In Focus: The Olive Tree of Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey
From USD 45.17
Office phone number: +90 532 641 2822
In Focus: The Olive Tree of 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
Syria’s civil war has triggered the worst humanitarian crisis of our time. Join us as we travel to the Capa district of Istanbul and visit Small Projects of Istanbul, a local NGO helping displaced Syrian families.
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Highlights
- Support a local NGO helping Syrian refugees to find their feet in a new home
- Enjoy a delicious Syrian meal and talk directly with people who have had to flee Syria
- Meet some of the volunteers who dedicate their time to helping others
- Visit a corner of Istanbul off the beaten tourist track
- All net proceeds of this tour will go to support Small Projects Istanbul
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3.5 hours
- Meeting point:
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No.6 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul. (The restaurant is located on the street where the tram lines runs through Sultanahmet, approximately a three-minute walk from the Sultanahmet tram stop.)
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 6.30 PM
- Ending point:
Pudding Shop Lale Restaurant, Divanyolu Caddesi No.6 34400, Sultanahmet, Istanbul.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, home cooked meal, tea and sweet, local transportation.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Tucked away on a tiny side street, in an area not far from the tourist centre of Istanbul, you’ll find a small building called The Olive Tree. Like its namesake, it’s a modest but strong place, much like the people it supports. It represents a peaceful co-existence of cultures.
Syria’s civil war is the worst humanitarian crisis of our time, and families are struggling to either survive within Syria or to make a new home in neighbouring countries. Families are being torn apart as they struggle to find acceptance in new lands and travel further afield for opportunities and seeking better lives for their families.
In Turkey, you do not have to go far to hear the melodic tones of Syrian Arabic and to see the very real outcomes of this global crisis.
Join us as we travel to the Capa district of Istanbul and visit Small Projects of Istanbul, a local NGO helping displaced families, particularly women and children, to find their feet. With a global community of volunteers and supporters, SPI is working to provide supplemental education for children through weekly Turkish language classes and a homework support club, as well as art and other activities that develop community and a new sense of belonging.
Sit down for a simple meal of Syrian cuisine – maybe moujadara (burgal, green lentils and fried onion), maklube (spiced rice, chicken, and nuts), or fetteh (rice, crispy bread, chicken, and tahini) – proudly prepared by the ladies of the centre.
Talk informally with some of the brave individuals who have had to flee their home, and with the eclectic group of volunteers from Turkey, Syria, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and beyond, who give up their time to help.
Afterwards, we’ll journey back to Sultanhamet by local tram. Your tour will finish back at the original meeting point.
All net proceeds of this tour will go to Small Projects Istanbul.
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, home cooked meal, tea and sweet, local transportation.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and items of a personal nature, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Dress standard: Please be aware that the standard of dress throughout Turkey is conservative. To respect this, and for your own comfort, we recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Please note that short shorts for both men and women are not acceptable, nor are tank or singlet tops.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
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: This tour includes a walk through a local neighbourhood for approximately 40 minutes.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour for the price indicated above. Children younger than 6 are permitted at no extra cost, but please make sure you inform our guides of this before you take the tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +90 532 641 2822
Email address: info@istanbulurbanadventures.com
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