Sojourn is a team that loves guiding you to delightful travel experiences.
Chris & Angela
This power couple duo is the mastermind behind Sojourn and their mission is to see travel dreams come true, spread smiles and enjoy the great people they work with along the way.
Sojourn Turkey is a fully licensed Travel Agency (Tursab License A-5626) operating customized private and small group trips around Turkey and Greece. Our tours maximize the opportunity to experience the beauty of culture, the depth of history, the delight of Turkish cuisine, and unique experiences of local customs and arts. With Chris and Angela living and working in Turkey for the last 20+ years, our team can offer our travelers the best of both worlds — great local guides and connections plus the benefits of insight into American and western travelers expectations and desires. We are a travel company that seeks to understand your dreams for your trip and respect your travel time and expectations. We take pride in being experts at bridging the gaps, so you have a wonderful travel experience in Turkey. We have developed a reputation among our customers for a high degree of flexibility, personal service, planning creativity, attentiveness and honesty. Sojourn exists to see people's lives and communities made better by travel, both the travelers and the locals who host them. We work toward this by guiding travelers to delightful experiences.
Meet The Team Guiding You to Your Dream Trip
Yasemin | Meetings & Events Director
We call her our “Queen of Conferences.” With great attention to detail and professionalism she serves meeting and event planners from start to finish. She specializes in taking excellent and personal care of thousands of event guests every year! Her enthusiastic spirit and highly competent mind are treasured by both our clients and our team. Having lived and studied abroad throughout her life, she brings a valuable international perspective to our office. She and her husband have two adorable kids that keep them on the move.
Elif | Tour Operations Director
Elif leads our staff and guides to ensure that your tour is beautifully designed and operated. She works closely with our travelers before and during tours to take care every detail and request. She has an amazing ability to coordinate each aspect of the experiences we design. Elif has been working in the travel companies for over 20 years and has experience working with English, Dutch, And Turkish speaking companies. With her strong support as their mom, her son is now studying in North America and her daughter is an accomplished gymnast.
Kaan | Tour Operations Assistant
Right hand to Elif in all matters with your reservations and communications, he works to be sure every detail is arranged perfectly for your tour. He has super dad status in our eyes as he partners so gracefully with his hard working wife to raise their daughter.
Umay | Accountant
Umay manages Sojourn's funds, accounting, and every other financial detail for you with great care and honesty. She is a wonderful mother to her teenage son. Umay is a loving and caring person who helps remind all those in her life that people are more important than tasks. And her smile can be read through her emails.
Ümmü | Office Services
Ümmühan is our deep Turkish culture expert. She makes sure all of our office visitors and friends are culturally greeted and provided with tea, coffee, and refreshments. She keeps the team well hydrated and healthily fed. She is the smiling face of hospitality to our office visitors. She has three kids, one of whom is studying to be a nurse. She has been part of training our interns in Turkish culture and connecting them with the local culture.
Our Team
Nazlı Başkaya
Executive Assistant
I was born in Kayseri, which is near the very popular Cappadocia region. In 2012, I successfully earned degrees in Ancient Greek Language and Literature from Akdeniz University, as well as International Relations from Anadolu University.
My professional journey began as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) assistant in the field of hospitality and tourism. Through dedication and growth, I have advanced to my current role as an Executive Assistant. I take great pride in being an integral part of the dynamic realm of Sojourn. My deep affection for the city I call home further fuels my enthusiasm for my work.
I look forward to continuing my contributions to our travelers and my community.
Furkan Cem Tosun
Sales Assistant
I was born in Antalya and have been residing here ever since. I pursued my passion for history by studying at Akdeniz University for my undergraduate degree. Following that, I completed a master's program at the Institute of Turkish World Studies at Ege University, focusing on the history of the Crimean Khanate for my thesis. Additionally, I have devoted my studies to fields such as Turkic mythology, the history of religion, military and social history.
My love for intellectual discussions extends beyond history to include subjects like anthropology, ethnography, philology, paleography, sociology, philosophy, and literature.
Tuğba Küçükömer
Sales Assistant
I was born and raised in Antalya. I graduated from the American Studies department at Hacettepe University. Now I enthusiastically create and organize captivating tours that showcase the rich culture and historical landmarks of Turkey. I have developed a particular love for music from various countries and languages, finding inspiration and joy in its diverse melodies. My interests extend beyond the realm of travel, as I am deeply passionate about books, movies, mythology, and art. Constantly seeking new avenues for exploration and growth, I strive to create memorable experiences for those eager to discover Turkey's heritage.
Nuriye Yarar
Sales Assistant
I was born and spent my entire childhood in Hatay, a city that has hosted many civilizations and is considered sacred by three major religions. Relocating to Antalya for college, I studied Gerontology and graduated from Akdeniz University. It was during my time in Antalya that I realized my passion for working in tourism. I thoroughly enjoy communicating with travelers and learning about their cultures from their perspective. The Sojourn Turkey team focuses on preparing perfect fit itineraries that satisfy our guests' exact needs and desires, and I am proud to be a part of it. I enjoy organizing many details and continuously learning new things as I carefully consider every single detail to ensure each traveler’s itinerary is perfect.
Emre Can Yıldız
Sales Assistant
I was born and grew up in Balikesir in the northwest of Turkey. I am a Tourism Management graduate from Akdeniz University. My passion lies in curating exceptional travel experiences and fostering meaningful cultural connections. During an enriching internship at a prestigious hotel in America, I gained valuable insights into guest services and international tourism dynamics. I enjoy indulging in movies, video games, basketball, and exploring diverse cuisines. I am deeply committed to sustainable and responsible tourism practices, aiming to leave a positive impact on both travelers and local communities.
Izlem Çamlıdağ
MICE Assistant
I was born and raised in Famagusta, on the east coast of Cyprus. Famagusta is very popular amongst students, as it holds one of the best universities on the island. As a result, I grew up in a bi-cultural atmosphere, which made me interested in traveling and trying various cuisines worldwide. I studied for my bachelor’s in Cyprus and went to England for my master's. Passionate about helping others and getting to know different cultures, I pursued tourism. Currently, I am working as an Event Coordinator with an amazing team, helping our clients find their perfect venues and help organize their events.
My hobbies beyond traveling extend to the gaming world, music, and movies/series.
Mina Najjari
MICE Assistant
I was born in Shiraz, and lived in multiple cities in Iran throughout my childhood. I studied Architecture for my Bachelor’s degree, which made me realize my love for traveling, learning about diverse cultures, and extending my knowledge of them. For that reason, working as an Event Coordinator in Sojourn has been a great journey so far; Helping individuals plan their events flawlessly and insuring everything is in order and set. My favorite part of the job would be seeing all the planning come together and meeting all the amazing people from around the world.
As for my hobbies, I have a great passion for photography, reading books, and listening to various genres of music.
A Few of Our Guides
Elif Güneri
Tour Guide
I have a degree in Tour Guiding from Selcuk University in the class of 2005. I have been guiding our guests since 2006. In addition to Turkey, I have led tours of the Greek Islands and Athens. However, since 2010, I have primarily focused on leading tours in Istanbul. I deeply cherish my role and take great pleasure in introducing our guests to the richness of our culture, history and cuisine in this beautiful country. Let’s explore Istanbul together!
Mehmet Kuntasal
Tour Guide
Born in the Western Anatolian town of Eskişehir in 1955, I hold a degree from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara from 1979. I studied to be a city planner, but later received a guiding license from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 1984. I specialize in offering cultural, archeological, and faith tourism tours in Western, Central, and South Eastern Türkiye. I have been living in Cappadocia since 2005 and become known for providing quality classical, hiking, and faith tours in the region. As your guide, I bring a deep knowledge, great sense of humor, and easy-going disposition as your travel companion and leader.
Gökçen Art
Tour Guide
Hello everyone from Istanbul! I am one of the guides working on the Sojourn team. I was born in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, but grew up in Istanbul. I studied Arabic Language at Istanbul University and later earned my master's degree in the History Department at Bogazici University. My thesis, which focused on women and the family in Ottoman society, was published as a book after I completed my master's degree. While studying at university, I also completed my courses to become a tour guide, and for more than 25 years, guiding people has been my full-time job. I am married and have a 24-year-old daughter. I love doing cultural tours and discussing topics such as culinary arts, the history of religions, and the social structure of my country. I always allow myself and my guests to have personal conversations, as I believe that is the best part of working with people, having made many wonderful friends over the years in this way.
Feray Kocabaş
Tour Guide
Hello, I am Feray Kocabaş. I was born in 1982 in Isparta and completed my primary school, secondary school, and high school education there. I enrolled at Selçuk University in Konya to study tour guiding. Although I initially planned to pursue Business Administration at Anatolian University, I ultimately chose a different career path. In 2005 being fluent in both English and German, I successfully pursued a profession as a certified tour guide. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with various travel agencies and tour groups. Four years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with the Sojourn family. I have spent 17 years living in Antalya and during that time, my love for this city has grown immensely. As a parent of two children, a boy and a girl, we make it a point to spend quality time together by participating in activities such as trekking and swimming, while also exploring new places. One aspect that I find truly fascinating is the art of communication, especially when it involves sharing stories about travel and history. Being able to guide others throughout Turkey brings me immense joy, and if given another opportunity at life, I would unquestionably choose the same profession again.
Fuat Kocabaş
Tour Guide
I was born in Konya, a central Anatolian city, where I lived until my university years. After graduating from Selçuk University with a degree in Tourism Guiding in 2004, I decided to build my career in tourism and moved to Antalya the following year. Since then, Antalya has become my home as I work passionately as a tour guide dedicated to creating joyful experiences for people. My expertise lies in cultural tours and leading hiking expeditions along the stunning Lycian Way that traces through Turkey's Mediterranean region. Assisting and witnessing the happiness of my tourist groups brings me immense joy. Being part of the Sojourn team has not only brought happiness but also allowed me to make friends from all corners of the globe. I am happily married and am the proud parent of two little "monsters," a girl and a boy. It's a wonderful experience to contribute to people's happiness in my country and witness the joy reflected in their eyes. Let's continue this journey together.
Mehmet Tetik
Tour Guide
Greetings! My name is Mehmet Tetik, and I am delighted to introduce myself as an experienced guide with more than three decades of expertise in showcasing the magnificent city of Istanbul and the captivating religious sites scattered across Turkey. Throughout my professional journey, I have not only become intimately acquainted with the historical treasures nestled within Istanbul's vibrant streets but have also had the privilege of exploring various breathtaking locations throughout our diverse country. Born and raised in this mesmerizing city, my passion for art led me on a fascinating path where I first delved into fine arts. Eager to deepen my understanding further, I later ventured into studying restoration techniques - a field that enhanced my appreciation for preserving aspects of our cultural heritage. In 1995, after obtaining certification as a qualified guide, it has been both an honor and pleasure to share my knowledge with countless visitors from all around the world. In addition to my love for exploring and appreciating art, I hold family values very close to my heart. I am fortunate to be a caring husband who cherishes the joys of marriage, as well as a proud father of an amazing daughter.
Şerife Arslan
Tour Guide
I was born in Mersin in 1989 and lived there for 16 years. Currently, I reside in Fethiye. After completing high school, I shifted my focus to learning Russian. Graduating from Balikesir University with a degree in tourism guidance in 2011, I worked as a guide in Antalya for four years. In 2016, I started working as a cabin crew member at Corendon Airlines and had the opportunity to visit 12 countries. Since then, my passion for tourism guiding brought me to Kas/Kalkan where I have been working for the past six years. Kas/Kalkan serves as the central hub of the ancient Lycian civilization. Throughout my exploration, I immersed myself in the remarkable architectural marvels, captivating historical tales, and geographical wonders of Lycia. One of my cherished pastimes includes embarking on invigorating hikes along the renowned Lycian Way and Carian Way trails. These paths showcase stunning vistas and display the unique plant life and wildlife found in this region. Besides my professional pursuits as a guide, I also possess a profound passion for herbalism, aromatherapy, and astrology.
Belgin Yurdagül
Tour Guide
I was born in the Netherlands in 1974, but most of my childhood and adolescence were spent in Ankara, Türkiye. I studied English throughout my education and graduated from Ankara University with a degree in Dutch Language and Literature. Later on, I continued my studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands focusing on Dutch studies, supported by a one-year scholarship. After returning to Türkiye, I pursued a career as a tour guide by completing a course organized by the Ministry of Tourism. I am married with two children and take great pleasure in sharing information about famous destinations and our country's rich culture with our visitors. Since 2001, I have been conducting tours both in English and Dutch languages for tourists visiting Antalya.
Rabia Öznalbant
Tour Guide
Hello, I was born in Kusadasi, Turkey in 1979 and have been a resident of this beautiful place ever since. My educational journey led me to Mersin University where I pursued Travel Agency Management with a specialization in the German language. Through my dedication and hard work, I gained valuable experience working for various travel agencies within their operations and reservations teams. My passion for sharing knowledge about our rich culture and history inspired me to further enhance my skills by studying Tour Guiding at Ege University. In 2006, I proudly obtained my license as a professional tour guide which enabled me to serve diverse groups of tourists over the years. For the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of working at Sojourn. It has been a place where I find fulfillment in spreading joy to people. Additionally, I am proud to be a dedicated parent to an incredible son. We are fortunate enough to call Kusadasi home, which offers us convenient access to nature's breathtaking beauty that envelops our surroundings near Izmir. We relish spending quality time outdoors collecting wild herbs and asparagus while delighting ourselves by cooking them into delicious meals. The pandemic brought new changes into our lives as we embarked on living on a small farm which turned into an incredible adventure filled with invaluable experiences. As a pastime I also love joining tours with my tour guide colleagues to discover more of Turkey.
Süleyman Tıraşoğlu
Tour Guide
My hometown is a small, tranquil place located near the Mediterranean city of Antalya.
My journey in education began when I enrolled in a boarding school during my middle and high school years. This path eventually led me to graduate with a degree in English language teaching, igniting my passion for language and communication.
After a rewarding and meaningful experience as a teacher, I obtained a guiding license in 1997, and I've been dedicated to the profession of tour guiding ever since. Over the years, I've had the privilege of exploring every corner of Turkey with people from around the world, particularly from the United States. They come to appreciate Turkey's unparalleled scenery, culture, and historical sites.
Today, I find happiness in Cappadocia, where I moved six years ago with my spouse and our two children.
Şennur Aslan Savaş
Tour Guide
I was born in Sivas, a city located in the heart of Anatolia. During my childhood, I had the opportunity to live in various parts of my country, which enriched my understanding of different cultures. I graduated from Selcuk University's Tourism Guiding Department in 2006. As a Professional National Tourist Guide affiliated with the Ministry of Tourism of Turkey, I have been passionately sharing the historical and cultural treasures of my country for 16 years. I find immense joy in my work and take pride in being a part of Sojourn as a guide. I have been residing in Istanbul for over 20 years now, where I am happily married and a proud mother of two children.
Every person is like a new world, teaching you different flavors of life. Meeting people from all corners of the world is a wonderful experience, and I aim to leave them with fond memories of my warm smile!
Sait Güney
Tour Guide
Born in Istanbul in 1983, I embarked on my academic journey by studying Arabic Language and Literature at Istanbul University and later pursued International Relations at Anadolu University. In 2008, I obtained my guiding license from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, specializing in both English and Arabic languages. Between 2007 and 2017, I worked in the Middle East Gulf Countries and Africa. Since 2017, I have been an active Tour Guide based in Istanbul. Beyond my professional life, I am an enthusiastic traveler, having explored over 25 countries to date. I am passionate about discovering cities, natural parks, ancient, and religious sites whenever I have the opportunity, both within and outside my home country. Recognizing the power of knowledge, I actively participate in training programs and seminars organized by tour guide chambers across the country. This allows me to delve deeper into my areas of interest, gain specialization, and foster connections with my fellow tour guide colleagues. Aside from my love for travel, I indulge in photography and spend my free time in the sea, engaging in activities such as snorkeling and diving. I take pride in being a member of the Sojourn team!
Ferruh Armutcuoğlu
Tour Guide
Traveling has been my passion since childhood. When I translated Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" into Turkish, it was a reflection of my extensive experience guiding both in Turkey with foreign travelers and abroad with Turkish travelers. I received my professional tour guide license/badge from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism. In addition to being a professional tour guide, I am also an academician. I studied English Language and Literature in Istanbul. During my MA degree studies, I received a scholarship and studied at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK. My PhD is on Translation Theories, specifically examining Oscar Wilde's novel from cross-cultural perspectives with respect to theories. I served as an academician and assistant professor at Istanbul's Galatasaray University. Additionally, I attended art, archaeology, and history classes during my BA degree studies, which significantly contributed to my proficiency in the guidance profession. I conducted workshops on simultaneous/consecutive interpretation and various topics such as myth, mythology, symbolism, and cross-cultural aspects. While my background includes academia, my full-time profession is now guiding, and I continue to do it with great enthusiasm and passion. I view my guests as travelers rather than tourists, believing they should experience a different culture in all its aspects.
Babür Kafadar
Tour Guide
Babür Kafadar
Born in the charming west coast town of Kusadasi in 1974, my early years were infused with the coastal beauty that surrounded me. During my childhood years, I discovered beauty and the richness of the Aegean Sea. After completing three years of boarding school in Izmir. In 1994 I embarked on an unexpected journey of cultural exploration by choosing to study Synology (Chinese History, Language and Literature) at Ankara University. This decision marked the beginning of a series of adventures that would shape my future life in profound ways.
After obtaining my Scuba PADI dive master license in 1999, I had the opportunity to work as a dive master. Following that experience, I served as a reserve officer in the Turkish Army for 16 months starting in 2001. Afterwards, I returned to Kusadasi to join my family's company. However, In 2008 I quit our family’s company and received my guiding license because that is where my true passion is found. Since then I have become an ancient Anatolian culture enthusiast especially for Coastal Anatolia. In 2010-2011, I had the opportunity to enhance my Chinese skills in vibrant cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong. This led me to pursue a career in Chinese guiding. In 2020, I obtained my professional 149 GT Yacht Master license from the Maritime Faculty of Dokuz Eylül University. Additionally, during 2020 and 2021, I completed expertise courses on Gallipoli Battlefield, Historic Peninsula, Frigia, and Battlefields of Independence War. Now, as a professional skipper and tour guide, I am able to navigate through captivating experiences while sharing them with travelers.
The Story of Sojourn
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