linjudy

I'm in the midst of planning a safari trip to Tanzania. We plan to use miles for the tickets, and in checking the Star Alliance connections, quite a few of the routes go through either Cairo or Istanbul.

These are two cities I've never been, and always wanted to visit. So, I thought perhaps we can stop there for 3-4 days to visit and get over jetlag before heading off to Tanzania. Which do you think would be better in Feb? If everything else were equal, I'd prefer Istanbul, but obviously weather is better in Cairo that time. Is Feb unworkably cold? Keep in mind that we plan to entirely carry-on, and will only have safari-type clothing.

Advice appreciated!

otherchelebi

We had snow in the beginning of february with temperatures of 28-38. the last week and the forecast for the rest of the month is mostly rainy (sunny today) and 45-65.

I doubt you can survive a February in Istanbul with safari clothing. Although it has warmed up considerably since the snow, february is usually the coldest month here. You can check the average temperatures at one of many websites.

In going to Egypt, i strongly recommend a fully guided tour (excluding the hard sell shopping) and staying at five star hotels. Only one day in cairo and the others at various exciting sites.

Echnaton

Both destinations are very attractive, but in very different ways.

Istanbul has an unbelievable array of first-rank attractions, but, as said, it is winter. In February, there will always be a chance for a snowstorm. So, you definitely need warm clothes.

Egypt is very different. Firstly, it is impossible to rent a car and drive on your own. The difficulties start with this unbelievably congested traffic in Cairo and and with a pretty high chance of being involved in a traffic accident.

Secondly, Cairo is not walkable. The attractions are scattered across a huge area and it is hardly possible to go there self-guided.

That is the reason why you should join a guided tour. The best way to experience Egypt is a 10-day package that includes 2 or 3 days in Giza and Cairo (you usually stay in a luxury hotel in Giza and make a bus trip into Cairo), a fliht to Luxor and a cruise on the Nile. Such a package is simply one of the most rewarding travel experiences in this world. And combined with a safari - unbeatable!

linjudy

We will be on safari for 10 days, so will only have 3-4 days for this stop over. Seems like Istanbul will be much better.

I have been checking the weather, and it seemed to be in the 50's in Istanbul, similar to what it is right now in San Francisco . We will have fleece, scarve, and gortex rain jacket for safari, and these would be a bit chilly but generally ok at home this time of year. Worse case we buy a cheap coat and leave it behind? Are there 2nd hand shops and such?

Luisah

What part of February? If the temps are 28-38, as Otherchelebi, who lives there, wrote you'll need warmer clothes than a Gortex jacket.

There is a trip report by written by opaldog, who lives in Boston and went to Istanbul in March, 2009. The couple wore their heavy coats most of the time.

I've been to both cities and defintely recommend Istanbul for a few days if you can work out the weather problem.

otherchelebi

dear Linjudy,

we will have specially good weather for you.
Fleece and goretex should be enough. i usually wear an old ski jacket which has lost most of its protective abilities. A hood would help against rain, rather than carrying an umbrella.

if need be, i am sure you can find something cheap which can keep you warm for a period.

I recommend that you stay in the Taksim area and take taxi or public transport to the historic city, in order to enjoy the city fully after hours.

check various forum threads here on locations, restaurants, etc.

flanneruk

You can't be precise about forecasting Istanbul weather. If you're worried about chilly weather (and frankly, I can't understand why: you're not going to be sunbathing), Istanbul's not for you.

It just isn't true that you need tours to get round Cairo. There's an almost adequate metro, a surprisingly good bus service between the centre and Giza, and cabs are dirt cheap. I've had splendid four day holidays there entirely self-directed, and without much use of taxis.

Now the important stuff - because Istanbul's not that cold, and you can always buy a cheapo anorak:

Food's far more interesting in Istanbul. But it's still just another Graeco-Roman European city, and a bit of a relative newcomer at that (pre-Constantine, Byzantium wasn't much more than a port for shipping corn). Cairo's history, and the surviving artefacts from it, boggle the mind. Both have a Mediterranean, rather than Islamo-fundie, attitude to booze (helps that they both house the headquarters of significant Christian denominations) : some Turkish wine is close to drinkable.

Ultimately, it comes down to history and remains (where Cairo is simply on a different planet) vs food, drink and some stunning architecture and scenery: even its biggest fan wouldn't argue that Cairo is beautiful.

Cairo's unique. Istanbul's just another variant of Rome. With which, in one way or another, Europe's stuffed.

linjudy

Thanks for all the responses! I'm inclined to not worry so much about the weather. As long as it stays above 40-50 I think we'd be ok.

Cairo sounds fascinating, but I'm thinking 3-4 days at the start of a trip, some place more accessible is better. I'm always up for another variant of Rome!

opaldog

I did wear a heavy jacket last March (early March), but there were times when I took off my scarf and opened my jacket. The day we took the Bosphorus trip we had our coats off walking up to the ruins of a castle; it was warm and sunny. That said the weather changed frequently and we had everything ranging from warm and sunny to cold, windy, and rainy.

We loved Istanbul. Having been to both Rome and Istanbul I don't really agree fully that Istanbul is another variant of Rome. Istanbul was heavily influenced by a muslim culture, which you will not fine in Rome. Again, we loved Istanbul and would wholeheartedly recommend it.

Luisah

<<Istanbul's just another variant of Rome>>

Huh? Other than large historic religious buildings I see no resemblance at all.

ThinGorjus

I don't get the Rome connection either. Istanbul is nothing like Rome.

Thin

otherchelebi

Maybe because many roads lead to istanbul also?

tcreath

I was in Istanbul last February and it was really cold. I wore a wool coat, a jacket underneath, scarf and gloves. It snowed one evening, and it was rainy for part of our trip, which didn't make it feel any warmer. We had a fabulous time regardless of the weather (not too many tourists around, which is good) but you'll need to be prepared. I certainly wouldn't plan on wearing just a jacket.

My trip report can be found by clicking on my name, if you are interested.

Tracy

tcreath

By the way (sorry, I didn't read all of the responses) it never made it to 40 degrees the entire week we were in Turkey. I'm sure there are times when the weather is 40-50, but I wouldn't expect or plan for that. Unfortunately the weather is hard to predict. Still, as I mentioned, we absolutely loved Istanbul and would go back in a heartbeat, even in February!

And I too don't really get the Istanbul/Rome comparison. I found the two have very little in common besides the fact that both have some historical sites.

Tracy

mardee1000

I agree - Istanbul is nothing like Rome. Both are amazing cities, but to say that one is like the other is very inaccurate. l love Rome, but Istanbul (and Turkey) is one of my favorite places in the world! The Turkish are incredibly friendly, the food is wonderful, and the sights cannot be believed. The history itself, and the beauty of places like Kariye Church and the Aya Sofia just cannot be beat. Not to mention the Spice Market and the wonderful shopping in places like the Taksim district.

I spent two weeks in Turkey in 2007 on a solo trip and had one of my best trips ever. You're welcome to read my blog if you want to get an idea of the city. http://mardeeinturkey.wordpress.com/

linjudy

Thanks everyone. Tcreath, I'd love to read your trip report, but can't find it -- you're very prolific! Is there a link?

Mardee1000, your blog is great! What lovely photos.

If it doesn't get above 40 we'll be in trouble, but today the high is 56 in Istanbul, and only 52 here in SF. Maybe we'll get lucky! worse case we'll buy some cheap coats.

dutyfree

I would recommend Istanbul also. I loved my trip to Egypt but Cairo is constant people begging,difficult air to breathe at times and (to me) more of a hassle to get around.I enjoyed Cairo but even my family was glad when we left for Luxor and Aswan.
Turkey has the history( and it is not even close to Rome as a city)wonderful food and really friendly people.
I would highly recommend staying in the old section of Istanbul to fully appreciate the city-listen to the calls from the Blue Mosque,take a ferry on the Bosphorus;go on a tour of the underground water cisterns;fabulous restaurants,etc.My whole family said that our vacation to Turkey was their favorite. Taksim is too westernized in my opinion-Intercontinental and other like hotels with the high end businesses.

tcreath

linjudy, the link to my report is: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm.

I agree with everyone about the friendly people and great food. We found the Turkish to be among the friendliest of all our travels. And the food...yum! We stayed in the Sultanahmet area and were very happy with our choice. We just enjoyed being in the center of most of the historical sites and within walking distance of the Aya Sofya, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, etc.

Good luck and happy planning!
Tracy

Carmen123

My husband and I did both Egypt and Turkey by ourselves.As metioned they are both great.Turkey,particularly Istanbul is so much easier to navigate than Cairo.The food is delicious and the people so lovely.It does get cold though.We arrived from Boston in December and were cold.A sweater under the gortex jacket would give you another layer and not take up too much room.Most of the sights have no heat,but are so wonderful Enjoy it to the fullest