I am looking for recommendations for guides in Istanbul and Athens. I know they can both be done by reading and researching but prefer to hire guides for a portion of our days.
Thank you for your assistance with this.

Try contacting Fest Travel for Istanbul. They are known to be very good. They may also suggest some one iwith their status for Athens.

Thank you

My parents were in Athens three years ago. They bought a tour through Firebirdstours and loved it so much. So, as for Athens, I highly recommend you to visit Acropolis.

I can't recommend an English speaking guide for Istanbul but I certainly would recommend getting one. Istanbul is vibrant, busy, complicated and best seen with someone explaining the sites, the history and life as it is now.

I can strongly recommend licensed tour guide, Mehmet Tetik, for Istanbul. Two friends and I hired him for two days in Istanbul in 2015 and he was professional, extremely knowledgeable, and presented a terrific itinerary. I remember that he wasn't interested in shopping. You can reach him at Mehmet Tetik, Licensed Guide in Turkey , mobile and whatsapp: +90 532 612 0113 . He also gave terrific recommendations for tour guides for Cappadocia and Ephesus, and made the arrangements for us.

For Athens, I can recommend Evanthia K. She was the tour leader for a tour I took in 2017. Again, very knowledgeable and engaging, and has a strong network of licensed tour guides. You can reach her via whatsapp at +30 694 6007695.

Thank you

Any suggestions for a good women's Hamam in the historic district of Istanbul?

Cemberlitas Hamam used to be a favorite of tourists. However, I do not know how it has fared during the pandemic and the recent huge influx of Moslem tourists who may have different ideas on how a Turkish hamam should be used.

Thank you, otherchelebi! Do you have a recommendation for a restaurant with a good view of Istanbul that also has very good Turkish food (and won't break the bank)?

Depends on which virw interests you.

Hamdi, at Eminonu square has decent kebaps and starters, and a nice view towards the Golden Horn, bridges and Bosphorus as well as Galata with its tower. Is touristy but we like it sometimes.

Quite a ways up the Bosporus is Develi, a meat retaurant with a pleasant laid back view of the Bosporus.

Most fish restaurants can be expensive, Best views of the old city from the Asian side are from Cengelkoy which has a number of decent fish restaurants. Prefer either sea bream or sea bass, because any others may have lived in recently polluted waters. Do not order fresh local shrimp or mussels either. Prawns and calamari should be OK.


Ulus 29 at Ulus has great food and views but would be a bank breaker , especially with a good wine and cocktails/ One of our two favorites for special occasions. Also not expected to run across fundamentalists.

Thank you for your help!!

cDuke, thanks for your feed-back. It is not a common habit on travel sites and I appreciate it.

Thank you this is helpful

jmgeno, you are very welcome. Thanks for posting.

Hello everyone!!

I am traveling to Istanbul next year. Any recommendation for a food tour in Istanbul??

Thank you!!