Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Just back from our 4 night break in Istanbul. It exceeded expectation and we had a fab time. If you haven't been, I can highly recommend it (and the hotel we stayed in) . Photos would take ages to load on here so you can see them here if you're interested . - very clean city, no litter to speak of although they obviously don't spend much on mending roads, pavements, buildings etc. It would be a nightmare if you were infirm, blind or in a wheelchair. High heels would even be a danger! Health and safety doesn't seem much in existence (a good thing, some may say!) - such friendly, helpful people (although any greeting/help was usually followed by "would you like to buy a carpet" ) - countless cafes and restaurants, all serving excellent, reasonably priced food - amazing sights round each corner - stray dogs and cats everywhere. You'd think that wouldn't be a good thing but apparently they are all picked up, vaccinated/neutered/treated for anything they have/tagged then released. The dogs were all large but very docile and mostly healthy & happy looking, the cats all tiny but gorgeous and again, healthy and well fed. I felt sorry for them but they seem to co-exist with the population quite happily and "Ooops, word censored!"ody ill-treats them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Glad you had a good time. I went about fifteen years ago, would love to go back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 The photos are lovely, I wondered about the cats and dogs. Glad that you had a good time, did most people speak good English? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 It looks lovely and quite different to how I expected. It looks like you packed a lot in there, I enjoyed your photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Love the photos! Not at all how I imagined either, always thought overcrowded narrow streets, maybe even a bit grubby. but it liiks amazing. Glad you had a great time. Where did you fly from? Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 6, 2014 Author Share Posted October 6, 2014 The photos are obviously of the main tourist areas which are mostly very spacious but there are loads of back streets which are a bit ramshackle and the suburbs aren't particularly pleasant although we came across the Walls of Constantinople by taking a tram out of town . The area we stayed in was a maze of little cobbled streets which were mostly very attractive, with a few that were a bit run down. Buildings seem to just be left to crumble when they're abandoned, which makes it a bit tatty. Everybody seemed to speak English to some degree, the hotel staff were pretty fluent and people in the street had enough to converse. Obviously the tourist spots had English speaking staff too. We usually like to try to speak some of the language but it's a pretty hard one to grasp! Meant to add that the transport system is really good and cheap - as well as buses and suburban trains, there's a tram running right through the old city, a couple of funicular railways and an train that runs under the Bosphorus to Asia! Ferries are good for a sightseeing trip. Alli, we flew from Edinburgh - 4 hr flight. Worth booking way in advance, the price doubled by the time we actually flew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I agree it is an amazing place, very different culturally to other European cities. We were there this summer, loved the spice market and Grand Bazar. It is a poor city, with a lot of refuges living rough. I found that harrowing, small children begging and living at the side of the road. There was an influx of a million Syrian refugees. I will try and post a couple of photos of the bazar they were amazing full of colour and smells. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 That's very true about the beggars - I was shocked at how many mothers and babies and small children on their own were begging . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 An assult on the sense, colours, smells and sounds - wonderful! These are snaps I took from our visit to the Spice market and Grand Bazar this summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Gorgeous. Would love to go, but I guess Turkey isn't the safest option for a trip right now We were in Turkey a month ago - very,very far from Istanbul & likewise the Syrian border, in a gorgeous town called Kalkan. The food is amazing , as are the people & some of the natural & historical sights to visit......Saklikent Gorge is a must see for anyone visiting Turkey. But the pavements are a nightmare... I stumbled numerous time! I agree totally about the stray dogs. I am not a dog lover at all, & I had heard that there was a vast stray population in Turkey & Kalkan itself. It really put me off going, but they were actually really charming - they didn't bother anyone, & were well looked after by a local charity. Glad you enjoyed it & soaked up the atmosphere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Our cruise went to Ephesus too, which is really incredible. I don't think Istanbul is too much of a worry it is far north of the Syrian boarder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 9, 2014 Author Share Posted October 9, 2014 Those photos are great . We didn't really dare to stop to take lots of photos as they pounce on you if you so much as point or stop walking . They are very polite though and take no for an answer straight away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 Yes, you don't want to lingers to long, wearing sunglasses really helps as they can't see you looking! Although they are nothing like the vendors in China, they really won't take no for an answer. I have a flip up view screen on my camera, so I can take photos discreetly and low down, I got several shots whilst OH and the kids haggled over souvenirs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 9, 2014 Share Posted October 9, 2014 I don't think Istanbul is too much of a worry it is far north of the Syrian boarder. It is a target for demonstrations (22 people died in these this week, in various cities), plus terrorist attacks, sadly. The political situation has worsened rapidly this week, & with this, plus the US air strikes, there is a further threat that Turkish air space be closed, stranding any tourists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 Oooo I have missed the news all this week - that's a real shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 We been watching as OH has been wanting to go for some time, but the situation seems to be getting worse for tourists all the time. It a great shame as I was there briefly in the 70's and really enjoyed it. The culture so different to what I was use to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted October 11, 2014 Share Posted October 11, 2014 Advice regarding Turkey : The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to the towns of Akḉakale and Ceylanpinar and against all but essential travel to areas within 10km of Turkey’s border with Syria. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Hakkari, Sirnak, Siirt and Tunceli. You should be especially vigilant when travelling in other provinces in south eastern Turkey and in areas close to the Syrian border. See Terrorism and Local Travel - Syrian border. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 11, 2014 Author Share Posted October 11, 2014 Although Istanbul is miles away from all that, I'll admit to being quite glad we went when we did! A friend from work is off to Turkey today. Not sure whereabouts but hope it's not any of those places . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
