Istanbul? Any tips/ideas....etc

[JiveLad]

Has anyone been to Istanbul?

Any thoughts on where to stay (top end... ) /what to do?

Food/drink etc....?

Must do's?

[philsmove]

Not been theremy self
Friends tell me, a meal on the terrace, at sunset, overlooking the Blue Mosque, is a must

[jivecat]

Has anyone been to Istanbul?

Any thoughts on where to stay (top end... ) /what to do?

Food/drink etc....?

Must do's?

Would've said, go to a fish restaurant under the Galata bridge, but they've demolished it.

Topkapi Palace is nice, especially if you like tiles, Hagia Sofia and shopping. Don't forget to bargain very, very hard.

[Prian]

Don't forget to bargain

Make sure it isn't subject to V.A.T.

My dad went many years ago for a business meeting. But did not realise how cold the winters are. On the first day he went to visit a mosque, where one has to go bare foot. Outside it had snowed and was -15. Needless to say he missed his meeting and was in bed for 3 days.

Non of this will probably help you though.

[Andy McGregor]

Has anyone been to Istanbul?

Any thoughts on where to stay (top end... ) /what to do?

Food/drink etc....?

Must do's?

I went there about 15 years ago for a long weekend with a couple of friends. In the taxi from the airport we were warned to avoid the Romanian whores because they've brought AIDS into the city!

That aside, what we really did enjoy was the history and the culture. The drinking and the shopping were pretty much drinking and shopping - although there was haggling, it was over things you really didn't need or want! Try to eat out in the traditional resturants and look for the differences, do some guided tours so you know what it's all about - and avoid the taxis. In fact, if you can, avoid the roads, they drive like madmen!

[Zuhal]

Stay in the Taksim Sq area because you are at the hub of all the different types of transport.

Experience: The old city TopKapi, Blue Mosque, The Cistern The Covered Bazaar. Walk the city walls.

Trip up the Bosphorus £100 with a tourist boat or jump on the commuter boat for 50p

Plenty of great places to eat, clubs. We tangoed in two places and there is a Salsa scene.

Zuhal

[Yliander]

went there a few years ago my advice

• eat where the locals eat - it's cheap, fresh and tasty
• take a walk over the bridge at night - the locals fish off the bridge and there are all sorts of stalls
• wander the back streets
• haggle - and accept the tea if offered as part of the process
• Rose lokum *bliss*
• turkish tea!!!
• use bottled water to rinse all fruit you eat the skin of, brush teeth etc
• when drinking from cans wipe the top to ensure it is clean - storing condidtions aren't always clean
• always carry toliet paper with you - very few places have it
• also small coins as often you have to pay for public toilets - but there is still no paper
• western public toliets were are rarity

accomodation was booked by the travel company I booked with - but it is important to note that standards there are not the same as in the UK - you need to book at least 3 star to ensure min standards and is worth double checking that your room will ahve it's own bathroom and a/c - if I can find the name of the hotel I stayed in will send to you as it was very conviently located to spice markets, bridge, sofia hagia and blue mosque

if you are lucky enough to be there on their national day of independance then you will be treated to a great firework display

think that is about everything - will post again if I think of more

[Bells]

For top end accommodation I'd recommend 5oda - it's a small hotel with 1 room on every floor, fabulous breakfasts and it's in the middle of a great area. The website is ww.5oda.com. The owner was really helpful about where to go.

Istanbul is great for a long weekend. Trips up the Bosphorus, visit the Blue mosque & the Hagia Sophia, eating & watching the world go by on the Galata bridge, good nightlife & restaurants.

You'll have a great time!