Best of Turkey

Traveler Reviews

• W

  WorldTraveler1.0•December 2022
  I travel internationally for vacation 2-3 times a year. My go-to tour companies for solo travel had vaccination...
  I travel internationally for vacation 2-3 times a year. My go-to tour companies for solo travel had vaccination requirements I was avoiding, so I found this company that had great reviews and had the same value proposition - travel solo at no additional cost, get a roommate, and get ready for adventure. They had a tour of Turkey that perfectly matched my needs. The first red flag was that they tried to charge me several hundred additional dollars for traveling solo when their materials clearly stated there was no such charge; they refunded the money but immediately changed their terms stating solo travelers must pay an extra fee. Then they doubled charged me for the deposit; refunding it after I complained. Then, the guaranteed, paid for ride was not at the airport (trust me, I looked everywhere) - BUT the company they said they worked with was there, at the stand where they said my driver would be, but this company said they no longer worked with Encounters. I took a taxi and asked to be reimbursed; they insisted their driver was there and refused reimbursement. The night the tour was starting, I and two others were in the lobby at the pre-meeting time. The guide was an hour late. No call to the hotel to notify us with no way for us to reach anyone after hours. This is when I learned something very important...Encounters is NOT A TRAVEL COMPANY. They are a tour RESELLER. I was on a tour with a local company that was a different tour than the other two people were on. A few more people joined the next day and were on another tour entirely. The local company booked three separate tours together with one guide. One couple left after a few days; then everyone else but me after a few more. I was told I would be joined to another tour, but they wouldn't give me any additional information except to wait in the hotel lobby at a certain time the next day. Finally, a half hour late, a man showed up who didn't speak English. He was alone. He had my information so I went with him - as he stopped by his tour office...a totally different company. Over the next two days, I was on THREE different tours with this new travel company and all new people with each tour. We were even on a big 50 person bus. The tour itinerary I had booked got me back to Istanbul by mid-afternoon, so I could have a nice dinner and wake up at 4 am for my return flight home. This new itinerary was different and got me back to the city after midnight. I didn't even go to sleep for fear of not waking up for my flight. I was sold a small group tour with a certain itinerary with a company I thought I had vetted. Instead, I got myself booked onto multiple tours with two different local tour operators I had zero information about - and I had to figure this out on my own. I ended up being tossed between tour groups - even large groups - where I didn't get a real collegial group experience. And the guides could never clearly explain what was happening or who was meeting me next. It became very high stress as a single female. This is a company of liars and cheats. They are a front and a total sham. Avoid at ALL COSTS.Show more
  Traveled in September 2022
  

  Reply from: Encounters Travel

  Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, and we are truly sorry to hear about the issues you encountered during your tour. We understand how disappointing and frustrating this experience was for you, especially as a solo traveler seeking a smooth and enjoyable adventure. We sincerely apologize for the confusion regarding the solo traveler fee, the deposit issue, and the airport pickup situation. These are not the standards we strive for, and we will review our processes to ensure clearer communication and better coordination with our local partners moving forward. We also regret that your experience with the local tour operators did not meet your expectations. Our goal is to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience, and we understand that being transferred between multiple groups caused unnecessary stress. We will work to improve how we inform our travelers about any changes and ensure a more consistent group experience. We value your feedback and will be taking immediate steps to address these concerns.

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• 

  Kerban5.0•November 2019
  The tour was awesome. The itinerary packed in so many experiences which made it so worthwhile. Special mention for...
  The tour was awesome. The itinerary packed in so many experiences which made it so worthwhile. Special mention for the guide who was extremely knowledgeable, and helpful, and that made all the difference. The transport person was also excellent. Would rate all the arrangements as excellent. Shopping recommendations could be reviewed. But overall a super tour !! Many thanks !!Show more
  Traveled in October 2019
  

  Reply from: Encounters Travel

  Dear Kerban, Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback. We are delighted that you enjoyed your tour with us in Turkey, and especially glad that the guide made the experience better. A good guide is certainly essential for any tour. We are sorry that the shopping recommendations did not meet your expectations, but we do hope to travel with you again in the future.

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