Awesome Fun Tasty Private Food Tour - Have you ever tried CHICKEN ICECREAM?! 😳😅 I've always believed that food is a gateway to understanding a new country, so while in Istanbul I decided to embark on a culinary adventure. I got introduced to @vinesandpearls and I was immediately impressed when I heard the founder's story. She had moved to Istanbul with her remote work many moons ago and later decided to do something that she is truly passionate about ✨️ Despite all the challenges that come with running a business as an expat and general life problems living overseas, she has been successfully running this amazing company! If this is not inspiring, idk what is. I absolutely love this for her, and I thought what an amazing opportunity to support each other 🙌 I joined a private food tour with Vines and Pearls called the "Hidden Pearls Private Istanbul Food Tour." This tour promised to take me off the beaten path to discover hidden gems of Istanbul's culinary, historical and architectural scene, and it did not disappoint. As we wandered through the old city, my guide led me to discover hidden pearls tucked away in the bustling streets. She not only introduced me to the flavours of Istanbul but also gave me an appreciation for the Turkish street food culture. I had the opportunity to visit local eateries, bakeries, and restaurants, where I sampled a variety of traditional Turkish dishes. From chicken ice cream to savoury kebab, each bite was a new experience, revealing the unique flavours of Turkish cuisine. We also explored the hidden corners of the Grand Bazaar, where we found hidden gems of Turkish food and antique shops. The tour ended on a high note as we enjoyed a glass of delicious local wine on a rooftop overlooking the main monuments of the city. It was the perfect way to end tour of culinary exploration, reflecting on the flavours and experiences of Istanbul 🇹🇷 One of the most memorable parts of the tour? Read it on the blog 😊 Is Turkey safe for solo female travellers + solo travel to Turkey out on the blog.

Great personal guide - Goda is an amazing guide. We visited Istanbul for the first time. So she showed us the most famous places. Later we went to other interesting places, where you can experience Istambul as a mix of cultures and find another side of this town. Absolutely great!

One rainy day in Istambul with Goda - We had wonderful time with our guide Goda during Private Tour of Hidden Pearls of the old city. She showed us not touristic mosques, small streets and wooden houses, told us a lot of history and facts, answered all our questions and even more. Time just flew and it was just a bit of what Istambul and Goda can offer us:) next time we will meet for sure in wine tasting and other part of this magnificent city! Wish you all the best, Goda, and highly recommend!

Amazing tour full of beautiful experiences… I’d definitely recommend it ! - In the heart of Istanbul's Old City, Ahmet created a great selection of the culinary tastings, seamlessly blending cultural insights with gastronomic delights. Under Ahmet's guidance, we explored hidden gems—old traditional pide bakery, a hidden mosque, and a gallery. Our journey started with the delicate crunch of simit at a local tea garden, which was a very quiet and unexpected place in the busy part of the city. We walked through a local cemetery, where Ahmet shared different stories, connecting us with the cultural mosaic of Istanbul's past, visited Grand Bazar and learned a lot about its history. We tried different tastings along the way from traditional Kebabs to unexpected desserts. The real highlight, however, was the selection of small mezes and Ahmet's expert recommendation of a local wine pairing at the rooftop. Ahmet's refined storytelling and insightful guidance transformed the tour into a insightful exploration, seamlessly blending history, culture, and culinary aspects. Ahmet's Gastronomic walk is a five-star journey, a mix of flavors and cultural gems.

great food and unexpected spots to visit - delicious and interesting tour - a perfect combination between exploring local culture and country's kitchen. i was travelling with my wife and we are a couple in our mid 60s. our guide Elvan adjusted to our wishes as we kindly asked to change few tastings due to our diets. the food was wonderfully chosen. we especially loved the hidden gallery in the old city where we bought a small souvenir made by a local artisan. great tour, thank you.

Fantastic food tour - We loved this tour! We tried a wide range of different things that were all yummy. I am a vegetatian and my husband eats meat so it was great that we were both catered for. Ezel was a wonderful host! She is kind, knowledge and really made the experience great. Just don't forget to wear your walking shoes because you do walk a lot, which is a good thing when you are eating so many things 😉

Tasty food in the best places! - Signing up for this experience took our trip up a notch! BAM! We travel a bit, mostly in Europe, and since we're both vegetarians we have difficulty figuring where to find tasty local foods and treats. This was a great tour to guide us around the city, sample from the food carts, find a quaint sit-down for some Gozleme, and of course a delicious baklava. We always forget how easy it can be when you can have a guide bring us to the best places. This was perfect!

Great Food, Great Tour! - I took this tour with Ahmet. He showed me around the market and explained to me about the food. We ended up going to this place where they served hunkar begendi, a delicious dish based on eggplant and mince meat. Make sure you tell Ahmet to take you to get one! I ate it so fast that forgot to take a picture so to compensate, here is a small sample of the colors of the market when I was on my way to the restaurant.

Don't look for other tours - The tour was beyond expectations. I was trying before other tours in Istanbul and while other were ok, day with pearls was way much more fun, insightful and with access to better quality food

A great discovery - Senem our guide was great. Friendly and available. We've visited interesting area at Istanbul and discovered turkish specialities that we didn't know. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to live this experience.