Patricia_KelleyEarp

Just back from turkey. Ask away!

We booked the other tour with Fethi in Istanbul. It was the start of our journey in turkey and bam what an amazing introduction to Turkish culture

I researched his tour on trip advisor and the Internet. Sounded so intriguing. Cultural immersion tailored to your interests. I have pics on trip advisor too and facebook if you want a glimpse of the tour

More later on the sites we saw and please ask away!

Patricia_KelleyEarp

Fethi karatas. He has created a page called come and see turkey on Facebook

Patricia_KelleyEarp

We stayed at hotel mosaic in sultenmhet district too great hotel wonderful breakfast and roof top terrace.

Patricia_KelleyEarp

Bumping to the top. Anyone else met Fethi and done the other tour?? Read more on tripadvisor about him too. I loved the experience!

jeneenh

I'm going in April and definately plan on doing the other tour!! Sounds wonderful...anything else we should make sure we see?

otherchelebi

There is a thread on Trip Advisor which says that Fethi is not a licensed guide??? This may or may not be significant.

Patricia_KelleyEarp

Fethi does not take you into museums. It is a cultural immersion tour. You will be on a private yacht on the bosopherus. You will participate in an art class eat a bountiful lunch cooked by his mama. You will go to a local bar and learn a Turkish game. You go to the oldest Hamaan n istanbul You will walk on a roman wall. You will see a elementary school. You will be tasting Turkish wines at a wine tasting You will see Istanbul with different eyes! So not sure if he is licensed but he is an amazing guide!

tedgale

What is the cost of this tour?

Patricia_KelleyEarp

It is on his website the cost. We got a discount because it was winter. I don't know what the summer rates are

tedgale

I was a little curious that several people described him as opinionated, voluble, apt to offend those who are prone to being offended.

I'm curious: What's he insistent and opinionated ABOUT? I'm open to cogent views, don't want a rant.

otherchelebi

ted, amateur guides who become successful have a set pattern that they repeat and have difficulty in changing to meet different demands and expectations. they can also be quite touchy. he seems to come from a very specific cultural and socio-economic background and his views of what a tourist should see and eat and experience in istanbul will reflect that.

As long as you do not talk politics, religion, cultural values, ethnicity and life styles and do not read between the lines it can be interesting to see and listen to local lower middle class or middle class perspective to life in istanbul.

tedgale

otherchelebi:

You paint a vivid portrait of the "type", IE the impassioned autodidact: the missionary zeal... the dogmatism... the professional pride bordering on touchiness.

Tripadvisor reports are very, very positive. But there certainly seems to be an invariable formula and some elements don't much appeal.

We might be better using someone more detached and (for my taste) scholarly.

I certainly can't see avoiding (nor do I wish to avoid) religion, politics and culture on a tour like that. And while I'm open to all informed views, I don't want to be lectured.

Patricia: Any thoughts, as someone who's actually been on the tour?

otherchelebi

Ted, the only scholarly tour operator i know ıs Fest Travel (or is it Fest Tour?) they are tough and expensive, at least when they take Turks within or outside Turkey.

There is a a bit of politics, religion, culture, literature and food in my posts on Fodors lounge and on Trip Advisor, if you have time and are interested.

You can also send me a PM on any of these subjects on Trip Advisor.