Istanbul - pre-trip jitters
May 11th, 2014, 03:14 PM
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Istanbul - pre-trip jitters
We have finally decided to go to Istanbul and will be there the last week of May - coming up soon!
I am not a novice traveler and am very respectful of local cultures and customs, but for some inexplicable reason, this trip has me unable to really relax. We are reading Rick Steves Istanbul and trying to prep on as much information as possible. I am for some reason just more afraid of offending locals by not saying or doing the right things (not just visiting mosques, but in a hammam for example, how to dress, etc.)
Also, people hearing that we are going to Turkey ask us if we are "staying away from the trouble", and I'm not really sure what they mean by that or how to respond.
Also, I know this may sound amateur, but I've never smoked a cigarette and never wanted to, so I'm wondering if trying those "apple-flavored steam" pipes would be a good idea? It seems to be a "thing to do" in Istanbul.
Anyone who has been recently to Istanbul or lives in Turkey and can shed some reassuring light on what I might be feeling, please comment! I've always wanted to go to Istanbul, it's a dream come true, so I'm not sure why I'm having these jitters. Thanks.
I am not a novice traveler and am very respectful of local cultures and customs, but for some inexplicable reason, this trip has me unable to really relax. We are reading Rick Steves Istanbul and trying to prep on as much information as possible. I am for some reason just more afraid of offending locals by not saying or doing the right things (not just visiting mosques, but in a hammam for example, how to dress, etc.)
Also, people hearing that we are going to Turkey ask us if we are "staying away from the trouble", and I'm not really sure what they mean by that or how to respond.
Also, I know this may sound amateur, but I've never smoked a cigarette and never wanted to, so I'm wondering if trying those "apple-flavored steam" pipes would be a good idea? It seems to be a "thing to do" in Istanbul.
Anyone who has been recently to Istanbul or lives in Turkey and can shed some reassuring light on what I might be feeling, please comment! I've always wanted to go to Istanbul, it's a dream come true, so I'm not sure why I'm having these jitters. Thanks.
May 11th, 2014, 03:58 PM
#2
My wife & I both found the Turkish people that we encountered in our 3 week romp in Turkey 3 years ago to be consistently warm & friendly. More so than any of our other Med travels. You will not have a problem. If in doubt, ask.
Ian
Ian
May 11th, 2014, 04:13 PM
#3
Second Ian. The Turks even tolerated the western women who very rudely, in my opinion, removed their scarves once inside the mosques. I guess they thought they were making a statement.
While you will see quite a few of the hookah joints, they are by no means the only place to idle away an hour or two. As a former smoker, I had no curiosity whatsoever.
While you will see quite a few of the hookah joints, they are by no means the only place to idle away an hour or two. As a former smoker, I had no curiosity whatsoever.
May 11th, 2014, 04:22 PM
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My DH was a bit cautious about Turkey, but it was a dream trip for me, so he went. We both absolutely loved it, to the extent that we turned to each other at one point and said the same thing at the same time, "I would love to move here for awhile." We would go back in a heart beat. You will find the best food, beautiful architecture, and warmest people anywhere you ever travel.
I learned a lot about some of the cultural & religious philosophy and developed a deep respect for both.
First, Yes, there have been some demonstrations, etc. There is a poster (I think they live in Turkey) who keeps everybody updated on events. Look for their posts under Otherchelebi. I think it would be easy to avoid problems.
Are you talking about the Hookah pipes? It didn't have any appeal for me. It may be a "thing" for some folks to do, but I did not get the feeling that everybody or even that most people did it. There were places that had them that also had food, games for cards, etc., kind of like your own family room. All ages were gathered, playing games, drinking tea, eating snacks, and a few smoking. It was fun in the evening. We enjoyed one evening, eating and playing cards.
I doubt you will offend anyone. Just watch what local people do. Do wear socks or carry a pair if you do not want to be barefoot in the mosque. Like other major cities such as Rome and Athens, Istanbul is an international city and is used to hosting people of all cultures and nationalities.
I hope you are also going to Cappadocia - amazing landscape.
Your only fear should be that you will hate to leave and that you will want to eat all of the time - food is so good!
I learned a lot about some of the cultural & religious philosophy and developed a deep respect for both.
First, Yes, there have been some demonstrations, etc. There is a poster (I think they live in Turkey) who keeps everybody updated on events. Look for their posts under Otherchelebi. I think it would be easy to avoid problems.
Are you talking about the Hookah pipes? It didn't have any appeal for me. It may be a "thing" for some folks to do, but I did not get the feeling that everybody or even that most people did it. There were places that had them that also had food, games for cards, etc., kind of like your own family room. All ages were gathered, playing games, drinking tea, eating snacks, and a few smoking. It was fun in the evening. We enjoyed one evening, eating and playing cards.
I doubt you will offend anyone. Just watch what local people do. Do wear socks or carry a pair if you do not want to be barefoot in the mosque. Like other major cities such as Rome and Athens, Istanbul is an international city and is used to hosting people of all cultures and nationalities.
I hope you are also going to Cappadocia - amazing landscape.
Your only fear should be that you will hate to leave and that you will want to eat all of the time - food is so good!
May 11th, 2014, 05:21 PM
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No worries. The Turkish people we encountered were warm and friendly, not to mention helpful. Was very safe. never saw the apple flavoured hookahs, but the apple tea is nice. In the mosques you dress appropriately. We found that scarves for women were supplied at the Blue Mosque. It is very different from North America
May 11th, 2014, 06:11 PM
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Thank you very much. I feel better already. Should female tourists follow a certain dress code outside mosques? I don't mean cut-off shorts and such, but is a certain length skirt appropriate for everyday touring and wandering?
May 11th, 2014, 06:58 PM
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I, too, was a little apprehensive about Istanbul. Are you traveling by yourselves or with a group? If you are by yourselves, I would ask what areas, if any, are unwise for tourists to visit.
I loved visiting Istanbul and hope to return someday. I visited in April when it was still fairly cool so staying quite covered up was not an issue. I hope someone else can chime in about appropriate dress in warmer weather.
Have a wonderful trip!
I loved visiting Istanbul and hope to return someday. I visited in April when it was still fairly cool so staying quite covered up was not an issue. I hope someone else can chime in about appropriate dress in warmer weather.
Have a wonderful trip!
May 11th, 2014, 10:10 PM
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We went to Istanbul in Oct. of 2011, so my information is not relevant to recent political disturbances. We did walk Istiklal St. at night and loved every minute of it! I will tell you that we were never worried about our safety, and the local people were were always courteous to us.
As to your concern about inadvertently offending the residents, I don't think that there is anything to worry about there. Istanbul is a lively, crowded and busy city. People are not going to be looking at you, they are very used to tourists, and as long as you are being respectful of others you will do just fine.
The most helpful thing that I did before our trip was to study area maps, especially the map of the tram routes. The tram map is easily found on a Google search. Knowing where I am gives me the confidence to move about and do things that I might feel hesitant to do if I didn't have a bit of basic geography on my side.
Long before we left home I had memorized all of the tram stops in the old city and I knew the locations of each of the places we wanted to visit. I knew how to get to our hotel completely on our own, and I knew the most basic layout of the city. One thing that was fun was to look up tram routes on youtube and "ride along" with the videos to get the feel of what a tram was like. The more videos I watched, the more excited I became about traveling around town. That knowledge was very helpful when our very first tram was so crowded that we couldn't see the lighted boards that tell you what stop you are approaching, and couldn't hear the audio announcements.
The only time we had to abandon our transportation plans was when we first landed at the airport. Nothing worked the way I thought it would. It was raining, it was a Friday night, our arrival was late, the airline had lost our luggage, it was dark instead of light outside, and we were late for a scheduled dinner. I momentarily lost my nerve, and instead of the train, we jumped into a taxi that dropped us at the door of our destination. That turned out to be a nice treat for tired travelers.
Don't worry. We are senior citizens. If we did it, you can do it! You will have a wonderful time.
As to your concern about inadvertently offending the residents, I don't think that there is anything to worry about there. Istanbul is a lively, crowded and busy city. People are not going to be looking at you, they are very used to tourists, and as long as you are being respectful of others you will do just fine.
The most helpful thing that I did before our trip was to study area maps, especially the map of the tram routes. The tram map is easily found on a Google search. Knowing where I am gives me the confidence to move about and do things that I might feel hesitant to do if I didn't have a bit of basic geography on my side.
Long before we left home I had memorized all of the tram stops in the old city and I knew the locations of each of the places we wanted to visit. I knew how to get to our hotel completely on our own, and I knew the most basic layout of the city. One thing that was fun was to look up tram routes on youtube and "ride along" with the videos to get the feel of what a tram was like. The more videos I watched, the more excited I became about traveling around town. That knowledge was very helpful when our very first tram was so crowded that we couldn't see the lighted boards that tell you what stop you are approaching, and couldn't hear the audio announcements.
The only time we had to abandon our transportation plans was when we first landed at the airport. Nothing worked the way I thought it would. It was raining, it was a Friday night, our arrival was late, the airline had lost our luggage, it was dark instead of light outside, and we were late for a scheduled dinner. I momentarily lost my nerve, and instead of the train, we jumped into a taxi that dropped us at the door of our destination. That turned out to be a nice treat for tired travelers.
Don't worry. We are senior citizens. If we did it, you can do it! You will have a wonderful time.
May 11th, 2014, 10:15 PM
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Have a trip on the public ferry from Eminonu...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=em...w=1024&bih=653
...to Kadikoy (on the Asian side).
The tram from Sultanahmet stops at Eminonu just before it crosses the Galata Bridge.
You'll see some outstanding sights on the 25 minute ferry ride...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=is...w=1024&bih=653
...and Kadikoy itself is a lovely place to wander round and totally safe...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ka...w=1024&bih=653
Before you get the ferry or after you've got back, drop into the main train station called Sirkeci. Lovely railway museum in there, and also a restaurant called The Orient Express...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Si...w=1024&bih=653
The best things in Istanbul are almost free, and there's rarely any need to queue.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=em...w=1024&bih=653
...to Kadikoy (on the Asian side).
The tram from Sultanahmet stops at Eminonu just before it crosses the Galata Bridge.
You'll see some outstanding sights on the 25 minute ferry ride...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=is...w=1024&bih=653
...and Kadikoy itself is a lovely place to wander round and totally safe...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ka...w=1024&bih=653
Before you get the ferry or after you've got back, drop into the main train station called Sirkeci. Lovely railway museum in there, and also a restaurant called The Orient Express...
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Si...w=1024&bih=653
The best things in Istanbul are almost free, and there's rarely any need to queue.
May 15th, 2014, 08:05 PM
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Sassafras - thanks. The game-playing experience sounds like fun and we'd enjoy that some evenings.
We'd like to take a day trip to Ephesus and Pamakkule - has anyone done a quick day trip to either of these? What was the day like - exhausting or exhilarating?
The hookah pipe I read about was referred to as a water pipe... Again not sure if tobacco teetotalers would get anything out of this. The books make it sound like an experience to be had.
Any thoughts on recent events in Turkey if we will be there next week?
Thanks.
We'd like to take a day trip to Ephesus and Pamakkule - has anyone done a quick day trip to either of these? What was the day like - exhausting or exhilarating?
The hookah pipe I read about was referred to as a water pipe... Again not sure if tobacco teetotalers would get anything out of this. The books make it sound like an experience to be had.
Any thoughts on recent events in Turkey if we will be there next week?
Thanks.
May 15th, 2014, 08:22 PM
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There is a poster named Otherchelebi who posts in a thread titled Advantages and Disadvantages of visiting Turkey at this time and gives constant updates on current events. Check it out. Also look at any other posts by otherchelebi. He lives there.
May 15th, 2014, 11:48 PM
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you will love istanbul. they are used to tourists... and they've seen it all. as for smoking.... try it if you like, but i had more fun just having a tea at a local joint. all the guys (mostly alone) sat with their papers and ipads and relaxed and smlked on and on. watching the servers walk around with hot coals to fill the pipes... and the sound of the bubbling... it is a very serene scene. smoke, or just enjoy it as background.
May 16th, 2014, 02:07 PM
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Itspat, Istanbul is very cosmopolitan. Pop over to Istiklal your first day there and all your fears will vanish. We did venture to more conservative areas both times we were in Istanbul, where more women wore headscarves, but even then we didn't feel uncomfortable. I think it's especially true since you're obviously a tourist.
I also am a non-smoker and my husband persuaded me to try a water pipe one evening. Frankly, it was like fruit-flavored smoke (we got lemon) and found it boring quickly. But then that's me. Certainly worth a try, since it's so low risk. You're on vacation, so why not?
BTW, both my husband and I adored Istanbul. We're heading to London this year, but I'm still more excited at the thought of going back to Istanbul the year after than my current trip! The people are just wonderful.
I also am a non-smoker and my husband persuaded me to try a water pipe one evening. Frankly, it was like fruit-flavored smoke (we got lemon) and found it boring quickly. But then that's me. Certainly worth a try, since it's so low risk. You're on vacation, so why not?
BTW, both my husband and I adored Istanbul. We're heading to London this year, but I'm still more excited at the thought of going back to Istanbul the year after than my current trip! The people are just wonderful.
May 16th, 2014, 02:44 PM
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Another endorsement of Istanbul as a great place to visit and the Turkish people as warm and welcoming. The history was no surprise, but the food was - much, much better than I had expected, especially the bread (just what I need!).
As for dress, I did see some young women in cut offs verging on Daisy Dukes get turned away from mosque entrance. Others in similar garb who smartly whipped out a large scarf which they tied around their waist as a sort of cover up skirt were not stopped. Same thing for bare shoulders - saw many women who would drape a scarf around their bare shoulders on entry.
The hookah thing is, IMO, a tourist trap.
As for dress, I did see some young women in cut offs verging on Daisy Dukes get turned away from mosque entrance. Others in similar garb who smartly whipped out a large scarf which they tied around their waist as a sort of cover up skirt were not stopped. Same thing for bare shoulders - saw many women who would drape a scarf around their bare shoulders on entry.
The hookah thing is, IMO, a tourist trap.
May 16th, 2014, 03:08 PM
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The only reason I can think of that you had "jitters" is that you listened to people who have not been recently ( or ever!). We went a year ago for 20 days - as confirmed by many here the people were warm and friendly, don't worry about anything especially dress- you see it all there (do keep always keep scarf handy for popping in mosques you come across that you want to check out). Finally, spend a max of two days in the Sultanahmet. Spend the rest of the week seeing the rest of the city.
May 17th, 2014, 09:29 AM
#18
We just returned from a most fascinating and rewarding trip to Turkey, with 7 nights in Istanbul. This multi-cultural, sophisticated, yet exotic city was not difficult to negotiate ( do follow the good suggestions re preparation, above ) and we never felt uncomfortable. People were, in fact, more kind and helpful than usually found in Europe or North America, etc.
Dressing with reasonable modesty, although you will see plenty of young people who do not, will be quite comfortable....with a scarf and socks available for visiting mosques.
OC and others on this Forum gave invaluable suggestions for visits, dining and safety ( if you see a large crowd, with Police presence, just move away ). I would also suggest that you look at Turkey Travel Planner website for practical advice and ideas.
We had such a wonderful time in Turkey....I wish you the same.
Dressing with reasonable modesty, although you will see plenty of young people who do not, will be quite comfortable....with a scarf and socks available for visiting mosques.
OC and others on this Forum gave invaluable suggestions for visits, dining and safety ( if you see a large crowd, with Police presence, just move away ). I would also suggest that you look at Turkey Travel Planner website for practical advice and ideas.
We had such a wonderful time in Turkey....I wish you the same.
May 18th, 2014, 06:51 PM
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Thanks everyone. I can't wait!
Wondering if anyone knows anything about Sura Design Hotel. We saw a good deal, but reviews are mixed. I'm not sure if it has to do with American expectations for hotels.
Wondering if anyone knows anything about Sura Design Hotel. We saw a good deal, but reviews are mixed. I'm not sure if it has to do with American expectations for hotels.
