When you join The Other Tour, you aren’t just signing up for a tour—you’re entering the world of Fethi Karataş, the founder and conceptual architect of one of Istanbul’s most original travel companies.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Born in Istanbul in 1988, Fethi—also known by his nickname Monti—is not a licensed tour guide; he is much more than that. He is a trailblazer, a modern-day thinker, and the driving force behind a travel agency that challenges the very definition of tourism in Turkey. With an innate passion for culture, curiosity, and connection, he has reimagined travel not just as movement through space—but as a journey through ideas, stories, and human encounters.
“He Paves the Way.”
Fethi’s leadership isn’t limited to guiding a day-long city tour (although he designed one of Istanbul’s most transformative). His vision has shaped The Other Tour into a full-fledged travel agency—organizing everything from private Bosphorus cruises to multi-day Anatolian expeditions, regional heritage experiences, and custom-guided journeys across Turkey. At the core of it all is his belief: that travel should be intimate, curious, and intellectually alive.
Beginnings in Sultanahmet
Fethi’s journey into the world of tourism began remarkably early. At just 13 years old, he was already exploring the backstreets of Sultanahmet, chatting with travelers, making friends from around the world, and offering help or suggestions. These youthful encounters sparked a lifelong passion for cultural exchange and storytelling. Even then, the seeds of The Other Tour were being planted.
From Neighborhood Leader to High School Organizer
Leadership was in Fethi’s nature long before tourism entered the picture. As a child in his working-class neighborhood, he was the go-to leader among friends—the one who brought people together, who rallied the group. In high school, this instinct evolved into something deeper. He took the initiative to organize school trips, often finding ways to discreetly include classmates who couldn’t afford it. He didn’t seek praise. He simply believed that no one should be left out.
Years in Germany
Fethi’s open-mindedness was sharpened further by his time living abroad. For two years, he lived in Germany, where he continued to organize travel experiences—this time for European travelers curious about Turkey and the cultural overlaps in Berlin’s Turkish community. These years gave him an even broader perspective on identity, migration, and storytelling, shaping how he frames Turkey to international visitors today.
Not a Guide—A Curator, Philosopher, and Cultural Producer
Fethi is many things, but not a traditional guide. He is a blogger, a researcher, an editor, and, as many guests describe him, a 21st-century philosopher. His interests span etymology, geology, archaeology, political theory, linguistics, and culture—and he weaves these threads effortlessly into conversation.
He loves complexity and welcomes difficult conversations. Whether the topic is nationalism, religion, or modern Turkish identity, Fethi never hides behind politeness. He invites guests to think, question, and feel.
As one reviewer put it:
“If you’re a conformist, do not take this tour. Fethi showed us a completely different way of traveling—getting right down to the core of Istanbul.”
Another guest said:
“I was able to really comprehend the facts we were told all day, because it was always backed up with a little anecdote or joke.”
Beyond the Tour: A Mission-Driven Travel Agency
The Other Tour began as a full-day cultural immersion, but under Fethi’s guidance, it has grown into a dynamic travel platform. Today, the agency curates:
♦ Private yacht and dinner cruises on the Bosphorus
♦ Multi-day heritage tours in Southeast Turkey (Armenian, Assyrian, Jewish)
♦ Street art, food, and architecture-themed experiences in Istanbul
♦ Expertly guided regional trips to Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and beyond
♦ Custom itineraries for solo travelers, families, and small groups
Through all of these offerings, Fethi acts less as a salesman and more as a connector—linking curious travelers with passionate local guides, unique places, and meaningful stories. Whether he’s finding the right guide for a family in Cappadocia or suggesting a hidden meyhane in Kadıköy, his attention to detail is relentless.
Fluent Across Cultures
Few travelers meet someone with Fethi’s fluency in English—not just in grammar, but in nuance, rhythm, humor, and subtlety. He speaks with the kind of depth that makes guests forget they’re speaking to someone who never lived abroad.
This makes him a natural bridge between cultures, able to anticipate and respond to the needs of international visitors, and offer insights that go beyond guidebooks or mainstream narratives.
Present from Start to Finish
Fethi’s involvement with travelers is anything but transactional. He often meets guests personally, making sure their journey begins with a sense of familiarity and purpose. He then hands them off to one of the professional guides in The Other Tour’s trusted network. But he doesn’t disappear.
While many guides consider the job done by 5:00 PM, Fethi often continues well into the evening—having long conversations over rakı, answering lingering questions about Turkish society, or simply sharing laughter under the Bosphorus sky. He stays in touch, follows up, and often becomes a true friend to returning guests.
A Legacy in the Making
To know The Other Tour is to know Fethi. The company’s tone, ethics, creativity, and curiosity all come from his character. Whether through the legendary full-day city experience, a bespoke trip to Mardin, or a spontaneous dinner in Beşiktaş, Fethi’s influence is everywhere.
He is building something that transcends the typical categories of tourism. It’s not a company. It’s a movement—one that invites travelers to be curious, open-minded, and engaged.
Join the Journey
If you’re looking for a packaged experience, The Other Tour might not be for you. But if you’re after meaning, spontaneity, connection, and perspective, then this is your home.
Come meet Fethi Karataş. Let him and his team guide you—not just through places, but through ideas. Through laughter. Through stories. Through Istanbul. Through Turkey.
