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Home Cooked Istanbul

General Info | Photo Gallery | Traveller Feedback
Highlights:

• Enjoy a meal with a local family in Istanbul and learn about the cultural customs
• Take a stroll through Sultanahmet
• Learn the secrets of backgammon
• Enjoy the national beverage in a Teahouse
• Try a Turkish waterpipe
• Chat informally with a locals and learn what its like to live in modern day Turkey

Tour style:Local Life & Culture, Walking & Orientation, Food, Cuisine & Market, Heritage & History
Inclusion:

English speaking guide, dinner and drinks with a local family, stroll through Sultanahmet backstreets, games of backgammon, tea, Narglie waterpipe.

Exclusion:

Extra Drinks at tea house, tips or gratuities for your local guide.

Group size:Maximum 12
Schedule details:

• Duration: 4 hours
• Pickup location:

  Intrepid Istanbul office. Address: Divanyolu cad. Ticarethane sok No 5. Kat 1 Sultanahmet.

• Pickup Time: 6.00 PM
• Drop off location:

  Sultanahmet. Your local guide can provide instructions on how to get back to your hotel or you are free to continue your own personal exploration.

Additional information :

• Voucher exchange details:

  Please present your voucher to the local guide at the beginning of the trip.

• Confirmation of booking:

  Please contact Istanbul Urban Adventures to confirm your trip 24 hours prior to departure.

• Dress standard:

  Please be aware that the standard of Dress through out Turkey is conservative. To respect this and for your own comfort we recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Turkish people do not wear shoes within the home so we suggest easy slip on shoes be worn. The weather in Istanbul is highly variable depending on the time of year. Winters range from freezing cold to extremely hot and humid in Summer (June, July and August). Please note that short shorts for both men and women are not acceptable nor are tank or singlet tops.

• Child policy:

  Children must be between 6 and 11 years of age inclusively.

• Language: English

Itinerary:

Try Turkish life with a family meal and an evening mingling with locals at some of their favourite haunts. An expert local guide will meet you at the meeting point. Wander the through the streets of historical Sultanahmet en route to meet a local family. Turkish people’s sense of hospitality is world famous and tonight you have the opportunity to experience it first hand. Meet the family and settle in for typical Turkish meal. There is a little English spoken in the household but your bilingual guide is there to help translate.

 

Chat informally with all members of the family and hear what its like to live in today’s Turkey. Sharing a meal with a local family is a great privilege and an opportunity to get real insight into local family life. After feasting on delicious food it’s time to take a stroll through the backstreets. Get your camera ready for the picturesque wooden houses that line the streets in various states of repair. Get a sense of the communal-style of life in Istanbul and learn about the various socio-economic groups that live here. Afterwards, head to a popular local hangout to enjoy fabulous views of the Marmara Sea. Find a comfortable spot to watch games of football pop-up or strike up conversation with the locals. There will definitely be many games of backgammon being played and if you don’t know the rules or how to play our local will give you the lowdown.

 

Afterwards there’s a chance to try two of Turkey’s favourite pastimes - tea drinking and Narglie (waterpipe) smoking. Sit back, relax and enjoy. At the end of the adventure you are free to return to your hotel or continue your own personal exploration of Istanbul. Your guide will be able to suggest some more sights places to spend the evening.

Photo Gallery:

Traveller Feedback:

Mrs. Alexandria E.
United Kingdom ~ 02 Apr 2013[back to top]

This was the highlight of our trip! Our guide was amazing and the whole experience was 100% worth while and something I will be highly recommending! Thanks for a great experience.

 

Ms. Mona A.
Australia ~ 06 Oct 2012[back to top]

We think it is a fantastic opportunity to get to know another culture and get close to the daily life of people who we otherwise would not get the chance to meet. It is so good to get away from the other tourists....
Our guide Salih was so professional, dedicated, ambitious and nice. We have been to India and Vietnam with Intrepid and were happy to see that the concept works also for small scale activities like this.
Good luck Salih!
Best regards,
Mona and Birgitta

 

Your trip:

This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.

Tipping:

If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides and drivers a tip - though not compulsory - is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many Intrepid Urban Adventures destinations. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour