no fuss travel Posted October 25, 2015 #101 Share Posted October 25, 2015 Istanbul was fantastic. We stayed at the Erguvan Hotel pre-cruise and found the manager's advice very helpful. He found us restaurants that would allow us to try different cuisines and all of them were excellent. He also told us to exchange our currency in the Grand Bazaar as that is where you get the best exchange rate as long as you go into the middle of the bazaar. We found the rates nearby or at the edge of the bazaar not to be as good as the ones in the centre. We did our own touring when we arrived as we did a land tour of Turkey after we got back from the cruise. We noted what we were going to see on the tour and then managed to find several other sites that we wanted to see on our own. The Turkish people were so friendly and we had a couple that walked us to the destination we wanted to see. They just wanted to practice their English and no we didn't get hounded to go into their shops. Guess I am really good at saying no politely and emphatically. I didn't shop in either the Grand Bazaar or the Spice Bazaar. I found better prices outside both of them. At the end of the cruise we stayed at Radisson Blu Sisli and the shopping centre close by had delicious Turkish Delight and it was way more reasonable than the old town. We tended to pick restaurants in this area by how many locals were eating there and all the food was excellent and reasonable. On our tour, we found the cost of lunch varied from $8 US to $18. Dinner was not that much more expensive. All the locals we met were very friendly and helpful. Would I recommend a trip to Turkey. Oh yes. Mind you I now have too many places to visit on my bucket list before I will return but one of these days I will return to this very vibrant and beautiful city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted November 3, 2015 Author #102 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Our young guides around Istanbul figured it will be a long slog before things settle down in Turkey. It's a nice place...for now. We would go back tomorrow. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted November 26, 2015 Author #103 Share Posted November 26, 2015 I would love to hear from someone going to Istanbul this next Spring. I suspect travel will be Wa-aay down. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairsin Posted November 26, 2015 #104 Share Posted November 26, 2015 I was in Istanbul for a few days in September after five days in Cappadocia. I will be back there in early June for two days before a Seabourn cruise. I had no concerns in September and am not concerned about returning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mocrimlaw Posted November 28, 2015 #105 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Hi Tom - we are going on Oceania in May, and so far they are still going to Istanbul. I sure hope they don't cancel it as it was the main reason I booked that cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted November 28, 2015 Author #106 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Let us all know here 'Wuzzup' when you return. We used an UrbanAdventures etc. walking guides to steer us handily around the city backstreets in 'No Worries' fashion. Methinks it may not only be more fun but now a prudent thing as well. What a great city. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairsin Posted November 28, 2015 #107 Share Posted November 28, 2015 September was my third time visiting Istanbul --the first time was a week after 9/11. I love Istanbul and we usually wander around on our own. This last trip we did take a walking tour with friends -- not because we were concerned about being on our own but because it was a special food tour by Culinary Backstreets -- Secrets of the Bazaar Quarter ( wonderful and delicious). My tentative plan for next June is to take another one of their food tours -- likely their "Two Continents" tour -- and not because of concerns about going around on my own. Istanbul is one of my favorite cities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemonjelly Posted November 28, 2015 #108 Share Posted November 28, 2015 love love loved istanbul especialy kadikoy/moda on the asian side day and night time ,do not miss out on this gorgeous city and its wonderful people :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted November 28, 2015 Author #109 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Highlight of our Apr 2015time in Istanbul was Culinary....'s 2-Continent Food Tour. A real WOW. And I don't say WOW about much. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chairsin Posted November 29, 2015 #110 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Yes,I have to agree about Culinary Backstreets.We have taken a few other food tours but this one, led by Senem, was outstanding. Looking forward to the one you did next June. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs4fun Posted November 30, 2015 #111 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Hi Tom - we are going on Oceania in May, and so far they are still going to Istanbul. I sure hope they don't cancel it as it was the main reason I booked that cruise. I sure hope that your stop in Istanbul is not cancelled. On our 2013 Med cruise, Istanbul was the only reason that we booked this particular cruise (no one in my family group, with the exception of myself, had ever been - they all loved Istanbul). I would have been devastated had it been cancelled! :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flapbreaker Posted December 2, 2015 #112 Share Posted December 2, 2015 Pipe Bomb in Istanbul today. Hope it's an isolated incidence. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/deadly-explosion-hits-istanbul-metro-station-151201155138885.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted December 4, 2015 Author #113 Share Posted December 4, 2015 It is truly a tough call to say whether or not a location such as Istanbul is as safe as strolling down a street in London or Chicago or Budapest. As of Fall 2015 my sense is that yes, it is safe. Remindful to note that in July of 410/AD Rome was considered safe too, but August 24th, 410 changed all that. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemonjelly Posted December 4, 2015 #114 Share Posted December 4, 2015 some of the worst incidents have been in mainland usa the uk and western europe is anywhere totally safe these days ? we pays our money and takes our chances ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
no fuss travel Posted December 7, 2015 #115 Share Posted December 7, 2015 There are pipe bombs being detonated all over the world and guns being used. Can you let fear run your life? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted December 8, 2015 Author #116 Share Posted December 8, 2015 I like Istanbul. One of my favorite cities. Great food..oh my. Certain people have a very full life staying close to hearth and home. Me?? I like to travel, living out of a suitcase. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted January 12, 2016 Author #117 Share Posted January 12, 2016 My 1-day Istanbul 'Must Experience' would be hearing Moslem 'Call to Prayers' echoing from the minarets while walking in front of the Blue Mosque; followed by a ride across the Bosphorus on a Ferry after buying a box of Turkish Delight candy in the Grand Bazaar would do it for me if I only had 8/hrs. You could definitely say, "Been there, dun it". Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted March 15, 2016 Author #118 Share Posted March 15, 2016 I was in Istanbul for a few days in September after five days in Cappadocia. I will be back there in early June for two days before a Seabourn cruise. I had no concerns in September and am not concerned about returning. Looking forward to an 'I Shall Report Back' from you when you return. Locomotiveman Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now