We are thrilled to welcome Nüket Yeşim Arıcı to The Other Tour family as our lead guide in Ephesus — and, trust us, she’s no ordinary guide. With over three decades of experience, a deep academic background, and an unshakable love for Anatolia, Yeşim brings both soul and scholarship to every tour she leads.
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A Life Devoted to Guiding and Learning
Yeşim is a licensed professional tour guide, accredited by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism since 1988. Her academic credentials include:
MA in Tour Guiding from Osman Gazi University
Degrees in German Language & Literature, History, and Cultural Heritage & Tourism
Teaching positions at multiple universities across Turkey, Syria, and Europe
Erasmus coordination and international speaking experience
She’s guided thousands through Turkey’s layered history — from Göbekli Tepe toGallipoli, Cappadocia to Mesopotamia — and even served as an interpreter and translator for Turkish-German-English ventures.
But when you ask her why she chose this path, she answers simply:
“Ben Anadolu sevdalısı olduğum için rehber oldum.”
(I became a guide because I’m in love with Anatolia.)
Not Just Ephesus — The Whole of Anatolia in Her Heart
Though Yeşim lives in Kuşadası, just minutes from the cruise port, she doesn’t confine herself to the beaten path. She’s just as eager to guide you through hidden gems like Pınara as she is to explore Ephesus’ Marble Road or Celsus Library.
“Karaağaç’tan Siirt’e, Kars’tan Marmaris’e gidiyorum ben.”
(I travel from Karaağaç to Siirt, from Kars to Marmaris.)
She’s led premium tours for Intrepid Travel, worked across the Greater Balkans and Central Europe, and covered every inch of Anatolia. From Phrygian Valley to Eastern Turkey, Yeşim doesn’t just recite history — she lives it.
A Soulful Personality with No Time for “Lokum Tours”
One thing we love about Yeşim? She’s authentic. Passionate. Even a little fiery — especially when it comes to shallow, commercialized tourism.
“Efes rehberliği ezber işi olmamalı. Tek dertleri 3 kilo lokum satmak. Rehberlik bu değil.”
(Ephesus guiding shouldn’t be rote memorization. Some only care about selling 3 kilos of Turkish delight. That’s not what guiding is about.)
She believes in immersive storytelling, depth, and dignity in the craft. She leads every tour like it matters — because it does.
Multilingual & Multicultural
Yeşim is fluent in English and German, and she’s a skilled interpreter with experience in international diplomacy and intercultural communication. Whether you’re an American traveler exploring Ephesus or a German guest discovering Cappadocia, you’re in caring, competent hands.
Beyond the Ruins
Despite a past injury that limits extreme hiking (sorry, Lycian Way), Yeşim walks up to 22,000 steps a day while guiding — from Rome to Bergama. She balances global experiences with grounded local living, often walking from her seaside home in Kuşadası to the harbor to meet her guests.
When she’s not on tour, you might find her:
Sharing reflections and travel moments on Instagram → @yesimarici11
Teaching at the university
Reading, walking, or simply enjoying life by the Aegean coast
Why We Love Working with Yeşim
Because she gets it.
She understands that travel is about connection, not just sightseeing. That guiding is a sacred responsibility, not a sales pitch. And that Anatolia is not just a region — it’s a story that deserves to be told with care.
Whether you’re joining us for a deep dive into Ephesus, a cultural immersion in Izmir, or a cross-country adventure through Turkey’s heartlands, Yeşim is the kind of guide who makes history come alive.
Ready to explore Ephesus with Yeşim?
Contact us directly to book a private experience with one of the most experienced, passionate, and authentic guides you’ll ever meet.
