Turkey (Istanbul)

[J77]

If we don't go to Morocco this year -- another thread -- am thinking of Istanbul.

More specifically, has anyone travelled down there on the train?

I'm thinking France -> Italy -> Bulgaria (?) -> Turkey.

Is Istanbul as nice as I would hope it is? :) Here, I'm thinking lots of Turkish food/architecture.

What else is there definitely worth doing close to Istanbul -- is it worth going/exploring further (will probably only have a week)... ?

[Stanley Edwards]

Have a look in Photography & Graphics > Turkey CinemaScope.

It looks like an amazing place.

[selamlar]

Don't know about the practicalities of train travel, (other than you can get to Istanbul by train, if you are feeling seriously flush it is the route of the Orient Express, which still runs) but Istanbul kicks arse.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Aya_sofya.jpg/250px-Aya_sofya.jpg

Built in 550ish AD by Justinian. Turned into a mosque by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1453. Turned into a museum i.e. desanctified by Mustafa Kemal Ataurk in 1935. Biggest single enclosed space in the world for almost 1500 years and one of the most spectacular sites you will ever see.

Also in Istanbul

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Galata_tower_istanbul.jpg/200px-Galata_tower_istanbul.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Image-ZeyrekCamii20061230_02.jpg/200px-Image-ZeyrekCamii20061230_02.jpg

If you have about a week there, may I suggest doing the following:

Sultan Ahmet area - Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, Basilica Cistern, Mosaic Museum, Topkapi Palace.
Carsi - grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, whatever the fuck that enormous mosque is called by the Spice Bazaar, Suleymaniya Hamam (6 hundred year old turkish bath still in original and working condition)
Also ferryboats on the Bosphorus, Taksim, Galata, Besiktas, Bagdat St. etc etc etc, the list is endless.

Nearby, you have also got the Princes Islands, which are well worth a daytrip plus places like Troy a little further afield.

I *heart* Istanbul

[J77]

Thanks for the replies -- it does look very nice :) :cool:

I've been to exhibtions here in the Dam plus someone gave me a book called Istanbul which I'd like to read over soon -- and, Turkish restaurants are our favourite, there's loads in my hood :)

[moose]

If you're a woman, dress carefully, and don't go into cafes in which the clientele are predominantly male.

[phildwyer]

If you're a woman, dress carefully, and don't go into cafes in which the clientele are predominantly male.

Feh, no need for this caution, unless you're in a poor area. The center, and the middle-class areas of Istanbul are completely Westernized. I think it's a fantastic place, I go there every year. Best nightlife in Europe--although the Islamist city government is beginning to crack down on that.

[moose]

.

[Andy the Don]

www.seat61.com is your riend for all European train travel related queries.

[Fad011]

Istanbul is a wonderful city.

I travelled their alone last November for 5 days.

It is the most beautiful city, with so much to see.

i used this website (http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/index.html) when planning what i wanted to see & how i was going to get there (I used easyjet from Luton & paid £50 for the flight)

Dont plan on using taxi's in the city if you can help it, the traffic is horrendous, they have a tram that runs thru part of the city, where many of the sites are, but most of the main sites can be walked to if you have a central hotel.

If you are planning on visiting any of the mosques, make sure you have suitable clothing (Ie no bare shoulders) ..i took a pashmina with me & wrapped it around me before i entered anywhere.

make sure you take one of the ferrys, even if it is only to cross from one side of the bosphorus to the other .. the views are breathtaking