Diane60030

From the underground cistern we walked two blocks to the Haiga Sophia.

To say that this is a remarkable building is an understatement. As I mentioned earlier architectural items were brought from all over the empire to construct the building. Inside you'll find 4 pillars from the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus. There are marble urns from Pergamum.

And then there is the decoration. When the church was converted to a Mosque the mankind caught a break. They plastered over the mosaics and other frescos. That layer of plaster has left them intact, unharmed, and with very simple decoration over them. Treasures just waiting to be restored.

When Ataturk decided that it should be a museum instead of a mosque or church, it set the stage for its recovery. As technology has increased the amount of wall space we are able to restore increases.

Throughout you'll see Arabic script decorations and brilliant Christian mosaics. Just stunning. If you can go up the ramp to the second floor, you'll find some of the most beautiful mosaics along the south wall.

From that amazing place we headed off to another large amazing place. The Grand Bazaar.

The Grand Bazaar is some thing you have to experience. There are 4000 shops. Then there are all the streets leading out of the bazaar.

It is like a mall, only every single space is given over to merchandise and the sale of merchandise.

Well you'll just have to visit. Even if you aren't a shopper, just walk from one side to the other. And it won't be a straight path.

That evening was our goodbye dinner. Yet another excellent meal.
We started off with a trio of appetizers. One was a spicy chili that cleared the sinuses. WHOA! Dinner was grilled fish, and veggies. Dessert was yummy although I can't remember what it was. I must be having a pre-senior moment. But it was a wonderful meal with great company.

My flight left early in the morning so my wake up call was at 3;00 am. The traffic isn't too much at 4:00 am and the check in was quick. Do pay attention to what you buy at the duty free. One of my fellow travelers bought a bottle of Raki at the duty free, but couldn't bring it on the Amsterdam to US portion of the flight because it was sealed in accordance with the new standards.

So that was the trip. A great time in a wonderful country.

As always if you have any questions let me know. I'm trying to figure out how to post my photos, for now they are on snapfish.

luvtravelin

Thanks for the amazing trip report. So where are the pics?

Diane60030

I don't know if this link will work, but it should take you to my photos.

http://www2.snapfish.com/share/p=814...=SYE/otsi=SALB

luvtravelin

WOWWWWW! Thanks for sharing the photos - it looks amazing! Since I am at work, I could only look at a few and will have to see the rest at home tonight. But it looked beautiful esp with all snow - although I am sure it must've been freezing! I also quickly looked at the photos of the balloon ride - it gave me the chills - it looks so exciting and picture perfect. Thanks again!

luvtravelin

Diane - I just wanted to let you know that I did go through your Turkey photos and loved them. Thanks again for sharing them. The entire Gate1 tour finally came alive as I saw your photos since you visited all the same places we will - minus the snow! We will have to post ours as well when we get back. Less than a month to go!

P_M

Bookmarking.

321go

Bookmarking as well. Thank you, Diane, for taking the time to post your report. Much appreciated!

althom1122

Loved your trip report. Thanks for sharing! Turkey is on my list... just don't know when.

Seamus

Diane, wow - thanks for your excellent recounting. My time in Turkey was spent only in Istanbul, and I left wanting to visit more extensively. Your report has redoubled that wish.

Kristinelaine

We went on the same trip in November. It was really fun to read your account of everything. I had had no idea of all the wonderful things in Turkey. I think it is not as well advertised as the rest of Europe, or perhaps I just missed it, but it really is a wonderful place to visit -- especially if you like ancient history -- Greek, Roman, Hittite, etc.

We had never taken a tour before this one. I didn't feel like tackling Turkey on my own so decided on this tour, which was so inexpensive we couldn't pass it up. We found that tours do have their advantages. (I know some people only do tours!)

Our guide was very good and the arrangements were all excellent. I liked the hotel that you (Diane) didn't like, so I guess you can't ever please everyone all the time!

Diane60030

Just to move this up for the new travelers.

P_M

Diane, I bookmarked this some time ago but I'm just now reading it. I'm not always a fan of trip reports that are long and contain a lot of detail, but you kept my attention and I was hanging on your every word!! This is such a fabulous report, especially for me since I'm doing this exact same tour in December. Thank you for spending the time to keep your journal and post this good info.

I also did the balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings and if the weather co-operates in Cappadocia I will do the same. Early in your report you mentioned one of the drives looking like the TX Hill Country. I thought that was pretty cool, as I live in Austin.

I have a question for you or anyone else who would care to answer. You mentioned salads on the buffets. I love salad, but I'm concerned about eating salads since the veggies have been washed in tap water. I thought Turkey was one of those countries where you should not only avoid tap water but any foods that might have been washed in tap water. If I am mistaken about that I will be very glad. Did anyone in your group get sick?

P_M

Diane,

I'm looking at your amazing pics and I've just reached the Topkapi Palace, which brings me to another question for you.

I will be arriving in Istanbul a day ahead of the group. I was thinking of visiting the Palace on my own, then skipping the optional excursion offered by Gate 1. Do you think this is a good idea, or did you get any benefit from seeing it with the group?

Thanks, now I must get back to your pics.

mercy

To P_M: We returned from Turkey on 9/26. We were on a Globus Tour and stayed in some of the hotels that "Affordable Turkey" uses. Almost all of our dinners were buffet and there were many types of salads included. I did not hear of anyone in our group of 38 who got ill from eating the food--except for some who thought some foods were too spicy which affected their digestion. Watermelon was in season and it was delicious. I have a feeling that hotels which cater to tours have to be quite particular about the washing of veggies, etc.

We did eat at the roadside stops for the lunches and there, most people chose cooked items, as we did. The only time I heard of people on our tour having problems was after we ate at an in-town rather nice restaurant. But, I think it is the "luck of the draw"--how your body reacts to the changes in diet. We did use bottled water at all times.

Re: Topkopi Palace--our group went in together and then had a specific amount of time to eat lunch and to see the area. We were there several years ago on a cruise, and that was what was done at that time, too. Gate 1 maybe be different. Ciao. mhm

P_M

Thank you mercy. It's funny how so many of us saw Turkey first from a cruise. I also took a cruise in 2000 and we stopped in Istanbul and Kusadasi. But since then I've read so many great things about Turkey on this board I just have to go back and see the rest.

Diane60030

There is only one area in Turkey around the Pamukkale area where you couldn't drink the tap water. Perhaps it is different in the far eastern reaches of the country, but in the western portion the water from the tap is very drinkable. Several people only drank bottled water, I drank the tap and with no effects.

You should also be able to eat the salads. Just like at home if the restaurant looks clean their food should be fine to eat. If it is a pit, then eat wisely.

We did have a few people which required a pharmacy run although I don't think it was for food related illnesses. There were several people with colds so it was more for cough drops and sinus medication.


You can certainly do the Palace on your own. I am a history buff so I enjoy the guides. They do have an audio tour for the Palace. I didn't use it so I don't know the quality, but it isn't costly. The Palace closes at sun down so make sure you have enough time.

helen63

P_M, we were in Turkey with a different tour group (local - just 11 people), and we had some time on our own as well. We had no issues eating at any restaurants anywhere in towns, neither we had any problems eating salads or fruits. However, almost ALL of us (including a guide and a driver) got sick from the one buffet dinner at the very nice hotel that cater to tour groups. And actually, some of us got even worse from another buffet lunch that cater to the large tour groups. So, I am not sure how much choice you have, but I would recommend finding your own food places versus eating at buffets with other group. Besides, it is much more enojoyable too (IMO).

P_M

Thanks for the replies, I'm glad to know I can eat salads and not worry about tap water in most areas. I'm always a bit phobic about buffets even in the US. The problem is you don't know when the food was cooked or how long it's been sitting out. Unfortunately tour companies seem to like providing buffets with included meals, as it's quick and easy.