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ABOUT TUTKU TOURS
31 Years of Experience |
Since 1992, TUTKU’s main office is in Izmir,
ancient Smyrna, located in the heart of the
Seven Churches of the Revelation.
Tutku offers numerous tour packages,
customized itineraries for Groups and
Individuals in Turkey, Europe, and the
Eastern Mediterranean.
TUTKU will
take you to where you want to go: Israel,
Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus,
Malta, or Italy? Or perhaps you'll enjoy a
trip combining two or more of these
destinations. Tell us how many days you
would like to tour, and then we'll suggest
an itinerary and get back to you with our
best "Land & Air" (or land only) rates. If
you want to tweak the itinerary or modify it
in any way... no problem, we'll fix it.
Are you planning a meeting for your
corporation, association, local church,
ministry, or denomination? Our 30 years of
experience is geared to make your event a
success!
TUTKU’s excellent service
combined with affordable prices make it the
agency of choice for colleges, universities,
churches and seminaries. Together with your
trust, the number of our destinations is
increasing every year. We will continue to
give you fast replies, and best suggestions. |
OUR STAFF |
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Levent Oral
President
 Levent Oral, born and raised in Izmir, is a graduate of the St. Joseph French school and 9th September University, where he studied Business Administration. He is fluent in French and English, and holds a professional Tour Guide License since 1989. He has owned his own Travel Agency since 1992. He is an expert at designing tour itineraries for groups from different areas of interests for Europe, and Middle East. Levent is interested in Biblical Archaeology and takes part in several religious, and archaeological conferences in the US each year. He organizes conferences, archaeology seminars, low cost Familiarization Trips to Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Jordan and Egypt for university professors and pastors every year. One of Levent's pet projects for several years has been creating maps which helps visitors and colleagues in the sector. Lately, he organizes Turkish-themed informational Gala Dinners in major US cities and hosts university professors and church leaders. Last additions to the ongoing projects are the Global Smyrna Meeting and the Jesus Tour and Conference in Israel. In his free time, Levent enjoys playing table tennis with his wife Natali, spending time with his children Zeynep, Kaan and Tan, and doing oil painting.
Cenk Eronat
Vice
President
 Cenk
was born in Ankara. Moved to Izmir and
graduated from 9th September University,
Tourism Management Department. After much
experience working for 5-star hotels and
travel companies, in 1999 he became part of
Tutku Tours. Among many things, he is the
Vice President of Tutku Tours, a
French-English speaking tour guide and a
photographer. He creates and develops tour
programs, which include some of the most
beautiful and significant places in Turkey
as well as world famous sites. He is a
specialist in Cross-Cultural tours in
Turkey, Greece, Italy, Israel, Georgia and
Cyprus.
Cuneyt Oral
Operations
 Cuneyt
was born in Izmir, Turkey. He graduated
graphic design department of the 9th
September University in Izmir.His second
experience is Information Technologies. He
worked for his own data processing and
computer service company between 1992-2014.
Cuneyt joined to Tutku Tours family in 2014.
He is working as webmaster and graphic
designer and enjoy spending time with his
family.
Sinan Efe Ozsahinler
Graphic Designer
 Sinan
has been working in the data processing
sector since 1999. He has been following
developing technology, and after finishing
his education, he
started to work with Tutku Tours. He studies
graphic design now, and his talents
continuously improve. He is very interested
in cinema and loves oldies music and movies very much.
Nesrin Saszade
Accounting Manager
 Nesrin
is a graduate of Anadolu University,
Department of Economics in Eskisehir. She
has worked for many years in automotive
industry, then she joined the Tutku team in
August 2015. She is responsible for all
financial and accounting activities. Her
interests are photography, movies, music,
theatre, literature and walking in nature.
Macit Saszade
Tour Guide
 Macit
studied English Language and did Teacher
Training in Izmir. He attended 'The London
School Of Foreign Trade' in 1989 and studied
Business Administration and Management. He
has been guiding for different interest
groups, such as Biblical sites of Anatolia,
Archeology and Art History etc. since 1989.
He speaks English and Arabic . His interests
are History, Theology, Archaeology, and Sports.
Zafer Bozoglu
Tour Guide
 Zafer
was born in Ankara, but he has lived all over
Turkey because of the family business and
finally has settled in Izmir. He studied
economics in Anadolu University and has a
degree in Computer Sciences as well as in
Tourism Administration. He has received his
Professional Tour Guiding License in 2001.
Since that time, he has been leading
groups/individuals around the cultural &
biblical sites of Turkey and enjoys being a
Tour Guide immensely. In his spare time, he
travels, motorbikes, takes photos and is
interested in sea sports.
Levent Uzum
Tour Guide
 Levent
has been sharing his passion for his
homeland with guests from all over the world
since 1990 as a professional licensed guide
of Ministry of Culture and Tourism of
Turkey.
A holder of certificate on Seven
Churches of Revelation and bachelor degree
in Business Administration, he always
remains at disposal of guests prefering to
experience Turkish hospitality together with
3 decades of Levent’s experience in guiding
biblical and cultural tours in Turkey.
Cicek Hekimgil
Tour Guide
 Çicek
Hekimgil is a graduate of Industrial
Engineering and has an MBA degree from
Bosphorus University. She has completed the
program of Ministry of Culture and Tourism
and received her license as an official tour
guide since 1984. She completed the
Archeology Course of Izmir Dokuzeylul
University after 3 years, completed
the study program of the association of
professional tour guides of Istanbul, and
received her specialization degree for İstanbul.
She guides private groups and individuals
across all of Turkey. Besides sharing her
knowledge on archeology and history, she
also likes to make sure our guests
experience the
local touch for our traditions, taste the
world famous Turkish cuisine, and see the local way of living in
different parts of our country. Her
interests are traveling and discovering
different cultures, archeology, oil painting,
photography, Latin Dances, and cooking.
Berkant Gurgur
Tour Guide
 Berkant
was born in İzmir. Post graduation from the
Saint Joseph French high school he continued
his education at 9th September University
gaining a degree in business administration
.In 1993 he was certified as an official
english speaking tour guide by the Turkish
Ministry of Culture and Tourism . In the
past 3 decades he has led numerous groups
and individuals interested in art,religion
and culture from across the world,
predominantly from North America, with the
aim of creating fun and informative tours to
enhance his guests' visiting experience. His
interests are art,history,gastronomy,
traveling and photography.
Ecem Altınkılıç
Tour Guide
 Ecem
is a graduate of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts
University in the Art History department.
Then, she received her master's degree in
the same department at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts
University. During her master's degree, she
has been an exchange student at Accademia di
Belle Arti in Ravenna for a year. In
addition to being a licensed tour guide, she
is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Istanbul
University Art History Department. She
speaks English and Italian, she is learning
Greek. Her interests are swimming,
gastronomy and Mediterranean culture.
Başak Erginson
Tour Guide
 Başak was born in Ankara.
Finished TED Ankara College where she learned English. She became a tour guide in 1991 while she still was an archaeology student. Finished the University of Ankara - Language, History and Geography Faculty, Protohistory and Near Eastern Archaeology Department.
After working in Ankara, Cappadocia and Antalya she moved to Istanbul where she continued working as a freelance tour guide in English. Studied Spanish in Salamanca - Spain and started guiding in Spanish as well. Finished various workshops and educational programs on religious tour destinations and biblical tours throughout her career. Her studies created in her a deep interest in Mesopotamian cultures and burial traditions of ethnicities.
She is specialized on archaeological and biblical tours in Turkey. Başak considers herself as a constant student who is not afraid of new destinations and knowledge on ethno-religious traditions of Asia Minor through the ages.
She is a caring housewife, skilled crochet weaver, cat, dog and plant lover.
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Erin Dailey
Director of Operations for Ephesus Meeting
 Erin
Dailey, originally born in Edmonton,
later moved to San Diego and now lives in
Turkey. She studied International Marketing
at university, and after many years of work
experience, she now works with North American
group leaders preparing biblical tour
itineraries in Turkey and the Eastern
Mediterranean. Erin is the director of the
Ephesus Meeting, which is organized by Tutku
Tours, each year in late May. She is also a
mother to Ela, Kaya and Sean. She enjoys
traveling, horseback riding, hiking,
and cooking. Her travel experiences,
attention to details, and the fact that she
is a Canadian and American citizen living in
Turkey, makes her a unique jewel in the
travel business.
Natali Oral
Operations
NATALI ORAL was born in Donetsk, Ukraine.
She studied Tourism at the Donetsk
University. Then, she moved to Turkey and
married to Levent Oral in 2007. Natali
joined Tutku team in 2008. They have a son
by the name of Tan Utku Oral. Natali helps
the operation department. Natali enjoys
cooking, swimming, and travelling. She is
very interested in promoting Tutku travel
programs to the US and Russian churches.
Sema Ankarali
Operations
 Sema
is a graduate in Tourism-Hotel
Administration. She began her tourism
career by working in hotels for 11 years. She has been working for travel agencies for
5 years as a tour operator. Sema joined
Tutku team's operations department in 2009.
She enjoys outdoor sports, football, history
and literature.
Damla Oral
Operations
 Damla
Oral was born in Izmir. She graduated
from the Izmir Turkish College and then from
9th September University. She joined Tutku
Tours operations team in October 2010 and
has learned a great deal about the tourism sector.
She enjoys watching movies, listening
different kinds of music, swimming and
sports.
Demir
Turkay
Operations/Tour Guide
 In
the world of Demir, he embarked on a journey
driven by a passion for diverse cultures,
culinary delights, and hospitality. His
education began at Saint Joseph, a French
high school, immersing him in the language
and traditions of France. Seeking to refine
his culinary skills, he attended the
renowned Paul Bocuse Culinary & Management
School in Lyon. He later pursued Tourism
Management and Guide studies at Yaşar
University. From a young age, worked and
managed an Italian restaurant for eight
years. This experience honed his culinary
expertise and business acumen, while also
fueling his fascination with the synergy of
food, ambiance, service and hospitality.With
a heart devoted to hospitality, continues to
embrace new horizons, enriching the lives of
others through the joy of food and culture.
Hoping to connect his 2 worlds; Culinary &
Tourism with Gastro Tourism. His interests
are Mythology,history,gastronomy, and any
team sports.
Meltem Ciftci
Tour Guide
 Meltem
studied both Environmental Engineering and
Professional Tour Guiding at Izmir at the
College. She has served as a guide for many
groups from many countries around the world, but
especially from North America since 1989. She
has led tours for many different interest groups, such as
Archeology, Art History, Bird Watching and
Biblical Sites of Anatolia, etc. Her
interests are photography, archeology,
movies, music and literature.
Ozcan Kacar
Tour Guide
 Ozcan
was born
in Aydin, Turkey but
currently resides in Izmir. He has been guiding since 1997
and speaks Turkish, English, and some Polish.
His undergraduate degree is in English Literature from Selcuk University.
His hobbies include hiking and traveling.
Nazim Uzun
Tour Guide
 Nazim
has
a Dept of Tourism degree (University of
Ankara at 2000) and is a professionally
qualified licensed Turkish tour guide.
He is personable, flexible, has a good sense
of humor, and always stays abreast of
the current affairs. He takes pride in
offering a sensitive and professional
service at all times.
Tulu Gokkadar
Tour Guide
Tulû Gökkadar holds a B.A. in history from Boğaziçi University, and an M.A. in archaeology from Kocaeli University. She is currently studying for a Ph.D. in archaeology at Muğla University. She served as an adjunct teacher at Kocaeli University, Kartepe School of Tourism between 2001-2014. Gökkadar lectured on the historical geography of Turkey, and taught tour planning, tour management and tourist guiding. She acquired the State License for Professional Tourist Guiding from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey in 1989. As a professional tour guide, she specializes in Biblical Tours all through Anatolia, which is known as “The Land of Sunrise”. Gökkadar has a passion for teaching, traveling and archaeology. She loves guiding as much as swimming, scuba diving, marine life, photography, bicycling and nature walking.
Pınar Kızıl
Tour Guide
 Pınar
(KIZIL) was born into an airforce pilot
family and moved many times all around
Turkey due to family business. Studied
English (and American) Language and
Literature in the Faculty of Letters at
Ankara University. Pınar became a guide in
the first year of the university in 1990 and
has been enjoying introducing her country
and culture ever since. Some time on the
way, she experienced being an aircrew and
also giving conferences on behalf of Turkey
in the tourism fairs of Dubai for 2 years.
She loves communicating with people of
different cultures and highly interested in
sports, esoterism, theology and different
healing procedures.
Sonat Fisek
Tour Guide
 Sonat
Fisek, as a highly skilled, experienced and
professional tour guide since 1989, she has
had the chance to work with a diverse range
of Turkish, American, British tour operators
and lead cultural tour groups throughout
Turkey. After 10 years of directing
corporate events, brand launches and dealer
meetings as a production manager, at 2013
she has restarted as a freelance
Professional tour guide, leading various
cultural, archeological and/or religious
groups all over in Turkey, Latin America,
Middle East.
She is a graduate of
American College of Institude in Izmir and
Business Administration/ Dokuz Eylul
University, and still active student of
History, also a holder holder of certificate
on biblical guiding. She is a founding
member of Culture and Faith Tourism
Association and a member of Professional
Tour Guides Association.
She loves to
travel, skiing, sailing and reading about
history, archaeology, mythology.
Fercan Rubin
Öniz
Tour Guide
 Fercan
was born in Freiburg, Germany, to a German
mother and a Turkish father. Her family
moved to Turkey when she was five years old.
She graduated from the American Collegiate
Institute in Izmir and studied business
administration at Dokuz Eylül University in
Izmir. In 1989, she received her
professional Tour Guiding Licence and has
been leading cultural, biblical, and
archaeological tours in Turkey and Europe
ever since. Fercan has a passion for
traveling, discovering new places, and
reading about history, archaeology, and
theology. She also has interest in art and
gastronomy.
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Cuneyt Ates
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Yalkin
Uca
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They've been
working at Tutku Tours for years as
drivers. We entrust our guests to them with
confidence. |
