Hello guys: We are booked to take the Connie out of Istanbul on the 25th Oct. and can check in one day early B4 embarkation so my question is inre to what the distances are from the dock to Topkapi, the grand Bazaar and the Blue mosque. I don't expect to be able to see them all from the time we get on board until embarkation at 1400 on the 25th. I do realize that even if we get there the 24th there will be some fatigue (we are flying from Chicago) so which of these attractions are closest to the ship? Thank you. Larry

Hi There

It depends when you are arriving in Istanbul.

And yes you are right ,you will be tired,

but maybe you will have some(enough ) sleep on the plane.

I have to assume you will dock onthe Bosphorus right but the Old Town, somewhere near the Dolmabahce Palace.

You can walk from here but I would take a taxi and have him drop you off at the Blue Mosque.

From here all the major sites are walkable and near by.

You will see:

1. Hippodrome
2. Obelisk of Theododius
3. Serpent Column
4. German Fountain
5. Islamic Art Museum
6. Fountain of Ahmed
7. Great Palace of Constantinople
Sultanahmed Mosque
Blue Mosque.

All the above mentioned in # 7 are the same building.

8. Hagia Sophie

You can stand in ONE spot at the Hippodrome ( which was an Old racetrack for Chariot races)

and you will see ALL the buildings I mention in from # 1 to #8... you just walk along and visit them all.

Thats sounds promising. Thank you sir. Would you say two days is enough to see all these sights?

We had a tour that included Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi and the Grand Bazaar (and of course, the obligato rug shop) and we saw it all in 8 hrs. Except for the Bazaar, the others are within a short walk of each other. A little spade work with a guide book - like Top 10 Istanbul and a short taxi ride should do it. Our stay was from 4:00PM one day to 6M the next. We also took a boat up the Bosphorus which was wonderful. Unfortunately, It was far too little time to see what there is there.

Yes, if you are organzied 2 days is enough time, because many of the places are close together.

It will become a matter of how much time you spent at each place.

But to SEE them all , yes you will have enough time.

I went to the Grand Bazaar and then to the Spice Bazaar.

I did the Bosphorus boat ride because I had the time.

I also asked the tour guide to drive across the Bosphorus Bridge so I could set foot in Asia !!

And like Aristotle said, almost any tour will take you to a rug factory and serve you any drink you want.

while they are laying all the rugs at your feet.!!

I had Apple Tea... it was very good, try it if you have the
chance.

I forgot to mention the Topkapi Palace.

The "Blue Mosque " is the only Mosque in the world with six Minarets.

So count the minarets and you will know for sure which one is the "Blue Mosque "

Percy: That "rug hospitality" reminds me of shopping for saris in India. They have you sit, get you some tea or soda and roll our sari after sari after sari. Like rugs the variety seems endless. After reading both responses I get the idea that three days would be a little better so if time allows I think thats the best bet. We'll see. Cheers, Larry BTW I'm bracing for the extreme likelyhood that my better half will work her magic and we'll end up getting a rug. And spend more than I want too. Oh well it won't be the first time. I do hope they ship. .

Yes 3 days would be better if you can swing it.

For the extra cost of a hotel room you will have ample time to

go inside the Mosques and Palaces, visit both Bazaars, take a boat ride and ride across the Bosphorus Bridge.

I will have your place of employment give you extra days of holidays.....WITH pay of course

Jacketwatch,

I may be in a minority with this opinion, but having spent a good deal of time as a tourist in Istanbul and one week attending a conference (something my dean never lets me forget) I would suggest that all the sights you wish to see are on or near the tram line. Not only is it easy to use, it is air conditioned and less costly than a taxi. And, in my experience, it is far less hair raising than the taxis.

For that matter, consider taking one of the excellent car services from the airport to your hotel, rather than a taxi. The expense is less costly than the blood pressure or anxiety medications often required after a taxi ride.

If you have time to tour after boarding the ship, the closest tram stop to the right of the exit from the pier.

Very informative Jeff801

I was thinking that he could come a few days ealier before boarding the cruise ship.

Thanks Percy. Call Gail and make here an offer she can't refuse.
Jeff thank you. Good info. Sounds like riding a taxi in Delhi. I learned to say "dee ray" or "slow dow" in a hurry. And said it often. Then one driver told my wife to tell me to stop because I was making HIM nervous.

Larry - You may want to contact Yusuf Karaca of Backpackers Travel www.backpackerstravel.net for your airport transfer. We're using them in May. Their prices are way better than the hotel's.

Bookmarked. Thank you.

Just came across another helpful Web site:
www.taksiyle.com

We also keep checking the Witt Hotel Magazine for various informations. E.g. "Istanbul Taxi Fares Every Tourist Ought To Know"
http://www.wittistanbul.com/magazine...ransportation/

Sorry, Larry. Make that www.taksiyle.com/en
unless you speak Turkish ;-)

Larry, just close your eyes on the cab ride ... of course, you won't see be able to see the scenery which defeats the whole purpose of sight seeing.

BTW I did the OK for the vacation time. Now its planning, planning and more planning.