I had romantic visions of strolling through the turkish bazaars, seeing the old gilded palaces, experiencing a turkish bath, riding a balloon over fairy chimneys...and so much more.  I saw all that, but also fell in love with the true Turkey; the rich history, resilent people and amazing landscapes of a beautiful country.

 

Why Rick Steves?  The philosophy that a traveler should be a "temporary local" is the key.  Hotels are near the old centers.  Guides supply the tools to independently navigate the towns - and also provide group experiences I could never get on my own (like having lunch at a local's house).  Tour members don't insist on being pampered and entertained, but instead, seek authentic experiences and truly want to engage with a new culture.