Should I get a guided tour or tour myself in Istanbul+Turkey (places, kids)

[savvyRookie]

Hello everyone,

I am curious to know what your recommendation is about hiring tour companies or private tours for Istanbul and other places in Turkey.

What do most tourists do?....do they tour istanbul on their own? Is it feasible to tour other places in Turkey on your own?

I am travelling with my family(wife and kids)and would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions

[pch1013]

I actually did a Gray Line tour; it was mostly enjoyable, except for the inevitable carpet shop visit.

Probably the most useful aspect was the van transportation around town.

[EnEurope]

You don't have to take (land)tours in Istanbul, the city is very modern with good communications. However as a tourist with kids you'll more than likely keep to a smaller area, the Golden Horn have pretty much everything you need to see with the modern Taksim to the north. That should keep you going for at least a week. But do take a boat tour on the Bosphorus, you find them everywhere. Outside of Istanbul I'm not quite sure however.