Istanbul

MICK THE FISH


Joined: 27/05/2008
Posts: 180

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 20:59

I'm going to Istanbul for 2 Days next week. what are the must sees (I want to see Topkapi palace and I have already seen the Blue Mosque (through bleary eyes). Any other suggestions please ??

rasalih


Joined: 05/09/2008
Posts: 25

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 21:13

dolmabahçe saray (where Ataturk died) in Beşiktaş. Kapalı çarşı (covered market) .Also you must see Yerebatan Sarnıcı massive old byzantine underground cistern .(A must see) closed on tuesdays. if staying near Taksim go to ÇiÇek passage for a beer at night.

jakki



Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 865

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 21:14

istanbul is on my list of places to visit - lucky you!! - Why not buy a Lonely Planet book, their books are usually excellent - have a lovely time!!!

scampy



Joined: 15/01/2008
Posts: 982

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 21:26

Just remember to close your eyes in the taxi



I really thought I was goung to die



Susie x

Beetee


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 1

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 21:26

Two days! Of course it depends on what you are interested in - but Istanbul is one of the world's great watery cities and you might think about taking a ferry. There isn't time to go up the Bosphorus but you could go from Europe to Asia. Then Cross Galata Bridge, take the Tunel funicular up to the top and then the tram to Taksim. Just a thought...

dozza67


Joined: 11/07/2008
Posts: 607

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 21:39

You will feel very frustrated when you leave after 2 days. We have been twice now, 5 days and 3 days and we still haven't seen everything. It's a fabulous City. Hope you enjoy it.

MICK THE FISH


Joined: 27/05/2008
Posts: 180

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 22:03

Wow, what a great help. thanks

My daughter is 17 so shopping is on the cards as well.



I have promised myself one day to go to the Anzak memorial at Galipoli - but clearly not this trip. I have framed on my wall the words of Kemel Mustapha Ataturk who was a Lt Col opposing the landings in WW1, his words on the war memorial:



"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours... You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well."



No words can follow that.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 22:07

Definitely the Cistern and the covered bazaar although it is huge and you could spend hours in there.

NOBLE


Joined: 11/08/2008
Posts: 30

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 22:52

Istanbul is absolutely stunning. Where are you staying?

Topkapi museum is a must (probably 3 hours). Taksim is good for shopping and also central. The seabuses are a great way of seeing the city, you should catch one to the Princess Islands (although this is about an hour away and best in sunny weather). Some boat companies offer boat trips up and down the Bosphorus too. However, one thing I love about flying into Istanbul is the view from the plane as it approaches. If it is a clear sky you can see the Bosphorus and the little boats dotted around. Have fun!

MICK THE FISH


Joined: 27/05/2008
Posts: 180

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 22:58

Staying at sultan ahmet

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
21/10/2008 23:03

Stayed in Sultan Ahmet too for 8 days and it still wasn't long enough... had my camera stolen on last full day... that was a bugger as it had 8 days worth of photos on it... Pickpocket attempted to take my wallet just outside the Spice Market (which is well worth a visit) so be careful...

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
22/10/2008 00:12

I agree with all that's been mentioned. Lived there 3 years and still didn't

see all. I was lucky to have local guides (colleagues) who took me to so

many remarkable places. Cicek pasaj doesn't have the same atmosphere

now since they sanitized it, but worth a visit.

Only once did a youth try to grab my shoulder bag, causing me to fall to

the ground, and breaking my bottle of whisky for New Year. I held on to

the leather strap & screamed, & he ran off. Couldn't catch him, but he

didn't get my money. Back home, a petty burglar stole my camera with so

many photos. - irreplacable.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
22/10/2008 00:58

For some ideas look at the links below - the information might prove useful as a reason to see things - you could spend 15 days there (like in London) and still not scratch the surface.



http://www.flightholiday.co.uk/fh/Shore_Excursions_Turkey_Istanbul_Day_Tours.php



http://www.flightholiday.co.uk/fh/Short_Tours_Turkey.php



http://www.flightholiday.co.uk/fh/hotels/Istanbul/Istanbul_Hotels.php

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
22/10/2008 11:24

I see no-one mentioned Aya Sophia (Hagia Sophia) but if you've

seen the Blue Mosque (albeit through bleary eyes!) you may have seen it too as it's just nearby and unique in that it was a church (with highest dome in world at time) then a mosque, and now a museum.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
22/10/2008 11:55

Aya Sophia - yes (not so much the highest but the largest unsuported dome).



Istanbul is a fantastic tourist trap and everyone is right about what to see.



Just try to not cram in too much in any one visit.



There is always another chance to visit some more. Flights from Ercan are not too costly or stopping on the way through from the UK is easy too.



Try not to use a "street guide" although many are official guides with no work that day from an agency.



Well worth doing one of the "two continents" type of trips if you are short on time as if they are well organised you will be introduced to many of the basic sights with a lot of history explained. From that trip you might want to do more organised tours with guides or do it yourself.



Don't Panic enjoy and look after your possesions as you would in any other city in the world.