Home Cooked Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
From USD 54.25
Office phone number: Destination re-opening in April, 2020
Home Cooked Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Nothing beats home cooking, especially Turkish home cooking. Join this Istanbul tour to be treated to a feast at a local family's home, as well as other oh so Turkish pursuits: drinking tea, playing backgammon, and hitting the water pipe!
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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 the locals' favourite games and pastimes
- 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
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Meeting point:
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No. 6, 34400, Sultanahmet. The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a 3-minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 6.00 PM
- Ending point:
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.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, dinner and drinks with a local family, tea, Narglie waterpipe.
Exclusions: Extra drinks at the teahouse, tips or gratuities for your local guide.
Try Turkish life with a family meal and an evening mingling with locals at some of their favourite haunts on this Istanbul food tour. An expert local guide will meet you at the meeting point, from which you'll wander through the streets of historical Sultanahmet en route to meet a local family.
Turkish people’s sense of hospitality is world famous and on this Istanbul tour you'll 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 will be there to help translate - all part of the authentic local experience!
Chat informally with all members of the family and hear what its like to live in Turkey today. 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 Istanbul food, it’s time to take a stroll through the backstreets. Get your camera ready on this Istanbul walking tour 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 guide will give you the lowdown.
After this oh-so-local part of this Istanbul tour, 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 local hidden gems for you to explore!
Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, dinner and drinks with a local family, tea, Narglie waterpipe.
Exclusions: Extra drinks at the teahouse, tips or gratuities for your local guide.
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 for both women and men. 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).
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: Destination re-opening in April, 2020
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Local contact
Office phone number: Destination re-opening in April, 2020
Email address: info@istanbulurbanadventures.com
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