Our Story: Jale and Perry Robertson
For 24 years we have been using our local insights and personal experience to create custom tours to Turkey, Africa,Galapagos and beyond. We are proud that our business has been founded on personal referrals from our past guests. Perry and Jale live in Marin County, California. They have two sons, Clavey Ali and Jordan Cem.
Perry was born in Geneva, Switzerland. He graduated from University of California Santa Cruz with an honors degree in language studies. He spent a year abroad in Grenoble, France and then traveled around the world solo before starting his first job guiding students on summer abroad mountaineering trips in Europe. Perry then spent 6 months traveling in Africa before taking a job with Mountain Travel, a major adventure travel company, as the safari specialist. He was promoted to Sales manager and later put in charge of the International Rafting program for Sobek Expeditions where he oversaw expeditions and first descents in remote parts of the globe including Pakistan, Ethiopia and Chile. Perry has managed and operated adventure trips around the globe for the past thirty years. He has been to more than sixty countries and all seven continents.
He fell in love with Jale who was his guide in Turkey in 1995. Together they founded Blue Odyssey in 1997 and have been sharing their passion for travel and organizational expertise with guests ever since. Perry handles all of our African safaris, Peru and Galapagos trips. He speaks Turkish, Spanish and French. You can contact him at robertson@blueodyssey.com
Jale (Jaa-leh) was born and raised in Adana, Turkey. She studied Business Administration and then got her Masters Degree in Political Science from the prestigious University of Ankara at Siyasal Bilgiler Fakultesi. In 1992 she obtained her guiding licence through the courses organized by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism. She has been guiding trips in Turkey since 1992 and brings boundless enthusiasm and knowledge of Turkey. She grew up in the Eastern Mediterranean among amazing home chefs. She has been giving Turkish Cooking classes in the Bay Area and leading Culinary Trips in Turkey. Over the past 29 years, Jale has developed excellent relations with our local suppliers from hotel owners to gulet captains, from guides to drivers. These relationships allow her to provide unparalleled service to her guests. Jale is in charge of Turkey, Croatia, Morocco and South East Asia operations: jale@blueodyssey.com
Turkey
"Exquisite sensual pleasure; a little adventure; cultural immersion; the most delicious local food...we cried when we left the boat. Sign me up again!"
Patricia Unterman
Food Writer, San Francisco
"I want to thank you for putting together the best family vacation we have ever had. It was a time we will remember forever and all your efforts to make it something special made it so."
Lori and Deke Hunter
Portola Valley, CA
Morocco
Explore the medinas of the imperial cities of Marrakech and Fes, ride camels over golden sand dunes in the Sahara, walk with Berber guides in the Ziz Valley. Hike on Mt Toubkal (yes it snows in Morocco!), sample wonderful local cuisine, go shopping at spice markets, leather shops... Stay at beautiful riads, learn about zelij mosaics, get a henna, go to a hammam (like Turkish Bath), learn about Fatima's hand (hamsa), talk to the locals in of of the four languages they speak! Get lost in the Medieval cities and drink mint tea. Take a cooking class and try some argan oil.
Contact Jale about a custom tour in Morocco.
Croatia
If you haven't been to Croatia yet you are in for a real treat. Croatia offers a wealth of historic sites, crystal clear turquoise waters, protected bays and hidden islands dotted with medieval towns and villages. Cruising the Damation Coast is one of the best ways to explore Croatia's charms. Highlights include the walled city of Dubrovnik, the fjord-like Mljet national park, Dioclycians Palace in Split and much more.
Galapagos
"The Integrity yacht has 8 double staterooms, air conditioned, very good food, a staff of 10 and is wonderful way to experience this extraordinary part of the world. I can not urge you strongly enough to make the trip...the birds, sea life, nature walks...everything is very special...We know Perry and Jale very well and used their services on our trip to Turkey and will use them for our trip to South Africa in 2013."
David and Ginny Freeman
San Francisco, CA
Peru
I have wanted to see Machu Picchu since I was a child and finally got to see it. We are so happy we had Perry and Blue Odyssey handle everything for us. Perry outlined the perfect trip for us. His attention to detail was outstanding. He was so professional and patient while he worked with all of us on our individual travel plans. Every question we had before the trip he answered promptly. I have never had a travel specialist get back to me so fast every time.
Tracey and Michael Busa, California
Travel to South East Asia with us. Explore Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Burma.
Asia
India
Our experienced guides will navigate you through the hustle and bustle of the markets of Old Delhi, to the royal palaces of Rajasthan, to the serene backwaters of Kerala. We also offer off-the-beaten-path experiences to immerse you in the local culture, cuisine and traditions, creating unforgettable memories of your travels to India.
Contact Us
Please send your questions and inquiries to: info@blueodyssey.com
Please be assured that all communications with us are confidential. We won't divulge your name, address and/or interests to third parties.
You can text, call, WhatsApp: 415-497-6959
We are digital nomads; living most of the year in Turkey and traveling in Africa, Europe and SouthEast Asia. Please e-mail us or text us with any questions and inquiries.
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