Istanbul (mostly) Trip Report
 

In early Oct spent 3 nights at Four Seasons in Istanbul. Excellent location - could walk to Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the bazaars, and other touristy things. We usually try area restaurants but hotel restaurant was so good we didn't leave it.

Booked two days of Istanbul private touring through Argeus Travel. This worked out great. Argeus was top notch and our guide was terrific. All was as good as any upscale tours/guides we have used elsewhere in world.

With the guide we did all the typical tourist things including Bosphorous ferry. All were very nice and definitely worthwhile - the ferry is a bit long though.

Two full days (3 ni) felt right to visit the sites with a guide but we now wish we had spent a 4th night to give us a third full day that we would have spent exploring on our own.

Found the people generally nice and not as pushy at the bazaars as they were in the coastal city of Bodrum. We didn't do much unescorted exploring but what we did was easy enough to do even though we only speak English.

We stopped in Bodrum and Kusadasi by way of a Windstar cruise. Ephesus (excursion from Kusadasi) was terrific but other than that didn't find either of these cities remarkable. That said, we would be interested in visiting Turkey again and see other inland parts. We found the country intriguing and the people welcoming.

I enjoyed this report. Thanks for posting. I have been to Istanbul briefly before an Agean cruise and only saw the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. I have no immediate plans to return but am glad to know of the private tour through Argeus in case I get to return. Do not feel like I saw much and would like to return. Many happy travels.

Mike, interesting to hear about the difference between the bazaars. Did you notice a difference between the products available ? What did you consider your best buy ?

Thanks for your report! We too also just returned from Turkey and I definitly agree with your comments on Argeus Travel. Though we toured independently in Istanbul, we used Argeus for a 3 day tour in Cappodocia - and they were fantastic. Maximum of 8 per mini-van and usually only 4-5, -almost like a private tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and most pleasant and the food at lunch stops was all ala-carte so we could order what we wanted. Our best lunch was at a restaurant (Greek House) in Mustafa Pasa where we sat on the floor around a low table and were served around 20 different Mezes to sample. When I return to Turkey I will certainly use Argeus travel again.

Marko: We just casually walked through the shopping areas - weren't interested in buying much. Got a great deal at the Spice Market in Istanbul. Bought four sets of various spices in nice packaging as gifts for folks at home - 10 Euros for all 4!

Mike....no nice carpets adorning the floor at your place ? :)
Charlie, where is Mustafa Pasa ? Sounds like a great restaurant.

Marko - Mustafa Pasa is a SMALL village in Cappadocia. It was a thriving village of primarily Greeks until the re-patriation. The restaurant itself is located in an old Greek villa and seems more like a museum than a restaurant. Hopefully Sinan can give you more info - driving the backroads of Cappadocia can be very disorienting! We also had lunch at a small road side trout farm - as fresh and tasty as it gets!

Thanks Charlie, we will be staying at Esbelli Evi in April next year, how close to Mustafa Pasa and can it be done with public transport ??

Marko- I am afraid I have run out of suggestions. You might want to contact Esbelli Evi for more info - they are quite helpful. Another option would be to contact Argeus Travel in Urgup, you will find Mehmet to be most helpful. While in Urgup dine at the Somine Restaurant. Though it is in sort of a mall (still under partial construction) in the center of town the food is excellent. The Beyti Kebab is to die for!

Hi Mike, Glad you enjoyed your trip... Sorry for your greece itinerary though...

marko, mustafapasa (sinassos ) is only 5 km.s away from Urgup. There is public transport but not regular. Taxis are available and cheep.


CharlieB, Somine is now in much better shape. Construction is over and I agree with the food. We were there 2 nights ago and the food was yummmyyyyy.....

Murat

Hi Mike,

Can you give a few details about the hotel's restaurants: the food, decor, prices, etc. I'll be looking for a nice, atmospheric place to have dinner while in Istanbul in December.

Did you get to Beyoglu?

OK , Somine added to the list, Urgup sounds like a friendly little place !

Matisse: We enjoyed the Four Seasons hotel restaurant very much. It is in the middle courtyard of the hotel which used to be a Turkish prison. The outdoor seating was very nice amongst the gardens and no wind. However, outdoor seating is now closed for the season because of the cooler weather. The interior seating is nice but not unusual, especially romantic, or exotic. The lounge near the restaurant is very comfortable and serves excellent drinks (expensive).

I do not recall prices for food but it is probably expensive. For a picture and menus, see
http://www.fourseasons.com/istanbul/dining/dining.html.

Hi Marko,

URGUP small town in Cappadocia if you don't go there I think that you are going to miss one big part of CAPPADOCIA.

Also DO NOT MISS HANEDAN RESTAURANT in AVANOS they are the owner of YUNAK EVLERI which you are not going there BUT you may check their nice CAVE HOTEL.

Cheers
Sinan Akdeniz

Sinan we are staying in Urgup at Esbelli Evi, we are flying into Kayseri but I just noted that Neveshir has an airport as well, would it be better to use it ?

Marko,

I agree with you. There is one more airport in Nevsehir and this airport is in the center of Cappadocia BUT I don't understand any reason whu Turkish Air don't use this airport. Maybe Kayseri larger then Nevsehir or richer then Nevsehir that's why.

Sinan Akdeniz

I checked this morning and the Turkish airlines schedule for Neveshir just doesn't fit with our itinerary.

You can not see Nevsehir in Turkish Airline list

Sinan Akdeniz

My travel agent found it ?? Her advice was that they fly there only two days a week.

NO