Itinerary for Istanbul: Comments/Suggestions Appreciated
 

I booked the "6 Day Istanbul Value Vacation" offered by gate1travel.com and will be leaving March 15. Of course, given that three of those days are travel days, it's a bit far to go from Los Angeles for three full days, but I was itching to take a trip *someplace* and the price ($1,176) was right. This includes the airfare via London on British Airways, the Orsep Royal Hotel in the Sultanahmet district, and airport transfers. So, my three full days in Istanbul will comprise:

Day 1 (Friday). Following Lonely Planet's "Ottoman Sultanahmet" walk, I'll begin with Topkapi Palace, purchasing my Harem tour tickets first. Then a tour through the courtyards before resuming the tour at the Hippodrome as I dodge touts (I became an expert at this last year during a trip to Egypt). I'm saving the Blue Mosque (part of the LP tour) for another day, though, as I figured it would just be smarter to avoid mosques entirely on a Friday.

Lunch @ Cafe Mesale, per recommendation in LP guidebook.

Ferry to Uskudar for a quick stroll in Asia.

Back to Europe; cross the Galata Bridge and take the short hop up the funicular railway; board one of the trams up Istiklal Caddesi and back.

Take in the view from the Galata Tower and then return up Istiklal for dinner at Zencefil Nature & Peace restaurant (I'm a vegetarian).

Day 2 (Saturday). Lonely Planet's "Byzantine Sultanahmet" walk, starting with Aya Sofya and then the Basilica Cistern.

Lunch @ Yeni Yildiz (another LP suggestion) on Cankurtaran Meydani.

Visit Blue Mosque following the noon prayer, take the tram a few blocks to Beyazit, follow path of John Freely's "Third Hill" neighborhood walk from the Blue Guide to Istanbul. He speaks highly of the turbes at the Sehzade Mosque -- any of you know if they are open to the public now? (They weren't according to the 5th edition of the guide in 2000.) I'd love to see the lovely Iznik tiles he describes. Finish with a visit to Suleymaniye.

Dinner @ Cafe Magnaura (a recommendation in my Let's Go guide), 27 Akbiyik Cad.

Day 3 (Sunday). Morning exploring the Archaeology Museums. I'm a museum hound (I can spend hours at the Louvre without breaking a sweat, for example), so this is a must for me.

Lunch @ Buhara, a place recommended in my Let's Go guide -- I think in the Rough Guide, too. (Sorry to Fodor's, but I almost never care for their restaurant recommendations.)

Istanbul Vision/City Sightseeing Bus Tour @ 2 p.m. This is lazy sightseeing, I know, but it's a good way for me to get a broad view of things like the old city walls in a short period of time.

7:30 p.m. Sirkeci Station to see a whirling dervish performance. The "real deal" in Beyoglu won't be performing this particular Sunday, so this sounds like a reasonable substitute.

Dinner @ Dubb, which I've seen recommended in several guidebooks for reliable and good Indian food, which I love.

I'll be packing plenty of warm clothing and rain-resistant walking shoes for the weather, as well as a small bottle of Febreeze to help keep my clothes fresh after exposure to what I presume will be a non-stop assault by Turkish smokers. ;o)

I know people rave about the Bosphorus cruise as well as the mosaics at the Kariye, but those will just have to wait for a future visit. After 25 trips overseas, I've got my time management down to something of a science; so I'm thinking this itinerary won't rush me too much.

Hi

We'll be going to Turkey in Aug/September. Your itinerary sounds great! Got some pointers off you. I didn't know Istanbul had a Bus Tour. We use these in any city they are available. Good way to get the "lie of the land".

Good luck

I also would suggest Tom Brosnahan's Turkey Travel Planner for further tips.
Yes Turks does smoke a lot, however more and more indoor places are coming either with non smoking sections or some fully non smoking.......

Do not have to bring a bottle of Febreeze as they are plenty here at local supermarkets, so you do not have to cary extra kilo or such :-)

Happy travelling,
Murat

Thanks for your replies!

worldinabag, I found a listing for Plan Tours in a Lonely Planet guidebook; their website features more information on the bus tour (click on "Click to List All" at the upper left of the page for pricing/more specific route info): http://www.plantours.com/tours_vision.asp.

Thank you for the tips, Murat. I have Turkey Travel Planner saved as one of my Favorites, so I've been referring to it too. Great site!

I'll be sure to save space in my roller bag (I've become a whiz at packing only one carry on for a trip of any length) by buying my Febreeze in Istanbul. I actually enjoy finding time for the more "mundane" things in life like grocery shopping or doing laundry: those sorts of chores are always interesting in a different country.

Hey, one more question I just thought of: the drivers who will transfer me to/from Istanbul and the airport -- what might you recommend as a good tip for their services? The cost of the pre-paid transfers is $21.

I will top the trip reports of the great travel writer Thingorus for you. You CAN NOT go to Istanbul without reading these reports.

You MUST also have dinner or lunch at least once at Yesil Ev (Green House), adjacent to the Four Seasons hotel and Hagia Sophia. The garden is fabulous and beautiful.

Balenciaga.

I think your ininerary is good. Just a suggestion. We like to take the city tours at the beginning of our stays to give us a whole perspective of the city before we begin exploring.

Near the Blue Mosque is a city-run "museum" of Turkish rugs. It is a former bath house with many rooms all full of rugs from different regions in great piles. It is really worth a look. We almost bought one. Be prepared for friendly guys stopping you politely in the street. They, of course want to sell you a rug. Enjoy some apple tea. Have a great trip.

Hi Doubletee;
We do not tip taxi drivers here but as you are taking a service to make this guy happy 5 YTL is a good tip....

Happy travelling, enjoy Turkey

Murat

I didn´t read your itinerary very carefully, but is the Byzantine Chora church there? That is near the old city wall, and really, really full of atmosphere. Beautiful.