Can anyone tell me if they have been to Turkey? Istanbul and other cities there and what their thoughts are on both???
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Posted on Dec 02, 2010
21 Answers
Hi Steven,
Here are a few notes on Istanbul cut-and-pasted from another question I answered....
Hope this helps!
-Justin
*************
Istanbul:
Certainly seeing the mosques, Hagia Sophia, and spending time on and around the Bosporus should be on any list of things to consider doing while in Istanbul. But our tendency is to spend most of our time just walking around and checking out markets, restaurants, etc. It was so great to be able to duck into one of Istanbul's many small confectionaries, grab a bag of Lokum (a.k.a. Turkish Delight) and maybe some dried fruits. Reallllly good! Here's a link from Time Out with more.
Out of all the neighborhoods, we liked a part of Beyoğlu called Tünel the best for food and drink. A short walk up from the famous İstiklâl Caddesi, Tünel has a bunch of bars and small restaurants jammed together through twisting, turning alleyways. I found this link which should give you a sense of it. We had an awesome meal there at a place called Helvetia -- basically Turkish home cooking for cheap!
If you want to have a fantastic (if a bit pricy) meal, check out Kosebasi. There are several branches in Istanbul, but we went to the one across from the Park Hyatt in the Teşvikiye neighborhood. Out of all the meals we had in Istanbul, the one we had at Kosebasi is definitely a part of the mental "highlight reel" that my wife Lauren and I still daydream about now that we're home.
Posted Dec 03, 2010
Add a commentJustin--thanks for all the info and the links---I will def investgate your suggestions!
Posted on Dec 04, 2010
No problem!
Looks as if AFAR's "URL Images Sharing" isn't working properly, so I'm reposting the shots that I wanted you to see above! Took one at the Hagia Sophia, the other at İstiklâl Caddesi on a rainy night.
Posted on Dec 04, 2010
We spent about a month in Turkey this year. Loved it. Istanbul is grand, try to spend a week there. The food is delicious. The sights are awesome. Study your history before you go, bec. you'll be overwhelmed. I highly recommend the whole country. We concluded with a week on a Blue Cruise, licing on a gulet off the southern coast. We traveled with Explore, a good outfitter for this part of the world.
Posted Dec 03, 2010
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Turkey is one of our most favorite places! Stay at the Orient Express Hotel in Istanbul http://www.orientexpresshotel.com/ (Great location, great price) At Cappadocia stay at Hotel Bella http://www.goreme.com/selcuk-hotels.php Make sure to go to a Turkish Bath, they are amazing!
Posted Dec 03, 2010
Add a commentThank you for the info--sounds awesome...
Posted on Dec 04, 2010
I spent two months traveling around Turkey and my favourite place was Cappadocia. It is the most unique landscape I've ever seen. We stayed at Yanuk Evleri, a luxury cave hotel (no really! LUXURY!) for a very reasonable price: http://www.yunak.com/index.php. The service was outstanding and the breakfast delicious. Although it's a bit pricey, the balloon ride is absolutely worth it! I recommend Anatolian Balloons as they seemed to be the most well run that I saw. The other company's balloons had, how shall I say this.... BUMPY landings.... while we landed like a feather on a trailer bed! http://anatolianballoons.com/en/index.html
There are also tours of underground cities, cave monasteries, and lots of lovely cafes.
Posted Dec 06, 2010
Add a commentThanks Dawn---sounds amazing--will check it out....
Posted on Dec 06, 2010
Born and raised in Istanbul. Now, I living in SF Bay Area.
Definitely spend little bit more time than 2-3 days in Istanbul. 2-3 days is only enough to check-out the must see stuff. Find a local connection have breakfast with them, eat fish by bosphorus, go out at night to feel the vibe in Istanbul..
Posted Aug 31, 2011
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This may be too old at this point, but I currently live in Turkey in the Adana area. Most travelers to go Istanbul and surrounding area when visiting Turkey (which is gorgeous and so amazing), but I would recommend venturing further East, as well. The coastline from Mersin all the way up to Istanbul is breathtaking. Cappadocia is a must see area if visiting Turkey. Culturally speaking, it gets less familiar the further East you travel, but its well worth the experiences in my opinion. Try Turkish Dolma (its fabulous) and the red wine in the Cappadocia area is amazing. There are wonderful covered markets all over the country to find....its a great place to explore because you never will come up short.
Posted Nov 11, 2011
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Born in raised there... :) Now living in Brooklyn, NY. How can I be a help, Steven?
Posted Dec 02, 2010
Add a commentExcellent--thinking about going in March/April of next year--how is the weather that time of year? Thinking about doing a Turkey/Greece combo but not sure where to go in Turkey and how long to spend there.....and should I hit other cities instead of Instanbul? I have been to most places of the world except the middle east and seek advice what you would recommend.....
Posted on Dec 02, 2010
Turkey/Greece combo is excellent... My father was born in Greece and I know a lot about Greece, too. March will be a little cold and April rainy in Istanbul and north of the country but you can swim at the beaches most of the time at the south coast in April.
Do you want to hit cities only or also see beaches etc.? You can also do a food/gourmet tour starting in Athens, Istanbul and following down the Aegean coast to Mediterranean in Turkey and jump from there back to the Greek Islands.
If you are interested in cities only I would list Athens, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Diyarbakir, Damascus and Beirut for a perfect gourmet tour.
Let me know if you need any specific recommendations. I could write pages and pages and I am not quite sure what you are interested in.
You might find some posts in my blog tire-bouchon at www.bozzy.org
Posted on Dec 03, 2010
Hi, Steven and Bozkurt. I may be heading over to Istanbul in early March as well. I'll follow you two for more suggestions and may have questions as well!
Posted on Dec 04, 2010
Thank you so much for the info Bozkurt---will def have more questions as we get closer to the trip---
Posted on Dec 04, 2010
Have you considered Cappadocia, which I am sure I am spelling wrong? It's a fascinating area, with very cool landscape. Reminded me of places in Utah--all the bizarre rock formations made out of tufa, with little rooms carved into them. I took a really amazing early morning hot air balloon ride there--one of the best things I've ever done.
Posted on Dec 11, 2010
Loved Istanbul and Bodrum when I visited in June. Anything more I can tell you?
Posted Dec 02, 2010
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Turkey is wonderful. Be sure to go to Cappadoica in the center of the country. It's like going to another planet.
Posted Dec 02, 2010
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Totally agree, I have been to Turkey 5 times and Cappadocia has been my favorite place.
Posted on Dec 06, 2010
Yes, I've lived in Istanbul for 16 years. The city and the entire country are amazing, definitely worth visiting.
Posted Dec 03, 2010
Add a commentThanks Denise--I may torture you again with more questions when we get closer to the spring....
Posted on Dec 04, 2010
yes! it is an amazing country....go to istanbul of course, also kusadasi!
Posted Dec 04, 2010
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Istanbul is incredible, amazing, can't wait to go back and see the rest of the country!
Posted Dec 04, 2010
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definitely second all the suggestions of visiting capadoccia - the underground cities of Urgup and Nevshehir alone are worth the effort!.
Posted Dec 05, 2010
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For a really unusual experience, stay at the revolving hotel in Antalya:
http://www.themarmarahotels.com/The-Marmara-Antalya/index.asp
The entire building turns such that your view is always changing. Pretty cool. And it doesn't go so fast that you get motion sickness. :-)
Posted Dec 06, 2010
Add a commentThank you--def putting this on my list to check out
Posted on Dec 06, 2010
Been living in Istanbul for the last 15 years on a 3 weeks on and 3 off basis - love it!
If you ask some specific questions I can reply. Before you do, suggest the bast guide is the Lonely Planet Istanbul city guide as it covers most things and has some neat little maps.
Posted Dec 07, 2010
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I was there for the first time almost exactly a year ago. One of the most pleasant surprises of my travel life. I don't know why my expectations were what they were, but I was expecting a somewhat backwards and oppressive place. Instead I found a beautiful, modern, exciting country, with amazing warm friendly people, incredible food, and lots and lots to do. I only wish I could have stayed longer (I was only there three days). Although there are people on here who have already responded who can be a lot more help to you, I just wanted to chime in and say GO. I will definitely go back.
Posted Dec 07, 2010
Add a commentKusadasi
Posted on Dec 07, 2010
Yes, I have been to Turkey 2-3 times but only to the Istanbul area. One of my favorite cities in the world to visit. We also did a day trip to some nearby islands (The Princes' Islands I believe) and that was really neat -- like being on Nantucket 100 years ago.
Posted Dec 08, 2010
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Turkey is wonderful! We loved Istanbul, pamuccale, cappadocia(a must!), ephesus and sanliurfa. I've heard that nemrutda is very interesting and a bit difficult to get to. Enjoy! The people are lovely!
Posted Dec 10, 2010
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We were in Kusadasi on a cruise in 1996. Very touristy, but well worth going there to visit Ephesus.
Posted Dec 11, 2010
Add a commentI took a hydrofoil from Rhodes to Marmaris. Lovely seaside town with interesting markets including food and crafts. Many cafes and good Turkish beer.
Posted Dec 12, 2010
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Take a ferry up the Bosporus to a little fishing village, the last stop, and have fish for lunch, and take a ferry back. The Bosporus is lined with villas and palaces and palace like schools. The ferrys dock at the foot of the Galata Bridge. In spring many trees are in bloom.
Also - the larger mosques designed by Sinan are stunning. Many of them have just been renovated. Walk along Justinian's wall near the Church in Chora, and see the church. There is a place to eat lunch in front of the church and a few shops there as well.
Posted Oct 07, 2012
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