Dear Karin, Thank you for this long and detailed review. I understand your point about Topkapi Palace visit but I would like to underline that it is already mentioned in our tour details that Harem is not included. Each customer may have different expectations, that's why we have to limit the time in each location to be able to arrange extra time for other visits. Our guides offer some shopping options to our guests after all these visits (we can say that it is the part of Grand Bazaar visit since bazaar is full of shops and we have responsibility to suggest some reputable ones). Of course, going to those options is not an obligatory, it is all up to guests. We would like to see you again in our city. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)

Dear Andrew, Thank you for your effort to write such a detailed and long review. We always like this kind of reviews. It gives an idea for those who think to book our tour. Hope you had good time in Istanbul after our tour. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)

Dear Barry, Thank you for this detailed review. It helps a lot to improve our service quality. Sometimes guides need to contact operation center during the tour but of course it has to be in a reasonable limit. Hope to see you again in our city. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)

Dear Lillie, Thank you for your review. We are pleased to know that you loved our city and its history. Hope to see you again in Istanbul. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)

Dear Alan, Thank you for your review. Our guide will be very happy after reading your kind words. It is really appreciated. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)

Dear Jose, Thank you very much for this amazing review. It is really appreciated. I just shared it with Alev and she sent her regards to you. We are pleased to know that you had an unforgettable day. Hope to see you again in our country. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)

Dear Arhab, Thank you for your review and also for recommending us to others. As you mentioned, our city is full of history any architectural heritage. We are pleased to know that you had a good day with our guide. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)

Dear Ron, Thank you for this nice review. Being in a small group with an experienced guide is always a great advantage to see all important details in a tour. Hope to see you again. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)

Dear Andrea, First of all, thank you for this very detailed review. All comments are very important for us. I am really sorry to hear that you were disappointed in our tour. Below, you can read my comments: 1- 8:30-9:00am is a general time period which we write to give an idea to our guests. It may be earlier or later depends on the pick up point. You met with your guide in front of Serpent Column which is our starting point to the tour and that's why it is the latest pick up time which is 9:15am. 8 hours duration is the total of transfers, sightseeings and lunch. Since you did not need any transfer and did not spend much time for lunch (according to group decision), tour ended approximately 2 hours earlier. Once again, 8 hours duration is not just for sightseeings. 2- Our guides always ask to our guests if they would like to see a carpet demonstration during the tour. It is not an obligation, guests can tell that they don't want to see and our guide can skip there. On that day, our guide asked you and you did not say that you don't want to visit there. And as a good gesture, she bought you pretzels while you wait for her when she brought the other single guest to the vehicle since he had a transfer to the airport. 3- Blue Mosque is under renovation for a while but we can still enter the mosque and our guides try to show as much as possible. Your tour date was matched with Eid Al-Adha, therefore there was extra people around mosques (especially local people). That's why our guided decided not to spend hours there, if she decided to wait there you would spent maybe 2 hours there. Visiting durations may change depends on guests' interest, weather, crowds, special arrengements (for example, visiting places can close due to a last minute visit of VIP guests of state because of security reasons). 4- Kapalicarsi (Grand Bazaar) was closed because of public holiday (Eid Al-Adha). Normally, Grand Bazaar's substitution is Spice Bazaar (it is written in our booking page, Serefiye Cistern is the substitution of Topkapi Palace, you probably missed it). But Spice Bazaar was closed too because of public holiday. Therefore we added an orientation driving along the old city walss in the morning. 5- I don't understand what you mean by treating a Muslim gentleman differently. I wish you were more clear. As I understand, there were some misunderstandings during the tour. That would be much easier if you have told your requests to your guide. Please always feel free to contact me if you revisit Istanbul, you would be our guest for a better experience. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)

Dear Guest, Thank you for your review. We always try to help our guests if it is something we can do. It is good to know that you found what you looked for. All the best... Baris Tugberk (Global Travel Services)