Biography

 

Hi, please allow me to say a few words about myself:

I was born in Ödemis-Izmir in 1963. I graduated from Kuleli Military High School in Istanbul, earned a degree in English Philology & Linguistics at the University of Istanbul in 1985, became an officer, and taught English as a second language for a while.

I began as a tourist guide in 1989 and have been working at it with great enthusiasm ever since. I have held an elected position as the chairman of the Istanbul Tourist Guides Guild (IRO) since 2002, and was an executive board member of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA) for two terms, from 2003 to 2007.

While actively working as a tourist guide, I also write guidebooks, articles for travel magazines, and weekly columns on tourism for newspapers and websites. My major guidebooks are a 560-page cultural guide to Turkey “Turkish Odyssey”, a 384-page quick guide to Istanbul “QG Istanbul” and pamphlets on Ephesus, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Istanbul Museums of Archaeology, Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahce Palace, Grand Bazaar, Pergamum, Perge, etc. Most of them are available at Amazon.com.

I give comprehensive lectures about Turkey and Civilizations of Anatolia at schools, universities, museums, cruise ships, tour companies, etc. Among the places where I have lectured successfully is also the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

I am an active licensed professional tour guide and pride myself on my ability to add personal touches to every tour I conduct. It is extremely important to me that my guests return home with experiences to remember.

I have many years’ experience in guiding tours all over Turkey as well as in Istanbul. As a Turkey Travel Specialist with contacts and years of experience, I am able to help travelers with their plans and itineraries.

I have also been asked to give guiding services to VIPs like celebrities, statesmen, high officials and business people among whom are Pope Benedict XVI, Oprah Winfrey Princess Michael of Kent, Robert Davis (Deputy Leader – Westminster City Council, 2008), Sir Simon Milton (Deputy Mayor for London, 2008), (ASTA President, 2008), Chris White (Chairman & CEO of Global Events Partners-GEP, 2008), Dr. George Friedman (Chairman and Chief Intelligence Officer of STRATFOR-Strategic Forecasting Inc., 2009), Mojo TV, Matt Lauer and Lester Holt (Today Show-NBC, 2008), Vince Cook (CEO of Grand Circle Travel-GCT, 2008), Lord John Brown (President of the BP), Pink Floyd, Consul Generals, etc.

One of my greatest passions is shopping and gathering information about where to buy what. Hence, I provide personal shopper services ensuring hassle-free purchasing and fair prices.

I am looking forward to welcoming you here in Istanbul or Turkey.

Serif Yenen