Istanbul

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Istanbul

A May 1997 trip to Istanbul by hermion

IstanbulMore Photos

Before going to some Greek isalnds we spent three days in Instanbul. This is a vibrant and exciting city with a very complicated language and very friendly people

  • 8 reviews
  • 6 photos

IstanbulBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Istanbul is full of wonderful historical buildings. From the old city you can take a funicular to the water front and if so inclined you can walk across the Galata bridge to the many mosques and museums.

Quick Tips:

To get across the Golden Horn without walking you can take a ferry. Be cautious about individuals with small boats who will want to take you across for a large sum of Lire. Only use the standard ferry boat. By the way, there are about 250,000 lire to the dollar. Don't change more money than you will use. Nobody outside of Turkey will exchange that currency.

Best Way To Get Around:

In the old city, walking is the best way. You can get around on street cars but you better learn about using them. Taxis are good, but make sure you agree on a price before you get in.

Conrad IstanbulBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Conrad"

This hotel is located just off the main drag along the Bhosporus, on a small hill with good views. The hotel is s classic Hilton hotel with very good sized rooms, well equipped and well run. The service is very good. There are several good restaurants off the circular foyer.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by hermion on October 24, 2000

Conrad Istanbul
BARBADOS BLV YILDIZ CAD BESIK Istanbul, Turkey
90-212-227-3000

Pera Palace HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Pera Palas"

This is a very old hotel, recently rebuilt and an excellent place to stay. This is the hotel where a number of scenes for 'Murder on the Orient Express' were filmed. The rooms are very comfortable, the bathrooms modern and the service old world.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by hermion on October 24, 2000

Pera Palace Hotel
MESRUTIYET CAD 98 100 Istanbul, Turkey 80050
90-212-251-4560

ConradBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

We chose the native restaurant just to the right of the entrance because they advertised calamari, to which we are addicted. When seated we were informed thay had none. We left, after a promise by the hostess they would have it the next night. We arrived promptly and were given one of the best seats in the house. The calamari was different. Long pieces of tender tentacle were filled with a mixture of nuts, figs and who knows what else. It was wonderful. The dessert was stuffed figs. Doesn't sound like much but was recommended by the hostess. These can only be described as true Turkish delight. Huge figs, filled with ground nuts and other items with a wonderful sauce and a little whipped cream would even make the sultans mouth drool.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by hermion on October 24, 2000

Conrad
Istanbul Istanbul, Turkey

Topkapi PalaceBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Topkapi palace
The Topkapi palace with its converted stables and its harem was once the seat of the Sultan. Now the harem is for visitors to explore and the stables are the most wonderful museum displaying the enormous treasures accumulated by the rulers of the Ottoman empire. The Ottoman throne with its thousands of jewels, two huge candle holders about 7 ft. tall out of solid gold, a bejeweled dagger with an enormous emerald and many other precious stones are competed for by one of the finest collections of Chinese Porcelain.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by hermion on October 24, 2000

Topkapi Palace
Sultanahmet Square Istanbul, Turkey
+90 212 5224422

Grand BazaarBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Covered Bazaar"

Istanbul
The covered bazaar is a must. There are many different sections so one can look for jewelry in one small are, or leather goods in another and of course there is a large sector for oriental rugs. Be sure to keep your bearings-- it is too easy to lose one's way since there are few points of reference. Everyone will try to sell you something and they are all friendly. Be sure to haggle extensively.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by hermion on October 24, 2000

Grand Bazaar
Kalpakcilarbasi Street Istanbul, Turkey

Hagia SophiaBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque"

Istanbul
One can, of course, not leave Istanbul without first seeing Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. The Hagia Sophia, a mosque, then a church, now a museum is a most impressive building with its enormous arched dome. The blue Mosque, recognizable by the six minarets (most mosques have only four) is an active mosque. It was recently refurbished and the blue tiles really shine. It is of tremendous size and beautifully decorated with tiles many with turkic (arabic?) writings.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by hermion on October 24, 2000

Hagia Sophia
Sultanahmet Square Istanbul, Turkey
+90 212 528 4500

Conrad HotelBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Conrad Hotel, Restaurant"

During the dinner described above, there appeared a small group of young girls in harem costume and a small band. As the band played the girls danced several native dances. After, the band played a variety of Turkish melodies. After a pause, there appeared a most attractive young women also in harem costume who, to the tune of the proper music performed a 1/2 hour bellydance that was nothing short of wonderful. Even my wife stood up at the end and applauded loud and long. This was a wonderful experience that I would gladly return to Istanbul for.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by hermion on October 24, 2000

Conrad Hotel
Yildiz Caddesi 34353 Besiktas Istanbul, Turkey
(90) 212 227 3000

About the Writer

hermion
hermion
Milton, Massachusetts

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