Oct 9, 2024
Gallipoli and Troy - a fantastic tour! - This was definitely a bucket list visit for us and Crowded House Tours did not disappoint! Burak’s historical knowledge was second only to his sense of humour and fun. We appreciated seeing ALL of the monuments and not just those dedicated to the Australians. The tour of Troy was also very interesting and capped off two and a half fantastic days. I highly recommend this tour.
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Sep 18, 2024
Great experience! - I was really impressed with how well organized and how fast this company put together an itinerary. I contacted them last minute and they were still able to accommodate me. Not only the guide spoke english but the driver did so I never felt lost. Unfortunately certain tours have the mandatory 'carpet tour'. I did feel a bit rushed and did not get enough time at the site that I wanted to. Despite these, I definitely would consider some of the other packages that they offer since they are so well organized.
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Jun 16, 2024
Such a must with these guys! - Awesome outfit, our tour guide Burat was 11/10. He made trip even better. So informative and energetic, loved that were kiwis as well and we learnt so much. Food was on, being celiac I found this hard however for those that are on a normal
Diet it’s fine. Great communication and loved the sights we visited. Transport was great, comfy air conditioned and awesome drivers. You guys are great!!….p.s crowded house area kiwi band not Australian lol
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Jun 9, 2024
Great tour! - Start to finish, Crowded House Tours did a wonderful job of handling all of the logistics. Our guide, Çağrı, made the experience a memorable one with his storytelling and attention to detail. Pergamon and the visit to the Desen carpet weavers collective were my favorite parts of the tour. The vehicles were clean and well maintained and the drivers were diligent. Even though our tour was listed as ending in Kuşadası, the tour company was kind enough to drop us off at our hotel in İzmir. We don't usually do organized tours, but we had no regrets booking this one!
Review provided by Viator
May 18, 2024
Once in a lifetime trip! - We absolutely cannot recommend this business highly enough. Previous to our trip we were in contact with Ramazan every step of the way. I would send and email in the afternoon/night and by the morning I had a response, every single time! We were given tour options, they booked our flights, transfers and accommodation. Our guides were next level, Fundat (ANZAC Dawn service), Ibrahim ANZAC tour and Charlie who took us to Troy and Pergamon Acropolis. Their knowledge of the history of the locations was fantastic. The price we were quoted in Australia for one person was the same as our family of 3 and it included so much more. Please, please if you have a real interest in attending the Dawn Service, a family connection or just want to see this area of the world you simply cannot go past Crowded House Tours!
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Apr 21, 2024
Ibrahim the guide was excellent - Two fantastic days with our guide Ibrahim who was so knowledgeable and interesting. Both very different experiences and the Gallipoli day was the standout day, so very moving. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 11, 2024
Must see, amazing passionate guide who loves his topic! - Great tour. Our guide Hassan was fantastic , very passionate about his subject and make the place come alive. He was also really helpful to my husband who had a really bad back after a skiing fall the week before and was finding it hard to walk. Hassan was so good helping him around so he did t miss out. We had a fabulous 2 days with Hassan.
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Oct 4, 2023
Crowded House Tours are exceptional! - Crowded House Tours was exceptional. We did the two day Gallipoli and Troy tour. Everything was so good we booked two more tours with them and a private car to Bodrum. The guides were highly informed the vans were clean and safe, the drivers were incredible and every lunch we had was delicious. We ate vegetarian food and it was never a problem. The organisation for all the different tours pick ups drop offs different language guides was like a well oiled machine. This company made our holiday wonderful. We never had to worry or miss anything. Value for money and highly recommend. Would use them again without hesitation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 13, 2024
It was better than I could have imagined—the journey of a lifetime. - Day 1 began with a journey from Istanbul to Gallipoli. The car was immaculate, convenient, and comfortable. After a five-hour drive with one break, we arrived in Eceabat for lunch, and then our tour commenced. Mr. Ibo is our tour guide who provided an in-depth explanation of the Gallipoli Campaign to everyone on the tour. I initially thought the first hour would feel like a serious World War I lecture, but his sense of humour made the details much more enjoyable. I truly appreciated that. Afterward, he guided us to the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, ANZAC Cove, Brighton Beach, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, and many more sites until the evening call. In the end, I was dropped off at the hotel in Cannakale, where the Hollywood Trojan Horse is located. Thank you very much to Mr. Ibo for his patient and clear educating about the Gallipoli Campaign, as well as his insightful perspective on the Dardanelles channel and Constantinople.
On Day 2, we arrived at the Ancient City of Troy, where Mr. Charlie provided a clear explanation of the legendary Trojan Horse, as depicted by Homer in the Odyssey and Iliad. The Ancient City of Troy proved to be far more fascinating than I had anticipated. I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Charlie's statement that "Troy would not be interesting without a tour guide," as one would miss the nuances of its history and the differences between Troy I and Troy IX. Unfortunately, our time in Troy was limited, and we had to move on to our next destination, bidding farewell to Mr. Charlie as he headed to Pergamon.
In the afternoon, we proceeded to Pergamon, but we made an unexpected stop that was not included in the itinerary. I must say I did not find it enjoyable, as we were compelled to visit the carpet house, where they anticipated us to view and possibly buy their carpets. I would prefer to spend more time in Troy or arrive in Pergamon earlier, as the hour or two we spend there feels wasted. This would allow me to satisfy my curiosity about the rich cultural landscape and the splendour of Roman and Byzantine history. Due to our delay at the carpet house, we arrived quite late in Kusadasi, missing the opportunity to enjoy the stunning sunset at Kusadasi Castle over the Icarian Sea.
I would prefer to give an 5-star review rather than 4 stars if this trip had not been disrupted by that unfortunate event.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 26, 2024
Road safety was a concern.Cateless manoeuvres by tour guide & driver. - The guide was good and knowledgeable for the Gallipolli part however he would focus on one or maybe two tourists and basically giving his attention to them rather than the group as a whole.
The next day we had a different guide for Troy and he was very good, knowledgeable & attentive to all on the group. We then changed buses and the driver drove to Permagon for a few hours where he suddenly stopped on the freeway/highway whereby the tour guide jumped onto the small bus. It was a rather dangerous manoeuvre putting us at risk if an accident if some kind and secondly we had no idea what was happening.
We were then driven to a place that makes and sells rugs and we're shown a demonstration of rug making process. This was very good however was not stated in the itenary and which did take a lot if our time and then by the time we got to Pergamon we were rushed by the tour guide as we had to leave for Kusadasi. Again the tour guide was dropped off at Izmir in the middle of the Highway again putting everyone at risk of an accident.
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