Istanbul visit

ces88


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 170

Message Posted:
28/01/2008 21:37

I am going to Istanbul for a long weekend sometime in March/April.

Just wondered if there are any hotels people would recomend to stay in? Things i should go to see/do? Will the weather be the same as in TRNC at that time of year?

Thanks

paul90


Joined: 07/11/2007
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
28/01/2008 21:47

Stayed at Hotel Mina in December

It is 5 mins walk from Grand Bazzar, Topkapi Place and Blue Mosque.

Cost 50 Euros per night for double room.

Excellent location.

see web site:



http://www.minahotel.com.tr/index.asp

ukturk



Joined: 01/09/2007
Posts: 1974

Message Posted:
28/01/2008 22:53

hi ces88

you will have a briallant time in istanbul, im there all the time love the place,

personally i would stay in taksim square this is where all the nightlife and entertainment is aswell as all the great shops, and is only a 5min taxi or bus ride away from sultan ahmet where paul is on about ana sofia mosque, dolma bache, Istiklal Street bazzar and topkapi palace (if you go to topkapi set a whole day for this a massive place) i normally stay at a hotel called triada residence nice family run hotel located on a side street off istikal caddesi (famous street) taksim and is opposite another tourist place the aya triada church and is one of few byzantium churches left in istanbul with great wall paintings link provided below

http://www.triada.com.tr/

hope this helps

ukturk

gottheyips


Joined: 28/12/2007
Posts: 444

Message Posted:
28/01/2008 23:40

Stayed at the hotel Mamaras on the top floor, the views of the city and golden horn where breathtaking, it is in taksim square and I would agree with ukturk, it really is an exciting place to be.

We visited in mid March 2007 as a special birthday treat for my wife, our first purchases 1 scarf 1 overcoat and 1 umbrella. It was bitter cold and driving rain for 3 days.

The weather took nothing away from our trip , it really is a beautiful city with so much to do, we even managed a 4 hour cruise on the Bospherous as well as visiting 4 of the major mosques, the underground Bazzar, an underground spa (Forgot the name) but I do remember it featured in a Bond Movie.

Enjoy it really is impossible not to.

dodger



Joined: 29/07/2007
Posts: 1895

Message Posted:
29/01/2008 00:09

Nice to see uk turk and got the yips agreeing on something, lol

Lanrick


Joined: 21/01/2008
Posts: 135

Message Posted:
29/01/2008 00:28

Hello, we love going to Istanbul . The Hali Hotel and The Princess Diana are central and well priced very pleasant hotels. If you really want to treat yourself we thoroughly recommend The Bosphorous Swissotel.

The Grand Bazzar and Topkapi Palace and The Blue Mosque and the Spice Bazar on the old city side of the water and the Galata Tower and Dolmabache Palace on the other side are well worth a visit.The Galata Tower offers great views. It is very easy to get around with the trams and the Tunel will take you up to Istikal Caddesi which has lovely shops. At the top of Istikal there is Taksim Square which is where you will find all the nightlife. There are various boat trips as well. Hope this helps.

dylansgranny


Joined: 28/12/2006
Posts: 67

Message Posted:
29/01/2008 10:29

You will love Istanbul and taxi rides are cheap unless you get a con artist. It happened to us, palmed a 20ytl and said it was 1ytl which he had up his sleeve, then did it again with a 50. As there were 4 of us and he parked on main road, said could not get to our hotel because of traffic, we were more worried about being knocked down than what he was doing until afterwards, we were niave. If it happens to you, all taxis have their numbers on side, you can report them, or if you are aware you are being ripped off, threaten them with tourist police. It was annoying but did not spoil our trip, just made us aware. Grand Bazar barter to half price, everything we bought with exception of one item we got for half asking price or less, enjoy your trip.

ces88


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 170

Message Posted:
29/01/2008 11:37

Thanks for all your help, i will look all the hotels up on-line and let you know what i decide! It seems that the Grand Bazzar, Topkapi Place and Blue Mosque are must sees, so i think they will be top of my to-do list.