[ WHERE IN ] My Perfect Day

Which of İstanbul's historical sites Where do you like to do your shopping? impresses you? I am a humble collector of Turkish carpets The most impressive historical landmark in and kilims. For this art, my favourite places are Istanbul is . I am always fascinated Punto Halı and Nur Halı in Nuruosmaniye. I am by the fact that in a city like Istanbul, which truly proud of my friend Mr. Sevan Bıcakçı, one experienced frequent earthquakes throughout of ’s famous jewellery designers. I always its history, this colossal building built 1,500 enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Grand years ago is still standing today. For me, Hagia Bazaar. For fashion or textile shopping, out of Sophia is the greatest time-tested masterpiece İstanbul’s 100 or so shopping malls, I always of engineering. prefer those that have a metro station nearby.

What are some of your favourite galleries and museums? I am eagerly awaiting the reopening of my beloved İstanbul Archaeological Museums Serhan Güngör after their renovation. They are an oasis of culture and history in İstanbul’s most beautiful (Professional Tour Guide setting. I also like the permanent collection and www.serhangungor.com) setting of the Sabancı Museum, as well as the Born in Ankara, Serhan studied visiting its exhibitions. I also love to follow the English at TED Ankara College and exhibitions of Pera Museum and Salt . What are some of your favourite streets received his BSc in Political Science My other favourite, the Rahmi Koç Industrial and neighbourhoods? Museum, always happily reminds me that “the and Public Administration from the İstanbul’s streets are crowded, colourful places, difference between men and boys, is the price ideal for people-watching – but the heavy Middle East Technical University of their toys”. car traffic can be a challenge. That’s why (METU), Ankara. He furthered his many Istanbulites, myself included, enjoy the studies with Ottoman History at more silent and peaceful neighbourhoods Istanbul's Bogazici University, and of Istanbul. One of my most favourite received his Master’s degree in neighbourhoods in is Kuzguncuk on the Asian Historical Geography from Istanbul side. Still, I also really enjoy the crowded streets of Kadıköy because of its cultural richness. Yeah, University. In 1997, Serhan was I am a fan of the Asian side! certified as an official tour guide and has since been guiding cultural Where do you eanjoy eating Turkish and group tours as well as special-interest Ottoman cuisine? private tours in Istanbul and My favourite Turkish restaurants are Asitâne in Edirnekapı, Nar in Nuruosmaniye, Asude in all over Turkey. Kuzguncuk and Nakkaş Kebap in Nakkaştepe. Besides introducing his beloved What would you do for a quintessentially The meyhanes also still hold a very important Turkey to foreign visitors, Serhan ‘İstanbul’ kind of day? place in my life. And to get down to basics, has been leading Turkish travellers What makes İstanbul İstanbul is the Bosphorus. I’m a big fan of mercimek çorbası (lentil soup) abroad to more than 40 countries. The most special day would be an afternoon and İskender kebap! where you’d rent a private yacht with a group His areas of expertise include cultural of friends and spend couple of hours on history, art, architecture, archaeology the Bosphorus, cruising by those exquisite and military history. In the two waterfront mansions, palaces and medieval decades of his career, Serhan’s castles. During the summer, you can even guest-list has included presidents, drop the anchor for a while and swim on the northern end of the Bosphorus. Then in prime ministers, official delegations, the early evening, disembark at one of the university professors, corporate many fish restaurants and enjoy rakı and fish, leaders, and celebrities including combined with a vast spread of delicious Meryl Streep, Dan Brown and mezes, great conversation, and one of the most Rick Stein. beguiling urban views in the world. What else could one ask for in life?

40 WHERE İSTANBUL I FEBRUARY - MARCH 2018