Istanbul Advice

[cdchi1]

kpc

Curious as to where you went in Southern Turkey and of those which places you really enjoyed.

Going for 2 month trip incl 1 month in Turkey. At moment only have Kas/Fethiye in southern Turkey.

 

[kpc]

This is from memory: we took sleeper overnight train from Istanbul to Ankara, then went to Cappadocia, Pamukkale (hot springs, Hierapolis, salt plains), Ephesus, Troy, Kusadasi, Virgin Mary's birthplace, Canakalle, Gallipoli, then back to Istanbul. We were told the Black sea area of Turkey is also very nice but did not go. Hope this helps PS we went on a tour which consisted of just the 4 of us, including the driver and guide

 

[cdchi1]

Ahh thanks, yes I have several of those on my itinerary. Can't wait. Am going even further south though, right to the Mediterrarnean.

Been told to go to Black Sea and eastern Turkey as well, but who can fit it all in...that will have to wait until next year

 

[Pushka]

We will be in Istanbul in July for 6 nights. Don't think we will manage a Gallipoli tour, but we do visit Ephesus later when on a cruise. Everyone who has been there raves about Turkey.

 

[Ric]

Hi all, A quick question....without access to buying Turkish Lira, what is the next best currency to bring? USD? or EUR? or a mixture? Thanks!

 

[Flashback]

Hi all, A quick question....without access to buying Turkish Lira, what is the next best currency to bring? USD? or EUR? or a mixture? Thanks!

EUR is widely accepted, so better to take that.

 

[Ric]

Flashware,

Many thanks for your advice. EUR it is!

Cheers,
Ric

 

[get me outta here]

The Museum Pass is good for 72 hours. As long as you enter the last place before the 72nd hour.

So, it makes sense to go to the place that may take the longest time to visit, last. So eg if you buy the pass to commence at say 1200, the the last place to enter at 1145 (71.5 hours later), would be Topkapi as it takes the longest to visit. Once in, you can stay for the rest of the day.

MÜZE - About Museum Pass

 

[gypsyinabigtown]

Re: Istanbul

Istanbul was my hometown for the first 20 years of my life. May is one of the best times, you will love it.
You'll know the usual suspects, Blue Mosque etc. Here are some more tips on the slightly less well known:
* Try watching the sunset from Uskudar overlooking the Leandros Tower (Kiz Kulesi).
* Take a local ferry (vapur in turkish) to the Asian side. They are really cheap compared to a touristy boat tour and offer far more real life experience - imagine Manly Ferry vs. a cheesy Captain Cook tour.
* You can visit one of the palaces alongside the Bosphorus on the European side of the town - Yildiz (has a giant garden) Dolmabahce (was the main palace of the Ottoman sultans for centuries - the founder of the Turkish Republic Ataturk died in that palace) or Ciragan (now a fancy hotel with grand views). The restaurant called Feriye alongside Bosphorus near those palaces is a great fine dining restaurant with to-die-for views of Bosphorus. Book ahead.
* Near these palaces, Ortakoy has some of the most magnificent views of the bridge (type ortakoy to google images) it is a great neighborhood for hanging out for a bit of feed as well.
* The 24 year old Ric Jr would enjoy hanging out around Taksim/Istiklal Caddesi area in the evenings. Just be sensible as you would be in any other big city e.g. Prague/Barcelona.
* You may also enjoy taking a walk down from Tunel area in Istiklal Caddesi to see the Galata Tower, and continuing downwards towards the Karakoy area and having a tea/turkish coffee underneath Galata Bridge on Golden Horn, overlooking the Topkapi Palace.
* Nisantasi is the Paddington of Istanbul - fancy boutiques and nice cafes within 15 mins. walking distance of Istiklal Caddesi.
* Museum-wise, the selection is too wide to cover any meaningful timeframe - but Archeological Museum is very renowned. Same is Kariye.
* Restaurant-wise, the selection is too wide likewise. Me and my family always enjoyed the Borsa family of restaurants. The view from Kandilli branch is fabulous - although it is a bit of a trek.
Finally, I would honestly be very surprised if you couldn't find more than enough things to do even in 5 days - so the Gallipoli roundtrip may not be the wisest with all the hassle and travel costs you'll incur.
As for local sim's, Turkcell = Telstra. Expensive but best coverage and more reliable. Vodafone there may be similarly Vodafail as in Oz.

 

[Ric]

The Museum Pass is good for 72 hours. As long as you enter the last place before the 72nd hour.

So, it makes sense to go to the place that may take the longest time to visit, last. So eg if you buy the pass to commence at say 1200, the the last place to enter at 1145 (71.5 hours later), would be Topkapi as it takes the longest to visit. Once in, you can stay for the rest of the day.

MÜZE - About Museum Pass

A sound idea indeed. Will definitely get the pass. Might not have the time to do all but will try our darnest!!

 

[Ric]

Re: Istanbul

Istanbul was my hometown for the first 20 years of my life. May is one of the best times, you will love it.
You'll know the usual suspects, Blue Mosque etc. Here are some more tips on the slightly less well known:
* Try watching the sunset from Uskudar overlooking the Leandros Tower (Kiz Kulesi).
* Take a local ferry (vapur in turkish) to the Asian side. They are really cheap compared to a touristy boat tour and offer far more real life experience - imagine Manly Ferry vs. a cheesy Captain Cook tour.
* You can visit one of the palaces alongside the Bosphorus on the European side of the town - Yildiz (has a giant garden) Dolmabahce (was the main palace of the Ottoman sultans for centuries - the founder of the Turkish Republic Ataturk died in that palace) or Ciragan (now a fancy hotel with grand views). The restaurant called Feriye alongside Bosphorus near those palaces is a great fine dining restaurant with to-die-for views of Bosphorus. Book ahead.
* Near these palaces, Ortakoy has some of the most magnificent views of the bridge (type ortakoy to google images) it is a great neighborhood for hanging out for a bit of feed as well.
* The 24 year old Ric Jr would enjoy hanging out around Taksim/Istiklal Caddesi area in the evenings. Just be sensible as you would be in any other big city e.g. Prague/Barcelona.
* You may also enjoy taking a walk down from Tunel area in Istiklal Caddesi to see the Galata Tower, and continuing downwards towards the Karakoy area and having a tea/turkish coffee underneath Galata Bridge on Golden Horn, overlooking the Topkapi Palace.
* Nisantasi is the Paddington of Istanbul - fancy boutiques and nice cafes within 15 mins. walking distance of Istiklal Caddesi.
* Museum-wise, the selection is too wide to cover any meaningful timeframe - but Archeological Museum is very renowned. Same is Kariye.
* Restaurant-wise, the selection is too wide likewise. Me and my family always enjoyed the Borsa family of restaurants. The view from Kandilli branch is fabulous - although it is a bit of a trek.
Finally, I would honestly be very surprised if you couldn't find more than enough things to do even in 5 days - so the Gallipoli roundtrip may not be the wisest with all the hassle and travel costs you'll incur.
As for local sim's, Turkcell = Telstra. Expensive but best coverage and more reliable. Vodafone there may be similarly Vodafail as in Oz.

Wow, great insider's view. Will print this out and bring your tips with us.
Gallipoli is a must for Ric Jr. He was in the cadets at high school and achieved the highest ranking possible, so to him, Gallipoli is a must!!
I suspect that this will turn out to be a scouting trip as the more research we do, the more places we are interested in. So a second trip is definitely on the cards.
Thanks again!

 

[Flashback]

Re: Istanbul

Few more suggestions for you that were given to us by a friend who worked there for some time:
Topkapi Palace – about half a day, it is behind Aghia Sofia which is also worth going to.
Ferry from Eminonu to Besiktas, ortakoy and Bebek, - can get off and travel back from any of these to Eminonu waterside, you can see palaces, waterside mansions etc – ferry is fun – will be frantic and crowded but atmospheric – cheap.
Nightlife.. from memory when working in I’bul… best night timeviews over city are from the Leb-i-Derya Richmond, - 6th floor of the Richmond Hotel, Istiklal Caddesi, - very romantic! Nice food.
Or… Rooftop bar/restnt called Besinci Kat, 5th floor, Sokanci Sokak 3, off Siruselviller Caddesi.
Grand Bazaar and Spice market – at Sultanhamet – allow 3 hours+ but don’t be hassled!! So worth a trip and lots of lovely things – there are several cafes etc there too to have a rest and something to drink – plus Turkish loos!
Whirling Dervishes… we used to go to an outside café called Café Mesale, Arasta Bazaar, behind Blue Mosque… no alcohol – food was fine, hookah pipes can be hired for an hour (quite cheap and fun) – some smaller shops around here too, this is back of Sultanhamet area. Mainly a single dervish dancing on a small podium around which are tables for eating .
Whirling Dervishes also at Galata Mevlevihanesi, Galip Dede Caddesi 15, Tunel. Best to try and ring to see if they are performing while you are there … 0212 245 4141.
Ortakoy restnts – right by the waterside and there are quite a few – suggestions;
Angelique, or Banyan Ortakoy or Meditrina (Italian), Feriye Locantasi (Turkish) – can’t remember the name of one I used to go to where the tables outside were literally metres from the Bosphorous – but when you get to Ortakoy you should be able to see – v romantic and atmospheric at night!
Blue Mosque is amazing – worth a visit.
Also do ask at your hotel…. But I think you only have 3 days there so lots of walking – or take yellow taxis – they are everywhere.
A ferry trip to Kadikoy is also good – from Eminonu – different markets and restaurants.

Just adding my comments, would get to Café Mesale if you can. We went earlier in the day to reserve a table at the front. The guy tried to scam us for 20 TL, so we said no and walked.. anyway, he still reserved it for us. Great little place and pretty cheap too!

 

[Ric]

Re: Istanbul

Thanks Flashware!! Will be printing this out too and bringing along with us.
Got 4 days in Istanbul...will try to fit in (all???).

Few more suggestions for you that were given to us by a friend who worked there for some time:
Topkapi Palace – about half a day, it is behind Aghia Sofia which is also worth going to.
Ferry from Eminonu to Besiktas, ortakoy and Bebek, - can get off and travel back from any of these to Eminonu waterside, you can see palaces, waterside mansions etc – ferry is fun – will be frantic and crowded but atmospheric – cheap.
Nightlife.. from memory when working in I’bul… best night timeviews over city are from the Leb-i-Derya Richmond, - 6th floor of the Richmond Hotel, Istiklal Caddesi, - very romantic! Nice food.
Or… Rooftop bar/restnt called Besinci Kat, 5th floor, Sokanci Sokak 3, off Siruselviller Caddesi.
Grand Bazaar and Spice market – at Sultanhamet – allow 3 hours+ but don’t be hassled!! So worth a trip and lots of lovely things – there are several cafes etc there too to have a rest and something to drink – plus Turkish loos!
Whirling Dervishes… we used to go to an outside café called Café Mesale, Arasta Bazaar, behind Blue Mosque… no alcohol – food was fine, hookah pipes can be hired for an hour (quite cheap and fun) – some smaller shops around here too, this is back of Sultanhamet area. Mainly a single dervish dancing on a small podium around which are tables for eating .
Whirling Dervishes also at Galata Mevlevihanesi, Galip Dede Caddesi 15, Tunel. Best to try and ring to see if they are performing while you are there … 0212 245 4141.
Ortakoy restnts – right by the waterside and there are quite a few – suggestions;
Angelique, or Banyan Ortakoy or Meditrina (Italian), Feriye Locantasi (Turkish) – can’t remember the name of one I used to go to where the tables outside were literally metres from the Bosphorous – but when you get to Ortakoy you should be able to see – v romantic and atmospheric at night!
Blue Mosque is amazing – worth a visit.
Also do ask at your hotel…. But I think you only have 3 days there so lots of walking – or take yellow taxis – they are everywhere.
A ferry trip to Kadikoy is also good – from Eminonu – different markets and restaurants.

Just adding my comments, would get to Café Mesale if you can. We went earlier in the day to reserve a table at the front. The guy tried to scam us for 20 TL, so we said no and walked.. anyway, he still reserved it for us. Great little place and pretty cheap too!

 

[Flashback]

Re: Istanbul

Thanks Flashware!! Will be printing this out too and bringing along with us.
Got 4 days in Istanbul...will try to fit in (all???).

We spent 4 days there and found it was enough. We were out from 9.30am or so most mornings and usually back at the hotel relaxing by 8 or so. YMMV!

 

[amaroo]

Re: Istanbul

Perfect - pays to search AFF!

I've booked flights, IST accommodation and Gallipoli tour.....just need to get a feel for the place and workup a mud-map of things to do. Very informative thread - Cheers

 

[NFF]

Is it easy to obtain a tourist visa on Australian passport to visit Turkey ?

 

[amaroo]

Is it easy to obtain a tourist visa on Australian passport to visit Turkey ?

Appears to be very easy, however can't apply more than 3 months out.

https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

 

[Pushka]

It only takes a minute to get the evisa - it's granted and downloaded as soon as you pay.

 

[cgichard]

Bumping this thread to ask about IST airport:
- I have 5 hrs stopover there en route to TBS. What rest-room/transit lounge facilities are there? (I have no status for lounge access.) Are there any reserved for women, or lounges on a pay per visit or pay per hour basis?
- Am I correct that for transit I don't need a Turkish visa for an Australian passport?
- I'm booked already on SQ for MEL-IST: if I book IST-TBS on TK via SQ as a *Alliance partner, could I then book a checked bag right through to TBS, or is that asking for trouble? I don't like what I've read here about locks arriving at IST with locks cut off, but not sure I'll be able to go HLO.

 

[Ric]

This prompted me to delivered my promised TR.
Here it is... http://www.australianfrequentflyer....fee-trail-other-random-64438.html#post1151917
A bit late and messy but better late than never!