Relaxing scenic day trip from Izmir - Such a beautiful part of Turkey not to be missed if visiting Izmir - Faruk was easygoing and friendly, and made the tour feel like very relaxing sightseeing - flexible to enjoy at your own pace/interests, not like a big group tour. He also had great food recommendations (very important!). Would highly recommend ☺️

Chill day at Cesme and Alacati - We had such a lovely day with Faruk! He made our experience so lovely. We loved exploring Cesme and Alacati with him. The towns themselves were absolutely lovely and we could even swim in the Aegean Sea for an hour. It was not at all rushed, super leisurely and we felt throughly relaxed and at peace by the end of it. Faruk also clicked lovely photos of us around the area which was such a nice memory to take back with us! Would highly recommend this trip :)))

Recommended - Excellent tour, great service from Faruk, amazing photos, we really recommend this tour. Very punctual and nice person. Beautiful places!

Perfect - It was all wonderful. Mr. Faruk was very friendly and attentive. He had organized the program very well. Thank you very much.

Private Tour Experience – July 29 - I did a tour today (July 29) that was originally meant for four people, but I ended up being the only one—so it turned into a private tour, which was a great surprise! I didn’t have to rush, and the whole experience felt relaxed and personalized. My guide, Faruk, was incredibly kind and knowledgeable. He shared insights about the places we visited, and his friendly personality made the trip even more enjoyable. The highlight for me was the beach—I got to swim and cool off from the heat, which was perfect. The last stop of the tour was a really nice area with a mix of shops and restaurants. It’s the kind of place where you’d want to take your time—maybe grab a bite to eat or do a little shopping. If I could make one suggestion, it would be to add around 30 more minutes to the tour so visitors can actually enjoy that part, rather than just walk through it quickly. Overall, I had a great time and would highly recommend this tour. If you’re considering it, go for it. You might just get lucky like I did and have it all to yourself!

A relaxing and memorable trip! - Highly recommend this tour for people who want to see Alacati & Çeşme in a relaxed way! This tour is by no means a historical and information packed tour, so if you’re coming in with that mindset then you will be disappointed (as this is not the intent of this tour). However, if you’re someone who just wants to relax and see more of what Izmir has to offer, while having an experienced local, guide, converse and take high quality pictures of you during your journey, then this is the perfect tour for you (Faruk is a photographer with a professional camera). Thanks to Faruk for showing me what Izmir has to offer and for making my stay in Izmir a memorable one!

Great day trip from Izmir - If you want an easy day out with an easy-going guide, Faruk is your man. Don’t forget your swimwear for Çeşme because you won’t be able to resist the incredible beach there. It’s just enough time to get a good swim in and then off to Alacatı, great for shopping and eating. I highly recommend it; you will want to spend more time there for sure!

2 private tours: Çeşme and Alaçati / Ephesus and Şirince - My wife and I spend last week 2 fantastic and unforgettable days with our guide Faruk Acar. We took two private tours with him. He picked us up from our hotel and dropped us off in his car. Tour 1: Çeşme and Alaçati First, we drove to Çeşme. Çeşme is a coastal town in the Izmir province on Turkey's west coast, directly on the Aegean Sea. It is located about 85 km west of Izmir city. Our first stop was Çeşme Castle. It is a well-preserved castle dating back to the 16th century. Today, it houses a small archaeological museum. We then took a relaxing stroll along the promenade at Çeşme Marina, enjoying the view of the sea and the yachts, and enjoying some delicious local ice cream. There are small designer shops, jewelry and fashion boutiques, local souvenir shops, and stylish restaurants. We then drove to a nearby beach. We made a short stop there and took a walk along the promenade. After the walk, we drove to Alaçati. Alaçati is a picturesque coastal village known for its charming architecture and vibrant culture. We visited the old town. It features narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed stone houses with colorful shutters, and blooming bougainvillea. Many buildings date back to the Ottoman period and have been lovingly restored. Particularly striking are the traditional balconies, often painted in shades of blue or purple. There are beautiful alleys, galleries, boutiques, markets, and good cafes and restaurants. Before we headed home, we had lunch at a typical local restaurant. The food was so delicious. Tour 2: Ephesus and Şirince Early in the morning, we first drove to Ephesus. The ruins of Ephesus are now located near Selçuk, about 70 km south of Izmir. The archaeological finds reflect the history of past centuries – from ancient Greece to the Roman Empire, when the city was the most important trading center in the Mediterranean, to the spread of Christianity. Tips for your visit: It can be very hot and dry, especially in summer. Bring plenty of water. Be sure to bring a hat or cap! The ancient city has little shade. Sunscreen with a high SPF is a must. Don't forget sunglasses. Wear light, breathable clothing and comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking a lot (over uneven stones and cobblestones). After the visit, Faruk recommended us a good local restaurant nearby. The food was once again delicious and inexpensive. The restaurant was very nice and somewhat hidden, free from tourists. After lunch, Faruk recommended that we go to Şirince. Şirince is a picturesque village. It is located about 8 km northeast of the town of Selçuk and about 12 km from the ancient city of Ephesus. The drive is a scenic one. The village is perched on a hill. The road leads through hilly terrain and offers picturesque views. The route winds along the river and gradually climbs into the mountains, making it especially attractive for nature lovers. The village is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and forests. It is a pleasant and easy way to experience authentic rural life in Turkey. It is known for its traditional architecture, narrow cobbled streets, and colorful, restored stone houses. Formerly a Greek village, the mix of Turkish and Greek cultures still prevails. Today, Şirince is especially popular for its cozy atmosphere, small cafes, wineries, and craft shops. Şirince is famous for its local wines, especially fruit wines such as pomegranate, peach, and fig wine. Many wineries offer tastings. We opted for a small wine tasting (made only from grapes) in one cellar - a real highlight! After the tasting, we enjoyed the beautiful view on the terrace with a good white wine. We can definitely recommend Faruk. He is very nice, very professional, and flexible. He is an amazing photographer and videographer. Faruk thank you so much for everything. We’ll never forget the 2 days we were able to spend with you. We are incredibly grateful for all the places you showed us. The pictures you took of us turned out beautiful. Thank you so much!

Visit Cesme and Alacati as a local - Faruk is the best travel companion. Very friendly and explicable as going for a tour with a close friend. Nice places and spots to visit in a relaxing way. He gave us the best suggestion for ice cream in Alacati. Do not miss a tour with him and also use him as a photographer :-)

Rough Start Great Ending - We had an unhappy start to this tour because of misunderstanding with the trip advisor app. However Faruk Acar made up the initial missteps as he drove us in his private car to Cesme and Alacati. Both towns are quaint vacation beach towns. The fort in Cesme had some beautiful views and Faruk took some lovely picture. Faruk is a gentleman and patient as he guided us through both towns. He made great recommendations for ice cream at Selanick ice cream shop. We even did some shopping .