What about Istanbul?
Feb 26th, 2007, 05:24 PM
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What about Istanbul?
I know thats an open ended question. I was looking for a interesting spot for my vacation in May and I thought it would be fun to do something different. With the value of the dollar so low I was thinking that I wanted to find a location where I can get more for my money. What about Istanbul? Whats the prices like? the food? hotels? sights? how much time do I need there?
I have a lot of questions!
I have a lot of questions!
Feb 26th, 2007, 05:34 PM
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Istanbul is a fascinating city. Great food, sights, the Bazaar, mosques, wonderful people, reasonable prices but haggle haggle haggle anyway. Do a week or more. Watch out for gypsies. I was there in June. May should be better.
Feb 26th, 2007, 05:57 PM
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We spent 10 days in Turkey 1 year ago and I am so glad we did. We spent the first 5 days in Kusadasi, enjoying a day on a boat, a day at Ephesus, a day trip to the Temple of Apollo, and a quiet day around the town, visiting shops and having a massage,
We moved on to Istanbul for 5 nights, and could have used a few more days. We visited the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, Church of St. Saviour in Chora, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the Cistern, attended a performance of folk dances, ate fish sandwiches at the waterside, enjoyed a wide variety of food and really loved our visit!
Our hotel(Celal Sultan in Sultanahmet) was not luxurious, but very comfortable with a great buffet breakfast included for 85 euro/night. Our meals ranged from street take-away to white tablecloth dining. By all means, go and enjoy the gracious hospitality and the phenominal history and architecture!
We moved on to Istanbul for 5 nights, and could have used a few more days. We visited the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, Church of St. Saviour in Chora, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, the Cistern, attended a performance of folk dances, ate fish sandwiches at the waterside, enjoyed a wide variety of food and really loved our visit!
Our hotel(Celal Sultan in Sultanahmet) was not luxurious, but very comfortable with a great buffet breakfast included for 85 euro/night. Our meals ranged from street take-away to white tablecloth dining. By all means, go and enjoy the gracious hospitality and the phenominal history and architecture!
Feb 26th, 2007, 08:07 PM
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I haven't been to Istanbul since Oct. 2000, but I remember I loved it. A very interesting city, we spent 4 days there. I felt that was a good amount. The money exchange was on their old currency so can't help there. Barb and Hop listed the great sights to see. I think Istanbul is a great choice.
Feb 26th, 2007, 09:31 PM
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Hi
We went to Turkey including a 5 day stay in Istanbul last September. The Turks are lovely people. Istanbul is an incredible city. There is much to see and do. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Turkish food is suberb. I noticed a lack of obesity there. Alot of food is grilled not fried in saturated fat. I've emailed you some notes you may find useful. Good luck.
TIP: The Turks love using US and Euros rather than New Turkish Lira as they are more stable/strong currencies. This puts you at a disadvantage when negotiating for purchases. Learn to deal with the local currency.
We went to Turkey including a 5 day stay in Istanbul last September. The Turks are lovely people. Istanbul is an incredible city. There is much to see and do. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Turkish food is suberb. I noticed a lack of obesity there. Alot of food is grilled not fried in saturated fat. I've emailed you some notes you may find useful. Good luck.
TIP: The Turks love using US and Euros rather than New Turkish Lira as they are more stable/strong currencies. This puts you at a disadvantage when negotiating for purchases. Learn to deal with the local currency.
Feb 27th, 2007, 02:45 AM
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I'm going to Istanbul for three nights in April. I'm so excited, as I have heard so many wonderful things about it. I've been to Kusadasi and Ephesus in the past and can confirm that the Turkish people are truly lovely. Hope we all have a great time!
Feb 27th, 2007, 06:58 AM
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My husband and I are traveling to Turkey for 10 days in April -- our son is an exchange student at a university in Istanbul, and my husband was stationed there in the military over 30 yrs ago, so we're very excited about this trip.
We are staying in IST for 3 nts, then flying to Cappadocia for 3 nts, then returning to IST for the last 3 nts. I am looking for small-group walking tours in IST, and have had no success so far. Do any of you who've been there recently have suggestions?
Another question: all our hotels offer a 10% discount for payment in cash, and they're happy to get USD. This seems like a good choice to me - although I'm not thrilled about carrying large amounts of cash -- since we will avoid ATM withdrawal fees as well as conversion/transaction charges on AmEx. Does this make sense?
And to the OP - if you do a search in the New York Times travel section, you'll find a number of good recent articles about Istanbul. I'm still looking for more info sources as well.
We are staying in IST for 3 nts, then flying to Cappadocia for 3 nts, then returning to IST for the last 3 nts. I am looking for small-group walking tours in IST, and have had no success so far. Do any of you who've been there recently have suggestions?
Another question: all our hotels offer a 10% discount for payment in cash, and they're happy to get USD. This seems like a good choice to me - although I'm not thrilled about carrying large amounts of cash -- since we will avoid ATM withdrawal fees as well as conversion/transaction charges on AmEx. Does this make sense?
And to the OP - if you do a search in the New York Times travel section, you'll find a number of good recent articles about Istanbul. I'm still looking for more info sources as well.
Feb 27th, 2007, 07:05 AM
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Pittsburgher: I found this site on the internet re: walking group tours of Istanbul. Hope it helps.
www.istanbulwalks.com/
Marty
www.istanbulwalks.com/
Marty
Feb 27th, 2007, 08:17 AM
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worldinabag -- if you don't mind sharing, I would love to have your notes as well -- [email protected]. And do you have an opinion about the economy of taking USD to pay hotel bills to save transaction fees etc? Thanks!
Feb 27th, 2007, 12:55 PM
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Pittsburgher: Here's another site for walking tours of Istanbul:
http://www.festtravel.com/festtravel...ugh%20Istanbul
Marty
http://www.festtravel.com/festtravel...ugh%20Istanbul
Marty
Feb 28th, 2007, 11:44 AM
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We really enjoy travel to Turkey and will be there next month. Here is web site that we have used.
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/index.html
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/index.html
Feb 28th, 2007, 01:42 PM
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Hi Pittsburgher
I have sent you my notes on Istanbul.
Paying your hotel bill in US dollars is fine. Did the hotel quote a rate in US dollars? That's preferable so you know exactly where you stand costwise. In fact we paid ours in Euros. This was easy because the hotel quoted a rate in Euros.
I have sent you my notes on Istanbul.
Paying your hotel bill in US dollars is fine. Did the hotel quote a rate in US dollars? That's preferable so you know exactly where you stand costwise. In fact we paid ours in Euros. This was easy because the hotel quoted a rate in Euros.
Feb 28th, 2007, 02:30 PM
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Hi Richard and Pittsburgher
Richard I didn't forget about you - I sent the notes on Tuesday, 27 February. Pittsburgher I've tried twice just now but your spam filter bounced them back! Maybe you guys can email me on [email protected] with an alternative email address.
Richard I didn't forget about you - I sent the notes on Tuesday, 27 February. Pittsburgher I've tried twice just now but your spam filter bounced them back! Maybe you guys can email me on [email protected] with an alternative email address.
Feb 28th, 2007, 03:14 PM
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worldinabag: I tried sending you an e-mail as described but got a response that the e-mail address was no good. Will appreciate your sending me your notes on Istanbul at [email protected]. Thx, Nancy
Feb 28th, 2007, 04:48 PM
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Why bring cash from North America with you to pay your hotel bill? Bring an ATM card, there are machines all over Istanbul, including about 5 kiosks across the street from the Hagia Sophia.
My Gucci, do you use two tin cans and a piece of string to make a phone call?
I hope you are not planning on staying in Sultanahmet; it is so touristy.
My Gucci, do you use two tin cans and a piece of string to make a phone call?
I hope you are not planning on staying in Sultanahmet; it is so touristy.
Feb 28th, 2007, 08:23 PM
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Oh no I goofed my email address!! Sorry folks, here it is - [email protected]. Nancy I've sent you the notes.
I stayed in Sultanahmet. Yes it certainly is touristy. But if you're adventurous you can get off the trail and really experience the Old City. Call to Prayer at 5.30 in the morning is not for everyone but I found it to be magical!
I stayed in Sultanahmet. Yes it certainly is touristy. But if you're adventurous you can get off the trail and really experience the Old City. Call to Prayer at 5.30 in the morning is not for everyone but I found it to be magical!
