I love it when something unusual and amazing happens, and Circle Istanbul is that kind of tour. Booked through Medhills Travel (an exceptional travel agency – see my review) I thought I knew what to expect – a small group tour of how a local Turk lives, shops and worships in Istanbul – but I was delighted to find it was a gourmet experience as well as visiting some of very diverse neighborhoods of Istanbul. Our guide, Polat Korkmaz, wore a t-shirt that said “Follow Me” and we did – walking through farmer’s markets, back streets and neighborhoods we would never have ventured into if not for this opportunity. Very well organized tour that included a ride up the Golden Horn on a ferry boat, short bus rides between locations in an air conditioned shuttle bus and walking, walking, walking. Wear comfortable shoes, take a sun block and bring your appetite; we sampled so many varieties of foods that I simply lost count. I highly recommend this tour to everyone visiting Istanbul for the first time, or the fifth time. It was extraordinary and we’ll be talking about our Circle Istanbul experience for years to come.