Guest Posted August 21, 2023 #101 Share Posted August 21, 2023 11 minutes ago, majmaj4 said: Do you know if you can book the Mansions spa if you are not staying there? yes! you can! Absolutely worth it. https://instagram.com/sarnicnavitasspa?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ozark_Kid Posted August 21, 2023 #102 Share Posted August 21, 2023 20 hours ago, singinalot said: oh good I’m so glad!!! I hate that it for some reason doesn’t let everyone see them. Back in the days I used to have my travel camera and used my laptop to upload everything but with only using my phone now it leaves a gap in digital experience 😞 Some can not view them because they are in .mov . If you converted them to .mp4 all should be able to see them. When I view this thread on my android phone I can't view them so I later come back and view them on my MacBook Pro. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2023 #103 Share Posted August 21, 2023 (edited) Turkish currency is a lira which equates to about 27 lira per USD. We paid 260 lira for both of us for the 1.5-2 hour tour. I say 1.5-2 hour because it's listed as 1.5 hours, but when it's all said and done it's about 2 hours. That's $9USD for 2 people up and down the Bosphorus....I mean...YES! https://turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Bosphorus/turyol.html This tour was 100% worth it and a major highlight of our trip. Be sure to sit on the left side of the boat and UPSTAIRS! The boats leave on the hour. We got there at about 2:30 so early enough to board and get good seats. A map I found online of the ferry ports: facing the start of the Galatea bridge from our seat on the ferry a good view of the Galatea Bridge…here you can see the two level split with the restaurants on the bottom IMG_0659.mov here we are passing the Galata cruise port. 🙂 IMG_0662.mov Edited August 21, 2023 by singinalot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2023 #104 Share Posted August 21, 2023 Dulmabahce Palace built in the 1800s https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolmabahçe_Palace this video shows just how expansive it is IMG_0667.mov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgarde67 Posted August 21, 2023 #105 Share Posted August 21, 2023 Loving your review! Have you used the trams yet? We’re there soon and trying to get our heads round how it works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2023 #106 Share Posted August 21, 2023 1 hour ago, sgarde67 said: Loving your review! Have you used the trams yet? We’re there soon and trying to get our heads round how it works! thank you so much! we didn’t use the trams, but did get the Istanbulkart which gives access to the ferries and trams. Stay tuned for that process! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2023 #107 Share Posted August 21, 2023 (edited) Again, when leaving from Eminonu, sit on the left side of the boat. They stay close to the shore and you are able to see so much. I kept google maps pulled up on my phone so that I could see what each thing was that we passed. We passed by Ciragan Palace which is now a Kempinski hotel…umm…anyone want to fund my future stay???? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Çırağan_Palace The people in the middle never got up to take pics or anything and I often wondered if they were just locals killing time. LOL. The Ortaköy Mosque…I have seen this in a couple of Turkish dramas I have watched. i enjoyed reading about the history of it here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ortaköy_Mosque Edited August 21, 2023 by singinalot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 21, 2023 #108 Share Posted August 21, 2023 I’d live in one of these townhomes or definitely this $100 million dollar yacht https://www.superyachtfan.com/yacht/avanti/ my 30 lira fresh squeezed orange juice from the waiter on board was so refreshing. I may have gotten 2. The 30 acre Rumeli fortress can be visited in person https://muze.gen.tr/muze-detay/rumeli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #109 Share Posted August 22, 2023 I hope everyone’s still with me 😊 We still have our top Istanbul attraction, Cappadocia, Rome, Amalfi Coast and Florence to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#55worktoplay Posted August 22, 2023 #110 Share Posted August 22, 2023 Silently enjoying😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #111 Share Posted August 22, 2023 5 minutes ago, #55worktoplay said: Silently enjoying😀 thank you for following along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #112 Share Posted August 22, 2023 there are so many beautiful buildings to see along the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #113 Share Posted August 22, 2023 Of course we had to stop for drinks and Haydari, the turkish version of tzatziki, (that’s probably sacrilegious IMG_0694.mov for me to describe it that way) on the bridge after the tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHProud Posted August 22, 2023 #114 Share Posted August 22, 2023 @singinalot You probably traveled to Asia on your boat tour . Your dresses are lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #115 Share Posted August 22, 2023 8 minutes ago, NHProud said: @singinalot You probably traveled to Asia on your boat tour . Your dresses are lovely. thank you so much! we didn’t make it to the Asia side on this boat tour, but stay tuned to see if we eventually make it there! 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTraveller Posted August 22, 2023 #116 Share Posted August 22, 2023 Oh, thank you so much for showing us your boat cruise. I had vaguely considered a cruise but after seeing how reasonable the cost was and seeing your wonderful photos, a cruise is definitely on the must do list for our Istanbul trip next year. Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare bobmacliberty Posted August 22, 2023 #117 Share Posted August 22, 2023 10 hours ago, singinalot said: We still have our top Istanbul attraction Would that be the Hagia Sophia? From your pictures, it seems a little like the Eiffel Tower in that you can see it from wherever you are in the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #118 Share Posted August 22, 2023 7 hours ago, PurpleTraveller said: Oh, thank you so much for showing us your boat cruise. I had vaguely considered a cruise but after seeing how reasonable the cost was and seeing your wonderful photos, a cruise is definitely on the must do list for our Istanbul trip next year. Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip. oh I’m so glad to hear it! it is truly worth doing! One of our top two things in Istanbul. 3 hours ago, bobmacliberty said: Would that be the Hagia Sophia? From your pictures, it seems a little like the Eiffel Tower in that you can see it from wherever you are in the city. It’s definitely the beacon!!! We never had a problem finding our way back to the hotel since the Hagia Sophia can be seen from everywhere. But it is not in our top two favorites. We are on our way there, though, so description to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBE4 Posted August 22, 2023 #119 Share Posted August 22, 2023 14 hours ago, #55worktoplay said: Silently enjoying😀 Me too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #120 Share Posted August 22, 2023 The Hagia Sophia Mosque is steeped in history and debate. It began as a mosque, turned into a church, and now back to a mosque. Throughout its years, much of the decor was changed or covered up depending on its current position. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia It is free to enter the mosque, but shoes are not allowed and women must be covered up. This is strictly enforced. I had to purchase a 20lira head scarf from the entrance kiosk. IMG_0702.mov the fountain for ablutions after your visit It was golden hour and I just loved how the light was hitting everything here I am, melting, before we even got inside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #121 Share Posted August 22, 2023 upon entrance, there are several shoe closets to store your shoes. There were signs posted at the door for women to have separate entry, but everyone utilized the same door. IMG_0712.mov the lighting and detail here is remarkable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #122 Share Posted August 22, 2023 We did not spend a lot of time here. To be perfectly honest, I was HOT, and I have absolutely no disrespect for their customs, so decided to take my leave. After Hagia Sophia, we headed back to the hotel (one block away) to shower and change for the evening. Next stop: our favorite adventure in Istanbul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #123 Share Posted August 22, 2023 Every time we had passed the line for entry to the Basilica Cistern, it was long and wrapped around the corner. Evening is the best time!!! We had maybe a 5 minute wait. Entry was $17USD each at the door. once you enter, you descend down a long staircase…the cold underground air is so refreshing the lighting is a photographer’s dream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #124 Share Posted August 22, 2023 Ordered by Justinianus I (527-565), Byzantine Emperor, the cistern is called among Turkish people as “Yerebatan Cistern” (the Subterranean Cistern) owing to the marble columns that rise up from the water and seem to be countless. The cistern is also called “the Basilica Cistern” as it is located on a place formerly known as “the Stoa Basilica.” Built on a 140-meter long and 70-meter wide rectangular space, the spacious cistern covers 9.800 sqm area, in total. The cistern is 9 meter high and has 336 columns with a capacity to store 100 thousand tonnes of water. The cistern is also home to a “tear column” with tear-like decorations and two “Medusa heads” which are considered to be among the masterpieces of the Roman sculpture. IMG_0740.mov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 22, 2023 #125 Share Posted August 22, 2023 to give you an idea of how close these things are together: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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