fun on the ocean

Hi

There is no need for an expensive tour in Istanbul. Walk off the ship and turn left over the bridge and follow your nose uphill. Any route will do! Just wander. Get a guide book and then you can use the maps to identify shortest climb to Blue Mosque. Do NOT let anyone clean your shoes in the gardens by the Blue Mosque. When done, the price will rocket and they get nasty.

Or, take the tram from the ship and save the climb. Why not go to the end of line and get off where you fancy on the way back?

Recommend you go Topkapi Palace early in day and book your tickets for the Jewels (Topkapi Dagger) and Harem straightaway so you can plan your time around them. Follow around Hagia Sophia to enter. Cistern is opposite Hagia Sophia and worth a visit, if it isn't packed with a tour.

Istanbul is no longer the real flavour of Turkey that it was but still exciting especially for first timers. English is widely spoken but you'll get poor exchange for US$ so get some currency. Credit cards widely accepted.

It must be the easiest place in the world to explore and get away from the tour guides.

Have FUN!

PS Turkish folk who live outside Istanbul warn against the dreadful traffic but up at the tip it is now pedestrianised.

Trying to get a crowd together for Sochi, different place altogether. See other thread (Cruise Critic Message Board) and toursbylocalsdotcom

Sorry, up at the TOP not tip!!

What privet excursion did you use in Istambul? Any privet tours in Russia and Ukraine ? I m taking a Black Sea cruise with Celebrity Constellation in October 2014.Thank you

Hi

There is no need for an expensive tour in Istanbul. Walk off the ship and turn left over the bridge and follow your nose uphill. Any route will do! Just wander. Get a guide book and then you can use the maps to identify shortest climb to Blue Mosque. Do NOT let anyone clean your shoes in the gardens by the Blue Mosque. When done, the price will rocket and they get nasty.

Or, take the tram from the ship and save the climb. Why not go to the end of line and get off where you fancy on the way back?

Recommend you go Topkapi Palace early in day and book your tickets for the Jewels (Topkapi Dagger) and Harem straightaway so you can plan your time around them. Follow around Hagia Sophia to enter. Cistern is opposite Hagia Sophia and worth a visit, if it isn't packed with a tour.

Istanbul is no longer the real flavour of Turkey that it was but still exciting especially for first timers. English is widely spoken but you'll get poor exchange for US$ so get some currency. Credit cards widely accepted.

It must be the easiest place in the world to explore and get away from the tour guides.

Have FUN!

PS Turkish folk who live outside Istanbul warn against the dreadful traffic but up at the tip it is now pedestrianised.

Trying to get a crowd together for Sochi, different place altogether. See other thread (Cruise Critic Message Board) and toursbylocalsdotcom