Recent Traveler Reviews
Here is a selection of the most recent reviews of the Day Trip to Pergamum and Asklepion from Izmir submitted by actual travelers. Read what travelers liked, what they loved, and what they thought could be improved.
The guide, Tayfun Yalcin, was outstanding and the tour (which turned out to be private) was well-planned and totally enjoyable and worthwhile. Tayfun was knowledgeable, eloquent, and interesting -- as well as personable. He helped one imagine how glorious the sites once were. (It also was instructive to have visited the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.) Even though many of the temples and monuments have been removed or destroyed, the sites, Pergamon in particular, remain awesome and memorable. Logistically, this tour made it convenient to visit these relatively remote sites, which otherwise would have been somewhat difficult to access. I believe that anyone who is interested in ancient cities and monuments would, as I did, find this tour a highlight of a visit to Turkey.
Reviewed by: Phil D, October 2010
very interesting
Reviewed by: HERODOTOS M, Cyprus, July 2010
If you are staying in Izmir without a rental car and want to see these two amazing (worth seeing) historic ruins, a tour is the easiest way by far. Trains and buses make these spots difficult to reach. However for visiting Ephesus, taking the train yourself is simple.
As feedback I think this tour can be much improved, like by having drawings and maps to go along with the history lecture. It is challenging to "use your imagination" while walking around and listening to stories about people and buildings. The tour guide could easily create a one page guide to the history of the area with dates, names, and events that we can read in the van on the way up.
While the lunch spot was terrific, we never did stop at the museum as the tour itinerary listed (not a huge deal but it was not mentioned to us).
Reviewed by: VacationFrog, December 2011
Tour does not normally include Museum - if you want to go, bring a copy of the Viator itinerary! Guide did not emphasize medical context after I specifically requested this at the beginning of the tour. Nobody else was scheduled on this day, so it was a private tour.
Reviewed by: Steven L, June 2011
I was the only one on this tour. The guide was knowledgeable but was always in a rush to get back to the car and do his paperwork. I had a lot of free time. Also, we went to Acropolis and Asklepion but did not go to the Bergama museum, and no explanation was given.
Reviewed by: Sayata, USA, December 2010
37 reviews