My husband and I are cruising on Norwegian in late March/early April. We have basically one full day in each port. We are not fans of pre-set tours and would like to beat the mobs as they rush off the boat. Wondering if anyone has recommendations for a reliable and English-speaking tour guide in any of the following cities: Athens, Rome, Istanbul, Naples, or Venice. Thanks!

You might want to try posting this on the Cruise board.

Also, try www.cruisecritic.com.

We were very satisfied with:
Spiros from www.athenstaxi.net and Giovanni from www.tourofitaly.com

In Rome we were very happy with http://www.romecabs.com/

write to Pinar, She can help you in Istanbul. her e-mail is guidepinar@hot mail.com

Have a nice trip in Turkey

Sinan Akdeniz

For Turkey I will suggest to find a reputable travel agency.....
Guides alone can not perform tours without travel agents by law. One can face difficulties during the tour....

Happy travelling,
Murat

Murat
If I could ask a question that may also help the OP, will you recommend some budget restaurants? We are staying in Istanbul for 3 days in March and I have Hamdi and Havuzlu from this site. Are there others you recommend?

Hi, Last June in Naples we toured with Dr. Pina Esposito, email:[email protected]
and we were very happy with her services. She has an academic background and speaks wonderful English. Good luck!

Hi Cd;
Haci Abdullah at Istiklal street after Taxim and Haci Baba are good choices of restaurants. Sultanahmet Koftecisi at Sultanahmet is my favorite but teher are 3 of them I guess. The one with wooden sign of the restaurant is the original one.
Happy travelling & Bon a'petite,
Murat

Thank you Murat!
I've added your suggestions to my itinery. I appreciate your help!

marking to save Naples tour guide info

Hi CD,

You are asking BUDGET RESTAURANT, but HACI BABA in Istiklal Street is NOT BUDGET one. Keep in your mind.

There are lots of Budget restaurant on DIVAN YOLU. Also now I do not remember the name of the restaurant but walk on the Divan Yolu toward CEMBERLITAS and when you see the cemberlitas on your rightside make follow the street toward to left side only 10 meters on your left side there are some restaurants and one of them cook MANTI I am sure you will love this restaurant and very cheap.

Have a nice trip in Turkey

Sinan Akdeniz

Hi Sinan
Thank you, manti sounds wonderful! I had to look it up to see what it is and now look forward to tying it!

Hi CD

Here you have some manti web pages.

http://iloveturkishfood.blogspot.com...ti-recipe.html

She is making MANTI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dMU9RQEHIM

this one is TURKISH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74W4K...eature=related

YAMMiiiiii

I am sure that you will love

Sinan Akdeniz

Hacý Baba is a moderate budget restaurant. To me budget does not mean 10 Usd per person but a bit more. Hence, if you eat only two mezes you can pay that kind of money as well. So difference in perception, sorry Sinan !!!!
Having said that I will be in Istanbul next week and double check the prices while having a glass of Yeni Raki at Haci Baba....
To me 360 and Haci Baba makes a big difference, or Ulus 29 or Sunset....

Döner Kebab at the corner of the Istiklal street is the most budget place with 4 lira a sandvich...

Manti is a nice dish and to me one of the best place to eat Manti is Kayseri.

Happy eating, bon a'petite.....

Murat

Murat
I can't wait to have Raki and the equilent to tapa's! (forgot the name in Turkey but I have it written down) and donner kebab! Yummmmmm

Sinan
Thanks for the web links!

Thanks to you both! My husband says we will have to stay in Turkey a month just for the food.

Hi Cd !

If you arestaying a month ;-) than come to Cappadocia and lets have testi kebab and wine. (does not go well with Raki though) Have fun and enjoy your trip,
Murat

I would contact Rick Steves with this question: www.ricksteves.com

He often has tour guides he recommends on his NPR radio program

Murat
I Googled testi kebab and it looks wonderful!! I will never be able to try everything I want to try in just 3 days! Oh, where IS that month!