First time to Istanbul
 

I'm looking into a trip to Istanbul with my late 60s parents (limited mobility) and 21 year old daughter in mid June. Its a bucket list and graduation trip. My first concern would be safety. While I believe the US news is sometimes just alarmist, I wouldn't want to make the trek and be stuck in hotels due to an uncomfortable environment. So i'm looking for high end hotels/areas where my parents will feel safe and have some of the modern comforts. I also want to be able to wonder a bit with my daughter safely. Does it make sense to find a tour group? Any company suggestions would be fantastic. Thanks in advance.

What are you afraid of ?
Being pickpocketed or having your parents throats cut or your daughter raped or all of you blown in a terrorist attack ?
Please explain.

Hi vbarone,

I am sure you could achieve all you desired. Staying in a nice hotel, possibly getting your own private guide for touring highlights both with parents and / or with daughter, especially if you wish your parents to join you for tour having freedom of your own private tour make more sense, you decide how slow you would do the visits or could target only one or two highlights.

Being cautious is always helps and avoiding empty backstreets is always a vise act. There are 17 mil. people already lives in Istanbul.

June is a nice month with mild weather, take a Bosphorus cruise with your daughter, go to Ortakoy for cafes, visit Kadikoy area and markets I am sure you will enjoy the trip.
Have a good vacation in Istanbul

I am going to Istanbul and Ephesus in May as a solo female traveler. Things seem to be pretty quiet now, according to otherchelebi, our go-to person on this forum for all things Turkey.

I am hiring a private guide - they are very inexpensive (to me) compared to other European cities - for most of my time there. I am not doing this for safety reasons - I enjoy having the dialogue and backstories of local guides - but surely it would increase safety if you have concerns.

Recommend the Four Seasons Sultanahmet. Book through a Virtuoso agent for further benefits. Perfect location for the old city

You do not mention if your parents have traveled overseas before. I do think that Istanbul is much more "other" / foreign than other European cities, so that could affect how comfortable they feel. Also, not sure how "disability friendly" much of the city, many of the sites are. Others may want to weigh in on that.

I love Istanbul, I want to go again, but many people currently have hesitations (like my husband, cruise lines, to mention a few). We stayed at the Neorion hotel in the Sultanahmet part of the city. It was soooo wonderful - lovely rooftop terrace, free afternoon "tapas" buffet, hammam and pool in the downstairs - so much pleasure. BUT the Sultanahment part of the city, while having most of the sites, is super crowded with tourists and many traditional residents, as well. When my daughter and I were walking around in the evening, she noticed there were not many unaccompanied women out strolling - OTOH we were invited several times to smoke a hookah with some young men :)

On the other side of the Bosphorus is the area that feels much more European. It would not be my choice - I loved the Sultanahmet and esp. the Neorion hotel. Only you can read these posts and figure out what is best for your family. I would suggest contacting some local guides, esp. to discuss the mobility constraints of your parents and their ability to visit / enjoy the main attractions.

If you do decide to go, be sure to go to a hammam - I've traveled quite a bit and that experience has got to be at the very top of the list of my favorite travel memories!

thanks all....pivoted the trip to Sicily. Two friends just returned from Istanbul and unfortunately dissuaded my parents from going.

Hi vbarone, Sicily is a great destination, but, if you don't mind, how was it in Istanbul with your 2 friends, and what did they say to dissuaded your parents from going? I'll go there someday so I'm curious to hear, thanks.