Turkey |
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ISTANBUL - WHAT TO SEE
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| 10. |
26 May 2008 Mon 05:47 pm |
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Quoting catwoman: Quoting libralady: But a nice cheap interesting option is to stop at the kebab shop just before the bridge, sit and have a 2YTL kebab, a beer and watch the world go by! |
I quite like this idea.  Let me know when you're in Istanbul LL! |
Can I join you? 
I don't eat meat though - so a veggie one for me
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| 11. |
26 May 2008 Mon 05:47 pm |
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Quoting magnadea: Can I join you?
I don't eat meat though - so a veggie one for me |
Absolutely! Can't wait!!!
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| 12. |
27 May 2008 Tue 12:00 pm |
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i can get a map from local waterstones bookshop. Will go to places mentioned plus basilica and of course the kebab shop!! cant wait to see the place
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| 13. |
27 May 2008 Tue 12:07 pm |
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You know, after the Bosphorus trip, cross the Galata Bridge and enjoy an evening drink in Galata Tower. The view from the top is stunning at night.
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| 14. |
27 May 2008 Tue 01:12 pm |
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Quoting catwoman: Quoting libralady: But a nice cheap interesting option is to stop at the kebab shop just before the bridge, sit and have a 2YTL kebab, a beer and watch the world go by! |
I quite like this idea. Let me know when you're in Istanbul LL! |
Well well, i dont think there is kebab for 2 liras remained there... and i would think about it twice if they are 2 lira... about the meat inside and how they made... i mostly prefer a Balık-Ekmek there!!! then go under the galata bridge and smoke some nargila with some alcohol... oh!!
i guess i missed my city...
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| 15. |
27 May 2008 Tue 01:31 pm |
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Quoting SuiGeneris: Quoting catwoman: Quoting libralady: But a nice cheap interesting option is to stop at the kebab shop just before the bridge, sit and have a 2YTL kebab, a beer and watch the world go by! |
I quite like this idea. Let me know when you're in Istanbul LL! |
Well well, i dont think there is kebab for 2 liras remained there... and i would think about it twice if they as 2 lira for it... |
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| 16. |
27 May 2008 Tue 02:07 pm |
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Quoting Johnk: i can get a map from local waterstones bookshop. Will go to places mentioned plus basilica and of course the kebab shop!! cant wait to see the place |
I did have trouble finding a good map of Istanbul that I why I tried Stanford Maps.
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| 17. |
28 May 2008 Wed 12:48 pm |
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Hello! Just wanted to add what somebody has already suggested about the area near Galata tower. Istiklal Cadessi is up there which takes you into the 24hr buzz of Taksim. Well worth a wander if you are up there anyway.
Another little side trip if you want to get somewhere a bit quieter and off the tourist beaten path is Ortakoy. A quaint little place by the water frequented by locals. it is a reat place to take in the view of the Bosphorous and a great lace to take a picture of the Bosphorous bridge (which, incidently is beautifully lit at night). You are standing in Europe but in spitting distance of Asia. Eat kumpir (jacket potato with umpteen fillings) by the water and people watch!
Getting there: Take the tram to Kabatas, about 10 minutes from Sultanahmet. Kabatas is the end of the line so no danger of staying on too long! Then get a bus to Ortakoy. It takes you up through Besiktas and then onto a long road with walls on either side. You pass under a couple of small bridges and then yo can see a few shops and an intersection ahead. get off there and walk towards the water in the direction of the big bridge. Lots of cobbled streets with nice stalls and shops to wander around. A restful couple of hours guaranteed and only 20 mins from Sultanahmet.
If you private message me with your e-mail I have some other things I have sent to other people that I can send you. These have ideas for lots of places and retreats from the heat!
Enjoy ...........it's an amazing city!
Carl
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| 18. |
28 May 2008 Wed 09:24 pm |
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Quoting Johnk: Am staying in Istanbul in June for 3 nights. First visit. will be staying in old part. Would like to see some of the main sights but do not want to be rushing around. So looking at guide book are these the main places to visit
GRAND BAZAAR
SULTANAHAMET MOSQUE
TOPKAPI PALACE
DOLMABAHCE PALACE
AYA SOFYA
BLUE MOSQUE
How long would you allow for each place?
Which of these are close to each other?
We will visit again so it does not matter if we cant see everything.
Would like to do a boat trip across Bosphorus. What is shortest journey?
Any restaurants that anyone can recommend in the old quarter. |
Grand bazaar---at least 1 hour excluding the hassle, depending whether you really like that kind of tourists' shopping and bargaining. In fact those sold in the bazaar, you can find them along he streets in the Old city and every tourist's spots. Spice bazaar at the Eminonu can be an alternative. Smaller, selling also spices beside souvernirs. Save up much time for visiting.
Sultanahmet Mosque is another name for Blue Mosque---takes less than an hour. You can walk across one small park to get to the Aya Sofia. If you visit without joining a tour guide(which I think not necessary), you need 1.5 hour including walking up to the top.
Tokapi Palace is near to the Aya Sofia. For me, touring in Tokapi and Dolmabache Palace are quite more than enough. So I recommend you go to Dolmabache and than take a taxi to Ortakoy pier and try the baked potato("Kumpir") there. A nice lookout to the bridge and not so "tourist buzz".
For food---if you like fish, try the fish market at waterfront left side of Kadikoy tram station. Sit at the little tables and chairs, watching the people fishing at Galata Bridge while eating fried hamsi(little fishes they catch there). 5 liras per dish! Of course you can try at any of the fancy fish restaurant under the Galata Bridge or at right side of the Kadikoy station. For me, I prefer dining in Kumkapi, 5 minutes by taxi from Sultahnamet. Try Capari restaurant. They have a salt-baked big fish, served in flame! The cooking is very good there. Live turkish music makes the place very "turkish". Tell the manager about my name "ninja", he will give you a dessert for free! 
Another famous fish restaurant is Balik Sabahasin in Sultahnamet. Grilled kalamari and blue fish are really good there. A little expensive though.
If you like kebab, I think there are so many choices there. Anyone will be good. Try the Sultahnamet Kofteci(meatball) along the tramway near the Basilica Cistern(tripods are not allowed in there for taking photos) which is a good spot for visit, taking less than an hour.
Oops, I've been talking too much. Ah ha, coz I find it so difficult to open this website with my laptop. It's very strange.
Anyway, hope you had a fantastic time there.
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| 19. |
28 May 2008 Wed 11:51 pm |
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carlbos and ninja....thank you for taking time to reply. Ortakoy sounds good but may have to leave for another visit. we only have 3days and want to take our time.
Sorry ninja not keen on fish!!! so got to be turkish kebabs.
Anyone good local restaurants that can be recommended would be appreciated.
I know we will enjoy Istanbul. Am really looking forward to it
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| 20. |
30 May 2008 Fri 12:51 pm |
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Very informative,thank you all
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