Istanbul excursion

[avp]

We will be in Istanbul in Oct (off the Emerald Princess) and would be interested in hooking up with a city tour that hits the high points including the Cisterns that is reasonable and good. Any recommendations?

[drlivingston]

Hi, avp. Welcome to cruise chat. Your question is not that difficult to answer but I have a suggestion that might give you far more information. If you go to the top of your thread to the left of where it says "Welcome, avp", you will see several headings also highlighted in blue. Click on the one that says "Find". Enter Istanbul in the "Keyword Search" box and just hit "Go". You will find 3 pages of past threads dealing with Istanbul. Happy reading and enjoy your cruise!! Let us know if we can be of further assistance to you.

[jack2007]

good answer drlivingston, was tempted to give you a gold star
A little more information...you don't have to have a tour guide as with a guide book the city is fairly easy to explore...you could start in the old city Sultanhamet and visit the topkapi palace,blue mosque,aya sofya and the basillica cisterns.
There is a tour company that I've heard is reputable & professional but I've not had any dealings with them, called insight travel but if you do decide to use a guide make sure they are registered or have a license.
Have an enjoyable time in Istanbul.......regards jack

[helm]

Hi AVP!

We just came back from an Emerald Princess cruise and one of the stops was Istanbul.

We did a lot of researched on what to do and see. We had a wonderful time in Istanbul and it cost us next to nothing.

First, when you get off the cruise ship, go outside the terminal and take a right on the street and get yourself a Taxi (don't take the taxis by the terminal as they charge you a lot more to drive you to the sites. We paid 10 Turkish liras to have the driver bring us to the Blue Mosque.

The Blue Mosque is right across from the Hagia Sofia. Maybe a 100 meters distance. Across the street from these two sites is the Cistern.

From there it is only a short walk to Topkapi palace (very interesting).

From there again only a short walk to the Grand Bazaar. If you want to also see the Spice Bazaar walk through the local Bazaar (things are a lot cheaper there then at the Grand Bazaar) and walk downhill to the Spice Bazaar (we just asked people which way to go. They are very helpful).

After the Spice Bazaar you come out at a market by the bridge that gets you back to the ship. Take a rest and have some apple tea or a drink.

Just before the bridge is an underground walkway leading to the bridge with lots of vendors. There I bought a beautiful pair of Diesel shoes for 15 Turkish liras.

The whole tour cost us less then $100 (for taxi, entrance fees as well as a nice lunch) for the 2 of us and we took in the sites at our own pace.

The people are very helpful and friendly.

One last point. If you want to buy something in Turkey, buy it in Kusadasi instead of Istanbul. It’s much cheaper there.

I hope this helps you plan out your trip.

[avp]

Thank you very much (Helm). That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Did you do the same type of "go on your own" excursion in Athens and Ephesus?

[helm]

Hi AVP!

Yes, we sure did. In Kusadasi we arranged for a driver and a/c car ( see link http://www.taxikusadasi.com/Taxi_Exc...to_Ephesus.htm )and he picket us up at the terminal, drove us to the Virgin Mary House, Ephesus, Temple of Arime, St. Johns Basilica, and another Mosque and to a grocery store for some snacks on the cruise ship and all that for EU 52. It was great. In Athens we walked to the train station (only 15 min from the terminal). Took the train to Athens (cost is 70 cents one way and train leaves every 3 minutes). Get of the train after the 6th stop, walk up to the Acropolis and walk down to the Placa after your visit. Have a nice lunch and take the train back to Piraeus (from the Placa train station it is 7 stops back to the boat).

I hope this helps