Rating & Reviews of Istanbul, Turkey
Average Rating: Good (18 Reviews)
Top Amenity Ratings:
Submitted by Chuckromad from Fostoria, OH January 18, 2008 05:57 AM GMT-05:00
Overall Rating:
Activity Ratings
Art Galleries
Casinos
Concert Venues
Museums
Restaurants
Shopping
Sports Venues
Theaters
Bicycle Trails
Golf Courses
Hiking Trails
Love it 
I've been to Istanbul many times and love it more each time.  I find the people there friendly and warm.  Like other vacation destinations, most of the people I encounter are in business to make money, and I understand that.  In Istanbul, I generally feel that I got my money's worth at the end of the transactions.  I've stayed in the Calyon and Cinar hotels before, but my favorite is the Best Western Acropol in Sultanahmet.  No need for taxis there...every attraction that I'm interested in (Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Egyptian Spice Bazaar, Eminonu Ferry Terminal for Bosphorus cruises) are all within easy walking distance.  Beautiful views of the water and the mosques from their rooftop restaurant.  Cappadocia and other destinations are easy and inexpensive to get to via the numerous travel agencies in Sultanahmet.  I wouldn't dream of driving in Istanbul, but I rented a car at Kayseri and drove around the Cappadocia region with no problems.   Since my wife and I have done the tourist attractions, our favorite activity in Istanbul is just sitting and sipping chai and watching the people.  It's is relaxing and enjoyable.  We still take the ferry up the Bosphorus for a dinner at one of the fabulous fish restaurants at the end stop near the entrance to the Black Sea.  I wholeheartedly recommend Istanbul as a vacation destination.
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Date of Trip to Istanbul, Turkey:
August,2007
Cost of your trip:
$2,001-$3,000
Purpose of your trip?
Personal
Who should go to Istanbul, Turkey ?