Reyan was a fantastic host from start to finish—highly recommend her and this tour.
The morning of our tour, she reached out with advice for visiting the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (bring socks and, if possible, a small laundry bag from our hotel to carry them in) and gave clear directions (with images and a pin on Google Maps so we could see exactly she was) on where to meet. She arrived early to get in line so we didnt have to wait and could make the most of our time together.
She gave us a ton of history about the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia. So much to learn about the Roman and Ottoman Empires and 4th crusaders.
She also brought us to a rug and jewelry shop (Nakkas) that sits atop a cistern that was largely undiscovered until a few decades ago and is now open to the public for free - what a treat. The owner was there and showed us how they make Turkish rugs which are stunning (they can take up to 18 months because they are meticulously handmade).
Reyan was very generous with her time and also sent us recommendations on specific shops to visit in the Grand Bazaar and other places in Istanbul because we have a few specific things we want to buy and the idea of wandering 4,000 shops is overwhelming.
Julia
Jul 6, 2025