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, anthropology, astronomy, 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.”
Expedition Leader: New Routes, Untraveled Gems
Fethi works like an expedition leader in the purest sense—constantly scouting, testing, and refining routes that even frequent travelers don’t know exist. He leads pro tour guides into new terrain and overlooked stories:
mapping out hidden sites like Istanbul’s Yarımburgaz Cave,
developing relationships with local stakeholders, and
even coordinating access to living history—such as Bathonea’s active archaeological excavations, by communicating directly with the director of the dig and aligning visits with what’s possible, ethical, and meaningful.
This is not “tourism as consumption.” It’s travel as discovery—with respect for place, people, and process.
Multi-layered Travel, Orchestrated with a Real Team
Behind the scenes, Fethi coordinates complex travel like a producer: multi-day, multi-city, multi-theme journeys that require precision and creativity. He pulls together a versatile team—guides, drivers, captains, cooks, musicians, travel agents, and on-the-ground staff—and makes it feel seamless to the traveler.
Whether it’s a Bosphorus cruise with the right atmosphere, a long-distance road route through Anatolia, or a special event that needs both logistical finesse and cultural sensitivity, Fethi is the person connecting all the moving pieces.
At the core of it all is his belief: travel should be intimate, curious, and intellectually alive.
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 all across 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 in an English-speaking country.
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.
The Writer Who Chases Hidden Talent
Fethi’s curiosity doesn’t stop at routes and logistics. He writes obsessively about the people who make Istanbul and Turkey feel real: small businesses, local creatives, makers, researchers, and artists whose work rarely reaches mainstream tourism.
One day it’s ceramic artists and rug experts; another day it’s writers and researchers, musicians and war photographers, modern art painters and designers, craftspeople and exhibitions. He has a special instinct for hidden local talent—the kind of names you only discover if someone truly lives the city.
He’s the person who notices (and then shares) stories like:
the cute new café & brewery in Balat, Arc Coffee Co.,
or an Aqua Therapist, Begüm Koçak, whose work speaks to a different side of Istanbul—quiet, personal, and deeply human.
These aren’t “recommendations.” They’re portraits of a living culture, introduced through people.
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.
Join the Journey
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 community—one that invites travelers to be curious, open-minded, and engaged.
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.
Hello,
I just found your page about Fethi Karatas and The Other Tour. We’re looking for an English-speaking local guide to lead a large university group across Turkey — starting in Antakya, continuing via Pamukkale, and finishing in Istanbul.
We’d need the full package arranged (tour bus + driver, logistics, and day-by-day planning). Is that something you can offer?
Kind regards,
Sofia Keller
Thank you for your message — yes, this is potentially something we can support.
To keep everything clear and properly scoped (especially for a university group with transport and multi-city logistics), we’ll reply to you privately by email with:
a few quick questions (dates, group size, pacing, academic focus),
what we can include (guide team, bus/driver coordination, hotel-to-hotel flow),
and a rough structure + budget range.
Please keep an eye on your inbox shortly.