Venice to Istanbul -- Tips, Traps and Tidbits

[WinWin]

If by any chance it is raining in Athens when you are there, really think about touring the Acropolis. The marble walkways and steps become extremely slick! Also, there are wild dogs that roam all over the Acropolis - DON'T pet them! We saw one dog walk over to a gal and sit down by her. She reached out to pet it and got bit! Our tour guide said the staff at the Acropolis leave water and food out for the dogs, and we saw many many roaming around last August!

[Hobar]

The most fabulous jeweler (and good friend) is at the Four Seasons (old town) in Istanbul. We met him on our first time in Istanbul, and became friends and visited him when we were in Istanbul again. If you visit, tell him (Adil Biersen) Hope & Barry say hello.

[marienbad]

Watch out for the Turkish Taxi Mafia in Istanbul. When you get off the ship, they will direct you towards a sign that says taxis. This is not the right place to get taxis - go out the gate and they are right outside.

 

What is at the sign is a "franchise" of the Turkish Mafia, who will shake you down for double or triple (or more). We were going a short distance and the fair should have been about 10 lira. We were quoted 50 euros and refused when we said that was too high. A taxi finally agreed to take us for 30 euros - about 6 times the proper fare, and immediately got into a fight with the mafia boss. The driver took out a club, the police got involved - what an adventure.

 

Then the taxi driver drops us off a few blocks from our hotel, claiming it was not possible to drive to the front door - it was possible, just difficult. He demanded a 5 euro tip for the "difficulty" he had with the mafia.

 

 

 

We will be going to Istanbul next year for a cruise that starts there. Is there a reliable private car or taxi service from the airport to the hotel we could book before going? Thanks.

[kiawahdon]

Looking for first hand accurate information from current or 2011 Odyssey or Quest passengers regarding Turkish visas for US citizens:

1. Did you get a visa at the port of Kusadasi? how much?

2. Did you get one from Seabourn? How much?

3. Did you get one at the port in Istanbul? How much?

[JaneBP]

THis is from the Washington Post Travel Section: Dining in Istanbul

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/postcard-from-tom-in-istanbul-a-calorie-laden-tour-of-turkish-delights/2011/07/02/gIQAGal9FI_story.html?wpisrc=nl_travel

[JaneBP]

Here are suggestions for exploring and enjoying Istanbul by my favorite art historian, travel guide and food critic: Katie Parla

 

http://www.parlafood.com/a-guide-to-istanbul/

[jwave]

Katie Parla's site is great. Thanks for the advice.

[JaneBP]

A hotel suggestion in Instanbul,

 

 

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/travel/hotel-review-house-hotel-bosphorus-in-istanbul.html?ref=travel

[3418ahl]

Rhodes old city is very easy to do, but we downloaded a 2 hr mp2 audio tour that comes complete with maps. It was wonderful, since we could pause the player whenever we wanted to stop and do something, but it gave us a ton of info about what we were seeing. It can be found for $15 here: http://www.discovery-walk.com/pc-20-0-.aspx

 

In Istanbul, we did Topkapi Palace first thing in the morning and did it backwards (the harems first). We actually didn't encounter one other person until we got near the place you were supposed to start out! Worked beautifully.