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We had two days with our guide as his firm were recommended to us by friends. The first day was really superb and our guide very informative and helpful as he took us around the old citiy's sites which were superb. Our second day was difficult for our guide as we are not shoppers and hence the Grand Bazzaar and spice market held little attraction for us and the cruise on the Bosphorus after two weeks on the Queen Victoria was a cruise too many not helped by poor weather. Day one was a five but for us day two was only a three hence our overall four. Shoppers and non cruise arrivals might think differently as did our friends who had a long weekend direct to this lovely city.
We decided to tuck ourselves away in an unusual neighborhood in Istanbul, so although Furkan, our tour guide, could not find us easily, he patiently emailed and wandered until he found us. From there, we strolled through the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, a beautiful mosque, a ferry ride to the Asian side (one of our favorite parts of the tour). Along the way, we sampled all kind of sweets and foods. And he even helped us out with a concert ticket situation that could only be solved with someone who spoke the local language. This tour is highly recommended for anyone looking for an intellectual conversation about the city and its history with a great mix of local sites and experiences. Furkan was funny and pleasant and knowledgeable - a great tour guide.
First of all, I must start by saying that Istanbul was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen! My fiancé and I were there for a long layover (just 14 hours), decided to make the most it and try to see as much as we could in our short time in Turkey. As promised, our ride was waiting for us at the airport and took us to the location where we would begin our walking tour. Our driver was so kind and the van was pristine. The tour itself made for one of the best days of my life. I was worried because it was snowing that day in Istanbul and didn't want that to somehow interfere with our walking tour. Much to my surprise the snow only enhanced the magic of Istanbul and made for a truly unforgettable experience. Our tour guide, Furkan, was nothing short of spectacular. He braved the snow with us and for that we are so grateful.
~ 2015 Testimonials ~
We decided to book a guided tour of Istanbul. Due to other good reviews on Tripadvisor we picked Istanbul Guided Private Tours and were very glad we did. Our guide for the day was Tarik and he was excellent - friendly, very nice and very knowledgeable. The tour was great - and it was the right balance between seeing all the sights and letting us set the pace and focus on what we wanted to do. Istanbul is such an amazing city with so much history and to have a guide explain the history/politics in detail as we looked around was amazing. I particularly liked how flexible the tour was. Everything was really up to us and we could spend longer at some places and less at others. Even for lunch we could chose between western, Turkish and real local cuisine. We were keen for the full local experience and had an amazing lunch at a small restaurant we could never have found ourselves. Tarik also offered a lot of advice while we were in the Grand Bazaar on how to shop and the delicate art of negotiating prices! All in all, it was a great day and highly recommended. Apart from talking about Turkey, Tarik took a real interest in us in general and we spent a lot of time talking as friends about life and family. If we manage to come back we will definitely book a tour with Tarik for other areas of Istanbul or elsewhere in Turkey. We are very grateful to Tarik for such a memorable day. Recommended 110%
My Wife and I traveled to Istanbul, Turkey 3 weeks ago. We decided to do a guided tour of the city. We were wondering if we should do a personal guided tour or a group tour. in hind site, we are extremely happy that we did the personal tour. Our tour guide/friend during this time was a gentleman by the name of Tarik. We decided to do a two day tour of the city. the first day was a classical Istanbul tour where we walked the streets of the city at a leisurely pace. we visited all the big museums of the city and had some great local food. although we walked at a comfortable pace, we were able to see SO much! Tariks historical knowledge of his city is phenomenal. he truly loves his city and that comes out through the wealth of information he shares on the tours. Our second day, we opted to do a food tour of the city. My Wife and I, both huge foodies, thoroughly enjoyed walking the streets yet again, at a very comfortable pace, trying all the local cuisine and increasing our appreciation of the flavours the region is known for. We started the day with a lovely breakfast, followed by many smaller stops throughout the day where you can really start appreciating the love that the people of Turkey also have for cooking and sharing their flavours with you. Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this tour to any couples/groups that enjoy truly experiencing the local culture and flavours. Thank you Tarik for a phenomenal tour and we will definitely be in contact when we one day visit Istanbul again.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our three days touring Istanbul with Tarik Saylan. On the first day we walked the Sultanahmet area on the Classical Tour visiting Istanbul's must-see historical sites and having a wonderful lunch near by. Tarik is incredibly knowledgeable – he answered our endless questions and indulged my husband's passion for history with much enthusiasm. We took the Food Tour on the second day, which included a ferry ride to the Asian side of Istanbul. Again, Tarik did not disappoint, catering to our tastes with off the beaten track eateries, explaining everything along the way. On the third day we took the Golden Tour, visiting historic sites that are hard to visit on your own on. We also visited the Grand Bazaar, where Tarik took us to reputable shops that sold items we were interested in. Nothing we saw or did during the three days disappointed. Tarik speaks perfect English and was extremely professional, friendly, flexible, easy going and funny – very pleasant to be with. He also set up our 2-day Cappidicia tour including booking air transportation, transfers, hotel, ballon ride aas well as a wonderful local guide and driver. Everything went extremely smoothly – we couldn't have been more pleased.
~ 2016 Testimonials ~
From the very beginning, Tarik was responsive to emails and was clear in his responses. I had specific places in mind I wanted to see during my stay in Istanbul, but wanted to get the best use of my limited time there. Tarik offered both set tours and was also helpful in putting together options that worked for me as well. He can customize a tour based on your interests. Because of this I chose him over other companies I contacted. I spent 3 days with Tarik and it was the best decision. He put me at ease right away, was very knowledgeable of the sites and history, friendly, and knew very good restaurants in which to eat! Yum! I never had a bad meal! My tours were by walking and tram mostly. One day, he arranged a car for a half day, so I could go across the Bosphorus Bridge (my request) and see a couple sites on the Asian side not accessible by tram. Another day, we took a Bosphorus Cruise and he explanation of the sites seen was amazing, even local events, etc. I had certain items I wanted to purchase and he let me know beforehand if there was anything I didn't like or wasn't interested in, I was under no obligation to purchase. I never felt pressured, he only took me where I wanted to go, and he was very patient as I may have spent a little too much time at the bazaar shopping, lol! I also arranged for airport transfer through him as well. Tarik is a local to Istanbul, born and raised, so as such, there was so much he could share beyond the standard history book information. We had great conversations in general. He was more than just a tour guide. I am glad went with his services. I never felt uncomfortable once and felt that he was truly concerned with my well being throughout my tours as well. I highly recommend Tarik and Istanbul Private Guided Tours.
I decided to book four tours with Tarik and Istanbul Guided Private Tours. I was flying separately ahead of my mother before we would meet up in Italy, so we were each looking for solo tours during our extended layovers and then we would do a tour together on our last extended layover before returning to the states. We made the absolute best decision. I received my private tour first in December 2016. Tarik had a driver (in an extremely nice and comfortable vehicle) meet me directly at the airport, it was extremely easy to find, they took me straight to my hotel (for no transfer fees since I booked the tour) and Tarik met me there. We were able to do the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Cisterns, Turkish coffee, the Grand Bazaar and lunch like a local all within 6 hours without feeling rushed. Tarik is born and raised in Istanbul, has two separate licences that he maintains, and knows practically EVERYTHING you could possibly ask about this history of his city, the culture, religion, modern-day society, etc. I felt comfortable asking him any questions, extremely safe both with him and in the city, and he made great recommendations for shopping at the most authentic shops. On our tour together in January, my mom and I were able to see the more contemporary parts of the city, eat dinner like a local, tour many more mosques and churches, go through the markets, visit a hookah bar, enjoy the spice market, etc. Everything that my mom and I wanted to do Tarik was able to make happen, without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. He helped us see different parts of the city and really feel like you learned and were a part of it. Not once did I ever feel unsafe, or unwelcome, in Turkey, with or without Tarik, It was one of my favorite places I've ever traveled to. I would highly recommend visiting and contacting Tarik to set up your private tour. 25 years later, he's still doing it, and doing it fantastcially. Thanks, Tarik! I hope to see you again soon.
We spent two days with Tarik as he showed us and our two chikdren the highlights of Istanbul. Every minute was interesting and we could feel right from the beginning just how proud and passionate he is to live in Istanbul and of his country. Our first day was a walking tour of the old town and he very cleverly planned the tour around the heat and the prayer times of the Blue Mosque. Our day ended with him walking us through the Grand Bazaar. After so many years of guiding he has found vendors who offer good prices, excellent quality and who are not pushy. We would have liked more time there which we will do next time. Day 2 included a visit to the Spice Market and once again we went straight to his preferred vendor who has sold his spices to Martha Stewart and the Saudi King. We then tore ourselves away to go on a cruise of the Bosphorus. Tarik chatted the whole way telling us interesting facts and stories about many of the sites on the way. After lunch he guided us on our own through the Dolmbache Palace, you have to book for this and without a private guide you go in a big group. Having Tarik as our guide allowed us to go at our own pace. We ended the day with a long walk from Taksim Square to the Galata Tower. Once again he was accommodating and we could stop and ask as many questions as we liked. Istanbul is now on our list of places to return to and this is thanks to Tarik who is personable and very patient. No questions could be asked too many times. He was especially terrific with the kids. Visiting a city with so many options of places to eat can be overwhelming and he took us to different restaurants so that we ended up with a comprehensive idea and taste of Turkish food. Sadly our time was short but we plan to return and have Tarik show us more of Istanbul!
~ 2017 Testimonials ~
We had an 8 hour layover in Istanbul this weekend past (6 Jan 2018) and engaged Tarik of ISTANBUL GUIDED PRIVATE TOURS to take our family of 5 around. What a great move. From the luxurious van with driver, to the informed, witty, knowledgeable, enthusiastic Tarik - the time was enjoyably and well spent. He is a font of detail and knowledge but engaged our younger kids with fascinating tidbits of history and detail. We saw all the key sights & mesmerizing architecture and enjoyed a very balanced and interesting unbiased view of history and religion - inescapable in that amazing city. The sights, sounds, smells, cultures, vibrancy, food, detail and history - as presented by Tarik makes this one of the most enjoyable tours we have ever taken as a family. Our only regret was that our time with him was so limited. We will definitely be back and will use Tarik to explore other parts of this ancient and engaging city. A true gentleman with his guests comfort, security and enjoyment as his #1 priority. Most highly recommended.
I'm really glad we opted them, because we learned a ton about the country.We consistently had a guide who not only knew but cared about Greek history, Roman history, the Ottomans, the Hittites who could answer all our questions. I was especially grateful for Mal in Istanbul. Mal had lot of information on church history, Istanbul history, the sultans, architecture, and everything else we asked about. My daughters are even interested now in studying Turkish. We came away with such a deeper understanding, and I think a future appreciation for Turkey, much more than just a vacation. She also had the best choice of turkish restaurants.
Tarik Saylan and his staff go out of their way to make every aspect of your stay in Istanbul fantastic. Along with offering unique tour itineraries and personally tailored agendas, Tarik helps with hamam and restaurant reservations, difficult shopping excursions, and any other issue that comes up. Throughout, he is endlessly informative, personable, and enthusiastic about his homeland no matter how many times he's given his trademark talks that always start with, "Dear Guests..." At the Chora (Kariye) church he asked for 45 minutes of our undivided attention and I hung on every word even though I'd been there before with a different guide. He's that good. Very highly recommended. The absolute best.
~ 2018 Testimonials ~
Our tour guide ,Tarik Saylan, could not have been more knowledgeable about the city of Istanbul and was a delight to spend a full day with as we explored the city. We met at our hotel, as it was close the the old city, right on time and off we went. We started at the Hippodrome, moved to the the Blue Mosque, San Sophia, a little lunch and then the Topkapi Palace, a fantastic lesson on rug making before the Grand Bazaar. We also stopped for tea by the water. Though it was a little crowded, we were able to navigate smoothly around all the city. Tarik was the consummate professional, staying away from pushy sales. On the contrary he was charming and fun. I highly recommend this tour company and Tarik in particular.
Twice I was in Istanbul for work and both times arranged to have a guided tour to explore the city. The guides from this company are extremely knowledgeable and give much more depth to the city's history than just names of rulers & architects and dates of wars (Although, maybe it turns out Cervantes wasn't a slave in Istanbul after all). I strongly suggest to anyone who was planning to just fly in and fly out for a work visit to extend their trip for at least a half day to see some of this city's wonders. For those who are on a tight schedule before a flight, this company can even arrange for a driver to take you directly to the airport after your day tour.
With the help of Kadir and Tariq we were able to customize our entire trip spending 2 days in Istanbul, 2 days in Cappadocia and 1 day In Ephesus. From pickup at the airports, arranging airline tickets and fabulous hotels and guides at each location was done with superb efficiency and with great attention to detail. Tarik is an amazing knowledgeable guide with whom we got to experience the culture, local food, shopping while understanding the diversity, local politics and the history of Istanbul. He was very flexible with our request of adding Suleymaniye Mosque to the planned itinerary and being vegetarian ensuring we got to eat Gozleme and sample turkish teas. Kadir contacted me that I left jewelry behind in the MDC Cave hotel in Cappadocia (thanks for the upgrade to the suite) and had it delivered to Istanbul. Thank you for a fabulous luxurious trip with lifetime of memories We will be recommending your services to all our friends and family. No trip to Turkey is complete without connecting with Kadir and Tariq.
~ 2019 Testimonials ~
This was my third visit to Istanbul but undoubtedly the most memorable one thanks to Tarik's excellent tour. We found them online with no prior reference but from the outset Tarik & Kadir were very prompt in response & coordination to tailor make a program for our requirements. Tarik was with us for 2 private half-day tours & did an excellent job of not only the sightseeing but also making sure we were well looked after - he managed to make the most of a bad situation when we were caught in an unanticipated torrential downpour. He also took us to some amazing local restaurants, a cute cafe with panoramic views of the Galata tower & some of the best carpet stores. With regard to sightseeing, he has excellent knowledge & is able to explain in a detailed yet captivating manner so that one is not bored but actually engrossed in the history. I am still able to remember many of the details & facts which he gave us - often forgotten if it is with a less engaging guide! Highly highly recommend for an amazing experience of Istanbul!
WOW! We had the pleasure of being guided through Istanbul by Goktug. He knows the city inside out, meaning we got to see all the popular attractions we had on our list as well as lots of local favourites we wouldn’t have ever known existed without his suggestion. He is also a fantastic photographer and it was never too much trouble for him to take photos for us. We really bonded over being foodies and enjoyed many meals together. We ate our way through Istanbul, enjoying lots of traditional food. He knew exactly where to take us and is an excellent conversationalist. We always felt at home and taken care of with Goktug. He is also happy to recommend other activities for you to do whilst travelling which we really appreciated! I will be keeping in touch with Goktug and recommend him to all who travel to this beautiful part of the world. Whether it’s sightseeing, cultural experiences or a foodie’s heaven you are after - you are in the best possible hands.
Contacted Kadir after positive reviews here. We had a 1 day stay at Istanbul and he arranged everything airport pick up, drive to Centre to meet our guide Gorkug. What followed was a tour of all the main attractions Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and going through some hidden gems until meeting our car to take us for dinner with views over the Bosphorus. Gorkug was very friendly, knowledgeable and easy to interact with. He surely knows his way around this amazing city. Driver for the day was also professional and he waited for us to finish dinner before taking us back to airport for flight. Highly recommend this company for Istanbul guided tour.
~ 2020 Testimonials ~
From the first second to the last, this was my best customer service experience bar none. Baris and his team answered all of my questions, accommodated all of my needs as a disabled woman traveling alone, and arranged ALL of my plans for a two day private tour including evening events to all of the places that I wanted to see. I paid them for everything including all transportation and food so all I needed to do was show up and enjoy myself. Unfortunately, due to a port workers strike in Athens, the cruise ship was unable to leave and we never went to Turkey. Here is where Baris exceeded all of my expectations. Even before I knew for sure that the port was canceled, I reached out via email and he assured me that a full refund would occur if the ship did not go to Turkey. This alleviated all of my stress and anxiety immediately. And, when the ship didn't go to Turkey, I sent an email and a refund was issued as soon as possible. I cannot say enough about the professionalism of this company. I will definitely be recommending them to every cruiser I know.
This was one of the best tours I have ever done, anywhere. I was in Istanbul by myself for two and a half days, and doing this tour made my two full days in the city truly special. Goktug was my guide, and I can tell you he is better than any tour guide I've worked with anywhere in the world. I've traveled a lot: 2-4 international trips per year, and this was one of the best tours I've experienced. Goktug was amazing. He took great care for me and made me feel like part of the local community. He is very knowledgable, kind, careful, caring, and fun! Also, the best (and best priced) meals I had during my whole trip were with Goktug, and the views were always amazing!
Great experience with Guided Istanbul Tours. They take great effort in making sure we have a comfortable and smooth journey without any hassles; especially the travel agent Mr. Baris who explained everything in detail including itinerary, budget, flights, accommodation, Visa documents. The trip was amazing because of their professional arrangement. Highly recommend this group for enjoying a good vacation.
~ 2021 Testimonials ~
I decided to travel to Turkey for 11 days in April 2022. I was going by myself, so I wanted to arrange for transportation and a guide. When I was preparing for my trip to Turkey, I reviewed several private guides in Turkey. I had no personal recommendations, so I had to rely on Trip Advisor reviews and Istanbul Guided Private Tours had great reviews. Still, I was a little nervous. I was relying on this company to not only provide guides for my visit, but also prepare 3 different domestic flights, arrange transportation to and from each airport, and generally take care of my entire trip. As it turned out, they did everything without a single mistake. Every time I arrived at an airport, I was immediately met with a driver who spoke English and drove safely to my hotel. I worried if I would enjoy the actual guides. Would I be able to understand them? Would they be knowledgeable in their descriptions? Would they be someone who I enjoyed spending time with? I should have never worried. Each guide was fantastic and really enhanced my trip. I never had a problem understanding them and they were all a pleasure to spend time with. Overall, I can recommend Istanbul Guided Private Tours highly. They will do exactly what they say they will do. You can rest assured they will make your trip to Turkey the best it can be. I can't imagine what my trip would have been like if I had not used their services.
We really enjoyed our day with Cicek walking around historic Istanbul. It was a hot day but we had a good balance of sightseeing and places to visit. A particular highlight for me was walking around Balat and all the pretty painted houses. The only issue I would highlight was the visit to the Carpet shop near the Grand Bazzar. Whilst this was interesting up to a point, we weren’t expecting it and didn’t really want to be put on the spot to buy a carpet - even if in the end the shop proprietor was pleasant, erudite and didn’t really give us a hard sell. It was an hour where could have seen another mosque or palace. To be honest if we had known about the visit before hand we might have thought about if we actually needed a rug or carpet and might have bought something. So i suggest you make it clear in advance to your clients, so they can choose, rather than just taking us there as a fair acompli. But apart from that we had a great day and I recommend others use your company and guides like Cicek.
I travelled with my 2 teen daughters. Mr Tarik Saylan assisted with itineraries and travel arrangements including booking Gulet boat trips and diving in Kas. At all times considering our interests and concerns. Everything was excellently and appropriately arranged. Depth of experience and connections much appreciated. In Istanbul we did 3 walking tours, with our excellent guides Ms Melike and Ms Alev. They were so well prepared and informative, guiding and hosting us perfectly to get as much value for our limited 3 days on Istanbul. So much to see and do - definitely worth paying for a private guided tour.
~ 2022 Testimonials ~
I recently went on a food tour in Istanbul with this company, and I can't recommend it enough! Our guide took us to some of the best hidden gem eateries and local markets in the city, and we got to sample an incredible variety of Turkish cuisine. From the savory kebabs and freshly baked bread to the sweet baklava and aromatic Turkish tea, every bite was a delight. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history and cultural significance of each dish, and she provided interesting anecdotes and stories along the way. The tour was also very well organized, with comfortable transportation and plenty of time to savor each meal. We even got to meet some of the friendly chefs and vendors who were proud to share their culinary traditions with us. If you're a foodie looking to experience the authentic flavors of Istanbul, this tour is an absolute must-do. It's a truly immersive and delicious way to explore the city and its vibrant food scene. I can't wait to go back and do it all over again!
Wonderful and exciting experience with Guided Istanbul Tours in Turkiye !! We travelled from London to Turkiye and joined a group of friends on this memorable trip. The tour was well organised, the accommodations at the various hotels were superb and a very special mention to our two tour guides Ertugrul Ucar and Ozge Ozturk who were amazing...not forgetting our friendly bus driver. Their knowledge of the history, culture, art, food.... was so informative and fantastic! They both helped to make our trip a truly memorable one.
This was our first trip to Turkey with another couple. It was a short trip to Cappadocia and Istanbul, and we wanted to explore as much as we would. We planned this trip on short notice and Yusuf Safa who was helping us was excellent. He was responsive, quick and gave good advice in ensuring that we got the most out of our trip and what we paid. He sent good reminders the day before we arrived and gave us the contacts of the guides and drivers for each destinations ahead of time. The guides in Cappadocia (Ozge) and Istanbul (Zeyike) were knowledgeable and managed our group’s requests well. The smiley 😊 driver Mehmet was skilful in manoeuvring his big car especially in massive road works at the cave hotel and narrow road. 👏🏻 keeping us on time and safe. Overall, a very enjoyable trip.
~ 2023 Testimonials ~
We got their contact through tripadvisor and contacted them for private guided tours for our group. We were 2 families consisting of young children. We arranged fir istanbul tours for 3 days. They responded very quickly through emails with detailed itinerary and the costing. They even arranged airport drop off and pickup. The contact who provided us the details were Mustafa. He provided us with a guide Khadir who was really helpful. He organised the daily itineraries according to our preference and was very friendly with kids as well. He helped us with our shopping to chose places and shops well.
Istanbul Private Tours arranged a 7 day tour of Turkey for my family of 4. We visited Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale. It was outstanding! Metin arranged our itinerary, the hotels, the guides, the transportation and our flights. It went off smoothly and without a hitch. We were very impressed and felt well taken care of. I highly recommend this tour company for your multi day or single day tours in Turkey. You will not be disappointed. They are the ultimate professional and wonderful at taking care of every detail.
We were 2 ladies on a 7 day tour of Turkiye this month. Our trip was meticulously planned with this company. They were very co-operative in customizing it all to our needs. The hotels were excellent in terms of comfort, staff hospitality, location and each served a scrumptious breakfast. The guided tours were on time, small bus SIC tours and the guides were informative as well as accomodative to our needs. The meals provided on tour were all a huge buffet spread with lots of delicious options. All the airport transfers were also prompt and friendly. I highly recommend their services if you visit Turkiye
~ 2024 Testimonials ~
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