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Joined 2020
Ali Y.
Available Areas
Istanbul (Living)
Languages
English
Response Time
1 hour on average
Availability Updated
3 days ago
About Tour Guide Ali Y.
Born and raised in Istanbul...%100 Turkish.. I am a licensed tour guide and travel expert. As the founder of Ali's Protravel & Tours, I’m passionate about creating unforgettable cultural and personalized tours across Istanbul and Turkey. I’m also a rug enthusiast and the author of Buying Oriental Rugs - Revealing All the Secrets. Helping guests find their dream rug through my trusted local connections is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Beyond tours, I love exploring politics, religious history, good food, and traveling. When not working, you’ll find me at the gym (balancing my love for baklava) or photographing flowers in city parks.
Important
I am quite flexible to work with, so please feel free to contact me for any last-minute bookings. I will confirm your request based on my availability. All of my tours are fully customizable according to your interests. We can focus on shopping, food, museums, or simply explore the city on foot.
I am based in Istanbul, but I also organize tours in Cappadocia and Ephesus. I can personally guide your tours if my travel expenses are covered.
Tours
All tours can be customized for you. Send me a message with your requests!
Categories
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Historical Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar-Private Tour
Discover the vibrant heart of Istanbul with a private 4-hour tour of the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar. Enjoy a personalized shopping experience as your expert guide leads you through historic market streets filled with handmade rugs, ceramics, leather goods, spices, Turkish delight, and more. Perfect for shoppers who want trusted recommendations, fair pricing, and a relaxed, stress-free visit to Istanbul’s most iconic bazaars.
Historical Grand Bazaar & Spice Bazaar-Private Tour
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Hidden Gems in Istanbul Tour
Explore Istanbul’s lesser-known treasures and vibrant neighborhoods with this specially curated private tour with TOUR MINIVAN. Delve into the city’s hidden gems, blending history, culture, and local flavors for an unforgettable experience. Suleymaniye Mosque; Golden Horn Fener-Balat area; Istiklal Street and Lunch at a Local Restaurant. This tour offers a perfect mix of history, local culture, and authentic experiences, making it ideal to experience beyond the main tourist sites. Customizable!
Hidden Gems in Istanbul Tour
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Echoes of Empires in Sultanahmet Old City-Private Tour
This 6-hour cultural walking tour provides a captivating journey through Istanbul's most iconic landmarks with visits to the following museums. Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya); Topkapi Palace Museum; Roman (Basilica) Cistern; Lunch break; Grand Bazaar: The tour concludes with a visit to the Grand Bazaar, a bustling market where you can shop for a variety of goods, including rugs. If desired, your guide can assist with rug shopping.
Echoes of Empires in Sultanahmet Old City-Private Tour
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Istanbul Carpet Shopping With Expert-Private Tour
I designed this private tour for serious buyers of authentic handmade Turkish rugs. I’ll take you to trusted wholesalers and nice shops where you can find nice, high-quality handmade rugs made of cotton, wool and coccoon silk and show you how to evaluate craftsmanship like a pro. I handle negotiations, guide you through safe payment options, and arrange worldwide shipping, making your rug shopping in Istanbul smooth, professional, and completely stress-free.
Istanbul Carpet Shopping With Expert-Private Tour
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Bosphorus Bliss : Exclusive Bosphorus Boat Trip
Discover the beauty of Istanbul with a 2-hour ALL PRIVATE - deluxe Bosphorus boat trip, offering breathtaking views of iconic landmarks like Dolmabahçe Palace, Maiden’s Tower, and Bosphorus Bridge. After your scenic cruise, explore the vibrant Spice Bazaar, where rich aromas and colorful spices create an unforgettable sensory experience. Conclude your journey with a delicious kebap lunch at one of Istanbul’s top restaurants, savoring authentic Turkish flavors.
Bosphorus Bliss : Exclusive Bosphorus Boat Trip
Reviews
Thomas F.
“An excellent tour choice”
Ali is a personable, well-informed, and extremely helpful guide. Our tour was a nice blend of being tailored to what we wanted to do and see and learning new things about the history of Istanbul and the Grand Bazaar. He was quite flexible about meeting our needs (we are slow walkers, plus had to be back in time to catch our cruise ship). A most enjoyable way to end our visit to Istanbul.
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Ali Y.
Dear Lin Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a real pleasure showing you around Istanbul. I'm delighted you enjoyed the tour and that we were able to tailor it to your interests and schedule. Wishing you safe travels, and I hope to welcome you back to Istanbul someday. P.S. Your rug is shipping soon! I hope it brings back wonderful memories of your time in Istanbul every time you see it.
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Yağmur B.
I’ve been a professional tour guide for9 years, and let me tell you, I absolutely adore my job. I love showcasing my country, Turkiye, with all its cultural, historical, and modern treasures. Every day, I get to share my enthusiasm and pride for my homeland with visitors. I truly enjoy making everyone feel like a cherished guest, and I take great pleasure in introducing them to the unique wonders of Turkiye with both joy and a touch of humor. For me, every tour is a delightful experience, and it’s all about making memories and having fun along the way!
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Göksel S.
Welcome to the Historic Peninsula! I'm a licensed professional tour guide specializing in Ottoman and Byzantine history. For years, I've been guiding travelers through Istanbul's most iconic landmarks from the Topkapi Palace to the Hagia Sophia. Whether you prefer to explore in person or virtually, together we'll bring these incredible stories to life and discover why Istanbul's Historic Peninsula is truly unforgettable. Let's dive into centuries of history together!
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Dilek O.
Hi everyone, My name is Dilek, a national - licensed tour guide. I am 42 years old and have been guiding for 14 years. My husband is from Mexico and with our two young kids we live in Istanbul. When I don't work I spend most of my time outdoor with my family, enjoy istanbul as much as we can. I am qualified in the knowledge of Turkish history, mythology, archaeology, history of religion and history of art. I speak English and Spanish. Following my university graduation, I lived in England for 5 years where I continued my education studying Travel and Tourism at Greenwich School of Management. After I lived a short time in Guatemala, Cuba to learn Spanish. In my tour I would like to show you architectural styles, historical fun facts, famous historical monuments, tell you about the peoples life in Istanbul, how we spend our days, where do people go to eat, what we eat, where we shop, what we listen, the best places to eat, drink and party. As your local guide, I am flexible to your wishes and needs. Making it interesting and enjoyable for you is my wish. With all of my years of experience in the travel industry, I hope to help you make the most of your time in beautiful Istanbul by taking a tour with me. I very much look forward to meeting you all!
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