About Tour Guide Didem T.

Craig W.

5 / 5

Sep 25, 2026

Best of Istanbul

Sep 25, 2026

Istanbul

6 hours 30 mins

Customized

“Istanbul day tour - September 2026”

After a long overseas transit, tired, and sensory overloaded, we were so glad to have Didem ease our nerves and take us on a wonderful walking tour of her city. We were immediately relieved of thinking about plans and paths to take, instead focused on learning historical details while taking in all the wonder of amazing Istanbul. Sights, sounds, tastes, cultural protocol, artistry, walking and transit were all part of a full day. Communicating months in advance with Didem was key to creating a tour matched to our likes and preferences. Also it was important to be flexible as the day actually evolved. Some trade offs were necessary to balance how our group of 4 was feeling throughout the tour, and Didem regularly sought feedback from everyone. With so many new experiences along the way, time with Didem came to an end and we were all much more appreciative of Istanbul, though we just scratching the surface. A final big shout to Didem for her professional, personable, organized, intellectual, humorous, flexible, supportive and kind way she guided us from start to finish. Thank you for a lifetime of priceless memories !!

Didem T.

(11 reviews)

Dear Craig, Thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful review. It truly means a lot to me. I’m very happy that I could help make your first day in Istanbul feel easier and more enjoyable, especially after such a long journey. I also really appreciated how open and flexible all four of you were throughout the day. That always makes it possible to shape the experience naturally as the day unfolds. It was a real pleasure spending the day with you, sharing Istanbul’s history, culture, food, and everyday life along the way. Knowing that you left with such good memories of the city is the best compliment I could receive. Thank you again for your kind words and for trusting me with such an important part of your time in Istanbul. I hope our paths cross again one day. Best, Didem

“Blue Mosque /Hagia Sophia /Cistern. ”

It was a pleasure to walk around Istanbul with Didem. She was extremely knowledgeable about Istanbul specifically and Turkey more generally. Her manner was engaging and she was very responsive to our interests. We would highly recommend her to anyone wanting the best guided experience of Istanbul.

Didem T.

(11 reviews)

Dear Anne, Thank you so much for your lovely words. It was truly a pleasure spending time with you and Roger and showing you around Istanbul. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed our time together. I hope our paths cross again one day. Warmest wishes, Didem

“Unforgettable Istanbul with Didem! ”

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Didem and the experience she created for me in Istanbul. Traveling in a city completely unknown to me could have felt overwhelming, but from the moment we met, Didem made me feel comfortable, confident, safe, and completely at home. Over our day and a half together, she showed me the very best of Istanbul, from the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace and Grand Bazaar, to experiencing the Bosphorus and the incredible history, culture, architecture, food, and shopping that make this city so special. She didn’t simply take me from site to site; she brought Istanbul to life through her knowledge, stories, and genuine love for her city. I especially appreciated her guidance with shopping and purchases. She listened to what I was interested in, helped me navigate places I never would have confidently explored on my own, and made recommendations that gave me some wonderful and meaningful things to bring home. More than anything, Didem made the experience personal. I never felt like I was simply on a tour, I felt like I was exploring Istanbul with a trusted friend. She was patient, thoughtful, attentive, and incredibly generous with her time and knowledge. Didem, thank you for taking such wonderful care of me and for making my first experience in Istanbul one I will always remember. You turned an unfamiliar city into a place where I felt welcomed and comfortable, and you made my time there truly amazing. I arrived with a guide and feel like I left with a friend Istanbul was unforgettable, and so much of that is because of you.

Didem T.

(11 reviews)

Dear Tracey , thank you so much for this beautiful review. Your words truly mean a lot to me. It was such a pleasure spending time with you and showing you Istanbul. And I have to say, the feeling was very much mutual. I also felt as if I was spending the day with a friend rather than simply guiding a guest. I really enjoyed our conversations, our walks, and all the little moments we shared along the way. Thank you again for trusting me with your first Istanbul experience. I’m so happy that you left with such wonderful memories, and I feel very lucky to have gained a friend as well. I truly hope our paths cross again one day, Tracey. You will always have a friend in Istanbul! All the best Didem