Seven Churches

Private guided Turkey tours

Day 01 – Drive to Bursa via Nicaea (lunch, dinner)

For our private guided Turkey tours, please contact us so you get as much information as you need.

On day 1 of the tour we will leave for Bursa. It is an old city at the foot of Mount Uludag (Olympus). It is also the first seat of the Ottomans. After taking a shortcut by crossing the Izmit Gulf by ferry, we will stop by the ruins of St. Sophia, in Nicaea. It was here that the first Ecumenical Council was held in 325 AD under Emperor Constantine to codify the faith. To this day, the Nicene Creed is the only creed of the Christian Church, common to all sects. Lunch at a local restaurant. We drive round the Iznik Lake to Bursa where we visit the ornate Mausoleum of Sultan Orhan and the Orhan Camii, the first Ottoman mosque which was erected in 1413.

Dinner and overnight in Bursa.

Day 02 Bursa – Drive to Pamukkale ( breakfast, lunch, dinner)

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Pamukkale via Thyatira, Sardis and Philadelphia. We will pass through the modern town of Akhisar, on the site of the old Lydian city of Thyatira. This was one of the towns where Christianity spread rapidly and it was one of the Seven Churches of the Apocalypse. Lunch at a local restaurant. In our visit to Sardis, the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lydia, we will see a Synagogue from the Roman Era, a well-preserved gymnasium, and other ruins. Are you curious when Christianity spread in Bulgaria, Sofia? Maybe you like to try one of our private Sofia tours as well.
Following the visit to Sardis we pass through Philadelphia – an ancient town rebuilt by Tiberius. Christianity took hold later than in the other towns and in the early days many Christians were martyred. Philadelphia is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation. Finally, we arrive at Pamukkale where we will see the fascinating limestone formations and cascades. Adjacent is the ancient city of Hierapolis, the home of St.Philip, the apostle.

Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 03 Pamukkale – Drive to Kusadasi via Laodicea (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

After breakfast we will pay a visit to Laodicea, situated seven kilometres from Pamukkale and the last of the seven churches of Asia Minor. It was the last residence of Cicero and visitors can only see the ruins of an amphitheatre, the baths and nymphaeum. Also, St. John addressed it in the Book of Revelation.
We will continue to Selchuk (Ephesus) for private guided Turkey tours of the most important and largest ancient city in Asia Minor and having one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis. It was the home of St. Paul for three years. Lunch at a local restaurant. We will walk down marble paved streets to the library and the theatre in which St. Paul preached to the Ephesians. We will also visit the Basilica of St. John and a mosque, partly constructed with stone from the Temple of Artemis.

Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 4 – Private guided Turkey tours – Kusadasi – Patmos – Kusadasi (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

After breakfast, early in the morning we embark on a chartered boat for 4 hrs ride to Patmos Island, the Monastery of St John the Evangelist. There we will enjoy a wonderful view of the island. Lunch at a local restaurant. After that we will visit Grotto of the Revelation where the heavenly voice of God revealed to St John the future of humanity (Rev 1;12-21). Return to the port in the late afternoon to board our ferry back to Kusadasi. (a quick reminder that one of the golf courses in Turkey is in Kusadasi; there is one in Istanbul as well and also a private golfing tour Turkey)

Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 05 Kusadasi – Drive to Assos via Pergamum – Canakkale (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

After breakfast we will visit Ephesus. From there we will drive North to Izmir. We will visit Smyrna which also boasted one of the Seven churches mentioned in the Apocalypse. Lunch at a local restaurant. After it, we will drive along the Aegean coastline to the hilltop city of Pergamum, another of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. At Pergamum we will visit the steepest theatre in the ancient world, the Temple of Trajan, the podium of the Altar of Zeus and the market place (agora).

Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

Day 06 Canakkale – Drive to Istanbul (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

In the morning, after breakfast, we will make a tour around Troy that most famous of cities, written about by Homer in the Illiad and Odyssey in the 9th century BC. Afterwards, we will cross the Dardanelles to Europe en route for Istanbul.

Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 07 Private guided Turkey tours – Full day city tour of Istanbul (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

In the morning a guided walking tour through the old city follows breakfast. First we will visit Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine Cathedral consecrated on St. Steven’s Day, on 26 December 537. Following the fall of Constantinople in 1453, it was converted into a mosque and the magnificent mosaics were painted over. Since becoming a National Museum in 1933 many of the mosaics have been uncovered and can be admired during the visit.

Next on our itinerary is Sultanahmet Camii, better known as the Blue Mosque. It was built in 1619 and is so named due to the interior decoration of 21,043 blue Iznik tiles. Lunch at a local restaurant. The Topkapi Palace, seat of the Ottoman sultans, covers a large area overlooking the Golden Horn. The tour concludes with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, a covered complex of alleyways and 4000 shops of all descriptions. We are back to European side of Istanbul which reminds me to offer you our private Balkan trip.

Dinner and overnight.

Tours Turkey

Saksagan - 10 March 2022 0

Day 1 - Istanbul After breakfast, we will spend the whole day experiencing and enjoying historic Istanbul. Hagia Sophia, the place where religions meet, the...

Hagia Sophia

Private Istanbul tour, Hagia Sophia – a symbol of tolerance and harmony Private Istanbul tour in combination with private Turkey tour guide, can help get...

Follow Footsteps St. Paul’s

Day 1 Istanbul Cappadocia (Lunch, Dinner) We start guided tours Turkey picking you up from your hotel and transfer to the airport. Then, we fly...

Follow Footsteps St. Paul’s

Day 1 Istanbul Cappadocia (Lunch, Dinner)

We start guided tours Turkey picking you up from your hotel and transfer to the airport. Then, we fly from Istanbul to Kayseri. After we arrive in Kayseri, we will visit the Devrent and Monks Valleys. We will enjoy the lunar landscape and the unique, striking fairy chimneys, known as the mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. Then we will continue on to the small village of Avanos. It is famous for clay pottery design. A short break for lunch and proceed our tour to Goreme Open-Air Museum. It is an exhibition of impressive churches which contain many examples of Byzantine frescoes. We carry on another 5 km away from Goreme in our guided Turkey tours. A magnificent panorama of the valleys is provided from the rock-perched castle of Uchisar.

Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 2 Full Day Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

We will start the day with breakfast and then carry on with a hike through orchards and vineyards. Between fairy chimneys and rock-carved houses we are in another impressive valley – the Rose and Red Valley. Then we will continue to the old Christian village of Cavusin – the home of two rock churches. The captivating beauty of the Pigeon Valley will take us back to the time when people used pigeons as message carriers. At that time, the valley was named after the hundreds of little windows carved into the rocks to attract nesting pigeons. Following lunch in a local restaurant, we proceed to an elaborate labyrinth of tunnels and caves – Kaymakli Underground City. The last site to visit for the day is Ortahisar Castle and Mustafapasa village – an old Greek village.

Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 3 – Guided tours Turkey Cappadocia – Tarsus (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

After an early breakfast we get on the bus down to the south of Turkey, to Tarsus – the birthplace of St.Paul. There we will visit the Well of the Blessed Water. The well is said to be at the side of St. Paul’s house, Cleopatra’s Gate (built in 2 AD by the order of Mark Anthony). Dinner and overnight in the hotel in Tarsus.

Day 4 Antakya (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

On day 4, we will have an early breakfast and leave for Antakya. It was known in the past as Antioch-on-Orantes, the third most important city in the old Roman Empire. Here Barnabas brought Paul to join in the congregation’s ministry for the first sustained efforts to bring gentiles into the Christian community, calling the first converts ‘Christians’. It was where Christians were first called thus. While in Antakya region we will visit the town of Samandag (Straw Mountain). It was once the ancient biblical port of Seleucia ad Pieria, serving Antioch. We will also see the Grotto of St. Peter. This is a little cave church where early Christians secretly met for prayer. Also, the Titus Water Tunnel and the exquisite Roman mosaics on display at the Mosaic Museum will be visited. Going back to Tarsus.

Dinner and overnight in Tarsus.

Guided tours Turkey Day 5 Konya Tour (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

Breakfast at hotel after which we will travel to Konya. Due to persecution, St. Paul and St. Barnabas were forced to flee there. Centuries later, it became the focus for the Whirling Dervishes‘ mystical order, under the founding Mevlana or master Sufi philosopher. We will visit the Whirling Dervish Museum and Monastery, which houses the sacred silver and gold decorated Tomb of Mevlana. Nearby, is the beautiful hill-perched Syrian and Selcuk style Alaeddin Mosque and its unique madrasa with tiled dome of stars, hunting friezes and ceramic collection. Dinner and overnight in Konya.

Day 6 Antalya Antioch-in-Pisidia Tour (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

Without a breakfast in the morning, we are not leaving for Yalvac. Yalvac is a site of the ancient city Antioch-in-Pisidia near the foothills of the snow-capped Sultan Mountains. Antioch was a capital city for many different cultures because of the economic, military and religious activities of the region. For that reason, St. Paul gave his first sermon to the gentiles (Acts 13:13–52), and visited the city once on each of his missionary journeys. Thus, he helped to make Antioch a centre of early Christianity in Anatolia. We will walk on the ruins of the paved and colonnaded streets, see the remains of the theatre and aqueduct. In the afternoon, we will drive to Antalya, a coastal resort town with a picturesque old quarter, shopping bazaars and natural yachting harbour.

Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Day 7 – Guided tours Turkey Antalya, Perge, Aspendos, Side Tour (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

After breakfast at the hotel we will embark on a journey to the ancient city of Perge. This is a Pamphylian city where St. Paul later preached after arriving from Cyprus. We will enjoy a nice walk through the Roman Gate and down the Colonnaded Avenue past the Agora, Baths, Hippodrome and Aqueduct to the Nymphaeum or great fountain. Then we will proceed to the Aspendos Theatre, a gigantic 2nd century Roman design so well preserved that it is still in use today. Our excursion will continue to the ancient city of Side and the Temple of Apollo, at whose ancient port landed St. Paul, Barnabas and Mark during their missionary journeys, en route to Antioch.

Dinner and overnight in Antalya.

Day 8 Pamukkale – Hierapolis Tour (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

The Cotton Castle will be awaiting us so right after breakfast we will leave for Pamukkale. The ancient spa centre for the Romans is famous for the healing properties of its thermal mineral baths as well as the beautiful cascading snow-white terraced cliff side basins and waterfalls. After lunch, we will visit the ancient Roman city ruins of Hierapolis, where St. Philip the Apostle was martyred in 1AD. We will also see the magnificently preserved Necropolis, Avenue of Tombs, Gates, Thermal Baths, Devil’s Hole and the Masterpiece Theatre.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel in Pamukkale where you can enjoy a bath in the hot spring pool of the hotel.

Day 9 Kusadasi – Eskihisar – Laodicea – Aphrodisias Tour (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

In the morning, after breakfast we will visit Eskihisar, site of the ancient city of Laodicea. It is one of the Seven Churches of Asia. It is famous for a letter with which St. Paul addressed the city concerning its faith and its waning progress. This is followed by a tour to one of Turkey’s most beautiful ancient cities – Aphrodisias. There we will see the Temple of Aphrodite, the monumental Tetra Pylon Gateway, the ancient Gladiator Stadium and many delicate carvings and sculptures in the onsite museum.

Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi/Selcuk/Izmir.

Day 10 – Guided tours Turkey Izmir – House of Virgin Mary (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

Following the breakfast is the House of Virgin Mary, where she is said to have spent her final years. We will continue on to the marble white ancient city of Ephesus, where St. Paul’s Third Journey involved a long ministry. There we will see spectacularly restored monuments such as the great Library of Celsus, Agora, Odeon, Trajan Fountain, Domitianus Temple, Roman Latrines, Theatre and Stadium in which St. Paul preached the gospel. After a lunch break at a local reastaurant in Selcuk, we will visit the Isabey Mosque and the Temple of Artemis. Of course, we won’t miss the picturesque village of Sirince.

Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 11 Izmir – Church of St. Policarp – Sardis – Philadelphia Church Tour (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

After breakfast we will start our tour with a visit to the Church of St. Polycarp in Izmir, one of the Seven Churches of the Revelation. John the Apostle converted Saint Polycarp and the saint became Bishop of Smyrna. At the age of 86 the Romans martyred him. According to tradition, when they tried to burn Polycarp at the stake, the flames wouldn’t touch him. They finally stabbed him to death. This is followed by a visit to Sardis – the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. We will walk the Royal Avenue and see the site of one of the Seven Churches built on the foundations of the Temple of Artemis. Then proceed to the ancient Philadelphia Church at Alasehir, one of the last cities to fall to the Ottomans.

Dinner and overnight in Izmir.

Day 12 Canakkale – Akhisar – Church of Thyatira – Pergamon Tour (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

Breakfast in the morning and a bus drive to Thyatira (the name of the modern Turkish city of Akhisar). In early Christian times, it was the home of a Christian Church, which was mentioned as one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Thyatira was also famous for dyeing and was a centre of the indigo trade. After a lunch break we will visit the hill-perched Acropolis, Asclepion (hospital), Altar of Zeus and other pagan temples of ancient Pergamon at Bergama. Then we will proceed to the church ruins at the site of ancient Serapeum and the Red Court of St. John. Drive to Canakkale.

Dinner and overnight in Canakkale.

Day 13 – Guided tours Turkey Canakkale – Ancient City of Troy Tour (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)

After breakfast we will visit the ancient city of Troy – 5000 years old city, known for being the setting of the legendary Trojan War as described in Homer’s Iliad. There we will see a reconstruction of the so famous Wooden Horse, which Trojans accepted as a gift and that resulted in them losing their city; the city ruins from a succession of 9 civilizations, the Roman Bouletarion, Theatre and onsite Museum. St. Paul travelled through the southern city of Troas nearby here several times. After the tour, we will continue to drive back to Istanbul.

Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Day 14 Istanbul (Breakfast – Lunch)

The last day of our excursion will be under the motto private tours Istanbul, “Classic Istanbul”. After breakfast we will visit Hagia Sophia Museum, the place where religions meet, where Islamic art and Christian architecture blend blissfully and the Hippodrome. After a short break for lunch we will continue with the Topkapi Palace – a fine example of Ottoman architecture, an exhibition of a large collections of porcelain, robes, weapons, shields, armour, Ottoman miniatures, Islamic calligraphic manuscripts and murals, as well as a display of Ottoman treasures and jewellery. We will finish our tour with a visit to the Cistern.

Hagia Sophia

Private Istanbul tour, Hagia Sophia – a symbol of tolerance and harmony Private Istanbul tour in combination with private Turkey tour guide, can help get...

Eastern Round Tours Turkey

Saksagan - 9 March 2022 0

Round turkey tours We would like to introduce our 14-day Eastern round tour to you. It is not a very common tour which makes it...

Seven Churches

Private guided Turkey tours Day 01 - Drive to Bursa via Nicaea (lunch, dinner) For our private guided Turkey tours, please contact us so you...

Hagia Sophia

Private Istanbul tour, Hagia Sophia – a symbol of tolerance and harmony

Private Istanbul tour in combination with private Turkey tour guide, can help get an answer of if it is a Church? A Mosque? A Museum?

One thing is sure, though – it’s a place where religions meet. You can see Islamic art and Christian architecture blend blissfully. Hagia Sophia stands as a symbol of Istanbul throughout time. A symbol of timeless majesty!

Sophia (as the Greek know it) or Aya Sofia (in Turkish) or St.Sophia; or simply the Church of Holy Wisdom (as they call it in English) and you will find really enjoyable for all the history, inspiration and beauty it offers. For a different Sofia, the one that grows but doesn’t age. The capital of Bulgaria, we can recommend Sofia day trips.

In answer to the question if Hagia Sophia was a church, a mosque or a museum – it has been in fact all three! We will see all the answers in our city tour Istanbul.

Until the 16th century Istanbul’s most famous monument was the largest enclosed space in the world. For almost a thousand years Hagia Sophia maintained its status as the largest Christian church.

Built at the command of Emperor Justinian in the years 532 to 537, Hagia Sophia was first constructed as a church. Then, it became a mosque and is now a museum. Ataturk, the first president and the founder of modern Turkey, turned it into a museum in 1935. Justinian completed the church in less than 6 years and it reigned as the greatest church in Christendom until the Conquest of Constantinople in 1453. (although Bulgarian coast resembles Hagia Sophia in terms of status, less buildings – many buildings vs church – mosue, it is still attractive and good value for money)

Mehmet the Conqueror penetrated the city

When Mehmet the Conqueror penetrated the city in 1453, his first official stop was to this overwhelming symbol of an empire that he had conquered. And with his head to the ground, he invoked the name of Allah and declared the great house of worship a mosque. Ottomans removed the Christian icons and desecrated the mosaics on the walls. And then they plastered the walls over. The Muslims then installed Arabic writings from the Koran all over the church. Four minarets were erected and the gold cross on the top of the dome removed. A brass crescent replaced it to signify that it was now a mosque. It is now as significant to Muslims as it is to Christians.

Private Istanbul tour – Keeping his promise to build a church like no other, Emperor Justinian chose the two preeminent architects of the day: Anthemius of Tralles (Aydin) and Isidorus of Miletus to build it. After 5 years and 4 months, in AD 537, the construction of the Aya Sofya was completed. The emperor, then, raised his hands to heaven and proclaimed, “Glory to God who has deigned to let me finish so great a work. O Solomon, I have outdone thee!”. What the two architects did, without the benefits of today’s technology, remains unequalled.

Unequalled can be your stay in Turkey and your tour. Contact us.

Tours Turkey

Saksagan - 10 March 2022 0

Day 1 - Istanbul After breakfast, we will spend the whole day experiencing and enjoying historic Istanbul. Hagia Sophia, the place where religions meet, the...

Eastern Round Tours Turkey

Saksagan - 9 March 2022 0

Round turkey tours We would like to introduce our 14-day Eastern round tour to you. It is not a very common tour which makes it...

Seven Churches

Private guided Turkey tours Day 01 - Drive to Bursa via Nicaea (lunch, dinner) For our private guided Turkey tours, please contact us so you...

Zerrin Sapmaz

Private Turkey tour guide – Zerrin

As а private Turkey tour guide, I’m one of those lucky people! I get to live my passion each day I have the chance to introduce my beloved country to you. Exploring a country where you haven’t been before can seem overwhelming, but I make it effortless. That is the guide’s job – to present true information in an inspiring way, to make you feel comfortable and wanting more sights, more information. To be helpful and make things easy for you. (for Bulgaria, please check walking guided tours Sofia)

My name is Zerrin Sapmaz. I am a Turkish woman who has been in travel business since 1993. My degree is in tourism, with an emphasis in history and culture. Sharing my experiences in my guiding life and special destinations in Turkey, Greece, Italy, USA and also UAE with amazing luxury shiny glass buildings of Dubai. Or Oman which is so undiscovered and peaceful local country.

I am a warm and outgoing person. I offer many unique and memorable travel experiences including amazing destinations and excellent service. All good value for money. I love travelling very much so I can give an idea for any type of trips from a luxury holiday to back pack traveling type in a safe and precise way. Take Bulgaria and its ancient Bulgaria tour, for example.

Tell me more

Tell me how much time you have. Whether there are and any particular sights you want to see. I can answer all of your questions you have and customize your holiday. I meet my clients as strangers, but we truly part as friends. See for yourself by looking at my ratings on Trip Advisor. When considering a guide, you need someone who is absolutely reliable and will anticipate your comfort.

Sometimes, younger or time pressed clients may want a fast paced long day. I can set the pace you want. (walking tours Istanbul) On the other hand, I have many clients who want to visit a sight and then have some time for reflection. They are the folks that don’t want to be overwhelmed. That is completely understandable. I can also tailor specific tours for shoppers, cooks, photographers, and history buffs. Just let me know your specific areas of interests. I can make you feel at home by advising you of the customs in your holiday destination.

I am available to make arrangements to other highlights in Turkey such as Ephesus, Cappadocia and many others.

Ensar Islamoglu

Private Tour Guide Turkey Ensar Islamoglu tells about himself I was born in Turkey and live in Turkey, Istanbul. I have been a private tour...

Tolkin Ramazanova

Turkey tour guide Tolkin Ramazanova tells about herself Hello all, I am one of the turkey tour guide group, Tolkin and I am from Kazakhstan....

Seyran Topal

Tour guide Turkey Seyran Topal talks about herself I'm a licensed tour guide Turkey in English and Arabic. Also, I have an experience in arranging...

Walking Istanbul

Private fun tour Istanbul – walking in history

Our Private fun tour Istanbul, our private tours Balkan or Istanbul tours, they all offer ideas for you to spend a holiday. You can choose to enjoy them or decide to make your tour as a combination of these. One is sure, we are here to help you have a time spent great.

As the name of the tour Walking Istanbul suggests, it is a walking tour to the main sites of Istanbul. So, a pair of comfortable walking shoes is obligatory.

Istanbul old city tours starting point depends on the location of your hotel, which means we will either meet at your hotel or at Sultan Ahmed Square.

Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia

The tour starts from Topkapi Palace from where we go to Hagia Sophia. Aya Sofia is the Turkish name of the impressive and magnificent mosque and a major cultural and historical site. It brings another Sofia to my mind, though and this is the capital of Bulgaria. Sofia day tours are for you to get to know the city and feel its atmosphere.

We proceed to see the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. To collect a good amount of energy in order to continue with our tour, we get the Turkish offer for take-away food for lunch – doner ekmek. Then we walk to the Grand Bazaar which has 3600 shops and 22 gates. From there we head towards the Spice Market through Mahmutpasa (all the locals go for shopping there).

Another energy shot is the Turkish delight (lokum) at Spice Market. A walk over Galata Bridge and after using the second oldest subway of the world, we go to the busiest street of Istanbul, Istiklal Street. A walk on Independence Avenue means time spent in a nice way. It brings pleasure not only to the soul but to people’s senses as well. Istiklal Street is the heart of Beyoglu, the more modern district of Istanbul built during the 19th century. The city’s most popular strolling, shopping and snacking street, which begins at Taksim Square, the hub of modern Istanbul. The street is good for shopping, strolling, people-watching, dinner in a nice restaurant.

Do contact us and get more details, ask your questions, share your dreams with us so we can help you make them real.

Bosphorus Tour

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Modern Istanbul City

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Classical Istanbul

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Ensar Islamoglu

Private Tour Guide Turkey Ensar Islamoglu tells about himself

I was born in Turkey and live in Turkey, Istanbul. I have been a private tour guide Turkey for more than 23 years.

Although I am a licensed guide for whole Turkey, I am especially an expert of Istanbul and Ephesus tours.

One thing that you can be sure about is on whatever tour you are with me, in Istanbul or Ephesus or anywhere in Turkey, you will be satisfied. I also really like meeting new people from different countries and cultures. That is one of the reasons why I do tour packages Balkan. It doesn’t matter where you come from, you will find something from you and your culture in my country – Turkey.

The guide, Ensar Islamoglu

No matter what tour I do – whether it is a private city tour in Istanbul or a longer customized tour in Anatolia, around Turkey, Black Sea region or a tour abroad, me as private guides Turkey always approach to people and my job professionally, with understanding and patience.

It is always a pleasure for me to tour and do my job more than better. And I promise you will not regret being with me on a tour regardless of the destination, Turkey or any corner of Europe. Also I am a really good Travel Advisor that I can give good suggestions about countries such as Turkey, Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Italy and some other European countries with my experiences from my guidance or travels. Try tours Sofia.

I’m interested in mythology, history, Art History, archaeology, architecture, computers.

I am so happy because my work is my hobby. I love working as a private tour guide Turkey in Istanbul.

So, please do not hesitate to contact us for your further questions! It is a pleasure for us to answer your questions.

Seyran Topal

Tour guide Turkey Seyran Topal talks about herself I'm a licensed tour guide Turkey in English and Arabic. Also, I have an experience in arranging...

Ensar Islamoglu

Private Tour Guide Turkey Ensar Islamoglu tells about himself I was born in Turkey and live in Turkey, Istanbul. I have been a private tour...

Tolkin Ramazanova

Turkey tour guide Tolkin Ramazanova tells about herself Hello all, I am one of the turkey tour guide group, Tolkin and I am from Kazakhstan....

Tolkin Ramazanova

Turkey tour guide Tolkin Ramazanova tells about herself

Hello all, I am one of the turkey tour guide group, Tolkin and I am from Kazakhstan. I came to Turkey in 1992 to finish my higher education at the Aegean University in Izmir. Since then I’ve been living in this lovely country. I have many friends here, some of which are guides. They are guides for abroad, too. (private tour guide Sofia)

Immediately I have fallen in love with Turkey so I decided to make the next step. Soon after I became the citizen of Turkey, I got the right to attend a professional turkey tour guide course organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture. Why I decided to become a guide? When you are in love you like to know more about the object of your attraction. At first, you don’t want to share your beloved with the others. The more you find out how lucky you are to love somebody like Turkey, you feel like sharing it. I started going on tours, different Turkey sightseeing tours, and discovered I have a passion to be a guide.

Kazakh, Russian and Turkish languages

I am fluent in Kazakh, Russian, and Turkish languages. In addition to being a licensed tour guide for Russian language, I am also a legal translator for Russian. I love adventures, meeting new people. I like going on holidays as well. My next vacation might be somewhere close, maybe I’ll try adventure Bulgaria tour.

I have been guiding since 2003, mainly in the Aegean region. My home is in Kusadasi which is so close to Ephesus. I mean, I do know what is hidden under every stone of Ephesus. This ancient city is one of my specialities. You know why? It’s like my second home. Sometimes I even feel like I had lived there.

I am also well-informed about Istanbul and Turkey. As a book lover I always read and hunt for new and interesting information about my new country.

I’m conducting all history, cultural and religious tours around Turkey.

Hope to see you soon in Turkey! Don’t forget to contact me.

Tolkin Ramazanova

Turkey tour guide Tolkin Ramazanova tells about herself Hello all, I am one of the turkey tour guide group, Tolkin and I am from Kazakhstan....

Ensar Islamoglu

Private Tour Guide Turkey Ensar Islamoglu tells about himself I was born in Turkey and live in Turkey, Istanbul. I have been a private tour...

Seyran Topal

Tour guide Turkey Seyran Topal talks about herself I'm a licensed tour guide Turkey in English and Arabic. Also, I have an experience in arranging...

Where does the name Turkey come from?

Guided Turkey tours talk about the name of Turkey

One thing is so clear. Both Turkey words name two different things. Come and have private Turkey tours and guided Turkey tours with us. You will have fun, see many new things, make friends and learn interesting facts. One of these facts is about the name of this impressive country. There are many speculations about it, including the bird. The name of the country we live in today may be the same as the English word for the bird but it has far different story of origin.

Italian merchant meets Turks but not on guided Turkey tours

The migration of various Turkish tribes to Anatolia from the 11th century changed the demographic and linguistic composition of Asia Minor. Accordingly, the Italian (Venetian and Genoa) merchant who didn’t go on guided Turkey tours nor chose private guide Turkey, but had the most intense shopping with Anatolia started to mention Turchia in this area since the 13th century. This use has become increasingly common.

It has passed from other Italian languages to other European languages. That’s how it got in English. So (with the capital letter T) Turkey is not the name of a bird in English, but the land where the Turks live. In other words, Turkey is nothing but English in Turkey.
British and Americans say Turkey. French – Turquie, Italians – Turchia.

Name of a country or bird

To start with, we can say that the word Turkey for the country appeared first. People used it to refer to land occupied by the Turks since the 1300s and is probably derived from the word Turk. Even Chaucer used the word in one of his books, The Book of the Duchess. We don’t know exactly where it comes from, probably from the Medieval Latin term Turcus. Despite its unknown origin, different languages such as Italian and Spanish (Turco) use it. Also Arabic and Persian (Turk), as well as many others who refer to people who live in that region. Another thing is that people also knew the land where Turks lived as the Ottoman Empire. Over time, the Ottoman Empire grew and expanded, covering a very wide area. More precisely, it has settled into a very large area between Europe and the Far East (China, India, etc.).

Coming from Turkey

Moreover, Europe has begun to acquire many products of the lands of the eastern part of the Ottoman Empire, material culture things always through the Ottomans. This led to many such things being looked at as coming from Turkey. This is the case with turkey, the bird. It’s all about another bird, guinea fowl which resembles the turkey, known in America. The bird is actually native to eastern Africa and the Ottoman Empire imported it to Europe. Once it was introduced to Europe Europeans started calling the guinea fowl the turkey-cock or turkey-hen, because the bird came from the Turks.

In short, this is the story of the bird turkey and the country Turkey. At least, probably one of the stories. Although there might be other stories, we choose this one as it sounds very plausible and we invite you to contact us and find out how to visit Turkey. Whether it be guided Turkey tours, private guide Turkey or Private Turkey tours, you decide we arrange it.

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A guide in Turkey is what you need

Do we need a guide for Turkey? A private guide Turkey? A simple question, indeed but it is one that will definitely get controversial answers. It is not surprising. We are different people and that makes the world an interesting place.

Still, the main two answers are “yes” and “no”. Nowadays, with the rapid development of technologies, most of the things seem to become easier. Places, experiences, memories are a click away. We need some free time, ideas in our mind and computer skills. The rest is searching, designing the desired holiday, making arrangements, booking places, making payments etc. It sounds fine and yet at the same time, challenging. Let’s not forget the studying. You need information for the places you are planning to visit. Guidebooks, different books if you want to collect correct and enough information. Of course, you can always visit places of attraction without knowing anything.

On the other hand, there are the package holidays with guides. For many people it’s the preferred holiday. Regardless of the tour. It can be for private tour Istanbul or a different one.

Known and unknown Turkey

Turkey is not only big in size (36th in the world) but it is also so rich in history. There are more than 30.000 ruins, only 1000 of which visible. 700 of them are open for tourists to come and see. The rest are somewhere there waiting to be discovered.

Yes, we all know that sometimes we really like to explore new places by ourselves. Everybody, who likes travelling, has been through that. How many of us, though, can admit if their experience was really complete!? Let me be more precise. When saying a complete experience, I mean one that made you learn and see as many things as possible. And one that made you feel like a local…

Go for professional guide

In short, the guide can be the person to give you such an experience. Find a professional, knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and with good sense of humour guide. Guides study a lot not only about the history of Turkey, but also world history. They know many facts, numbers, legends, interesting stories, gossips… They can answer if not any of your questions, then most of them. You are surely to learn new facts, legends. Go to sightseeing Turkey, for example, with a guide and you won’t regret it. You will have a person with you to rely on, to share your joy with. A person who will show you and teach you new things about the country.

Also, having a guide while on holiday gives you an extra possibility to feel and live the new place and culture like a local. What’s better than that?!

Private guide Turkey are friendly people who like to make you get the most of your holiday. They are the people who will try to make you remember as many interesting facts about Turkey as possible. They are sure to make you friends with Turkey.

Don’t hesitate as to whether or not get a guide to explore Turkey and not only! Contact us and consider your guide with us.

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Is Turkish cuisine worth trying?

Private guides Turkey – Turkish Food Culture

Private guides Turkey as well as private guided Turkey tours aim at introducing Turkey to you in the best possible way. We give honour to Turkish cuisine this time. Many culinary experts, consider Turkish food to be among the top three greatest cuisines in the world. The other two are French and Chinese. Some may agree with the French and Chinese but find the Turkish one debatable. When looking back at Turkish history, the reason for Turkish cuisine being ranked among the top three cuisines in the world can be understood better. Let’s take a look.

Original Turks lived a nomadic life style. They migrated from the Far East Asia (mainly Western China, Tibet and Mongolia regions) to the current geographic location of Turkey and surrounding areas. That’s how the Turkish ancestors adopted various foods from various cultures along the way. This led to a very diverse though developed and refined cuisine. For instance, manti – small pieces of dough stuffed with minced meat and spices topped with yogurt sauce. It supposedly comes from Chinese dumplings. It is said that the idea of ‘dolma’ (stuffed vegetables) came from manti.

Nomadic Turks

Due to their nomadic lifestyle, the nomadic Turks’ diet was mainly based on animal products such as lamb, goat and game. They invented different techniques of preserving food in order to prevent food from spoiling. Take pastirma, for example, which is dried cured beef mainly made in the city of Kayseri. In Central Anatolia region it came about from the need to preserve meat without spoiling. It is no secret that the integration of nomadic Turks with other civilizations as well as geographic locations and weather, had influenced their culinary traditions. And that brings us to food culture of the Ottoman Empire. This is something like you decide to travel in Bulgaria and like to see many sightseeing in different places. What happens, you dream and share your dreams with us and we help you make your tailor-made Bulgaria tours.

Ottoman Empire

The vast Ottoman Empire, which covered three continents for a length of almost 600 years and controlled the spice road, influenced food culture from North Africa to Eastern Europe (up to Vienna, Austria) and most of the Middle East. Leaving a trace of similarities in the current Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and Middle Eastern cuisines. The Imperial Palaces had enormously large kitchens. There were separate cooks for each kitchen specializing in one single type of dish. They developed and perfected every dish over time.

For example, each cook specialized in pilav (pilaf), dolma, baklava, kebabs, desserts and so on. They frequently employed in cooking dried fruits such as apricots, raisins, currants and the best quality spices. Through development and improvisation, the Ottoman Cuisine evolved to be the current Turkish cuisine. After the end of Ottoman Empire, in 1923 the modern Republic of Turkey was founded. It adopted the same delicious cuisine and cooking techniques.

The importance of food during the Ottoman days and now in the current Republic of Turkey cannot be overstated, private guides Turkey will tell you. It is a significant part of the culture and daily life. You can find this solid sense of food culture in every single part of Turkey albeit the food itself is very heterogeneous. Although some dishes are prevalent throughout Turkey, every region, even province has its own type of cuisine, which other regions may not recognize. Did you know that you could try Turkish cuisine in Bulgaria even. Make a daily Sofia tour with us and see for yourself.

Turkish food ingredients freshness

The foundation of Turkish food is based on the freshness of the ingredients. In rural areas the vegetables come right out of people’s garden just before cooking. The meat comes from a farm or local butcher. Society changes and more and more women participate in the work force. Naturally, many urban dwellers are adapting the modern conveniences eagerly leaving behind some of the food traditions. Nevertheless, there are still some people who are living in cities and perform the routine of grocery shopping daily to get the freshest available ingredients. In smaller cities and less populated areas, fresh ingredients are still the biggest factor in cooking.

By now, we surely have convinced to contact us and we arrange a culinary tour for you, as well as many different tours.