Peter Sommer Travels Traveller Reviews

The Gastronomic Tour of Sicily was everything that the reviews promised. The tour leader, Lucia, was both personable and knowledge of food and the culture of Sicily, as well as historic information. Every day was interesting with Lucia's superb discussions of the sites.

Easy to contact and sent information necessary for the tour and all details which were necessary.

We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday. All transfers, etc. went smoothly. Athena A, our boat, was comfortable and more than adequate. The small crew was excellent, helpful and friendly. The food was fresh and tasty. Our guide, Maria, was a "force of nature." When the weather messed up our itinerary, she came up fantastic solutions, including rarely visited sites, interesting experiences and great restaurants. She was so knowledgeable, friendly and competent--quite the "mother hen." The other passengers were intriguing and contributed to a great time. This small "ship" experience was delightful in every way.

The staff at Peter Sommer answered all our questions and made sure we had all the information we needed for a fantastic vacation. Everything went was planned, except when the weather interfered. We would definitely use them again.

We spent a week on a private gulet charter through Peter Sommer Travel, our guide and onboard archaelogist were entertaining and knowledgeable, the boat crew met our every need. I couldn't believe the wonderful meals that came from that tiny kitchen!

Excellent communication, Would highly recommend!

This is our second trip with Paul Beeston as guide and he did not disappoint. Ancient Rome was brought alive. Everything was first rate, from the guides, itinerary, accommodation and organisation. It was another amazing holiday with Peter Sommer Travels and we will be back.

Amazing. Everything was well organised and well communicated.The care and attention shown to us (a group of 9) was first rate.

This tour was wonderful – from the beautiful waters of that wild, lonely section of the Turkish south coast east of Bodrum, to the experience of visiting the amazing ancient sites of Knidos, Loryma, Kaunos and Lydae, and their interpretation for us by Peter Sommer. Of many travels on every continent over many years, both self-guided and guided, this was one of the very best experiences I have had.

Peter was always informative, intelligent, nuanced, friendly and engaging. His knowledge of the archaeology of the area was immense. Perhaps my favourite moment was his description as we all sat inside the ruins of the grand tomb that had supported the great marble lion of Knidos after a long morning's walk in the hot sun. The lion is no longer there of course - it now sits in the Great Court of the British Museum - but Peter's description of the lion, its history and rediscovery in the 1850s, its transport down to the coast and to England had us spellbound. Our other guide, Cem, was also delightful. He was was the silent, masterful organiser of everything on the boat, watching all that was going on around him - a quiet word to one of the crew here, a small adjustment there. Nothing went wrong that we knew of, and if it had I'm sure that Cem would have sorted it out before we were even aware of a problem. The food was magnificent and the service impeccable.

Our 14-day "Walking and Sailing the Lycian Way" tour was a vivid journey through ancient Lycia. My husband and I came away with a richer appreciation for both historic and modern Turkey. These tours attract glowing reviews and I understand why. The attention to detail in everything from site selection to culinary experiences (often combined as when our guides prepared a delicious picnic in a quiet site overlooking a the ruins of an Ancient Greek theater), to historical insights and the beautiful anchorages with spectacular swimming opportunities - all combine to create a unique and unforgettable experience. An eerie 1923 ghost town echos the (relatively) recent displacement and loss of a traumatic population exchange - while more ancient ruins whisper of long-ago human striving, creativity, prosperity as well as turmoil, conflict and catastrophic loss. The setting is stunning, the camaraderie with fellow travelers is engaging and fun. We are actively debating which tour to sign up for next!

Peter Sommer Travels crafts exceptional archaeological tours, blending meticulous itineraries with deep historical insight. Their expert guides, true scholars, bring ancient sites to life with researched narratives, navigating complex histories with clarity and passion. From obscure ruins to authentic cultural experiences, every detail—hikes, meals, and anchorages—is thoughtfully designed to immerse travelers in the region’s past and present. The company’s commitment to small, engaged groups fosters camaraderie, making each journey both educational and personal. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts seeking authentic, off-the-beaten-path adventures.

The Turkish Gastronomic Gulet Tour we took with Peter Sommers as our tour guide and his fellow expert Cem was exceptional and so much fun! Peter's historical knowledge, passion and story telling has a way of bringing pieces of history to life. The traditional home made food, the places you explore, swimming in secluded bays with each day being unique from the day before is a tour for anyone who wants a historical and delicious adventure!

Peter Sommers and Cem were professional, organized and dedicated to making the tour be an amazing week for everyone including the crew.

Started on 25Sep2025. In the six weeks we've been traveling through Turkey, the best part, by far, was the Gastronomic Gulet Cruise with Peter Sommer. A perfect blend of archaeology and gastronomy with true experts and local people who Peter and Cem have cultivated relationships with for decades. The boat was beautiful, all teak and mahogany. The meals were a cross-section of Turkish cuisines, and included local items from the locations we visited that day, like honeys, bread, vegetables, fish etc. Peter's expertise in history was unmatched, and his stories from the ancient writers, about the very places we were at, brought everything to life.

Peter Sommer and Cem were organized, efficient, and knowledgeable. Best we've ever had.

A wonderful week exploring the beautiful Lycian coast. The Peter Sommer Travels formula provides the perfect combination of interest, stimulation, adventure and fun. We were taken off the beaten track and experienced a realness of the Turkish countryside and people which is so hard to find.

Brilliant attention to detail, engagement with guests and expert guides.

The coastal walks overlooking the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea were stunning. Walking into a deserted remote archeological site one often had the feeling we were the first modern visitors. Our guides enthusiastically delivered historical knowledge helped bring these ancient sites to life for us. Traditional Turkish meals in small villages and on the boat were excellent. Afternoon swims from our gullet after a day's walk were a highlight. Congenial dinners over wine finishing out each magical day. Overall, an amazing trip, exceeding our expectations. We plan to book again on another tour.

Well organized and planned, amazing guides. Overall exceeded our expectations.