Business Trip to Turkey (Istanbul) - Sightseeing Agenda?

Parent Cafe
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<p>First, thanks to all who provide me with such good fodder for my sightseeing adventures! Am writing this from Tokyo, having just come from Beijing. Your sightseeing tips have all been very helpful.</p>

<p>Strong chance that I’ll be doing some business in Istanbul (never been) - so my business partner and I want to stay a few days (likely no more than 3) and get a little sightseeing done. Must-sees, suggestions? We’re cutting our prices to this client just because we really want to go to Turkey :-)</p>

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<p>The number on must see is the Haija Sophia. Really fascinating to see the layers of history. The Blue Mosque you will need to see to tell everyone you did. The Topkapi Palace is another must see. The architectural museum is huge. Brief yourself on Turkish history before you go. It has 3 buildings and from what I understand, getting bigger with new artifacts they keep pulling from the Bosphorous while building a tunnel. The boat ride on the Bosphorous to the Black Sea was a highlight for me. In short, 3 days is not enough for Istanbul!</p>

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<p>A most amazing experience. Agree with GT about the mosques and Topkapi. (We had tea on the terrace at Topkapi, overlooking the Bosphorus.) Many shopkeepers will offer you tea, to come look at their rugs. Accept the hospitality. My D1 was there a few weeks ago, 8 days, even got caught in a riot. (That’s my daughter.) She stayed in Sultanahmet and took the ride out to one of the Princes Islands. We stayed at Pera Palas, where the Orient Express travelers stayed. The local food is wonderful. Both she and I, years apart, had the same reaction- that we could live there for a while. Check Tripadvisor, as well.</p>

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<p>If you have time to read a great espionage novel before you go, read “Istanbul Passage” by Joseph Kanon. It would be a great read for the plane. The city is now near the very top of my bucket list because of this book. It’s set immediately following WWII, but many of the places he describes are still there. I know because it’s the kind of book that’s so good that you go netsurfing to find out more about the locale. </p>

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<p>Is Istanbul the city with the bridge that goes between Europe and Asia? If so…find it and walk across. </p>

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<p>Frazzled, when at the palace, I kept thinking about the movie, Topkapi, which I had seen decades earlier. Thumper, I’m seeing that the bridge is lit at night, in changing patterns. Like the Eiffel. Sure sounds like worth seeing, at least. TripA says not accessible to pedestrians. But beautiful. Let’s go.</p>

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<p>I have a friend who is crazy about Dan Brown’s (in his latest novel, Inferno) depiction of Istanbul. You may want to add it to your list.</p>

<p><a href=“What Are The Secrets Of Hagia Sophia Mentioned In Dan Brown's Latest Novel Inferno / Istanbul News | NationalTurk”>http://www.nationalturk.com/en/what-are-the-secrets-of-hagia-sophia-mentioned-in-dan-browns-latest-novel-inferno-istanbul-news-38003&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“Istanbul hosts Dan Brown's ‘Inferno’ tours”>Istanbul hosts Dan Brown's ‘Inferno’ tours;

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<p>Istanbul is one of my favorite cities. Take at least one evening to stroll down Istiklal (perhaps have your concierge recommend a restaurant there). The Archeological Museum is just behind the Topkapi museum and well worth the effort. <a href=“T.C. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı - Anasayfa”>www.istanbularkeoloji.gov.tr/history</a> Also, after visiting the Hagia Sophia, be sure and venture down to the basilica cistern. <a href=“http://www.yerebatan.com”>www.yerebatan.com</a> At some point, take one of the inexpensive Bosphorus cruises, lovely especially in the late afternoon so that you can see the city lit up in the early evening: <a href=“http://www.wittistanbul.com/magazine/what-bosphorus-cruise-tour-to-take-in-istanbul/”>www.wittistanbul.com/magazine/what-bosphorus-cruise-tour-to-take-in-istanbul/</a> BTW: The Witt Istanbul is my favorite hotel there. Very small, situated in a “hip” part of town, and the most gracious staff imaginable. They do their best to make you fall in love with the city.</p>

<p>The food in Istanbul is remarkable, especially the fish. I also LOVE the spice market (Misir Carsisi) </p>

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<p>It’s easy to take a Ferry from Europe to Asia. I forgot to tell you to go to the bazaar as it’s the thing tourists do. I liked the spice bazaar, but didn’t care for the regular covered bazaar. The cisterns are also amazing and a fairly quick tour as compared to other stuff to see in Istanbul. Rick Steves has IMO the best guide book. I was there for 8 days and stayed in the Galata tower area. Make sure you get a Turkish bath. I wish I had 3 weeks. 1 week for Istanbul and 2 weeks for the rest of Turkey. </p>

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<p>I found the bazaar overwhelming my first time into it. </p>

<p>Loved the Topkapi and the Hagia Sophia. Listening to the call to prayer echo around the city was magical. </p>

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<p>It’s funny, I fully expected to be overwhelmed by the Grand Bazaar, but after learning how to ignore the rug dealers and after I found the little silver stall with exactly what I was looking for, I really got into the fun of the bargain. Sat down with the young salesman, had tea, spoke about Los Angeles, chatted about business practices in Turkey and the US and just had a great time. I am still convinced I paid too much by half, but I had such a lovely time it was well worth the expense. I enjoy the hospitality and warmth of the people of Istanbul. </p>