Home Cooked Istanbul

Highlights / General details

An expert local guide will meet you at the meeting point. Wander 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 a typical Turkish meal. There is a little English spoken in the household but your bilingual guide is there to help translate. In this tour, you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.

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 favorite 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.

Inclusion

Pickup from and drop off to in-city hotels; Licensed local tour guide; Guiding language: English, Arabic, Persian, Spanish, Portuguese; Dinner and drinks with a local family; Games of backgammon, tea, Nargile waterpipe; Stroll through Sultanahmet backstreets.

Exclusion

Extra drink at tea house; Tip to the guide & driver (optional /customary).

Hours of operation

Available: Daily, except Sunday; Pick up time 6:00pm.

Duration

Approximately 4 hours.

Location Tour departs from centrally located hotels.

Location

Tour departs from centrally located hotels.

Policies Be ready at your departure point 15 minutes prior. Drivers may be instructed not to wait. 2 passenger minimum required to operate tour. In the rare event of lack of availability due to special events, an alternative day or a service may be advised. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation