Visiting Istanbul does anybody know?

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 19:00

We are visiting Istanbul at the end of this week. This is our 2nd trip and we have done the blue mosque etc. On this visit, we would like to visit the large fort that you can see on the left hand side from the ferry when travelling up the bosphorus. Does anybody know how you get there, also any suggestions for other interesting things we should see on our 5 day trip, we would like to visit the Princes islands as well but which one is the most interesting?



The butlers wife

lovingcyprus


Joined: 02/03/2007
Posts: 1272

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 19:03

You must visit the Bascilica Cistern, look below.



http://www.letsgoistanbul.com/basilica.htm



It is really brilliant.

Visitor


Joined: 19/08/2010
Posts: 492

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 19:08

I would visit



Dolmabahce palace



Beyler beyler palace



Grand Bazaar



Sulemaniye mosque



Yildiz park and palace



Taksim and pera area have tea at the newly reopened Pear Palace hotel



Take a boat up the bosphorous



Topkapi



Archaelogy museam



Get a good guide _ Time out or eyewitness

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 19:49

Hi "The Butler's Wife",



The castle in question is called "Rumeli Hisari". It was built at the narrowest part of the Bosphorus ... and in fact there is another opposite on the Asian side called "Anadolu Hisari" ... but that one is now unfortunately in ruins:-( The cheapest way to get to Rumeli Hisari from Taksim is to take the metro to the Levent station ... and then to jump into a taxi.



With regards to the Prince's Islands, I suggest you visit Buyukada (which literally means "Big Island"). As you probably know, motor vehicles are not allowed on the islands and it's fun to take a horse-drawn fayton to the foot of Aya Yorgi ... and then walk up the hill to the monastery.



Re ; msg 2 - I also recommend that you visit the Yerbatan Sarayi (the Bascilica Cistern ... or the Underground Palace to translate it literally). From the outside it looks like a small toilet building, but when you descend you enter a vast cavern, lit with eerie lighting and with classical music playing

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 19:55

Sorry ... that should be Yerebatan Sarayi :-( ... and you will have to pronounce that "e" if you want the taksi driver etc to understand you :-(

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 20:25

Take a trip to the top of this hotel and take in the view..



http://www.istanbulview.com/intercontinental-istanbul/

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 20:42

For ideas or to join us look at: http://www.fezbus.co.uk/Shore_Excursions_Turkey_Istanbul_Day_Tours.php



These include:

•Istanbul Classics Full Day

•Istanbul Two Continents Full Day Tour

•Ottoman Relics Half Day Afternoon

•Ottoman Treasures

•Byzantine Treasures

•Bosphorus Cruise

•Dolmabahce Palace & Asia

•Princes Islands Tour

•Istanbul By Night

•Green Bursa Tour

•Edirne Day Tour

•Dinner Cruise on the Bosphorus

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 21:04

Re ; msg 7 - "Green Bursa Tour"



Hi there Flightholiday,



Over the last twenty years, I have asked many Turkish friends as to why the phrase "Yesil Bursa" is used ... and to date I have received the following replies:-

1) Because there are lots of trees on the mountains behind Bursa

2) Because of the Yesil Cami

3) Because the people living in Bursa are more religious than those living in relatively close Istanbul

& for the first time this Summer

4) Because Bursaspor play in green

I think we can discount the last one because they play in green because of one of the first three



Do you (Flightholiday, that is) or anyone else feel able to say for certain why the phrase *Green* Bursa is used?

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 21:11

Hi Ian,

I am sorry but I don't have an answer. Have you gone there on a tour and asked the guide? Turkish fully qualified guides (like the ones we use) are normally well up on their history and information so should know.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 21:21

Hi again Flightholiday,



Although I have been to Bursa many times (in fact I was there for a wedding a few months ago) I have never been on a tour there - I'm the sort who prefers to borrow Tom Brosnan's book from a friend and then do it on the cheap ... but maybe that's why I have never found out why it is *Green* Bursa



Stingy Crumpy

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 21:45

Topkapi for me was very interesting (spent 3 years living in Istanbul) but others mentioned also well worth a visit. Buyukada, Heybeliada (saddle island) are lovely, at least I hope they still are as when I used to visit in the late 8o's early 90's. Will be there end of next month staying with a friend for 2 days and really looking forward to that on my way home from Kibris.

Crumpy



Joined: 05/06/2010
Posts: 419

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 22:20

Re ; msg 11 - "Buyukada & Heybeliada are lovely, at least I hope they still are"



We were there this Summer Phylray ... and I can reassure you, they still are My only gripe is that these days there seem to be more municipality motor vehicles than there used to be back in the 80s and 90s - I presume though they are there for a good reason. And to put it into perspective, if you're walking around Buyukada for a couple of hours you're only likely to see about a dozen of them.

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
27/09/2010 22:53

i would love to go it sounds so nice

Cyprusquest


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 428

Message Posted:
28/09/2010 00:39

andrew4232 msg 13 Having stayed for a short while a couple of times - Istanbul is well worth taking some time to visit - if you are travelling by yourself (1 or 2 people) at least the first time take a guided tour or better a short break including a hotel so that you can just learn and enjoy.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
28/09/2010 01:23

The only snippet I can add is you might like to check that there are no school holidays, for whatever reason, on the day you allocate for visiting the Princes Islands as on our visits there we were advised that it can become a nightmare rather than an enjoyable experience due to the numbers if nothing else. Hope you have a great time

Stephan


Joined: 22/05/2009
Posts: 211

Message Posted:
28/09/2010 10:10

I visit Istanbul often...and with return tickets from Pegasus from around 120 tl... and 1 bed apartments or cosy hotels in Sultanahmet from 100tl a night with breakfast...its just great!!!

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
28/09/2010 14:58

Hi everyone,



Thank you so much for your replies and advice. We have now compiled a programme of things to do and see from your suggestions. The Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul Crafts fair, Fortress of Europe, Dolmabahce Palace, Taksim Square, Ortakoy Sunday Market & Princes Islands. I think this is enough to to do in 4 full days. We are staying in a hotel in Sultanahmet, so very close to some of the places. Thank you once again.



The butlers wife

Visitor


Joined: 19/08/2010
Posts: 492

Message Posted:
28/09/2010 15:42

Taksim Sq itself is not that interestinh but follow the tram route down Istiklal caddesi. To beyoglu area or Pera as it

was called.