Tours and Tickets by Discover Istanbul & Turkey with Serif Yenen
Istanbul Cross-Continental Food Tour Including Tastings, Public Transportation
Dive into the sights, scents and tastes of Istanbul on this 6-hour food tour, including a visit to the magnificent Rustem Pasha Mosque and an optional ceramic-making workshop. Arrive with an empty stomach and an open mind, as you’ll enjoy a lot of (more than 10) tasters, including traditional mezes and seasonal street food. You’ll explore both the European and Asian sides o f Istanbul, take part in a Turkish Delight-making class and learn the art of brewing Turkish coffee. This small-group tour is limited to 9 people.
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5 to 6 hours
A Unique Walking Tour with Serif Yenen and Team: Underground Istanbul
Go underground and discover what’s underfoot on this walking tour. Learn about the history of Istanbul across empires from your guide. Vist the ruins of the Byzantine Great Palace, located below a cafe. Pause at Panagia Hodegetria Church and Sacred Water, hidden below a carpet shop. Descend into Istanbul’s cisterns and stop at the Greek Orthodox Church of Myrelaion. Enjoy a break for afternoon tea.
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6 to 7 hours
Art of Turkish 'Ebru' Marbling Workshop in Istanbul
Learn about the UNESCO-listed art form of ‘Ebru’, or Turkish paper marbling, as you take part in this fun 2-hour small-group workshop in Istanbul. Discover the unique techniques that date back to Seljuk and Ottoman times, as you watch a local artist transform color pigments, oily water and paper into a memorizing artwork. With numbers limited to eight, you can make the most of one-to-one tuition as you put your new skills into practice and leave with the ultimate souvenir – a beautiful, self-created piece of art.
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2 hours
Turkish Calligraphy Workshop in Istanbul
Learn about the ancient art of Islamic calligraphy, the beautiful script derived from the Qur’an and used by the Ottomans, on this 2-hour Turkish calligraphy workshop in Istanbul. Guided by a talented local artist, you’ll use a traditional kalem (bamboo reed pen) to create a unique artwork to take away with you. This small-group experience is suitable for all skill levels and is limited to eight people, so you’ll benefit from personalized instruction.
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2 hours
Throughout The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Discovery and Shopping Walk
Venture into Istanbul’s legendary Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s biggest and oldest covered markets, on this 4-hour small-group walking tour. Enjoy an insider look at the labyrinth of more than 3,000 shops and stalls, stopping to meet the craftsmen, sample Turkish sweets and re-fuel with a cup of traditional Turkish coffee. As well as learning about the bazaar’s colorful history, you’ll have plenty of time to hone your haggling skills and pick up some unique souvenirs, from handcrafted jewelry to fine carpets, to boxes of Turkish Delight.
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4 hours
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Spend your money on this guy!!! He really did a great job giving us the information about the local area, taking us underground to see some of the secret parts of Turkey that most have never seen, and took us to some great spots that history is built on. We were beyond pleased…
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Date of experience: July 2019
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Responded Apr 30, 2020
Thank you so much, you wrote a wonderful review. I remember your dad:)
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My wife and I recently visited Istanbul for the first time and we were so fortunate to have Serif for the first two days of our trip. He is by far, the best guide we have ever had in our travels over the years. He is so knowledgable pertaining to the history of Turkey and…
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Date of experience: October 2019
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Responded Oct 25, 2019
Dear Raymond and Loretta, It was such a lovely two-day tour with you. Thank you so much. I have enjoyed your company a lot. I am also pleased to hear that you have returned home with very nice memories from our beautiful city. Hope to see you again. Thanks.
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Do it all!!! Sarif is a gifted communicator with an unbelievable wealth of knowledge! Istanbul Food Tour Including Tastings (in the truly “local” restaurants with rooftop experiences and/or street-side cafés!) Istanbul Grand Bazaar Behind-the-Scenes Tour (see the places no…
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Date of experience: September 2019
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Responded Oct 18, 2019
Thank you so much Chris. It was a great pleasure to experience all of these with you and your group of friends. I hope we can resume at the earliest convenient time. It would be my pleasure.
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Serif Yenen is the best tour guide I've had in numerous guided tours in U.S. and Europe. He is knowledgeable, kind, and personable with a great sense of humour. Serif knows exactly how deeply or lightly to speak on things. He's culturally and historically thorough but always…
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Date of experience: September 2019
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Responded Oct 8, 2019
Thank you so much. I hope we can resume at the earliest convenient time. It would be my pleasure.
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+1
If you want to get the most out of a week long stay in the majestic city of Istanbul then you must enlist the assistance of Serif Yenen. The group I was with spent an entire week with him and all agree that he was excellent!!!! I strongly suggest that anyone interested in…
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Date of experience: September 2019
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Responded Oct 8, 2019
Dear Michelle, thank you so much. Ebru workshop is so beautiful. Participants always love it. Within a few minutes you can create your own unique art piece.
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