Turkey’s Golden Triangle: Cappadocia & Ephesus & Istanbul

I was born on December 17, 1980, and raised in Kayseri. The ancient name ‘’Caesarea’’ literally meant the city of ‘’Caesars’’ in the Roman era. From my childhood perspective, the city had a major advantage because it was close to Cappadocia's magical landscape. So I was able to go every weekend, during school holidays, and even on family vacations. I was pushing my parents to get there. Its mystical atmosphere was always calling, and each visit awakened some deep spiritual feelings in my childish soul that I had never felt before. Surrounded by Cappadocia's outstanding volcanic formations, one might liken the experience to strolling across a moonscape or residing on another planet. Moreover, there was no greater setting to play the hide-and-seek game than Cappadocia. The massive volcanic formations scattered at every turn rendered me entirely unrecognizable. I loved to travel as a child, and I do so very often. During our trips to Cappadocia, I frequently observed a group of people dressed in vibrant attire, each with unique appearances and unfamiliar languages. They also carried large cameras at their chest level. Their enduring smiles, radiating pure joy and excitement, captivated me. That was the moment I learned what it really meant to be a 'traveler'. It was an instinctive desire, and it was quite fun to communicate with them through my childish body language. I believe those times were the first steps in my future career as a guide. While growing up, I discovered that my country has many other magnificent natural wonders. Not only Cappadocia! These destinations are unparalleled, boasting a rich history, brimming with ancient landmarks, dazzling coastlines with idyllic beaches, an unmatched climate in each geographical region, centers of various beliefs, birthplaces of prophets and philosophers, castles, ports, temples, and much more! Then I fell in love with my country and decided to educate myself as a tourist guide. Turkey is one of the few countries where university-level tourist guidance education is available. I moved to Turkey's capital and began my university education at Başkent University's Faculty of Social Sciences, Tourist Guidance Department. After two years of education, I shifted to Zonguldak Karaelmas University and graduated from there in 2006. After graduating from university, I didn’t need to think twice about staying in the travel industry and developing it into a lifelong career. During the first two years of my career, I worked as an executive assistant in the incoming operations department at a U.S.-based tour operator's Turkey headquarters. During my time in this position, I had the opportunity to meet with numerous hoteliers and transportation companies, airline executives, and, of course, tour guides. I am deeply thankful to my department manager for including me in every business meeting he attends. So I had the opportunity to meet with the leading people in the industry. As I was improving my skills in the industry, I was eagerly awaiting the opening of the state's tourist guidance certification exam. After two years of office experience, the exam was finally opened in 2008, and i got my license in the same year from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Board, and I became a nationwide licensed professional tourist guide. Since then, as a freelance tour guide, I have collaborated with numerous distinguished tour companies, offering guidance across all service tiers. I have had the privilege of guiding countless individuals and groups comprising travelers from diverse countries and backgrounds. Guiding has been my sole occupation, with no fewer than 300 days dedicated to this pursuit each year. Over the years, I have developed invaluable relationships not only with tourism professionals but also with esteemed scholars, local artists, private collectors, renowned chefs, directors of historical and natural landmarks, and local leaders in politics and business, to name just a few examples. With almost three decades of experience in the travel industry and over 20 years of active work in the field, all of my knowledge and expertise came together at ToursByLocals.com to serve the needs of highly discerning travelers. My commitment is to provide matchless, unusual, and refined travel experiences all over Turkey. I would like to see and host you in Turkey in the near future to share my passion with you. Let me indulge your senses on a bespoke journey through Turkey.