About this experience
You will touch a Istanbul that resembles a bottomless chest with lovely vintage treasures — no matter how much you sift through, you will still find something new and incredible. Bazaars and hipster places, home bakeries and galleries side by side, antiques and crafts from all over the world sold in unmarked shops. I will take you on a route for locals and introduce you to the locals and the history of things firsthand. Get ready for a riot of colors in photos and the feeling that the city is your old friend.
What to Expect
Faces of the City
We will delve deep into Istanbul, from the Bosphorus promenades — where the white emigration lived and where the first Orthodox church still stands, to the former European quarters, antique shops, galleries of famous artists who seem about to step out of the neighboring house with a cup of coffee, home bakeries where owners bake fragrant pastries on the ground floors and live on the second floors.
You will learn how different layers of Istanbul's population live — from the bohemian to the students and how representatives of different religions and nationalities coexist in it. I will tell you how the streets of Istanbul got "a house from Rome," show samples of contemporary art hidden throughout the city, and the significant influence football has on the city's life. We will talk about those who have had a huge influence on the country's culture: from politicians and athletes to poets and musicians. In general, we will get acquainted with all the aspects that make Istanbul what we love it for — a big and noisy metropolis, the small residential courtyards of which can tell us a million stories of its residents.
Turkish Delights
You will see various manifestations of Turkish life — it all depends on which day of the week and time our walk takes place. For example, how craftsmen prepare for sale the famous pileless rugs — kilims, how the owners of antique shops put together their collections, we will see what Turkish closed men's clubs, present in any self-respecting neighborhood, look like. Among other things, we will visit places where scenes of cult Turkish films and series were shot: in some of them, time seems to have stood still, so props are often chosen as filming locations.
If you love antiques, in any of the shops along the route, you can choose something from cheap antique utensils or exquisite rarities. And if you appreciate contemporary art, the handicrafts, ceramics, and paintings of local craftsmen will not disappoint either. Know this: leaving Istanbul without a memento is almost impossible!
Who is this tour for
This tour will be of interest primarily to those who want to get acquainted with the authentic, vibrant city, moving away from tourist trails and major attractions. During the tour, we do not delve into the history of museums and palaces; we look at how the locals live and answer the question of what religious, historical, and social background led to this.
