The guide was far more than a source of information. He helped translate the country for us culturally. We could ask why people ate certain foods, why neighbourhoods looked the way they did, how families spend time together and how modern cities are changing.
That made the famous sights more meaningful because we had some context for what we were seeing.
The practical side was equally strong. The driver was punctual, the vehicle was comfortable and the hotels were consistently well chosen.
There were moments when we wanted more free time, and the team was happy to adjust where possible. That responsiveness was important. It showed that the itinerary was a tool for our journey, not a rule we had to obey.