadasi and Ephesus, as written up in Conde Nast and were very happy with our day. It was for six, professionally organized with driver and a guide, Rabia. Every detail was handled perfectly and our guide was a font of information. In one day we saw all that time would allow, and it included a delicious lunch in a private home. Rabia was knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to share her country's customs and history with us. Sea Song is a quality company and when I return to Turkey for a more extensive tour, I will contact them again. We would highly recommend this company and tour to all!
Several years ago, we used the “Conde Nast Travel Specialist” list to find someone to help coordinate a trip. It was an excellent experience. When we decided to visit Turkey, we pulled out the list again. We had a few days in Istanbul to ourselves in conjunction with the Formula 1 Grand Prix. For the rest of our visit we worked through Karen. We recently returned from our two week visit to Turkey. Karen and her team at Sea Song helped coordinate several parts of our visit including visits to several archaeological sites, a 5 day cruise on a Turkish gulet in the Aegean Sea, a visit to Cappadocia, and of course, Istanbul.
We had a wonderful time in Turkey. Everything was fantastic. The highlight of the trip was the gulet and crew. The ship was great and the crew was fantastic. Captain Mustafa, Alaattin, and Volkan were perfect hosts and made the whole experience memorable. The food on board exceeded our expectations. The visit to Knidos was remarkable. The photo on my screen saver is now of the (gulet) and it makes me smile every time I see it. All of the tour guides throughout our visit were extremely friendly and helpful. In particular, we really enjoyed our time with Ozgul in Cappadocia. Ozgul was able to help us understand more about life in Turkey. She was very patient with all of our questions, extremely informative, and just fun to be with. Prior to the visit, we were not convinced that we really wanted to go to Cappadocia. We are so grateful that Karen suggested it and kept it in the itinerary.
Without working through Sea Song, we would have experienced only a small fraction of what is an amazing country. We frequently travel to countries on our own. We have now also used Travel Specialists twice. If you are visiting a country for the first time, are not very familiar with it, and want to really get to know the country and have a customized experience, we would highly recommend a Travel Specialist like Karen. The key... let them know your interests. You'll have a wonderful experience.