Melih works with us in the Les Arts Turcs gallery doing calligraphy, paintings, marble paper, surrealist art and henna tattoo. Lessons can be arranged by appointment. You can contact Melih at:

Betul studied classical Turkish design at Mimar Sinan Fine Art University.
You can contact Betul by e-mail

Sophie is a French woman living in Istanbul and works with Byzantine era mosaic art.
You can contact Sophie by e-mail

Catherine has a belly dancing school in Venice, Italy. Every two months she travels to Istanbul and gives lessons.
You can contact Catherine by e-mail

Folkloric, Turkish Classical, Palace, Religious, Gypsy, Ethnic, etc.
If you are interested, email us

We know many people who give private lessons, at the university and at the high school. Send inquiries by e-mail

Rinaldo, our friend and of IstanbulGuide.net fame, speaks French, Italian, German and Spanish. Makes special tours of Greek, Armenian and Jewish quarters of Istanbul. Recommended by French guidebook Le guide du Routard. With his experience he writes in guidebooks.
Web page for Unusual Istanbul (for now, only available in French -- but the pictures are wonderful in any language). Send inquiries by e-mail

Nurettin studied French literature, and speaks French very well, Italian, Spanish & Portuguese. He lived in Portugal for a short time. We like Nurettin's relaxed personality, and what a gentleman. Nurettin has a passion for patience, women who enjoy shopping might take advantage of this quality. Daily tours with him are great. Send inquiries by e-mail

Complete walking tours. His English is great, partly due to his residence for a couple years in England. He has endless energy. His tours often end late at night, dancing in the bars (he's a great dancer), but not drinking. Send inquiries by e-mail

Haydar's Scandinavian background (he was born in Denmark, and lived in Sweden) makes tours in those languages his specialty. He can take you to some wonderful Turkish restaurants.
The Boncuk web site
Send inquiries by e-mail

Born in Germany and studied there, Ayhan lives in Istanbul. He also speaks English, but makes German tours his immer gerade aus (he takes people "strait ahead," gently though.)
Send inquiries by e-mail

Driving tours of Istanbul. Özcan speaks Japanese and English.
Send inquiries by e-mail

Turkey and Istanbul tours. Halil speaks Japanese and English.
Send inquiries by e-mail

Born in Belgium, traveled and lived in the Amazon in Brazil, Mustafa speaks French, English and Portuguese. He is a young, handsome guy, the girls never leave him alone. He gives tours by car, and provides airport transport service.
Send inquiries by e-mail

This is the nickname his Japanese clients give him, which have include_onced the wife of Toyota's President. Studied Japanese, and travels to Japan. He makes "Jeep" safari's his specially with his Toyota RAV4. Any outings with Ali are sure to be great fun.
Send inquiries by e-mail

This nickname comes from his clients for good reason. The guide book gurus also come seeking his knowledge. Nurdogan was born in Istanbul and here he studied French literature, and speaks English, French, Italian, Spanish, and German. He is a gourmet of restaurants and night life. The best shopping advice, for the Grand Bazaar and otherwise. Nurdogan is also the person to ask for recommended accommodations.
You should email Nurdogan with any questions before your trip to Istanbul and Turkey.

We work with many student artists who would be happy to talk to you about this school. Inquire via email.

The Birlik Foundation gives lessons on weekends in Turkish calligraphy. The courses, which last for three months, begin in January, April, July and October. For more information:
Inquire via email.

The Center for Turkish Handcrafts at the Medrese of Caferaga offers courses in many fields including Turkish calligraphy, paper marbling, wood carving and inlaying mother-of-pearl, Ottoman Turkish, and the musical instruments ney, ud, guitar, kanun and the violin.
For more information:
Inquire via email.