Tolga

History Buff & Wine Lover & Foodie

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  • I live in Istanbul
  • I speak English, Türkçe
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 10 hours

Hi there! Nice to meet you

Tolga

Exploring the past, savoring the present, and indulging in culinary delights – that's the essence of who I am. As a dedicated History Buff, I immerse myself in the stories of bygone eras, finding inspiration and wisdom from the lessons of history. My love for delving into the past is only rivaled by my passion for the finer things in life.

📜🌍🔍 Unearthing forgotten tales and unraveling the intricacies of different epochs is my forte. I'm that person who loses track of time while wandering through museums, flipping through aged manuscripts, and engaging in discussions about the historical events that shaped our world. The echoes of the past guide my steps as I seek to understand the roots of our present.

🍇🍷🥂 Equally enchanting is my devotion to the art of viniculture. A true Wine Lover at heart, I delight in the symphony of flavors that dance across the palate with every sip. From the rich depths of a bold Cabernet Sauvignon to the delicate notes of a crisp Chardonnay, I find joy in exploring the diverse landscapes of the wine world. Whether it's a wine tasting soirée or a quiet evening with a well-aged bottle, my appreciation for the grape knows no bounds.

🍔🌮🍰 Of course, my journey wouldn't be complete without the exquisite pleasures of gastronomy. A devoted Foodie, I embark on culinary escapades that take me from charming street-side vendors to Michelin-starred establishments. The crackling of a perfectly seared steak, the aroma of freshly baked bread, and the symphony of flavors in a thoughtfully crafted dish – these are the moments that make life truly delectable.

Join me as I explore the annals of time, raise a glass to the present moment, and relish every bite that life's banquet has to offer. Together, we'll uncover the threads that weave our world and savor the tastes that make it all the more vibrant. Cheers to history, wine, and the irresistible allure of culinary artistry! 🥂📚🍷🍴"

  • I live in Istanbul
  • I speak English, Türkçe
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 10 hours

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Reviews

Kirsty
2 June 2025
Having done a similar walking food tour with another company in Istanbul years ago, I wanted to share a similar experience with family visiting Turkey for the first time. This tour did not disappoint. Tolga was absolutely wonderful and this tour is a perfect way to sight-see, get some history and taste some wonderful street food. It was absolutely one of the highlights of our trip. Just book it.
Duncan
26 May 2025
We had a tour with Gamze, she was an excellent guide. We thoroughly enjoyed our tasting tour of Istanbul.An excellent tour!
Tracy
25 May 2025
We did enjoy our trip with Erol who was knowledgeable, keen to share information, easy to talk to and friendly. My comment is, even though we had messaged Tolga he didn't let us know it wouldn't be him undertaking our tour. This makes the whole With Locals, 'Choose your Guide' a farcical process as we did spend a lot of time discussing and eventually choosing Tolga. He seemingly wasn't even in the city at the time so what was the point of having him as an option. The above being said, thank you Erol for your time and consideration on the trip. We enjoyed your company. I probably won't use With Locals again and stick with Viator. Tolga didn't show and swapped our guide.
Miqelle
22 February 2025
Tolga took over from Emre who we originally booked with but had the flu. An avid traveler himself, Tolga was super interesting to listen and talk to. Not only did he do a fabulous job with showing us Turkish street food and classic dishes, he also knew a lot about history and historical context of the region. Emre too was helpful—even though he didn’t conduct the tour he gave us extremely useful tips about Istanbul. So much better than any canned tour of the attractions. So much better than Get Your Guide
Alexander
30 December 2024
Tolga (who was already a replacement for another guide) did not show up and did not even inform us that another guide would take over. His name was Errol and while I am not sure he is a Withlocals guide he did an excellent job.
Esther
26 December 2024
Tolga was an awesome tour guide, showing us all the best and hidden spots in Kadikoy. He had so many fun and historical stories to share that brought the food to life and gave us a window into the gastronomy of Istanbul which was exactly what we hoped for! He's super knowledgeable and very talented as a tour guide! We were absolutely full by the end--so make sure to go with an empty stomach! You will not be disappointed!Kadikoy food tour highly recommended!
John
8 December 2024
I have taken two tours with Tolga and he has proven both times to be immensely knowledgeable and easy to interact with.Great tour guide!
Yoeri
12 November 2024
We had a nice tour from our guide Tolga. He is someone you immediately feel comfortable with. He speaks very good English and has extensive knowledge about Istanbul. Thanks to him you will learn fun facts about life in IstanbulGood times with Tolga
Michelle
30 October 2024
This was an amazing tour with Erol Utgun. Olga wasn’t available but he sent his colleague and we are so glad he did. Erol did a fantastic job of guiding us around the asian side of istanbul and helped us understand the importance of food in the culture. Not only was everything we sampled fantastic but he explained the history and significance of everything and really helped us understand the neighborhood like a local. We had a group of seven ranking in age from 25 to 82 and everyone felt it was a highlight of our five day trip to this remarkable city. Fantastic Tour and Great Day
V
25 October 2024
Tolga unfortunately was not the one at the tour. He sent another individual in his stead, but did not inform me of this during the booking. Roy / Abdullah his replacement was good. It was also tough to nail down the plan with Tolga, meaning I had to write him many many times to get the time and pick up confirmed. But, Roy was very friendly and knowledgeable. Good guide and can recommend

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