Turkish Odyssey, A Cultural Guide to Türkiye

Serif Yenen’s Legendary Work:

The Three-Volume Turkish Odyssey Book Set!
Turkey’s Most Comprehensive Cultural Guide is Now with You!
The most impressive way to explore Turkey! The new three-volume Turkish Odyssey is the most comprehensive and best cultural guide to Turkey written in English. Designed both as an academic resource and a travel guide, this unique work stands out with its historical depth, cultural richness, and unparalleled narrative.

Cultural Heritage Enthusiasts!
Turkish Odyssey is the perfect resource for you.

(Revised and Expanded Edition in a 3-Volume Boxed Set)

Discover Türkiye with Turkish Odyssey—the most immersive cultural journey into the heart of Anatolia.

Written by renowned tour guide and cultural insider Şerif Yenen, this richly illustrated three-volume boxed set blends nearly four decades of firsthand experience with scholarly depth and vivid storytelling, delivering a rare, authentic exploration of Türkiye’s history, archaeology, art, and traditions.

  • A compass for travelers,
  • A valuable resource for scholars,
  • An unforgettable and lasting gift for foreign guests,
  • An indispensable companion for culture and travel enthusiasts.

Product Details

Publisher : ‎Yenen Travel Publishing
Publication Date : ‎January 31, 2025
Edition : Revised and Expanded Edition (2025)
Language : English
Volumes : Three volumes in a Boxed Set
Binding : Rounded flexibound
Paper : Printed on high-quality 90 gsm Enzo Vivid coated paper
Pages : 1431 pages (Volume I 459, Volume II 586, Volume III 386)
ISBN-13 : 978-605-74625-7-2
Price : $89 USD (Plus Shipping & Duties)
Weight : 2.5 kg/5.51 pounds (boxed set)
Dimensions : 23 x 14.5 cm / 9.06 x 5.70 inches

Content

Volume I
offers an in-depth exploration of Türkiye’s culture, archaeology, history, mythology, arts, architecture, languages, and people, providing a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s identity.


Volume II
focuses on the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean regions, highlighting their unique appeal and cultural landmarks.


Volume III
takes readers on a journey through Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Anatolia, as well as the Black Sea region, showcasing their diversity and natural beauty.

Reviews

From Foreword Clarion Reviews, August 18, 2025
1. “Turkish Odyssey is an invaluable guide.” — Foreword Clarion Reviews ↗
2. “An elegant three-volume boxed set… telling a lucid history of how the country grew to incorporate a medley of influences.” — Foreword Clarion Reviews ↗
3. “A generous guidebook that celebrates a country’s ancient splendors.” — Foreword Clarion Reviews ↗
4. “Rewarding close reading.” — Foreword Clarion Reviews ↗
İbrahim Mayda
Tour Guide, Entrepreneur, and Honorary President of the Future Guides Association
Turkish Odyssey is more than just a guidebook; it is a masterpiece that presents Turkey’s cultural heritage, history, and richness in a detailed and captivating way. With his vast knowledge and passion for promoting our country, Şerif Yenen inspires readers by connecting Turkey’s past with its living traditions. From his career as one of the world’s most esteemed guides to his contributions as an academic, author, and cultural ambassador, Yenen has left a profound mark on the tourism industry.
Burak Düz
Assistant Professor, Anadolu University
I have thoroughly reviewed Serif Yenen’s new “Turkish Odyssey” series. This valuable work, which reflects his 40 years of professional experience, offers detailed insights into tour destinations. Covering a wide range of topics from art history to cultural heritage, the book is presented from a tour guide’s perspective and is enriched with vibrant visuals. I particularly appreciate that it also provides examples of necessary English terms and sentence structures for explanations. I sincerely congratulate and thank my esteemed colleague for this significant contribution to the field of tour guiding.
Rana Erol
Expert in Turkish History and Culture, Tour Guide & Novelist
After many years, our fellow guide Şerif Yenen’s “Turkish Odyssey” has been republished as a three-volume series. This series, with its excellent English descriptions of civilizations, ancient cities, and customs, is a must-have for every guide and a great read for anyone interested in history. I’d also like to thank Yüksel Halıcılık for their invaluable contribution to tourism by supporting this publication. I read all three volumes with great pleasure and believe you will too. Happy reading!
Begüm Kalyoncu Atasoy
Tour Guide Candidate
Today, I entered the MKS session by reading excerpts from your book, and it is truly an incredible work. As guide candidates, we were all deeply impressed and inspired by you. For that reason, I would also love to have the English edition. You may kindly send it whenever convenient for you.
With my utmost respect and warm regards.

    Why This Book Matters

    This is the first comprehensive cultural guidebook written in English by a professional Turkish guide. It goes beyond sightseeing, offering readers context, stories, and insights that connect Türkiye’s past with its living traditions today. Ideal for both travelers and cultural enthusiasts, Turkish Odyssey serves as a bridge between Türkiye and the world, making heritage accessible and engaging for international audiences.

    Unlike most guidebooks on Türkiye—often written and published by outsiders—Turkish Odyssey offers a rare perspective: a narrative shaped by someone who was born and raised in the culture he so vividly describes. From the ruins of Troy to the mosques of Istanbul, it is a celebration of heritage, written with clarity, depth, and the authenticity that only a native son can bring.

    Look Inside

    Turkish Odyssey

    Click the image to explore the contents and sample pages.

    About the Author

    • Celebrating 37+ Years in Cultural Tourism

    Serif Yenen is an internationally recognized cultural tour guide, lecturer, and author of numerous guidebooks on Istanbul and Turkey. He has spoken at leading institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and has served as a cultural ambassador through decades of tours and presentations. Over the course of his career, he has also had the honor of guiding distinguished figures including Pope Benedict XVI and Oprah Winfrey.

    More at : serifyenen.com – Wikipedia ↗

    Special Thanks

    We sincerely thank @yukselcarpets ↗ for their valuable support in bringing this publication to life.

    Meetings and Incentives

    Are you planning to organize an international meeting in Türkiye?

    Turkish Odyssey is the perfect way to offer foreign participants a truly special Turkish experience!

    • It presents Türkiye’s history, culture, and modern transformation with engaging storytelling.
    • It serves as a prestigious keepsake for your VIP guests.
    • It can be included in conference bags as a lasting gift.
    • It enriches the cultural dimension of your events.

    For bulk orders, please contact us ↗.

    Turkish Odyssey In the Press

     

    In which other languages is Turkish Odyssey available?

    In addition to English, there is also a Turkish edition titled Anadolu Destanı. It was published in a single volume by Alfa Publishing in 2022.

    Since the English edition was released 2–3 years later, it has been further updated and expanded. In fact, the English version is about 10-15% more comprehensive than Anadolu Destanı.

    Will there be an e-book edition?

    Yes, Turkish Odyssey will soon be available as an e-book.

    Can Turkish Odyssey be found abroad?

    We are currently in talks with international distributors. We hope it will soon be available in many countries.

    Do you plan to publish Turkish Odyssey in other languages?

    Yes, I very much hope to make the book available in multiple languages. I am currently seeking partnerships with experienced publishers in target countries to achieve this goal.