My wife Lale and I have been leading tours since the day we met, and long before. As freelance tour guides, we worked for several reputable tour companies, and observed different styles. Through the years, we have witnessed that the mass market denied the expectations, ignored the needs and requests, and changing demands of the international traveler.
There was hardly any interaction between the traveler and the locals. This was not how we traveled! When the time was right, we pursued our dream to go off the mainstream tour market and beyond the cliché.
Seniors of the industry said we would fight a losing battle, and there would be no chance to succeed. Time showed us that they were wrong. We believe we have come a long way, without advertising, purely by word of mouth.
And, after decades, our concept of travel remains the same. This is all about having a better understanding of the local culture, history and art, so that you get to know the people and the country as it is, not only through our eyes.
Nowadays we can lead a limited number of tours, but we are not meant to be behind the desk either. We still travel thousands of miles every year in Turkey and beyond, in search of the distinctive and the meaningful, and to make sure all is running fine.
We prefer to keep a low profile on tours, and usually go with the flow. To us, off the beaten path does not mean compromising comfort or style. Rather, it’s about access—access to stories, places, and people that most travelers simply miss. This is a very agreeable experience, allowing you to ask, “What’s the real story here?”—and truly hear the answer.
With each trip, we become new souls-enriched, enlightened, and more sophisticated. —Lale
Fine print:
SRM is small but solid.
It is a privately owned —mom and pop— company and free of debt.
All assets are fully owned, a sign of our healthy financial stability and long-term commitment.
SRM carries USD 1,000,000 in liability insurance.
Transparency and accountability matter; every transaction is conducted through legal and traceable channels.
