Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Eskinazi operates through Examplar Travel, a TURSAB-licensed travel agency with licence number A-6996. We work with licensed professional guides and appropriately authorized travel and transportation providers.

A licensed travel agency provides professional coordination, access to licensed guides and authorized suppliers, proper booking documentation, and a clear point of contact before and during your trip. Eskinazi coordinates the different elements of your journey so that guides, vehicles, hotels, flights, tickets, and activities work together as smoothly as possible.

We arrange private guided tours, customized itineraries, airport and private transfers, meet-and-greet services, hotels, domestic flights, hot-air-balloon reservations, Bosphorus cruises, yacht and gulet charters, private jets, multi-city journeys, shore excursions, layover tours, corporate events, weddings, celebrations, venue hire, catering, entertainment, and other personalized travel services.

Yes. All Eskinazi tours are private. You will not be placed in a shared public tour group. The itinerary, pace, starting time, guide, and transportation arrangements are designed specifically for your party.

Yes. Every itinerary can be customized around your interests, available time, preferred pace, mobility, and travel style. Possible themes include Byzantine and Ottoman history, Jewish or Christian heritage, archaeology, art, architecture, cuisine, markets, local neighborhoods, photography, and family interests.

Yes. Our tours are led by officially licensed professional tour guides.

We can arrange licensed guides in English, Spanish, German, Italian, and French. Guide availability should be confirmed when booking, particularly for specialized interests or busy travel dates.

There is no fixed maximum group size. We can arrange tours for solo travelers, couples, families, private groups, and larger groups. Vehicle type, guide allocation, reservations, audio equipment, and pricing will depend on the number of participants.

Yes. Solo travelers are very welcome, and we can design a completely private experience around your interests and schedule.

Yes. Starting times are flexible, subject to attraction opening hours, reservations, traffic, and guide availability. Full-day tours normally finish at approximately 18:00. Standard half-day periods are generally 09:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00.

Yes. Collection may be arranged from Istanbul hotels, cruise ports, Istanbul Airport, Sabiha Gokcen Airport, and private addresses when included in the confirmed service. The exact meeting place and time will be shown in your itinerary.

A private vehicle and driver are included only when stated in your quotation. Some itineraries are best experienced as walking tours, while others may include a private vehicle for all or part of the day.

Yes. Because the tour is private, we can adapt the pace, walking distance, and rest stops for children, older guests, and travelers with mobility limitations. Please explain any accessibility requirements before booking.

We do not include compulsory shopping stops or take guests to stores merely to earn sales commissions. If you genuinely want to shop or visit a market, gallery, workshop, or store, we will be happy to include time for it.

Entrance tickets are excluded unless your quotation expressly states that they are included. We can arrange prepaid tickets when available and requested in advance.

Prepaid tickets may reduce ticket-purchase waiting time, but they do not normally allow guests to bypass mandatory security checks, identity controls, or queues controlled by the attraction.

Meals are excluded unless your itinerary or quotation expressly states otherwise. Your guide can recommend restaurants according to your preferences, dietary requirements, available time, and location.

No. Gratuities are optional and are not included unless expressly stated in your quotation.

Museums, palaces, archaeological sites, mosques, churches, synagogues, and other attractions control their own hours, security procedures, and closures. If a planned site becomes unavailable, we will normally adjust the order of the itinerary or suggest a suitable alternative. The closure of one attraction does not normally cancel the entire tour.

Yes. Regular tours generally continue in rain, although the route, timing, or order of visits may be adjusted. Severe weather or official safety restrictions may affect outdoor, marine, or aviation services.

There is no general dress code for visitors in Turkiye. However, modest clothing is required at active religious sites. For mosque visits, women should cover their hair, shoulders, and legs below the knees. Men should wear trousers or shorts extending below the knees. Shoes must normally be removed before entering prayer areas. Comfortable walking shoes and a scarf are recommended.

Yes. Jewish heritage is one of our principal areas of expertise. Tours can explore Sephardic, Ashkenazi, and Romaniote history, Jewish neighborhoods, synagogues, Ottoman Jewish history, contemporary community life, and personal or family heritage interests.

Synagogue visits must be requested at least two days in advance. Earlier booking is strongly recommended during busy periods or when you wish to visit several synagogues.

Passport copies may be required for advance security approval by the relevant synagogue or community authority. Approval and access remain subject to the institution’s rules and current security procedures.

Synagogue visits are generally unavailable on Saturdays, Sundays, Jewish holidays, Turkish public holidays, and dates or times affected by religious services, community events, or security restrictions. Any exception must be specifically arranged and confirmed.

You can contact us through the website inquiry form, by email at info@eskinazi.com, or by WhatsApp at +90 530 700 35 53. Please include your travel dates, group size, interests, preferred guide language, and the services you require. Every inquiry is handled personally.

We normally reply within a couple of hours during working hours. Complex itineraries may require additional time while we check guides, hotels, flights, vehicles, venues, or other suppliers.

Yes. We offer a complimentary 15-minute planning consultation to discuss your interests, available time, and travel plans.

We recommend booking a private tour at least two days in advance. Earlier booking is strongly recommended for synagogue visits, multi-day journeys, specific guide languages, hotels, flights, balloon rides, cruises, gulets, private jets, and events.

Yes, subject to guide, vehicle, ticket, and supplier availability. Contact us even if your requested service is less than two days away, and we will check what can be arranged.

Depending on the service, we may request full names, nationalities, passport details, travel dates, flight information, hotel details, group size, preferred language, interests, luggage information, dietary requirements, mobility or accessibility requirements, and emergency contact information. Please ensure that all names and passport details are accurate.

Visa and entry requirements depend on your nationality and may change. Every traveler is responsible for checking passport, visa, transit, and entry requirements with the relevant Turkish embassy, consulate, official government source, and airline. Eligible travelers may find official e-Visa information here: [e-Visa](https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/).

A booking is confirmed when you accept the quotation, the required deposit or payment is received, and Eskinazi issues written confirmation. An inquiry, quotation, or written reply alone does not reserve availability.

Unless the quotation states otherwise, quoted prices are generally valid for two months from the issue date. Availability is not held until the required payment has been received and the booking has been confirmed.

Yes. A deposit is required to confirm a booking. The amount depends on the services and will be stated in your quotation. Unless different terms are stated, the remaining balance is due on the first day of service. Certain hotels, flights, tickets, cruises, charters, private jets, and events may require earlier or full payment.

Depending on the booking, payment may be made in EUR or USD by secure credit-card payment, bank transfer, or cash. Available payment instructions will be provided with your quotation. Customers are responsible for bank fees, currency-conversion charges, and charges imposed by their payment provider.

Do not send a full payment-card number or CVV/security code through ordinary email or WhatsApp. We will provide appropriate payment instructions or a secure payment link.

Cancellation conditions depend on the booked service. Hotels, flights, balloon flights, cruises, tours, transfers, events, gulets, private jets, and package tours may have different conditions. The applicable rules will be provided before confirmation. Please read our complete [Terms & Conditions](https://www.eskinazi.com/terms-and-conditions/) for further information.

Formal cancellation requests must be sent by email to info@eskinazi.com. A WhatsApp message or telephone call alone does not constitute formal cancellation notice. Cancellation takes effect when the email is received during working hours: Monday-Friday, 09:00-18:00 Turkiye time, excluding Turkish public holidays.

Date-change requests should normally be made at least 14 days before the service. Changes remain subject to availability, supplier approval, price differences, fare rules, and additional costs. Some tickets, flights, hotel rates, and personalized services cannot be changed.

The itinerary may be shortened, and missed activities may not be refundable. If a guest is more than 60 minutes late for a tour without contacting Eskinazi, the booking may be treated as a non-refundable no-show. Third-party services normally require full payment in the event of a no-show.

Approved refunds are normally initiated through the original payment method within seven working days. The time required for the credit to appear depends on the receiving bank, card issuer, or payment network. Applicable bank fees and lawful, previously disclosed deductions may apply.

Yes. We arrange private transfers from Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW), as well as transfers to hotels, cruise ports, private addresses, and other destinations.

Yes. We monitor the flight and calculate the included waiting period from its actual landing time. Please inform us promptly if the airline, flight number, travel date, or arrival plan changes.

Detailed meeting instructions and the airport meeting point will be sent before arrival. Guests should read the instructions carefully and maintain a working telephone or internet connection after landing.

The maximum included waiting time is 90 minutes from the flight’s actual landing time. If we cannot meet or contact you within that period, the transfer may be treated as a 100% non-refundable no-show. Any replacement vehicle will be treated as a new, separately charged transfer.

Yes. Please disclose the number and approximate size of all suitcases in advance so that we can arrange a suitable vehicle. Undisclosed or unusually large luggage may require a larger vehicle and an additional charge.

Yes. Child seats may be arranged when requested in advance. Please provide the child’s age and approximate weight.

Wheelchair-accessible or adapted transportation may be arranged upon advance request, subject to availability. Please describe the wheelchair type, dimensions, and whether the passenger can transfer to a standard seat.

Yes. We arrange private layover tours from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport. The route is designed around your available time, interests, traffic conditions, and onward flight.

We recommend a layover of at least 10 hours before considering a tour outside the airport. The usable touring time depends on immigration, baggage procedures, airport location, traffic, entry requirements, airline check-in rules, and the necessary return safety margin.

Yes. We can meet cruise passengers at Galataport Istanbul and arrange a private itinerary according to the ship’s schedule. The route and return are planned around the required all-aboard time and an appropriate traffic safety margin.

Yes. We can design complete multi-city itineraries combining Istanbul with Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Bursa, Ankara, Hattusa, the Aegean coast, and other destinations throughout Turkiye.

Yes. We can arrange hotels and domestic flights according to your preferred destinations, dates, location, budget, style, and comfort level. Flights and hotels remain subject to availability and the relevant supplier conditions.

Yes. Balloon reservations are subject to availability, passenger eligibility, weather, and operator approval. The operator and relevant aviation authorities make the final safety decision. If the operator cancels because of weather or an official safety decision, the cancelled balloon service will be refunded according to applicable law and the operator’s settlement procedure.

Yes. We arrange private Bosphorus cruises on different types and sizes of yachts. Depending on availability, we can also arrange catering, drinks, decorations, music, entertainment, proposals, celebrations, and corporate gatherings.

Ordinary rain, wind, cloud, or temperature preferences do not automatically create a right to cancel without charge. A cruise may be cancelled or modified when the operator or competent authority determines that navigation is unsafe or officially prohibited.

Yes. We can arrange gulet charters and private jet services for suitable routes in Istanbul, elsewhere in Turkiye, and internationally where available. Early inquiry is strongly recommended because availability, passenger requirements, permits, and supplier conditions vary.

Yes. Please inform us in advance about allergies, dietary requirements, mobility limitations, disabilities, pregnancy, or other needs relevant to the service. We will make reasonable efforts to adapt the arrangements, but accessibility and allergen-free conditions cannot be guaranteed unless specifically confirmed by the relevant supplier.

Yes. Children are welcome where the selected service permits them. Tours can be adjusted for families and multiple generations. A minor must travel with a parent, legal guardian, or properly authorized responsible adult.

Yes. We strongly recommend comprehensive insurance covering medical treatment, emergency assistance, cancellation, travel interruption, flight disruption, baggage, personal belongings, repatriation, and the activities included in your journey.

Passport information may be required for flights, hotels, balloon flights, private jets, transportation reporting, synagogue security approval, tickets, insurance, government requirements, or other supplier services. We request only the information required for the applicable booking.

Personal information is used to prepare and provide services, manage bookings, meet legal requirements, coordinate suppliers, process payments, provide assistance, and protect legitimate legal interests. For further details, please read our [Privacy and Cookie Policy](https://www.eskinazi.com/privacy-policy/).

Yes. We arrange meetings, conferences, incentive activities, weddings, celebrations, private dinners, yacht events, venue hire, catering, decorations, entertainment, equipment, accommodation, and transportation throughout Turkiye. There is no fixed minimum or maximum event size.

Contact us as early as possible. Complex events require time to secure venues, suppliers, accommodation, transportation, catering, entertainment, equipment, and any required permits. You will receive a customized proposal describing the services, price, deposit, deadlines, and cancellation conditions.

Tell your guide or Eskinazi representative immediately so that we have an opportunity to help. During an active service, you may contact us at +90 530 700 35 53. Written complaints should be sent to info@eskinazi.com as soon as possible and preferably within seven days after the service.

Email us at info@eskinazi.com or call or message us on WhatsApp at +90 530 700 35 53. Send your travel dates, group size, interests, preferred language, and the services you need, and we will personally prepare a proposal for your journey.

Yes. We work with individual travelers, couples, families, private groups, corporate clients, event organizers, and domestic and international travel agencies.

The exact duration will be shown in your quotation or itinerary. Full-day tours generally finish at approximately 18:00 because of museum, attraction, and operational schedules.

Vehicle selection depends on the group size, luggage, accessibility requirements, route, and availability. We work with appropriately authorized professional transportation providers and can arrange comfortable private vehicles for individuals and groups.

Your quotation will explain any guide, driver, and operational costs included in the service price. Please check the inclusions and exclusions in your individual quotation.

Yes. Museums, palaces, archaeological sites, religious institutions, and other attractions control their own schedules. Hours may change because of religious services, public holidays, official ceremonies, restoration, security decisions, seasonal schedules, or unexpected operational conditions.

Access to active mosques may be limited or temporarily suspended during prayer times, religious events, official visits, or security procedures. Your guide will adjust the schedule when reasonably possible.

No. Synagogues and community institutions control their own access, security approvals, schedules, and closures. We will make the necessary advance request, but final approval remains with the relevant institution.

Yes. The lead booking person may act for the group. That person is responsible for providing accurate traveler information, sharing the itinerary and booking terms with the group, communicating special requirements, and accepting the applicable Terms & Conditions on behalf of everyone included in the booking.

Private-tour prices are normally based on the group and the services included. Entrance tickets, meals, flights, accommodation, and certain activities may be priced per person. Your quotation will clearly explain the total price and inclusions.

Most services are customized, so prices depend on the date, group size, itinerary, guide language, transportation, tickets, accommodation, and other arrangements. Contact us for a personalized quotation.

Yes. Applicable taxes are included in the quotation unless expressly stated otherwise.

Child pricing varies by museum, attraction, airline, hotel, activity, and supplier. Please provide each child’s age when requesting a quotation so that we can check the applicable price.

Refundability depends on the service, cancellation date, supplier commitments, quotation, whether the booking is a regulated package tour, and applicable law. The relevant cancellation and refund conditions will be disclosed before confirmation.

Please provide the airline, flight number, departure airport, scheduled arrival date and time, passenger names, required nationality and passport information, a reachable mobile or WhatsApp number, and the number and approximate size of suitcases. Accurate information is essential for a successful transfer.

If another vehicle can be arranged, it will be treated as a new transfer and charged separately. A replacement vehicle is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

We carefully plan the return using the flight schedule, traffic conditions, airport procedures, and an appropriate safety margin. However, travelers remain responsible for meeting airline check-in, passport-control, security, and boarding requirements. Extraordinary traffic, airport disruption, or events outside reasonable control may affect travel time.

Luggage may accompany you when declared in advance and when the selected vehicle has sufficient capacity. Passports, money, jewelry, electronics, and irreplaceable valuables should not be left unattended.

The itinerary and return are planned around the ship’s required all-aboard time, expected traffic, and an appropriate safety margin. Please provide the ship name, docking time, and required return time when requesting the excursion.

Yes. Shore excursions are private and can be customized around your interests and available time. Possible themes include major landmarks, Jewish heritage, Christian heritage, markets, historic neighborhoods, cuisine, museums, and a Bosphorus experience.

Yes. We can recommend and reserve hotels according to your destination, preferred location, dates, budget, style, and comfort level.

Yes. We can arrange domestic flights as part of a complete itinerary or as a standalone service. Flights remain subject to airline schedules, fare rules, baggage restrictions, and availability.

Yes. Flights, hotels, transfers, balloon flights, cruises, tours, and other services may be booked individually, subject to availability and the relevant supplier conditions.

Yes. Tell us your preferred accommodation standard, transportation preferences, dates, interests, and approximate budget. We will explain what can reasonably be arranged and prepare a customized proposal.

No. Hot-air-balloon flights depend on weather conditions, passenger eligibility, operator availability, and operational approval. The operator and relevant aviation authorities make the final safety decision.

If the operator cancels because of weather or an official safety decision, the amount paid for the cancelled balloon service will be refunded according to applicable law and the operator’s settlement procedure.

Age, height, weight, pregnancy, mobility, and health restrictions may apply. Customers must provide accurate passenger information and follow all safety instructions issued by the balloon operator.

Yes. Depending on the vessel and availability, we can arrange different yacht sizes, catering, drinks, decorations, music, entertainment, marriage proposals, celebrations, corporate gatherings, and other special arrangements.

Yes. We can arrange gulet charters in Istanbul and other suitable regions of Turkiye. Routes, dates, cabins, catering, crew, and charter conditions vary, so early inquiry is strongly recommended.

Yes. We can arrange private jet services for suitable domestic and international routes, subject to aircraft availability, passenger information, permits, airport conditions, and operator requirements.

Please disclose any condition that may affect safe participation or require special arrangements, including significant mobility needs, pregnancy, allergies, or medical conditions relevant to an activity. Only provide information necessary for the service.

Yes. We can adjust the pace, duration, rest stops, route, and content to make the experience more suitable for children and multiple generations.

Some balloon flights, boats, aviation services, attractions, and activities have minimum-age, height, or safety requirements. We will explain known restrictions during the planning process.

Send passport information only after Eskinazi requests it and follow the instructions provided for your booking. A secure form may be provided where available. Do not send unnecessary identity documents.

Yes. We arrange corporate and private events in Istanbul and other destinations throughout Turkiye, subject to venue and supplier availability.

There is no fixed minimum or maximum event size. The venue, staffing, transportation, equipment, permits, and services will be selected according to the number of guests and the event requirements.

Yes. Event bookings receive a customized proposal or contract describing the venue, schedule, services, guest count, price, deposit, payment deadlines, cancellation conditions, and the responsibilities of each party.

Send a written complaint to info@eskinazi.com as soon as possible and preferably within seven days after the service. Include the booking name or reference, service date, a clear description of the issue, relevant photographs or receipts, and the resolution you are requesting. This requested reporting period does not remove rights that cannot legally be waived.

Send us your travel dates, group size, interests, preferred language, accommodation or arrival details, and the services you need. We will personally review your request and prepare a proposal designed around your journey.