Health Tourism
Many among the sporting and nature loving people as well as others incline also for natural means of health care and disease healing. Such are the hygienic effects of Turkish baths or hamams, and a number of the country's eluxe hotels also provide therapeutic care. Yet health-SPA-thermal spring tours, in easy combination with other most interesting visits around the country, may represent a major reason for traveling to Turkey which is lacated on a major geothermal belt and seventh in the world in terms of its thermal resources.
Presently employing but a tiny percentage of this immense potential on even level with international standards, the land however enjoys a very long tradition of balnevtherapy known for ages: the Hittites and the Phrygians built baths at numerous sites and the therapeudic quality of this natural health cure was first attributed to divine power, holding the water as sacred; cults grew up and temples were erected around the springs. Among the many thermal stations of the Antiquity, some disaffected like the Asclepion in Pergamum are still worldwide known and largely visited whereas the one rising beside the dazzling white calcerous rocks of the ancient Hierapolis-Pamukkale travertines, formed by the steaming rich mineral waters flowing down the slopes, is still in use, visited for a health treatment, a luxurious bath in the soothing waters or simply enjoying the curiously bewitching beauty of the site which has served as decor to famous movies like Claude Lelouch's Toute Une Vie some others, like the large doomed magnificent complex built by the Ottomans in the 14th century in Bursa, are still in use usually modernized and flankedby conveniant hotels.
Last but not the least is the curious "Kangal Hot Spring with Fish" hear Sivas: one of its Kind in the world and visited by people searching cure from all parts of the planet, these hot mineral waters contain also tiny fish which play a vital role in curing skin disesses. A health tour in Turkey should necessarily end in Istanbul's Eqyptian or Spice Bazaar: this beautiful, doomed edifice of the past Ottoman days offers the visitors a wealth of medicinal herbs, soaps, skin scrubbing accessories and the like, all developed by the popular science throughout the ages. Such a tour may also be re-designed for people over 50 and/or the disabled.
Appreciated Appreciations
Thank you so much for EVERYTHING you did to help make our tour to Turkey such a big success. Your support and assistance is greatly appreciated and valued. The group really enjoyed their tour and we now have another 32 disciples who will spread the word about Turkey for us.
Rob Chaplin / The Golf Travel Company /
On behalf of the Rosebank Union Church group I want to thank you most sincerely for all you did to make our tour of Turkey unforgettable. I came home not only with a deeper understanding of the Scriptures, particularly those relating to the Seven Churches, but also with an appreciation of and admiration for the country of Turkey. I was particularly fascinated by Istanbul, and hope to spend more time there in the future exploring the riches of that most fascinating city. I also loved the fertile valleys through which we travelled, the sight of the snow-capped mountains, and the friendliness of the people we met as we walked the streets of those smaller towns along the way.
Leigh Robinson / Rosebank Union Church /
Moreover, the history of Turkey is impressive, not only the recent history but the ancient history which confirms the history of our Bible. I have not visited Greece, Israel or Italy or other countries mentioned in the Bible but think that Turkey is more central to the history of the Bible.We are also amazed at Turkey and what it achieved. It is evident that this would not happen without sound work ethics and commitment by the whole population.
Piet Zeeman / /
One of our very best trips we have ever taken. Turkey was full of memorable moments along with a fascinating history and culture. Thanks for helping plan such an extraordinary trip!!!
Karen & Bruce Levenson / /
There are not enough superlatives in English to describe our trip to Turkey. Most amazing, most friendly, most interesting, most beautiful are just a few that come to mind. We want to thank you for organizing one of the best trips we have ever had. Flights, accommodations, guides and drivers, everything was perfect! Benjamin and Bulent were the most knowledgeable, friendly, and fun people ever. Mustafa was an excellent driver. The sites we visited in Cappidocia and Ephesus were fabulous. To paraphrase General MacArthur: "We will return!" Thanks again.
Jim and Barb / /
Rosemary and I (and, I'm sure, all the others in the party) thouroughly enjoyed the time spent in your beautiful Country. The planning and arrangements laid on were superb. There was a good balance between the secular and the religious aspects, the accommodation and food was great, and the transport went of without a 'glitch'. Halit is, with doubt, a superb guide and his knowledge of so many facets of history, polotics, economic, geography etc is outstanding. He instantly struck a good rapport with the group, and was a real pleasure to be with, and was definitely one to whom listening was not a problem. We came away from the eight days having learnt a tremendous amount both Biblically and about modern and ancient Turkey (as well as other parts of the world).
Lin / /
Over the span of 25 years Universal Travel Services has provided five star service to our 19 tour groups totaling over 500 travelers. Universal and their fine staff have worked with me to develop a series of tours focusing on the biblical and Christian Church history sites in Turkey. One of the most consistent traveler responses in their evaluations of our tours has been, "Great value for the money." Thank you Universal for a quarter century of truly outstanding service.
Donald Cornell / USA / Lutheran Pastor
Apart from all the usual items - hotels/meals/sightseeing etc.. it was the way in which the additional services were handled and your ability to get things done and implement frequent last minute changes which was most impressive...
N.C. / Riyadh, K.S.A. / Regional Manager
...There are not enough good words to describe the extraordinary services that Universal arranged on my behalf upon my request to them regarding the change in my itinerary. I know that you are aware that the hospitality of the Turkish people is greater by tradition than other European Countries. The services and hospitality provided by Universal to me was of this tradition, more than just good business relations...
H.H. / San Diego, CA U.S.A. /
... I would like to extend my appreciation for making our 21th birthday celebration a memorable night...
B.T. / USMC/USS MISSOURI / 1st Lt.
