My employer is sending me to Istanbul in June. What are some interesting things to do in Istanbul beside the usual tourist sites (Topkapi Palace, etc.)??

I like to do odd things.

Could anyone recommend anything to see OUTSIDE of the city? A day trip perhaps?

My mother has been to Turkey, but she is of no help. She HATED Istanbul.

Cheers,
John G.

One interesting thing to do is to sprain one's ankle in the first fifteen minutes that one is in Istanbul and then proceed to explore the city, but I don't really RECOMMEND it.

I did like wandering around in the Yerebatan Cistern and seeing the ghostly upside down faces on the pillars while the haunting music played; a tourist spot, perhaps, but interesting.

Oh, and crossing any given street is an adventure in itself of course...

Princes' Island ( if it is still the same) is an oasis just a ferry ride away.

Shopping is a lengthy and conversational pleasure or chore, depending upon your perspective, of course.

Have a great trip!

Pshaw! you are No Poor Boy!
Remember Ger went to Istanbul? She posted a question about it ... I found the thread for you.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34543883

I do know that when my husband was there, he really liked The Blue Mosque and (sorry) Topkapi
How cool that your employer is sending you on a trip~
Scarlett

Thanks, Scarlett. My employer sends me lots of places, though mostly in the US. I hope Istanbul isn't too hot in June. I should be staying at the Ciragan Palace Hotel, which is supposedly very posh.

Turkish bath and massage! Ahhhh

Hi John:

I was supposed to go there on business last December, but the meeting was cancelled. I may go in late may - still waiting on confirmation.

Here are some great websites I found.

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/index.html
http://www.istanbultourist.com/index.php
http://english.istanbul.com/?Vst=2

I found the first one particularly useful, as it offers advice on how to make best use of your time.

Enjoy your planning.

Regard Ger

Thank you for your help, Ger.

I have an antique fez that I would like to wear in Istanbul. Would I be mistaken for a local, or would I just look naff??

I wasn't in Istanbul long enough to give a serious answer to your question, but do you really want to look like Sidney Greenstreet in "Casablanca"?

Of course, if your user name is a true description, you wouldn't QUITE look like Sidney Greenstreet, but still...

Since Kemal Ataturk outlawed the fez in 1925 there haven't been too many seen on Turkish citizens.

You're welcome!

TG, though I remain untainted by the merest hint of a clue as to your line of business, might your employer consider providing an assistant to accompany you to Istanbul? (Really, the posh hotel has no bearing whatsoever on this selfeless offer, and I vow to stifle all fez related snickers.)