Multi day travel beyond the city, guided by the same people who show you Istanbul.
Istanbul takes three or four days to get under your skin. The rest of the country takes longer, and it is a different kind of travelling: internal flights, hotels, and long drives through country that almost no visitor sees.
We run these trips the way we run the walks at home. One licensed local guide with you from the first morning to the last, small numbers, and enough time in each place to meet the people who live there.
Our multi day trip goes to the region where Kurds, Arabs, Armenians and Turks have lived alongside one another for centuries. Göbekli Tepe, the oldest temple yet found, is there. So are the stone heads of the Commagene kings on top of Nemrut and the beehive houses of Harran. The cooking of Antakya, Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa is the food Turks themselves travel for.
Eight days, starting and finishing in Istanbul, with the internal flights, the main entrance fees and eight nights in small hotels included. Read the day by day itinerary.
There is no published departure schedule at the moment. Tell us the dates you are considering and how many of you there are, and we will tell you what is possible. The trip also runs privately for your own group.
1 tour in this group
Longer journeys, planned end to end and guided by the same people.
Eight days across the southeast, from Göbekli Tepe to the Tigris, with the food and the history of a part of Turkey…
Salih was an outstanding guide for this walking tour through Fener, Balat, and the old Greek and Jewish quarters. His knowledge of the neighborhoods' history was impressive; he brought the streets to life with stories about the different communities that shaped this part of Istanbul over the centuries. He was engaging, spoke excellent English, and clearly loved sharing his city with visitors. He also gave us great tips for exploring on our own afterward. Highly recommend this tour, and ask for Salih if you can. He made the experience truly memorable.
Exploring Balat in Istanbul was easily one of the highlights of my trip. The tour brought this historic neighborhood to life with its colorful streets, charming old houses, and deep cultural history. Walking through the narrow alleys felt like stepping back in time, with every corner offering something unique, from vibrant cafes to hidden churches and local artisan shops. What really made the experience special was the guide. They were incredibly knowledgeable, sharing stories about the neighborhood's diverse past, including its Jewish, Greek, and Armenian influences. It wasn't just sightseeing, it felt like understanding the soul of the area. I also loved how authentic Balat felt compared to more touristy parts of Istanbul. It's a perfect mix of history, culture, and everyday life. If you're looking for something beyond the typical attractions, this tour is absolutely worth it. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Istanbul, especially if you enjoy photography and history.
The tour was wonderful. Onder Denker is an excellent guide, kind, attentive, and he explains how other peoples, such as the Greeks and Jews, have been part of Istanbul's history. The Fener and Balat neighborhoods, with their hillsides and colorful houses, are delightful. The stop to have tea and a traditional dessert was wonderful. Having a guide on this tour is essential, as it's the only way to learn about the history of the area, including the churches we visited. I highly recommend it!
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Ready when you are
Tours with a calendar can be booked on the spot. Anything private, or anything you are not sure about, gets a written answer from Salih.
