Istanbul

[sophia]

Hi all

Thinking of going to Istanbul in March 2010 for long weekend break. Have any of you visited there and know of reasonably places to stay in terms of price, location etc.

I really don't no what to expect, can anyone give me some idea what it is like?

Thank you.

Sophie

[LOOBY1003]

Hiya Sophie, Istanbul is definately worth a visit. I've been a couple of times. I think the best area to stay in is the Sultan Ahmet area( European side). From here all the main tourist sites are within walking distance ie Blue Mosque, Aghia Sofia Museum/mosque, grand bazaar and Topkapi Palace. This area is full of character and alot of the hotels have been renovated from traditional Ottoman-style houses. I'd recommend a boat trip aswell...you get a good view of the Dolmabahce Palace, which is on the Asian side. I've also stayed near Taksim Square, but didn't enjoy this are as much, but its close the main shopping area (if you are into expensive designer shops, but I prefer to haggle ).

Did you know that easyjet fly to Istanbul now, and the prices are very reasonable compared to Turkish Airlines (just bare in mind that they fly to Sabia Gokcen airport which is quite a way out on the Asian side, but they do have buses that run into the centre)..

Enjoy your trip

[ken the pen]

been to instanbul twice, and it is amazing, blue mosque etc is fanastaic, enjoy it great

[mazz]

It is the most amazing city! I'd love to go back.

Sultanahmet is definitely the best place to stay - as Looby says you've got all you absolutely "must see" right on your doorstep there, so if you've only got a few days there it pays to be close to the major sites.

I'm sure ICR would be able to sort something out for you with hotels etc.

Mazz

[bec]

Hiya
Yeah i have been to Istanbul, we stayed in SultanAhmet also.... Taksim is a nice place to go into for the bars and shopping etc.
Would be good if you had someone to show you around,we had a friend from Icmeler meet us and stay with us for the 5days and showed us around,went over to the asian side.
Its is sooooo big and if you thought the bazzar in Marmaris was big,wait to you see the Grand central bazar in Istanbulo...huge!!!
But it was nice to see another side of Turkey over than the resorts.
Well worth a visit!

xxx

[sophia]

Oh thanks for all your replies!

Looby, Yes I found some really really good deals on E*** J** if I was planning to visit in the early months of next year. Couldn't believe how cheap I found flights for! All your information has got me quite excited and even more determined to visit!

Thanks for the advice bec, we've also got a friend from Icmeler who says he maybe able to meet us for a day or two to help show us around, which would great.

I'll take a look at the accomodation. Thanks again guys.

[blondie]

Must admit, I'd love to visit Istanbul some day - going to bear those hints in mind for the future.

[Revenuegirl]

Hi,
I need some help on going to Istanbul, I have booked to go next April (Easter), For a surprise present for my husbands 40th. I have everything booked but I need to know what the best currency is to take. Do we take sterling and get a better exchange in Istanbul or do we take Euros, if anyone can help I would really appreciate it .

[JT]

Take Lira as that is the currency of the country but make sure you get the best rate before you go.

Best rate will probably be from cash machines via your debit card in Istanbul.

As said before take a look at the link provided above by Donna for accommodation and keep over to the area around the Blue Mosque as in this are you wont need a car to get around.

[Birdy]

Istanbul is my favourite city on earth ,vast and very diverse and the novelty of passing from europe to asia in the same city is memorable .Lots and lots to see ,we only went for the day off a cruise ship and paid a Taxi driver (Jimmy very well known ) aged 80 odd in an ancient american car to take us round for the day ,we went many places and ended Asia side and came back to cruise ship on ferry across the Bosphorous.

[JT]

The very weird thing about Istanbul is that the Asian side looks more European than the European side

[QueenBee]

I went March last year and it truly is an amazing city and I can't wait to go back for a longer visit this winter. I also stayed in a hotel called Erboy (which you can book through ICR) it was a little old fashioned but clean, the service was first class, the breakfast excellent and the position was superb. The hotel is in easy walking distance (5 minutes maximum) of the Blue Mosque, Sophia Hagia, Basilica Cistern, Topaki Palace and the Grand Bazaar (maybe nearer 10 mins). There is also a tram stop almost outside the hotel so getting to other areas is very straightforward.

[JT]

Another thing that may be useful is that there are lots of guided tours for people to take up and these are usually advertised on flyers in the hotel foyers.

Saves you actually thinking for yourself so all you do is call for a pick up or walk to the meeting point if you are in the area.

[ekrem]

hi
its ekrem from harry s steakhouse-icmeler and doing my national service in istanbul now.i visited most of the places during my NS in istanbul at the weekend(only 1 day off in a week) and here are the places worth to visit: topkapi palace,archeology musem(near topkapi palace)mosaic museum near hipodrom,sultanahmet mosque(you know it as blue mosque i think),hagia sophia.basilica cistern,dolmabahce palace,maiden tower,galata tower,boat trip which starts from eminonu,beylerbeyi palace,miniaturk,dolphinarium in eyup(you can swim with dolphins,ten minutes 100 lira for one and 150 for two persons),covered bazaar(kapali carsi) and spice bazaar,some churches on istiklal street at taksim area,caria(kariye) museum.these are the most famous places to see and the last one is fenerbahce stadium lol.