You are welcome! I am glad that you enjoyed it. Have a nice trip in Istanbul!

Thank you very much for sharing this. It’s always fascinating to hear how The Magnificent Century introduced people around the world to Ottoman history and the story of Suleyman and Hurrem Sultan.

The series certainly dramatizes many events, but it also sparked curiosity in countless viewers about the real history behind the Ottoman dynasty. I’m especially glad to hear that it even became a topic of conversation between you and your Turkish surgeon — that is one of the beautiful things about history: it creates unexpected connections between people from very different backgrounds.

Thank you again for your thoughtful comment and for taking the time to read the article.

Dear John Kok,

Thank you very much for your kind message — I’m glad to hear that you found the site helpful, and it’s wonderful that you are returning to Istanbul with your daughter.

Yes, I am available on March 30, and I would be happy to organize a Fener & Balat Walking Tour for your group on that date.

I will send you the detailed information shortly via the email address you provided.

Kind regards,
Serhat Engül

We are a party of 3 adults. My wife and I came in October 2025 and loved it. We are back, this time together with our adult daughter.

We would like to consider a walking tour of Fener and Balat on 28, 29 or 30 March 2026 depending on your charges and availability.

Thanks.

Dear Jan Sargert,

Thank you very much for your kind message and your interest in Istanbul — I’m glad to hear that you found the article helpful.

First of all, please don’t worry about the walking aspect. Although my tours are designed as walking tours, the pace and route can always be adjusted according to your comfort level. We can include frequent breaks and plan the route in a way that avoids long or difficult walking distances.

However, I should note that I offer morning tours only, typically starting at 09:00–09:30 AM at the latest. During busy months such as May and June, afternoon visits to major historical sites can become quite crowded, which makes it difficult to maintain a smooth and enjoyable experience.

You can find my half-day private tour options at the link below (you can choose the one that best fits your interests, including both major landmarks and lesser-known sites):

https://istanbulclues.com/istanbul-guided-tours/

If you have flexibility in your schedule and would like to consider a morning tour, I would be happy to assist you further.

Kind regards,
Serhat Engül

My husband and I both are very much interested in history and have done some reading about Istanbul already. I was impressed by what I read on your site. Half day tours on the afternoons of June 1 and June 2 would be ideal.

If you are available, please quote me prices and suggest itineraries. Of course we want to see the major attrractions but are interested in lesser known ones as well.

Dear James Toombs,

Thank you very much for your interest.
However, the Grand Bazaar is not included in my tours, so unfortunately I wouldn’t be the right guide for this request.

I wish you a very pleasant stay in Istanbul.

Best regards,
Serhat