As Peter Greenberg would say "If its too good to be true then its not worth pursuing".

If you really wanted to pursue this is what i would do:


First I would Google American European Tours and see what you find. Check out their BBB listing if they got a good rating call them and ask for references and see what they say.

Read the Terms and Conditions. Is the airfare really from JFK? Too many times what can happen is you arrive at JFK and they say "Sorry we don't show you on the flight". Or the travel agent forgot to protect you on the flights and at the hotels.

The tour guide could be their 19 year old drunk college student Nephew who could pickpocket rich Americans. They could lure you in and commit a crime. Unlike with Rick Steves or Colette Tours they are bonded and hire the best. I would pay more for a longer tour and one that is safe.

The hotels are really 3 star standards. Anyone could post pictures of 5 star hotels and give you 3 star hotels. Ask for the Hotel names. You need to ask specific questions like what food is included, quality of food. They could take you to their Cousin's restaurant that is poor failed to pass the Turkey National Health Department Inspection and you got really sick they can give the food free to the tour operators (nepotism) and pocket the money and then forward the charges to you. The same can go for the hotel. They can say we have 4/5 star hotels that have been rated by their Aunt and Uncle but not rated by the government.

Is the tour agency bonded? Are they registered with the US IATA. Are the Turkey tour guides bonded? How about the bus and driver? What if they are using their Cousins 1970 Volvo Bus that has been in the shop 10 times over the past month? You would be stuck in a small town for hours as there would be no backup bus.

BTW 2 days are spent traveling so in theory you only have 5 days+jetlag. The flight from JFK is around 10 hours.

In my opinion 7 days is way too short and they will have 10 hour+days.

If it all checks out purchase with your Credit Card and buy Travel Insurance.

Peter Greenberg would err on being careful. I have found some amazing deals for cruises but I booked with a travel agent that got great reviews on Cruise Critic.com.

Good luck and I hope it works out.