Istanbul tour guides?
Feb 8th, 2016, 04:25 AM
#1
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Istanbul tour guides?
Hi,
I'll be in Istanbul for three nights in mid February. I have the traditional tourist sites on my list. I'm not a history buff, but sometimes I like the wealth of information one can quickly learn from a quick group walking tour. I'll have my trusty Fodor's Turkey guide with me, but would you recommend doing a guided walking tour of sites in Sultanahmet? Any particular guided tours that people liked?
I don't want to spend a whole day on a tour; prefer a 2-3 hour walking tour, then going my own way for lunch and perhaps doing another 2-3 hour tour the following day or later in the afternoon. So, if I need to go with a guide for select sites, that would work too. On a budget and can't spend more than $40-$50 on a guided tour. Thanks!
I'll be in Istanbul for three nights in mid February. I have the traditional tourist sites on my list. I'm not a history buff, but sometimes I like the wealth of information one can quickly learn from a quick group walking tour. I'll have my trusty Fodor's Turkey guide with me, but would you recommend doing a guided walking tour of sites in Sultanahmet? Any particular guided tours that people liked?
I don't want to spend a whole day on a tour; prefer a 2-3 hour walking tour, then going my own way for lunch and perhaps doing another 2-3 hour tour the following day or later in the afternoon. So, if I need to go with a guide for select sites, that would work too. On a budget and can't spend more than $40-$50 on a guided tour. Thanks!
Feb 8th, 2016, 06:10 AM
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If you are not able to connect with a walking tour / guide, IMO Rick Steves Istanbul is a good source of information and has several suggested walks included. We read his guide as we walked thru the Topkapi Palace, Haya Sophia, and Grand Bazaar. We did the back streets using his map - so interesting. I know he also has free? podcasts from many places in Europe - we have not used them but you could see if there are any from Istanbul.
Feb 8th, 2016, 01:28 PM
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Why simply you do not take some of the free tours from the internet? I remember when I was last time in Istanbul before my trip I downloaded free tour guide and print it (with all possible informations in English). It really helps me because I succeed to visit almost everything that I want for three days and for me highlights of Istanbul will be Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower, Istanbul Archaeology Museum and Grand Bazar. Here is one nice text from my personal traveling in Istanbul with Bosphorus picture : http://personal-travel-photos.blogsp...ul-turkey.html
Feb 8th, 2016, 04:41 PM
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Of the half dozen guidebooks I used when planning my time in Istanbul, I found the Rough Guide the best by far! If you still want to take a tour while there, you might find some useful information here:
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/itin/tour-index.html
FWIW, I would consider 3 nights very little for Istanbul (I had 5 full -- and VERY busy -- days there) so you might want to think through your priorities in advance.
Istanbul is fascinating -- enjoy!
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/itin/tour-index.html
FWIW, I would consider 3 nights very little for Istanbul (I had 5 full -- and VERY busy -- days there) so you might want to think through your priorities in advance.
Istanbul is fascinating -- enjoy!
