Trip report: Ephesus and Istanbul June-July 2009
Dec 30th, 2009, 11:10 AM
#21
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Here is a link to my photos. Thanks for the kind words, those who offered them. Any unsatisfactory trip report can of course simply be ignored.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/...7%3A1007294933
http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/...7%3A1007294933
Dec 30th, 2009, 01:15 PM
#23
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yes, I recall your trip and your wonderful report.
While I was there, I absolutely thought of your report when I crossed the wide and busy roadway on my way to the Dolmabace. You had said it was taking one's life in one's hands, and indeed it was.
While I was there, I absolutely thought of your report when I crossed the wide and busy roadway on my way to the Dolmabace. You had said it was taking one's life in one's hands, and indeed it was.
Dec 30th, 2009, 02:48 PM
#24
Your report brought back many wonderful memories of our trip to Turkey. When we were there they were claiming they had also invented pizza! I loved Istanbul and would hop a plane in a minute to return if I could. (I remember NYC seemed like such a calm, quiet little place after we got off the plane from Istanbul -
Jan 1st, 2010, 04:55 AM
#25
elaine,
I just looked at your pictures. They're wonderful and they brought back so many great memories. We weren't able to visit the Dolmabace Palace, so I especially enjoyed the pictures of the grounds - just beautiful. I see you were there in June. Was it incredibly hot? Looks like you had beautiful blue skies throughout your visit. Thanks for the thorough report!
Ellen
I just looked at your pictures. They're wonderful and they brought back so many great memories. We weren't able to visit the Dolmabace Palace, so I especially enjoyed the pictures of the grounds - just beautiful. I see you were there in June. Was it incredibly hot? Looks like you had beautiful blue skies throughout your visit. Thanks for the thorough report!
Ellen
Jan 1st, 2010, 06:41 PM
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Ellen, it wasn't incredibly hot, but hot enough. I would not have been happy going any later in the summer (I went end of June to July 4), and when I return, and I do plan to return, I would go no later than early June. I work hard at my sightseeing; heat saps my energy and ambition.
Jan 2nd, 2010, 04:24 AM
#28
That's one of the reasons we enjoy traveling in the fall; the weather in most of the places we go isn't as hot and the crowds are a little less. The day we visited Ephesus (10/29) was a gorgeous, cloudless day, but unusually hot for that time of year, and after four hours, the heat had sapped my energy. It made for beautiful pictures and wonderful memories, though!
Feb 9th, 2010, 02:14 PM
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Thank you for another terrific report and beautiful photographs!
Did you use VIP Turzim for your tour of the Jewish sites in Istanbul? We will be there in early May and I'd like to arrange a tour for my in-laws. (I will send you an email request for your extended file--I believe you were kind enough to send me your Paris file years ago.)
Thanks in advance.
Did you use VIP Turzim for your tour of the Jewish sites in Istanbul? We will be there in early May and I'd like to arrange a tour for my in-laws. (I will send you an email request for your extended file--I believe you were kind enough to send me your Paris file years ago.)
Thanks in advance.
Feb 10th, 2010, 03:29 PM
#33
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Yes, my guide for the Jewish sites was from VIP Turizm. As mentioned, it was booked through Isram World Tours here in the US, but I'll bet you could book directly with VIP. They provided a nice car and driver along with the guide (who also took me on a separate orientation tour of Istabul with some principal sights.) The driver would drop us off, we'd do the sightseeing, and then we'd meet the driver at a nearby location to go on to the next stop.
Feb 10th, 2010, 04:44 PM
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Thanks, Elaine. I looked on VIP's site and think my in-laws will really enjoy their tour. Having a driver might help too since my mil has hip problems. Thanks again for taking the time to do your report, it;'s helped me a great deal in planning my own trip~
Feb 14th, 2010, 02:10 PM
#36
Thanks Elaine. I appreciate your practical information--I was curious about the public restrooms and now I know. ; )
Your Istanbul hotel looks very nice. Was it on the Asian side? If so, did you like the location? I'm reading trip reports now to prepare for a Sept trip and wondering about the best place to stay. Seems iike there are too many good places to choose from.
Your Istanbul hotel looks very nice. Was it on the Asian side? If so, did you like the location? I'm reading trip reports now to prepare for a Sept trip and wondering about the best place to stay. Seems iike there are too many good places to choose from.
Feb 14th, 2010, 03:08 PM
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The Marmara Istanbul, where I stayed, is at Taksim Square, a modern, busy area on the European side. Its sister hotel, Marmara Pera, is also on the European side,but in a less hectic area (about 15 minutes walk south of Taksim). I found staying in the Taksim area very convenient, and had pleasant walks to the rest of the Beyoglu and Galata areas, which have more charm. Cheap taxi rides to Sultanahmet, the heart of the old city. Next time I would probably stay in Beyoglyu again, but farther south, or, might try a hotel in Sultahahmet for a change. But I was very very pleased with my hotel, and it was a good location, especially for my first time.
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