Day Trips from Istanbul?
 

Hello,
We are going to be in Istanbul for 7 days and 5 nights. Just in case we need a break from town, any suggestions for day trips from Istanbul that don't involve flying? Thanks!

Hi
When we were in Istanbul a few years ago, we decided to take a boat cruise up the Bosphorus. It was day cruise, very interesting. The boat stopped for a couple of hours and we were able to walk around and see this part of Turkey. There were many seafood restaurants at the pier. We walked up and looked out over the sea and it was beautiful.

If you go down to the waterfront in Istanbul, there are many boats that offer a cruise. We went down there another time and watched the fishermen unloading and selling their fish. You can buy a really fresh grilled fish sandwich down there too. It makes a good getaway for a day.

If you are interested in early Ottoman history and architecture Bursa and Edirne can be good alternatives for a day's escape (you can even stay overnight in Bursa as there are beautiful thermal spring hotels in Cekirge area where you treat yourselves with authentic Turkish baths with natural hot spring waters)

ttt

Take a boat trip to Buyuk Ada, the largest of the Princes Islands. At the European end of the Galata Bridge you find excursion boats that will take you out to the islands. When you arrive, hire one of the horse-and-buggy tours around the island, have lunch at an open-air cafe, and return to Istanbul by boat. It's a delightful excursion to a place that once was the playground of the rich and famous of Istanbul.

Thanks for all the great tips!

Sandy..I second the motion for the Bosporus ferry up to it's northern mouth..great day! Also, do not miss the famous Pierre Loti Cafe at tea time, and to catch the 5:00 pm call to prayer....marvelius symphony of the various calls from ten or more mosques...the views from the cafe overlooking the Golden Horn are classic...you can take a cab there..but be sure to arrive before 5. Loti was a French writer who fll in love with Istanbul....Go to the Ortakoy Sunday Fair...near the Cirigan Palace Hotel..fabulous.