Hi Alison,

Wife & I went on this trip from Marmaris in May 2003. The landlady of our hotel told us to take an umbrella ( not kidding )as the heat in Ephesus was red hot, and not much shade, make sure you take some water with you when you go inside Ephesus, as it is a long tour. We had a brilliant two day trip. The first day was spent at Ephesus, which is very interesting. Later the bus took us on to a small town to our overnight hotel near Pamukkale, so that there was less traveling to see Pamukkale next day. The hotel we stayed in was perfect, and had entertainment that night. First thing next day we traveled about 15mins. to Pamukkale, and spent the day there before going back to Marmaris. I would say this is one of the best tours we have been on, and well worth the money. Enjoy.

baz.

yes i would do the trip it is great but not a day one it is to much you have to do the overnight one sorry didnt read it properly it is the 2day trip

This trip is well worth the money and jorurney. 2 day
We did it from Calis beach, lots of stops along the way, for breakfast and lunch (not in the price) but very nice and reasonable to. Take lots of water for Ephesus as very very hot !!! and hat as it is a long tour no shade, lots of sun cream.
We stayed at 5 star hotel with pool and evening entertainment not far from cotton castles, spent the day swimming in thermal pools, touring the ancient sites like Heropolis, amazing.
Arrived back around 7 in the evening tired but happy.

Hi,
Could you give me the name of Hamish Mcturks website. I've googled it but no luck.
Sounds interesting as I'll be in Bitez in July. Do the tours operate from there or just Hisaronu?
THanks

hi toastedmallow his web address is INVALID URL sure where his tours operate from.

sorry toastedmallow the address is http://www.hamishmcturk.com

I don't think Hamish McTurk operates in Bitez, but all the local excursion agencies in Bitez offer this same 2 day trip. We just did the 1 day trip to Ephesus, but I remember this 2 day one was on offer too. The people who had booked the two day trip travelled with us to and around Ephesus, in separate coaches for different languages. Then at the end of the day, when it was time for us to head back to Bitez, we were rearranged into different coaches according to who was going on to Pammukkale and who was going back to Bitez. So I know the first day of the 2 day trip is exactly the same as the 1 day trip. !(If you see what I mean! )

It was an early start with a stop for breakfast on the way. Then the obligatory stop at a gold shop. If you went through here and out the back, there was a snack bar. Useful as the lunch stop was very late indeed, after Ephesus.

hamish mcturk only operates out of fethiye and hisaronu/olu regions

Thanks guys for that very useful info!
At least I know we can arrange something in Bitez. Do you think the local operators are better than the tour company's offerings?

toastedmallow

Yes. on prices, but check their insurance. Wife & I always take local tours, and not had any probs.

baz.

We went to Ephesus a few years ago on the 2 day trip. When we went meals were included along the way.
As people have said i wish we had taken an umbrella as the weather was scorching and there is no shade at all in Ephesus.There were a lot of Chinese people there who had more sense than us and had their umbrellas with them! It is well worth the visit and I would definitley go again , we stayed in a 5 star hotel and had a Turkish night.
The next day we went to Pamukale and then to Cleopatras pool which was brill.
We also visited the shrine to the Virgin Mary and called at a carpet makers and also a jewellers on the way back.
I may have not put everything in the correct order but it was one of the most memorable times I have spent in Turkey

Thanks for that, Skilly,
Certainly sounds worth doing. Must remember to bring an umbrella! Haveheard that the heat's ferocious there esp in July when we'll be visiting.

Toasted...

We're off to Bitez on Saturday

The agent in Bitez we booked with, a few years back, had the most fantastic guide. He kept us entertained with his knowledge and wit throughout the entire 2 day trip. We highly recommend doing the 2 days just to spend it in his company.

We learnt more from him about Turkish culture, A1 hotels and 'genuine fake's' than all our trips we've made over the years, and thats been many!!!

If you like, we can find out if its still the same Guide that does the English coach. I think it works out, about £35 for 2 days. You must bathe in Cleopatras pool... one end is like swimming in a can of coke, all the tiny bubbles tickling, warming and relaxing you You have to pay a little bit extra, but is worth it.

Its going to be strange going this early, I see two of the bars on the beachfront are up for lease already...