Author Walks
Author walks in Istanbul
As seen in Yolojournal I offer bespoke author walks in Istanbul, introducing you to the everyday extraordinary of life in the crazy modern ancient city of Istanbul. Each of my walks is designed around your particular interests and draws on my more than 15 years experience of living in Istanbul, research on Turkish culture, food and history and published articles for outlets such as CNN Travel, Fodors and others.
Get in touch via the Contact page or email me direct at Goreme1990@hotmail.com and I’ll start planning your bespoke author walk today.
Please note: I don’t personally offer walks in popular tourist hotspots like Sultanahmet (Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Underground Cistern and so on), Beyoğlu and Taksim. However I can recommend highly trained guides so just let me know what you’re after and I’ll connect you to them.
Here’s what my clients have to say …
“I had read many of Lisa’s books in preparation for my first visit to Istanbul, Türkiye. When I returned for a tour of Eastern Türkiye, I engaged her for a bespoke two-day walk. Having already explored the popular Fatih district, I wanted to discover some of Istanbul’s neighbourhoods. We decided to spend one day in Kadıköy and another in Üsküdar.
Lisa taught me how to navigate the ferry system, crossing the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. I’m not sure I would have had the confidence to do this on my own, but with her guidance, I learned something essential for anyone visiting Istanbul. On our walks, I discovered places I would never have found or fully understood on my own, and even gained access to buildings that weren’t obviously open to the public. On a personal note, our days together were relaxed and companionable. We enjoyed easy conversation alongside a wonderful and educational experience that would have been impossible to replicate on my own.”
Susan Glousher – October 2026
“I was very fortunate to have found Lisa when I was planning a research trip to Istanbul in order to follow in the footsteps of my maternal grandparents. Lisa’s research into the history of the White Russians in Constantinople was both detailed and informative. She led a comprehensive walk of sites of importance to the Russian émigrés and pointed out places my grandparents were likely to have visited or stayed. Lisa not only provided historical context to the sites we visited, but also interspersed history with stories and anecdotes which contributed wonderfully to my understanding of Constantinople at that time in history. Her knowledge of Istanbul, the people, the culture and the history is fantastic. I highly recommend Lisa’s walks to anyone who would like to tailor their own experience in Istanbul.”
Alex de Fircks – writer of memoir, short fiction and updated edition of Upheaval: A Story of Russia, Romanovs, and Revolution by Olga Woronoff – April 2026.
“Lisa Morrow was an outstanding guide. We had already visited Istanbul and wanted a different experience this time other than the regular tourist spots. We took the ferry across to the Asian side and went to local mosques/ markets where most tourists do not go. It was truly a unique experience. Had a delicious Turkish lunch at a local restaurant. Lisa was a pleasure to be with. Thank you for the wonderful day.”
Sarah Woodward – August 2025