garf1108

Thanks for the great story and multitude of photos. You must have taken over a thousand in total.

:)

Thanks very much.

Is Murray's guide the online one or the book?

Thanks

Hi

How far did you drive up to as I am also going to Alaska next June and also intend driving the same road? Did you have to refuel the car before returning it?

Thanks

Garf1108

Hi

Where did you get a map from to drive to Emerald lake. Where else did you stop on the way? We intend going next year>

Thanks

A real pity as I was considering going in July but now reconsidering in the light of recent events.

:mad:

The Doubletree was fantastic and central.

Thanks for the great and informative blog.

Talk is cheap - a tourist will stand out in Istanbul. These activities will probably increase especially with the direction that the Govt is taking. An unfortunate situation for a great City.

Great pics.

Was going to visit next year but wife reluctant because of violence fears, so holiday on hold.

Thanks

Prebooking is the way to go. We went on the 09HOO tour and the lineup to buy a ticket was over 200m long at 08H20 in June.

Great - keep us updated as I am contemplating a similar tour.

That's why I couldn't benefit.

Thanks everyone for their advice.

Thanks

Hi

Can anyone recommend a reasonable hotel in the Sutanahmet area for a pre cruise stay for a few days?

Thanks

Garf1108

Went in June and thoroughly enjoyed except that it was a bit cool.

Great trip - well worth it.

Hi Locomotiveman

After I had posted my inquiry, I had reread your account and then realised that you had mentioned the tours.

Apologies.

Cheers

garf1108

I have always checked the prices of the local operators and even when paying in your own currency, the prices are the almost the same.

To each their own.

I have used Viator about 10 times and happy with them. One benefit, is that one pays in your own currency.

Garf1108

Then there's what we did with Urban Adventures etc. I don't mind forking over a little $green$ to some local person who will explain to me what I am looking at and point me to little things of local interest. Somebody who will understand when I say, "No more looking up at Old Things...I need some Raki, hookah-time etc etc." My wife is A-OK with that. In a perfect world, if I would've had my son's Istanbul acquaintence's Ph# I woulda gave him a call.

So... 'Middle-men' organizers like UrbanAdventures or CulinaryBackstreets do a great job of filling the needs of people like me. They WILL alter their itinerary slightly, but what if you are grouped with coupla strangers who disagree with that idea? Tough luck...I guess. We headed out on our own til dark after our walking tours ended.That worked for us to make for a full day. There IS after-dark walking tours too...intriquing, but we were too tired.

Hi Locomotiveman

When you use UrbanAdventures in Istanbul, which tours did you go on?

Thanks

Garf1108

Have a look at this web-site http://www.yangtze-river-************/ - if you put in a month it will advise all departures for the various vessells - there are many ships and they leave almost every day either direction.It will give you some ideas of what is available. You can do the cruise as part of a longer land tour. We did a private tour for the two of us -guides met us at airports or train stations through an Australian operator. Cost was not much different to their group tour prices - but we chose where we wanted to go.

Unfortunately, your link doesn't work.

Thanks

Thanks for the replies.

Garf1108

Hi

I am looking at doing a river cruise, down the Yangtze River, China and looking at alternate Companies, besides Viking and would appreciate anyone's experience?

Thanks

Garf1108

Thanks very much.

garf1108

Hi

Sorry, I misspelt your nickname.

I am looking at the various companies and then will make up my mind.

Were you happy with the company that you went on?

Cheers

garf1108

Hi Floriadana

Which river cruise company did you use as everyone mainly uses Viking?

Thanks