So much to say about our week in Istanbul - hope I can cover the details but feel free to post questions and I will try to respond.<BR><BR>Starting with our hotel, we stayed at the Sultanahmet Palace hotel, across the street from the Blue Mosque. Their website is www.sultanahmetpalace.com. I just wrote a long, descriptive post about the hotel on the thread &quot;hotels in Sultanahmet&quot; so I will not repeat everything here - but suffice to say, it is a superior hotel with great facilities, location, and staff. <BR><BR>Also, in terms of location, stay in Sultanahmet rather than Taksim. Taksim is like any small city and not much to see. Sultanahmet, on the other hand is very historic and picturesque. There is much to enjoy throughout the morning, day and evening, so why not stay in the center of the fun section of Istanbul?<BR><BR>Our visit coincided with the holy month of Rammadan. This was unintentional, but worked out to be a good thing. We enjoyed the cultural experience of &quot;Iftar&quot; (the meal at the end of the daily fast) at the Four Seasons hotel. We also went to a large and very festive evening street fair in celebration of Rammadan. Everone was so happy and friendly - a real wholesome experience. <BR><BR>The people were very, very friendly. Many shop owners/employees will talk to you as you pass their store. It is very easy to exchange a few words and move on. Other people are very happy to have a few minutes of conversation just for the sake of talking about their city and your country. Others are just plain helpful - if they see you looking at a map they will offer to point you in the right direction. <BR><BR>In terms of safety, there was never a moment that I had any concerns. We walked for miles all over the city, and we were out late at night. People are very friendly, and on the move with their own productive lives. Not once did I receive any looks that were threatening or concerning. <BR><BR>Compared to Europe, Istanbul is also a great place to visit. Istanbul is very &quot;pure&quot; in the sense that it remains exclusively Turkish. There are virtually no McDonalds, chain restaruants, or even ethnic restaurants (such as Chinese). To me, this made Istanbul very culturally unique and interesting. <BR><BR>Restaurants are wonderfully inexpensive - great food at 1/2 the price of American restaurants. I would highly recommend Develi (the waiters loved their jobs, were very helpful, and the food was great), Ciragan Palace - reserve a table at the Palace restaurant with a window view of the Bosophorus. A decent, but not exceptional restaurant is Sarnic (the atmosphere is outstandingly beautiful, but gruffy waiters will treat you like a tourist).<BR><BR>Sites to visit include all the obvious ones covered in any guide - but I would not miss the Yerebatan Sarnici (Cistern), the Dolmabahce Sarayi - truly fascinating to see the extravagance, and the Grand Bazaar - I don't like shopping, but this is uniquely fascinating on so many levels it is worth at least one visit. <BR><BR>To bargain in the Grand Bazaar, ask for the lowest price, ask them for their lowest price, and then offer 1/2 of that - this will start the bargaining from a workable level. We loved the leather jackets, ceramics, copperware, jewelery, clothes. We brought an empty suitcase, and brought it back full. The environment definately encourages buying - and it is fun.<BR><BR>To all considering a trip to Istanbul - go for it!<BR><BR>

Bob- Nice report. We are considering a cruise next year, possibly from Athens to Istanbul. Would welcome any thoughts on this. Also, re weather(like warm but not unbearable) what would be a good time to go. Thanks.

Dear Bob,<BR><BR>Thanks so much for your report. <BR><BR>You said you enjoyed the food. What is Turkish food like?<BR><BR>What are their frequently used herbs and spices?<BR><BR>What are their commonly drunk beverages?

Don, the answer is surprisingly simple. Are you looking for a relaxing vacation, enjoying high class &quot;Americanized&quot; meals while lounging on a cruise ship and getting a &quot;taste&quot; of other cultures for a day at a time? Or are you looking to immerse yourself in another exciting culture and delving at depth, while staying and eating amidst that culture?

For Diedre, <BR><BR>Turkish food is tasty. Two standbys that are now known world wide are shish kebab, bits of lamb and onions on a rod barbecued, and doner kebab, slices of mutton re-roast in front of an electric fire and sliced from the outside, served in bread. These are good, but I can buy them at home, so in Turkey I look out for the delicious stews and baked dishes of spiced meat and vegetables, served with rice and salad. Many less elegant restaurants have the food out on display, so you can choose by appearance. Not that looks are crucial: I have never had a dish I did not like. I am afraid I do not know the spices. The best deserts are raw fruit (they do not make fruit salad), but well worth trying, with a table napkin for the honey, are the absurdly sweet and sticky little slices of fruit and pastry. <BR><BR>Their fish tends to come in specialist fish restaurants, and is much like anybody else s, which is to say pleasant.<BR><BR>They drink a lot of beer, and their red wines are pretty good ?- their white wines less so. For soft drink their fresh lemonade, citron presse, is hard to beat, but many drink Coca Cola, Fanta and so on.<BR><BR>At www.geocities.com/ftcookery/ there is a large online book of main Turkish recipes.<BR><BR>Has your town or city a Turkish restaurant ? We have a scatter in London, and Lebanese too, which are not unlike. Indeed, the cheap and good Cafe Sofra is now a chain.<BR><BR>Bon appetit.<BR><BR>Ben Haines<BR>

One of the highlights of the Turkish cuisine are the most famous mezze! Cold and hot appetizers (sort of tapas, like in Spain). Lots of vegetables and seafood.<BR>In some restaurants, the waiter will pass with a large tray with different small plates with different mezzes. You choose the ones you like.

Dear Ben and Foodie,<BR><BR>I feel the weight gain even as I read! Thanks for your comments.<BR><BR>Ben, we have no Turkish restaurants where I live. No restaurants at all, in fact. The town I live in has 1,500 residents, a general store, post office, library, church and that's about it.<BR><BR>My husband and I love the simple life we lead here. Watching grass grow has its merits.<BR><BR>I was in Istanbul many years ago, but only for 45 minutes. I was on my own and simply drank in the view, the people, and the quality Bob calls 'pure'.<BR><BR>Stopped quickly at the Grand Bazaar. I bought a costume jewelry ring, but didn't understand the amount of money the merchant was asking. I held out what I had which was approximately 10 American dollars. He took some money. Later, in speaking with someone who knew, I was told he took, roughly, one dollar. He could've taken me for much more. <BR><BR>Wish I could've returned and thanked him for treating me with respect.<BR><BR>I bought a bag of dried figs in a grocery store and many people offered their assistance in where to find the figs and to appropriate the correct amount of money from my wallet for the fruit.<BR><BR>I found the people to be gracious and helpful. <BR><BR>I look forward to going back some time and, this time, dining Turkish!<BR><BR>Diedre

P.S.<BR><BR>Thanks, Bob, for your report. I enjoy reading people's impressions of other countries.<BR><BR>Your's was quite interesting.

Dear Bob,<BR>Thanks sharing your memories &amp; experiences with us. I truly enjoyed reading them and very happy that you enjoyed your holiday in my country with positive feelings.<BR><BR>Regards