Hi, It has been some time since I have visited this forum. My husband and I have just found out we are expected in Istanbul the second week in October. Now that the shock has passed and the essentials are in place (hotels,flights etc), I would like to know of any recommended tours of this fabulous city that I will be able to do by myself.Can anyone help me out? I wont be leaving Istanbul as I will be expected to mix-in on some occasions but I am sure I can squeeze in a day tour.

Cheers Pawsha

Are you looking for an organized tour of Istanbul, or suggestions for what to do on your own? I just want to make sure I know what you need before answering your question.

It will be more fun to do it yourself, after looking through a guide book, or checking on places to see at sites like Trip Advisor.

Just take a cab to Sultan Ahmet. Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Sunken Cistern, Archeological Museum are all in that region within easy walking. you can leave some of the above out and spend some time at the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar also.

If you have seen all that on a previous trip, and the weather is nice, you can take the Bosphorus boat tour.

Thanks for your replies. I thought I may need a guide for some of the sights or do they all have audio available? As you can appreciate time is limited for me and I just want to get the most out of it.

If nothing else do the Topkapi Palace on your own. Audio is available and it's much more fun to wander around at your own pace.

Check Fest Travel site on the web, if you think you will need a guide. They have highly educated and experienced guides, but may be somewhat more expensive than a standard operator.

There probably will not be audio guides at the Blue Mosque, and just reading a few page son Hagia Sophia should be enough. (Unless your husband is going to test you afterwards.

Audio guide will not do justice to the Archeological museum.

As usual your help is invaluable. Because of the time factor I have bookd a half-day tour with Turista which will take in the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Sofia. But I will take up your advice with an audio tour of the Topkapi Palace. Thanks for your input.

Cheers
Pawsha

That sounds like a great plan. And don't miss the Underground Cistern, that was a fave of mine.

Sorry to be so long in getting back to you. We had a wonderful time in Turkey. Saw everything I had heard about for so long but missed the archeological museum(Not enough time). The Turks were very friendly and helpful and the Grand Bazaar had to be seen to be believed. Thanks again for your assistance.

Cheers Pawsha

pawsha,

So glad you enjoyed Turkey. We also missed the archeological museum, but I view that as just another reason to return

I could have wandered in the Grand Bazaar for days!

How was your tour with Turista?

Ellen

bookmarking

thanks for the feedback. hope you can make it again for an extended stay this time.

We really were impressed with Turista. Very professional and friendly and not badly priced either.

People are kidding themselves if they think that walking around with a book is a substitute for a good local guide/tour. If you want to learn what a place is all about, you won't get it out of book.

I think you can get quite a good deal of information out of a book. In fact, that's how books got started.

I don't think this is a dichotomy.

I agree though that an excellent guide, that is, one who is both knowledgeable and knows how to present information in an engaging way, can be a great experience. Guides can complement books; books can complement guides. Either can be disappointing from time to time.

I was wondering if otherchelebi has something with the GUIDES since she/he is always recommending people to do everytrhing on his own...or probably he/she is a guidebook author...interesting.....but there must be a reason...maybe a bad experience...Would you please enlighten us on this issue of your otherchelebi?

Please check my profile for enlightenment.

i am glad that you are in search of enlightenment. it is a very laudable characteristic.

Unfortunately, at my age, i do not need to be enlightened by you, so you do not need to receiprocate.

<<People are kidding themselves if they think that walking around with a book is a substitute for a good local guide/tour. If you want to learn what a place is all about, you won't get it out of book.>>

I prefer books because I retain more information by reading than by hearing. And unless a guide has provided you with headphones, it's often hard to hear because of other people talking and other background noise.

otherchelebi has given recommendations for guides on other threads. However, what he wrote here is true, it's very easy to explore Sultanahmet on your own.