Istanbul Experience

Istanbul one city in two continents

Advantages: So many wonderful sights, clean and easy to get around, reasonable prices
Disadvantages: Smoking in some places put us off our meals

Istanbul sightseeing. This is a review of my experience and really there is so much to see and do you need to read a few of the great reviews on this site, as I did before we went in order to make your own mind up as to what you want to experience for yourself. There is no way I could go into depth about every sight, I have tried to create a desire to go and a taste of what is there. WHEN WE WERE IN ISTANBUL: We spent five days in Istanbul just before ...
...old Istanbul. (Another separate review) Istanbul is the only city built on two continents and split by the sea. The Bosporus is the section of water which unites the two continents and joins the Sea of Marmara to the Black sea. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The first thing that struck me as we drove from the Airport to the hotel (apart from the speed and interesting lane changes) was the number of spring flowers along the roadsides. There was a mass of colour ...

catsholiday 27.05.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: exceptional
Review of Istanbul (Turkey)

Istanbul - the best of both worlds

Advantages: Fascinating, historic, romantic, magical, nowhere else like it
Disadvantages: Must go at the right time, can be very busy

...of the world's biggest cities, Istanbul is almost too diverse and too historic to sum up in one review. One could spend weeks in this fascinating metropolis and still barely scratch the surface. The city is at once bewildering, enchanting and exciting and exploring it can sometimes feel like hard work but your efforts will be rewarded many times over. I can only give a very general overview of Istanbul here, it's unrealistic to think that one could ...
...about the city. Istanbul has a population of around 12 million - more or less; the authorities don't really know how many people actually live there because hundreds more people arrive from rural areas every day, many of them living in illegally built apartment blocks on the outskirts of the city (although Ankara has an even greater problem with this). It's known as the city where Europe meets Asia but that is a little confusing because what is geographically ...

fizzytom 05.04.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Istanbul (Turkey)

Istanbul - recommended restaurants

Advantages: Great food, diversified cuisine and an amazing city
Disadvantages: N/A

...some knowledge about restaurants in Istanbul and I hope you use it when you go. After all, It is a great city. Check out Reina (www.reina.com.tr) and Sortie (www.sortie.com.tr). Both of these locations are nice locations by the Bosphorous. They both have several restaurants and bars so you can go for drinks in the afternoon, dinner and late night dancing. Both have amazing views. I recommend Dragon (Chinese), Park Samdan (International and Turkish) ...
...belly dancing, fun place) and Marca at Sortie. Ulus 29 is one of my favourite restaurants. It has an amazing Bosphoros view and great food. Very classy and romantic place. Booking advised. I definitely recommend it. Turkish and international cuisine. (http://www.club29.com/ulusintro.html ) You should also try a fish restaurant by the Bosphorus as well. I recommend Bebek Balikci, Eftalya (www.eftalya.net) or Kiyi (www.kiyi.com.tr ). Or if you want ...

ayalasaf 05.01.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Istanbul (Turkey)

Surviving in Istanbul

Advantages: everything is cheap and good!
Disadvantages: no one speaks good english, strange(pervers) religion, infernal trafic

...if you are going to Istanbul by car I suggest that you leave your car somewhere outside Istanbul and travel durring your stay by bus, tramvai, ships. The trafic is infernal, by entering this city by car you risk turning your vehicle into a piece of junk. Also if you seek cearfuly you will find great hotels to stay in at 15-20 Euro- in the center! You just have to plan your trip in time and going to Istanbul can become a wonderful, cheap vacation! ...

wpsilon 16.07.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Istanbul (Turkey)

Istanbul December 2005

Advantages: Great shopping, Interesting sites
Disadvantages: Very Busy

...husband and I stayed in Istanbul for about 6 days last December on our way to Diyarbakir. We stayed in Hotel Devran, just off the main street in Taksim. It was small and probably not well known with tourists. It was very basic but clean and the staff were very friendly. It was only about 35ytl (around £14) for both of us per night. I loved Taksim, it was great for shopping and had some really nice restaurants and cafes. It was really easy to get ...
...they are definately on my to do list for next time. I really enjoyed Istanbul and will definately be going back someday soon. It was one of my favourite places in Turkey. I would totally recommend it but not for a summer holiday as it's definately not a beach resort ...

Bekler21 10.10.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Istanbul (Turkey)