I am going with my husband on his business trip to Istanbul this Feb 12th and will be staying only until the 16th. It's our first time there and I have asked people here at Fodors for advice on my first trip to Paris and was not disappointed. So I'm doing it again We are arriving early on the 12th and leaving late on the 16th. We will be staying at the Hilton Istanbul. Where to go from there? I am also very interested in purchasing a carpet for my living room. Any tips? A nice place anyone can recommend for a romantic dinner for two would also be highly appreciated. Thanks!

Hallo toby,

might i suggest you take your coat, go to the book shop, buy a good guide on istanbul and read it forwards and backwards at every meal, doctor's orders.

you may also find out, in case it rains or snows where you live, that the following website gives you good information to start with on how to get from one place to another: http://www.istanbulinfolink.com/gene...ortation_1.htm while

For carpets, I'm sure you'll find someone who'll say that he has a cousin somewhere in town who sells excellent carpets at very reasonable prices. Just don't forget that what is reasonable for him has not to be reasonable for you. Don't pay more than a third of the initial asking price!!!
Have a very good journey in Istanbul.

i have looked at several guidebooks. i find , though, that when you only have a couple of days to stay in a place, it's good to ask people who have been there for the real "must sees."
anyway, here's what's on my list:

aya sophia
sultanahmet (hippodrome)
blue mosque
grand bazaar
topkapi palace

i'm sure i will enjoy my trip. thanks for the advice on the carpet!

Hi Toby,
I was in Istanbul for 4 days in June.I spent one day in sultanahmet (blue mosque,ayia sophia,topkapi palace), one day cruise on bosphorus, spice bazaar, and grand bazaar, and one day trip to Prince's Island.I loved the bazaar, and went back another time on my last day. In a previous business trip, we had dessert and coffee at The Ciragan hotel at sunset. It was very romantic.If I had to do it again, I would keep a full day for Topkapi palace to visit the museum and the harem. Enjoy Istanbul!

If you want to buy a carpet I would suggest bringing along the measurements for the space. What kind of carpet do you want? What is your budget? Do you want an antique carpet or just one with pretty designs and colors? Without some thinking beforehand and hopefully some research on your part befor you leave it is easy to become overwhelmed if you ar seeking something specific. I know that I was!

in addition to what ekscrunchy says:
carpet sellers are masters in tourist psychology. when you will be overwhelmed by the carpets, -and you will be because you will be in the general mood for it-, they will flair it. don't show too much interest, don't go straithforward to the affair. don't ask for the price because it shows you are interested. go and visit more than one shop, and tell them you found a very beautiful one, and cheaper, in another shop (hoping it is not his cousin's shop . in one word, play it "dirty".
your list has the main points to see.
add to that some evening strolls from taksim to beyoglu on the istiklal caddesi, a beer in the cicek pasaji and you'll have a wonderful stay.
you could also add a trip on one of the public transport boats, up the bosphorus or to other side, haydarpasa, around sunrise or sunset.

i really appreciate all the feedback you guys.
i already have the exact measurements for the carpet. and i am asian so i believe i'm born with natural bargaining instincts.
would definitely want to do the cruise along the bosphorus.
thanks!

tobyandchie,
am interested in knowing what price reduction you will obtain. bargaining is a lovely sport. :-;
keep us informed.
have a nice trip.

just an update. my trip to istanbul was fantastic. got to see everything i wanted to see and more. couldn't go out to prince's islands, though. it was around 0 to 4 degrees below 0 when we were there and it was snowing! i felt it would have been colder out in the islands.
got myself a good deal on a rug...some nice ceramic ware...a good silver tea set and some apple tea and turkish delight.
had dinner at this restaurant called "poseidon."
sites visited were sultanahmet (blue mosque, hippodrome, aya sofya), topkapi palace, the basilica cistern, chora museum, dolmabace palace, pierre loti (nice view!). i also took the cruise along the bosphorus.
the vendors and touts at the grand bazaar and the spice bazaar were relentless. had to literally say no over 10 times before they got the idea.
anyway, the highlight of my tour was probably buying a carpet. went to a good dealer, punto of istanbul, and spent over 4 hours looking at rugs before finally settling on one that i really loved. tea, wine and turkish coffee (and eventually food) just kept coming. the vendor was determined to make me a rug owner during that visit. no regrets, though! love my new acquisition.

happy to see that yopu visited the Pierre Loti Cafe...great place for afternoon drinks and tea..
Stu T.

Hi

I'm researching for our trip in September and found lots of good info on Turkey/Istanbul here - http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/W...bul/index.html. I am particularly interested in taking in a whirling dervish ceremony. On that site they have info - http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/W...ata_tekke.html.

Best wishes from the Faquari Rug Company

We bought 3 carpets while we were in Turkey. The largest and most expensive was in Istanbul, that was recommened by a friend at home. A very nice and upscale store called Lapis, about a block from the Grand Bazaar. If you do buy a carpet anywhere, and are having it shipped home, be sure to take a picture of it and write your name on the back. That way you'll know you got your carpet and not one someone decided to send you. Have fun. We're going in the fall.