Privacy Policy & Cookies

At istanbulexpedition.com, we value the privacy of our users and have implemented a Privacy & Cookie Policy Clarification Statement to explain how we collect, use, and protect personal data obtained from our website. Our team is made up of Istanbul locals, expats, and world travelers, and our website is managed under a TR registered individual company called Varol Grup. We have no affiliation with any civic organization.

1.Privacy & Cookie Policy Clarification Statement

Our website uses cookies and related technologies, which are commonly referred to as "cookies." These cookies may also be placed by third parties with whom we have engaged. In this document, we provide information about the use of cookies on our website to ensure that our users have a clear understanding of how their personal data is being utilized.

If you have any concerns or questions about your privacy or how your data is used or stored by istanbulexpedition.com, please do not hesitate to contact us via contact@istanbulexpedition.com.

Our Privacy and Cookie Policy Clarification Statement is intended to establish the provisions and conditions between the user and IstanbulExpedition (Varol Grup). We use the terms "IstanbulExpedition," "istanbulexpedition.com," and " Varol Grup " interchangeably in this statement and refer to ourselves as "we."

If you are under the age of 18, we advise that you visit our website with the accompaniment of your parents. You should not use our website without adult supervision and should refrain from sharing any personal data.

To comply with the Law on the Protection of Personal Data, we have provided detailed information in this statement to clarify our policies and procedures for collecting, using, and protecting personal data.

By approving this cookie and privacy policy, you will be deemed to have accepted all the provisions specified in our Privacy & Cookie Policy Clarification Statement.

2.Data Collection: What We Collect and Why

2.1. Reviews and Comments

In order to maintain a high-quality user experience, we may ask for your name and email address when you leave a review or comment on our website. This helps us prevent spam, and we reserve the right to remove any reviews or comments that we deem inappropriate for any reason.

2.2. Media

While we currently do not allow for media uploads on our website, in the event that we do so in the future, we advise that you avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. This is to protect your privacy, as visitors to the website could potentially download and extract location data from these images.

2.3. Tour & Activity Enquiries

Although we do not operate tours and activities ourselves, we work with handpicked tour and travel operators to provide information about tours and activities in Istanbul. If you make an inquiry about a tour or activity that you saw on our website, we may forward your inquiry to the relevant parties such as tour operators or agents, and they may contact you regarding your inquiry.

When you contact us through our contact/request form on the tour page, we may collect certain information from you to fulfill your request, such as your name, email address, phone number, country of citizenship, country of residence, city you live in, your message, case details, and documents (if applicable). Your email remains in our inbox, but we do not store your details in our database or reuse them for any other purpose. We take no responsibility for any tours or activities you participate in, as the operators or providers are solely responsible for any liability or issues that may arise.

2.4. Medical Enquiries

We do not organize any treatments or surgeries ourselves, but we do list several handpicked clinics, hospitals, medical tourism companies, surgeons, and doctors that offer medical treatments and surgeries in Istanbul and Turkey. We have no partnerships with these providers, and we advise you to consult with your own doctor before making any decisions about medical treatments.

If you inquire about medical treatments, surgeries, or clinics/hospitals/medical tourism companies that you saw on our website, we may forward your inquiry to the relevant parties such as clinics, hospitals, medical tourism companies, surgeons, doctors, or specialists, and they may contact you regarding your inquiry.

When you contact us through our contact/request form on the medical page, we may collect certain information from you to fulfill your request, such as your name, email address, phone number, country of citizenship, country of residence, city you live in, your message, case details, and documents (if applicable). Your email remains in our inbox, but we do not store your details in our database or reuse them for any other purpose. We provide information on medical treatments for informational purposes only, and our information should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for visiting a doctor. We take no responsibility for any liability or issues that may arise from any treatments or surgeries you may receive.

3. Cookies

Cookies are small files that are saved in a computer and are designed to store small amounts of data. They are used to track information on your visits to and between websites. Cookies have been around for a while and are very common. Chances are you may already have cookies activated in your computer. But there's no need to worry. Cookies won't damage your computer. Besides, istanbulexpedition.com does not store any item of information that can identify you personally, such as your credit card details, in the cookies it creates.

We're sharing this information with you because there has been a recent change in European legislation that affects all European websites. We want to be clear and honest with you at all times about your privacy when using our website. It's essential for us that you trust and feel confident in us.

We're also making a range of improvements related to cookies and the privacy of our website. If you wish to block or restrict all cookies from istanbulexpedition.com, you can do so with your browser. Since each browser is different, you'll need to check the Help section of your browser to learn how to change your cookie preferences.

3.1. Types of Cookies

Function Cookies: This type of cookie allows users to interact with this service or site or mobile application to access the basic and compulsory characteristics of the inter and mobile application service.

Analysis Cookies: This type of cookie collects necessary data to understand and solve the interaction of users in the service offered to them.

Safety Cookies: This type of cookie ensures that users verify their identity and the necessary information to protect them from fraud and detect irregular behaviors.

Advertising Cookies: This type of cookie measures or analyzes the effectiveness of ads or analyzes the state of clicks to transmit advertising and similar content within the scope of users through our or third-party information systems.

Mandatory Cookies: These are cookies required for the proper operation of the website and mobile application.

Personalization Cookies: This type of cookie provides personalized content.

Third-Party Cookies: These are cookies installed with your computer and mobile device except our site and application.

3.2. Cookies Used

Name of Cookie Purpose Duration

Google Analytics Google Analytics uses cookies to analyze how visitors use the website. Google stores this website on its servers by transferring information about your use. Google will use this information to evaluate your usage of the website, compile the website activity for the company, and provide other services related to website activity and internet use. However, it will not match your IP address with other data stored by Google. For more information about the use of Google Analytics (including rejection options), you can visit this address: Google Privacy. Permanent cookies Session cookies

Google Ads Google Ads uses cookies to show you more relevant ads, determine how many visitors come to a page, help you sign up for our services, protect your data, or remember your ad settings. This helps the website remember information about your visit (e.g., your preferred language and other settings). Information about your use of this website (including your IP address) is transferred to Google and stored by Google on US servers. Google will use this information to evaluate your usage of the website, compile the website activity for the company, and provide other services related to website activity and internet use. However, it will not match your IP address with other data stored by Google. For more information about the use of Google Ads cookies (including rejection options), you can visit this address: Google Privacy. Permanent cookies Session cookies

RMC utilizes cookies, small text files that contain a unique identifier for your computer or a third-party analysis provider, through your web browser to enhance services and websites. Google Analytics is used by RMC to monitor the performance of marketing campaigns and products. Third-party service providers collect statistical information on website usage and performance, as well as personal and contact information, including IP addresses. This data is used to create tailored ads for RMC at various touchpoints. For more information on the use of RMC cookies, including opt-out options, please visit the related digital privacy address.

Facebook uses cookies to offer its products, including Facebook Cookies, Site and Applications, to users and to understand user information, including the use of other websites and applications. Email addresses are shared with these platforms to present ads that may be of interest and create a specific target audience. Social media platforms use email addresses only for the matching process and do not share them with third parties or other advertisers. Facebook ensures the confidentiality and security of user data, including special target audiences, by encrypting them with the Hash method. Facebook does not provide access or information to third parties or other advertisers without permission and does not create profiles based on interests or use special target audiences for any other purpose than providing services. For more information on Facebook's special target audience, please visit the Facebook Customoudiences address and the Facebook Privacy Principles.

4.Collection of Data by Third Parties

4.1. Participation in Affiliate Programs

In order to cover the costs of running our website and to expand its offerings, we participate in affiliate marketing by incorporating tracking/affiliate links into our website. These links may place cookies on your browser, which track any sales for commission purposes, when you click on them to make a purchase. However, there will be no additional costs to you. By earning commission from these links, we can maintain the growth of our website and offer you the best services. Our main trusted and secure affiliate programs include Booking.com, Trivago.co.uk, Agoda.com, Istanbulepass.com, Istanbul.com, Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com, and Tranigo.com.

4.2. Use of Google Analytics

Our website uses Google Analytics, a trusted and secure web analytics service provided by Google Inc., located at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. Google Analytics uses "cookies," which are text files stored on your computer to analyze your use of the website. Information generated by cookies regarding your use of our website is usually transmitted to and stored on Google servers in the USA. Google Analytics cookies are stored based on Art. 6 (1) (f) DSGVO. We have a legitimate interest in analyzing user behavior to optimize both our website and its advertising.

If you wish to disable cookies in your browser, you can do so through the browser settings. However, doing so may limit the functionality of our website and our free content service. To prevent data generated by cookies, including your IP address, from being transmitted to Google and processed by Google Analytics, you can download and install the browser plugin available at the following link: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en.

You can also prevent Google Analytics from collecting your data by clicking on the following link or by using specific plugins for your browser. However, doing so may limit the functionality of our website and our free content service. For more information on how Google Analytics handles user data, please read Google's privacy policy at https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245?hl=en.

4.3. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Our articles may contain embedded content, such as videos, images, and articles, from other websites such as Youtube or Vimeo. Embedded content behaves the same way as if you had visited the other website directly. This enables you to play the video directly on our website instead of opening it in a new window. These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.

4.3.1. Use of Google Maps

Our website uses Google Maps, a map service provided by Google Inc., located at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA. To use Google Maps, your IP address must be saved, and this information is usually transmitted to and stored on Google servers in the USA. This data transfer is beyond our control. We use Google Maps to enhance the appeal of our website and to facilitate the location of popular attractions and places we specify on our website. This is a justified interest under Art. 6 (1) (f) DSGVO. For more information on handling user data, please read Google's privacy policy at https://www.google.com/intl/policies/privacy/.

4.3.2. Social Media Cookies

Our website includes buttons and content from social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to allow you to share our website's content with your social media networks. If you use these features, those social media sites may use their own cookies. You can find information about how these cookies are used on the respective social media site's websites.

4.4. Consent

Upon your first visit to our website and any time you submit a request form, you will be presented with an explanation of cookies. By accepting, you consent to our use of cookies and plug-ins as described in this Cookie Policy. You may disable cookies via your browser settings, but please note that this may cause our website to malfunction.

Additionally, by agreeing to this cookie policy on our website, including on any request forms, you will be considered to have accepted all of the provisions outlined in this cookie policy.

4.5. Enabling/Disabling and Deleting Cookies

You may block or limit all cookies from our website by adjusting your browser settings. As each browser is different, please refer to your browser's Help section to learn how to modify your cookie preferences. You can also delete cookies using third-party software. However, please note that disabling all cookies may result in our website not working correctly.

Internet Explorer: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies

Firefox: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/privacy/websites/#cookies

Chrome: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/61416?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

Safari: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/safari/manage-cookies-and-website-data-sfri11471/mac

Opera: https://help.opera.com/en/latest/web-preferences/#cookies

5.Your Rights with Respect to Personal Data

You have the following rights concerning your personal data:

• Knowing if your personal data is being processed
• Requesting information about your personal data
• Understanding the purpose of processing your personal data and whether it's used for that purpose
• Knowing if your personal data has been transferred to third parties domestically or internationally
• Requesting correction of incomplete or incorrect personal data

6. Disclaimer

6.1. Content Disclaimer

6.2. Links Disclaimer

Contact Information