We only had three days in Istanbul, and we’re so glad we spent them with Hanifi. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, with a gift for weaving together historical and cultural insights that made every stop more meaningful. Having a driver was a huge plus, yet we still enjoyed plenty of walking, which I loved. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but the Underground Cistern, Hagia Sophia, and Bosphorus tour were definite highlights. If you don’t have time for the full three-day experience, I’d absolutely recommend booking him for one or two days—he truly makes the city come alive. (Oh, and he has really nice flowy hair!)