Istanbul, Where Europe and Asia embrace

There are too many things to list, but if I must... I suggest sitting down in Eminonu, facing the sea, and having a tea while the seagulls sing for you. The Egyptian and the grand bazaars are a MUST to see, but BEWARE of the tourist traps!

Quick Tips:

Istanbul, being a very touristic city, has a lot of tourist traps. Do not stay in areas that your guidebook doesn't list as secure. Always try to find a Turkish person to help you out when shopping, so that you can bargain (citizens are better than guides, since guides get commissions.) If you need help, drop me a line.

Best Way To Get Around:

Cabs were once the best way to get around, but they request horrid fares from tourists. The best way to get around is by "Dolmus", which are small buses, and they don't charge much, OR by public transport, which pretty much goes everywhere you need to go. Walking is also one of the only ways to get to some historical places in Istanbul, since the streets are very thin.

This location is alongside the Bosphorus and is a beautiful place when it's nice and sunny outside. Everyone grabs their family and/or lovers and goes for a great walk alongside the magical Bosphorus. On Sundays, it is very, very busy, especially if the weather is nice, but it's always worth watching those kids enjoy themselves whilst getting lungfuls of fresh air. This part of Istanbul is less polluted, so it's very refreshing. I wouldn't advise you to take a dog along, since it's way too crowded for them to walk peacefully. Near the Arnavutkoy boat dockage point, fishermen sell their freshly caught fish, and it makes for a wonderful dinner! Don't forget to show your kids the aquarium at this same location, full of sea horses and other cute little fishies.

Besiktas is one of the areas where Turks like to shop, because it's pretty cheap. You can get everything you want for a very decent price, which is why it's so crowded. They have a local fish market and also a huge vegetable and fruit market. Don't hesitate to have a "doner" (meat specialty) while you're there if you get hungry. You may also find perfume shops that sell your favourite perfumes in bulk.

If you're more interested by the fashion side of Istanbul, be sure to visit AkMerkez on the European side of the Bosphorus. Akmerkez is situated in Etiler and houses overall 200 shops. You can find brands like Zara or Mango, HomeStore or Dupont, Christofle or PreMaman. AkMerkez is the ultra-chic place to be for all your shopping needs. Spread over four different, very big floors, it will surely be the place where you will find your next haute couture dress in Istanbul. If you're hungry, don't hesitate to drop by the top floor, where you will find a choice of fast foods and a movie theatre. To list some: KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, Schlotzkys Deli. My personal favourite? Starbucks cafe on the ground floor, with a welcoming atmosphere and gorgeous coffee! If you need to take out cash, the banks are all on the ground floor and accept pretty much all cards. The information desk is in front of the main entrance on the ground floor--drop by if you need any help to get around.

Walking in the streets of Ortakoy on a Sunday morning is inspiring. Ortakoy is a little village on the shore of the Bosphorus and houses one Jewish church and one beautiful mosque. This little village is populated with all sorts of merchants who try to sell you silver jewellery or simply a cup of tea. Sitting on the seaside, sipping your tea and enjoying a nice Turkish breakfast, is something that will appeal to all audiences.

There's always something to please everyone in Ortakoy, and you will surely appreciate its architectural beauty. You may also go for lunch and taste one of their famous kumpirs, which are potatoes filled with different salads and sauces--one big meal all in one. If you don't feel like a kumpir, you could also try a gozleme, which is a variant of the national durum. When you stroll the streets in this little village, you may also encounter our famous fortune-tellers. Fancy a rabbit telling you your future? Then be sure to head for Ortakoy when visiting Istanbul.