Turkey Private Tours
by Archaeologist Aykut

"If you are interested in Christian heritage tours, Turkey is a must. We explored everything from the cave churches of Cappadocia to the ancient synagogues of Sardis. The highlight was visiting Antioch (Antakya), where the followers of Jesus were first called ‘Christians.’ Our expert guide, Aykut, was exceptional at explaining the Roman and Jewish context of the first century. This tour is an absolute ‘must-do’ for anyone wanting to walk where the Apostles walked."

"If you are planning a Seven Churches tour, book Aykut. His background in archaeology is a game-changer. While many guides just give you the basics, Aykut explained the complex layers of Roman and Byzantine history at sites like Sardis, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. He pointed out details in the stone and layout of the cities that we would have completely missed on our own. He handled the logistics of the multi-day route through Western Turkey perfectly, ensuring we saw all seven sites without feeling rushed. A truly professional and high-level experience!"

"We just completed a life-changing 7-day tour of the Seven Churches of Revelation with Aykut, and it exceeded every expectation. Traveling through the ancient cities of Turkey to visit Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea is a massive undertaking. Aykut made it feel seamless and deeply meaningful. He walked us through the ruins while explaining the ruins and the monuments. Aykut’s expertise in the history of Ephesus and the Jewish heritage at the Sardis synagogue was particularly impressive. He didn’t just show us stones and columns; he told the stories of the people who lived there. If you are planning a pilgrimage or a historical deep-dive into these seven iconic sites, Aykut is the only guide you should book."

"Our recent tour with Aykut was truly exceptional. As both an archaeologist and a guide, Aykut brought a depth of knowledge and passion to every site we visited. His detailed explanations brought ancient ruins and artifacts to life, connecting the history to the broader context of the region in a way that was both engaging and accessible. Aykut’s enthusiasm for archaeology is infectious, and his ability to answer questions—ranging from the basics to more specialized topics—made the experience enriching for everyone in our group. He was attentive to our interests and adapted the tour to ensure we got the most out of every stop. Beyond his expertise, Aykut was organized, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile to make our journey comfortable and memorable. We left with a much deeper appreciation for the history and culture of the area, thanks to his guidance. I highly recommend Aykut to anyone seeking not just a tour, but a genuine learning experience led by a true expert."

"Exploring the layered history of Troy with Archaeologist Aykut was a dream come true. Aykut doesn’t just show you stones; he tells the story of the civilizations that lived there. His insights into the latest excavations at Pergamon were fascinating. He made the complex history of Turkey easy to understand and deeply engaging. We recommend his private tours to anyone seeking a high-end, educational travel experience."

"Our private tour of Ephesus and Aphrodisias was transformed by the presence of Archaeologist Aykut. Having an actual expert explain the architectural evolution of the Roman temples brought the ruins to life in a way a standard guide never could. Aykut’s passion for Anatolian history is infectious, and his ability to navigate the crowds so we felt like we had the sites to ourselves was masterful. If you are planning an archaeology tour in Turkey, specifically requesting Aykut is a must!"

"Aykut is a consummate professional and a wealth of archeological knowledge. We did a day trip to Sagalassos from Antalya and it was enriched with Aykut as our guide to the ruins. He is patient, friendly, and clearly passionate about Turkey’s history. He even helped us choose a delicious place for lunch. You cannot go wrong with him as your guide. A top highlight of our trip to Turkey!"

"My wife and I traveled to Turkey for the first time in April. We were a bit weary about our inability to read the signs that were in Turkey as well as driving in a foreign land. Aykut was recommended by my brother-in-law Glenn Carberry (the Travelin American). We contacted him about the trip a few weeks beforehand. He responded promptly and provided us with a lot of excellent suggestions as well as a written itinerary and pricing. We flew from Istanbul to Izmir where he met us and picked us up right at the airport. For the next 5 days, he took us everywhere we wanted to go. He shared his excellent historical knowledge guiding us through each of the sites, but also made sure we had enough free time to enjoy on our own. We saw much more than we would’ve without him. If you want to learn a lot about Turkey and have safety and security on your trip, Aykut is an excellent choice."

"My wife and I recently undertook a 13 day tour of southern Turkiye with Aykut. We were originally going to join an organised tour but found him on this site and decided he could offer the ideal tour including all places we especially wanted to see. We flew in from Barcelona and he met us at the Izmir airport and we began a truly memorable trip of a lifetime. We are not archeologists nor historians. We are just two people who wanted to see the many ancient sites and beautiful beaches in the area. Our bonus with Aykut was his tremendous knowledge and enthusiasm which opened up the experience for us.  Accommodation was always clean, small boutique style hotels, 3 to 4 star equivalent, offering great Turkish breakfasts and we opted to have a number of other meals in Aykut’s company and his knowledge of local restaurants was of significant benefit. I have no hesitation in recommending Aykut to anyone who wants a great, independent and very informative trip through Turkiye’s amazing ancient sites."