Top Istanbul Private and Luxury - page 13

First and foremost, Zeynep is an absolute gem! Bright, bubbly, informative, and a dietitian… so none of the calories you consume on this tour will count. That’s how it works, right? We tried two snacks before seeing the Dervishes both were great. The best Turkish Delight I’ve ever had! Then we saw the Dervishes. I’m glad I saw it. Yes, it is repetitive and may not be exciting, but not everything needs to be. Things not a dance show or a performance, but rather a religious ceremony. Go into it with that in mind. After the Dervishes, we were taken for an absolute feast. I feel like “feast” doesn’t do justice to the meal we were served. Dish after dish. Platter after platter. Everything was show stopping. Our tour had guests from Canada, U.S.A, Bermuda, and Mexico and our discussions only made the experience that much more special. We left feeling like friends even though we had only just met a few short hours earlier. This was my first night in Istanbul and I’ve got to tell you, this city has a lot to live up to now. Thank you again, Zeynep. This tour would not be the same without you. All the best.

As a solo female traveler this was a great nighttime option. Ezig helped make sure I was prepared for the private transfer (with other cruise goers). She greeted me when I got there and even found me and asked if I wanted pictures outside. At the end she even gave me a cute mocktail with a sparkler! The food was mid but the experience was well worth the 3 hours (that flew by). Between the performers, views, and staff the food gets an overview and I still give the experience 5 stars.

We had an outstanding experience with Nazan and would highly recommend this tour. She was incredibly knowledgeable and brought Istanbul’s rich history to life with fascinating stories and explanations at every stop. Beyond the tour itself, Nazan went above and beyond by recommending excellent local restaurants and helping us shop in the Grand Bazaar, teaching us how to negotiate and find quality items. Her warm personality, patience, and local expertise made us feel like we were exploring the city with a friend. Thanks to Nazan, we experienced not only the history of Istanbul but also its culture and hospitality. This was truly one of the highlights of our trip, and we would gladly tour with her again.