Exclusive Cultural Tours Across Istanbul and Turkey

PROTRAVEL TURKEY led by private guide Ali Yalnız and his expert team, offers both private tours and expertly personalized tour plans.

Explore the wonders of Istanbul, the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, or the ancient city of Ephesus with curated itineraries. Whether you're passionate about history, culture, adventure, or shopping for unique treasures, we'll tailor the perfect experience for you.

Explore the wonders of Istanbul, the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, or the ancient city of Ephesus with curated itineraries.

Expert Local Guides

Certified and passionate local tour guides, fully licensed and officially accredited.

Deluxe Transfers

Non-smoking vehicles, well-maintained, in excellent condition for a comfortable journey.

Customized Tour Plans

Tailor-made itineraries designed exclusively around your unique personal interests.

250+ Good Reviews

Consistently praised as excellent by travelers from across the world.

Expert tour guıde / travel agent

Hi, I'm Ali Yalnız.

With my team at PROTRAVEL, I offer private, tailor made tours across Turkey.

With my team at PROTRAVEL, I offer private, tailor made tours across Istanbul and Turkey.

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Top Private Istanbul Tours

PRIVATE TOUR | FULL DAY/6 hrs

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SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE

Carpet Shopping with Local Expert

Step into the enchanting world of handmade Turkish carpets without the stress or pressure. We provide exclusive access to trusted wholesalers and hidden gems. Experience transparent pricing, honest advice, and VIP comfort—ensuring you are in the absolute safest hands for your timeless investment.

Step into the enchanting world of handmade Turkish carpets.

Buying Authentic Handmade Rugs
Exclusive Access to Wholesalers
100% Stress-Free Shopping

DISCOVER THE TOUR

Why Book with Us!

5.0 / 5.0 (287 Reviews)

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★★★★★

5.0 / 5.0 (18 Reviews)

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★★★★★

5.0 / 5.0 (5 Reviews)

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★★★★★

4.9 / 5.0 (27 Reviews)

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Kathleen

Tucson, AZ

★★★★★·October 2023

Ali was very knowledgeable of rugs and the Turkish rug market. He took us to places that matched our budget. We felt like he helped us make deals that were fair for everyone. He also helped us negotiate the language barrier and with shipping. We purchased 4 rugs. Looking forward to seeing the beautiful Turkish rugs in our home. Thanks, Ali!

Meredith

United States

★★★★★·March 2024

We are so glad we booked this experience. We purchased two rugs and couldn’t have done it without Ali. We went in blind, not knowing much about rugs or what we liked. Ali gave us a great overview of the different categories of rugs, and what to expect in terms of prices. With Ali’s help, we were able to shop in a non-stressful environment with a great selection. He acted as a liaison between us and the rug dealer, ensuring we were treated fairly. Highly recommend this experience for anyone who is seriously interested in buying a rug!

May 2025 • Essendon, Australia

Ali was fantastic . He was very knowledgeable and patient. There was no pressure to make a quick decision or to buy a carpet from a particular dealer. We both purchased carpets and we feel that we got very good quality at a reasonable price. Ali also spent extra time with us and took us to a few shops in and around the bazaar. A challenging task made so easy. Thank you Ali. Debbie & Rita

Debbie

Jen

Boise, ID

★★★★★·June 2025

Ali knows a lot about rugs. it was a good learning experience for us but we did not purchase a rug. I would recommend knowing exactly what you want, plus budget, and how many places you'd like to go/where you'd like to go, and communicating that with Ali prior to your trip for the best use of time.

Matthew

Los Angeles, CA

★★★★★·August 2025

This was a great way to shop for rugs in Istanbul. Ali took us to multiple rug stores and we were able to see a wide variety of rugs and even bought some! Ali was very helpful coordinating the purchase and delivery process, following up with us after the tour to make sure everything worked out as expected. Shopping for rugs in Istanbul is an amazing experience, thanks Ali for your help!

David

Cambridge, MA

★★★★★·October 2025

We hired Ali to help us shop for rugs, he’s an expert in the field having grown up around the rug business and knows many rug dealers in town. We never felt pressured to buy anything and he (and the dealers he took us to visit) were extremely patient while we sorted through all the options and asked many questions. We also hired him to give us a bespoke city tour and found him to be a fountain of knowledge on world and Turkish history. The tour went to all the places we wanted, and was conducted on a very efficient schedule. Five stars!

★★★★★

Ayanda – South Africa

Sep 2024

Thank you so much Ali for the wonderful excursion. We got more than what we bargained for.

★★★★★

GetYourGuide Traveler – UAE

Oct 2025

Ali and the TourAli team made my Istanbul shopping experience unforgettable! From guiding me to hidden rug treasures to sharing fascinating history and insider tips, every moment was perfect. The day was personalized, stress-free, and so much fun. I left with beautiful rugs, amazing memories, and a new appreciation for Turkish craftsmanship. Highly recommend!

★★★★★

Jamie – United Kingdom

May 2023

Great afternoon with Ali, taking us to a few different suppliers (wholesalers, normal shops and market stalls). Managed to find some rugs we were very happy with - would definitely recommend, just be very clear about what style/age you are looking for so he can help you as well as possible!

★★★★★

GetYourGuide Traveler – United States

Feb 2026

Ali is a seasoned carpet expert and helped us buy two beautiful carpets with confidence. We enjoyed listening to different options in rug buying and knowing that we were getting a wholesale price and not buying retail. We booked Ali because I did not want to spend endless time aimlessly looking for a perfect carpet but worried about aggressive salespeople and getting ripped off. You can shop at your own pace and no pressure to buy anything. It was stress-free.

★★★★★

GetYourGuide Traveler – UAE

Sep 2025

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, and I enjoyed every single moment with him. He has a wonderful way of sharing his expertise, making the whole experience not only informative but also very enjoyable. The rug shopping was an absolute highlight — I never felt rushed or pressured, and I could tell right away that he is a true expert who knows the craft inside and out. Thanks to his guidance, I learned so much about the history, patterns, and quality of the rugs, which made the shopping experience both exciting and meaningful. I felt comfortable and confident throughout, and I truly appreciate his patience and professionalism. I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants a memorable and authentic experience.

★★★★★

Review of Ali

Larry H., May 2019

We had a wonderful time. Ali is an incredibly knowledgeable tour guide regarding sites to visit and foods to eat. We went on several tours while we were in Istanbul and this was by far the best. I would go back just to have a tour with him.

Larry H.

★★★★★

Historic sights in istanbul

Don S., Jun 2019

Our guide from Ali’s protravel tours was professional, knowledgeable and most interesting in every way. We can highly recommend his services

Don S.

★★★★★

Best Ever

Kristen B., Jun 2019

Thanks to Ali, our first trip to Istanbul was spectacular! Over three days, he not only showed us the beautiful historic sites, bazaars, mosques and towers, but welcomed us with the warmth and genuineness rarely seen in a guide. As Ali shared his favorite neighborhoods, restaurants, dessert spots and even a street-side cart with delicious muscles, we gained an appreciation for Turkish cuisine and for what life is like as a local. He also directed us to quality, yet reasonable shopping destinations. (Plus, he arranged a fantastic guide (Ibrahim) for us in Cappadocia.) Most of all, we enjoyed Ali’s personality. We shared many laughs each day while he filled our minds with information of Turkey’s storied history, as well as, it’s present. We hope to return to Istanbul and couldn’t imagine not reaching out to Ali again. He was a perfect match!

Kristen B.

★★★★★

Sites, Laughs, History, and Baklava: A Tour With Ali.

victoria_warne, Jun 2019

Prior to my experience with Ali, I had biases towards 'tour activities'. As a traveler, you want to submerge yourself into a rich culture and learn from your surroundings. And that is precisely what Ali provided to my family and I. The tour Ali hosted was incredible. He has a passion for the city, history, all walks of life, and a drive to educate others. He is personable, kind, and his wide array of intelligence makes for the ultimate tour. Do not think that a tour with Ali will take away from a travelers experience: he enriches every moment and adds a personal touch to Istanbul.

victoria_warne

★★★★★

Perfect 2 days!

SheriR, Oct 2025

We had a remarkable day with Ali! Could not have asked for a more personable and knowledgeable tour guide. We booked him for 1 day and added a second day. We felt so taken care of. Highly recommended!

SheriR

An Exceptional Personalised Tour of Istanbul

May 2023 • United States

Ali’s understanding of Istanbul’s deep history and his ability to relay it to us in a realistic storytelling manner was exceptional. At all times he was aware of our understanding and needs on this personalised tour. A remarkable tour which gave us a much greater understanding of this extraordinary city. Thank you, Ali, for a wonderful experience.

Willie M

Can't imagine a better tourguide!

Jun 2023 • United States

WOWOWOWOW!!! Ali was absolutely FANTASTIC! So knowledgeable--and not just about Istanbul: I really appreciated how he put info in a global and time-relevant context. Our sons--18 and 23--both related to him, as well. He really knew his audience. Besides history and context, he offered insights to modern Istanbul, so we felt like we learned so much more than facts! We would definitely recommend Ali!

K W

Wonderful tour of Istanbul with Ali

Jun 2024 • United States

My wife and I were very excited about visiting Istanbul, We did not know what to expect since this would be our first time and thought that investing in a knowledgeable guide would be the best way to learn about the city. We were lucky to have Ali as our guide. He is very personable and it was like touring the city with someone we had known for a while even though we had just met. We learned so much about the city, the culture, the food, historical buildings and institutions. We would recommend touring with Ali for a great introduction to an amazing city. Contact him and we are sure you will enjoy a great experience just like we did.

Rennie G

Excellent tour and guide

Jun 2025 • United States

Ali took us on a private tour which included the Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Spice Bazar. We have a particular interest in Turkish history and politics and Ali did a superb job of explaining the significance and background to the important moments in history but also, and I think slightly unusually, was able to put them into the context of world events at the same time allowing a fascinating insight. I had the sense that we only skimmed the surface of Ali's knowledge and when we return to Istanbul we will be sure to look him up. As it was just the 2 of us and Ali we took our time which which meant we were able to contemplate and discuss further at the various sites and we parted ways feeling like we had a much better understanding of Istanbul today and in the past. Thanks for your great tour Ali.