Mattur av Chef&Guide i Istanbul

We have travelled to many countries and used guides extensively. This tour with Sema was one of the best. We always look first at the personality of the guide and Sema was just so easy to talk to and her English was excellent. Secondly we look at the pace of the tour - we never like to feel rushed. This tour was run at a leisurely pace and didn’t try to cover too much ground. There was time for photos etc which Sema was more than happy to help with. Thirdly, we look at content, and this tour didn’t disappoint with stops at many different food stores - on both the European and Asian sides - all of which “locals” frequent, so you know it’s the best that Istanbul can offer. We can unreservedly recommend Sema as your guide…and as she advised, only have a light breakfast prior to the tour!

Sema was a fantastic guide - very knowledgeable, flexible and accommodating to our needs, and able to expand a food tour from just a culinary experience to sprinkling in more historical and cultural context. She did a very good job flexing itinerary based on our starting point, and producing her own personal perspective on the experience - it felt much more genuine than tours I’ve been on in the past where the whole thing is so pre-scripted it starts to feel like Disney World. Her past life as a chef/restaurant owner , and her own perspective having lived in different parts of her own country as well as having traveled came through in the explanations she offered. And for our own circumstance of taking a three year old with (why did we decide to do this without a stroller!), her own perspective as a mother was great - good at thinking about what kids may enjoy more, and adjusting our plans to fit - as well as having patience when our daughter slowed down a bit.

For tourists with a passion for food, Sena is the only tour guide who is also a professional chef. We were able to experience the highest quality local cuisine while seeing the sights as well! A truly delicious and highly informative tour.