07 Feb 2023
Within the first 10 minutes, we felt like we were touring Istanbul with a Friend. I'm always nervous paying a "stranger" to take us on a tour. Apo makes you feel at ease immediately . . .and confirms you made the right decision. Any guide can learn information (and his is knowledge is skilled), but Apo's ability to put you at ease is epic. And in a city that is "mysterious" to most outsiders, our comfort level was crucial . . .and Apo stepped up!
He knows everyone, and everyone knows him; in a city the size of Istanbul, that is always a good sign. One of his strongpoint, too, is recommending places for you to go AFTER your tour. Restaurants, hamams, trinket shops. Take a pencil so you can write down all his recommendations for your time AWAY from him, later.
If I am wrong, come back to TripAdvisor and scold me, but I am sure I will not hear that from anyone.