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The bridge is within walking distance of the Old Town. Buy a fresh catch fish bread sandwich from one of the bobbing boats next to the bridge before taking a stroll across the Bosphorus. I walked on the top deck across one way, taking in the sparkling water, the colorful fishing poles, and a golden sunset. On the way back, I walked on the lower deck. I picked one of the many restaurants packed on the bridge and watched the moon rise from my waterfront seat.
TurkeyThrills
#10
Galata Bridge
ISTANBUL PRE-TOUR
Most hotels in Istanbul offer a taxi transfer from the airport. Do it. It is one less stresser when you see the placard with your name, and the driver is pre-paid and knows where to take you. I stayed 2 nights at my first hotel, so the transfer was free.
How do I get to my hotel?
Hagia Sophia glows orange at night.
Enjoy a cheap meal on-the-go from one of the many street carts. Everywhere you will see red & white striped carts selling roasted corn on the cob and chestnuts.
The old town section of Istanbul is the place to stay, with bazaars, cafes, cobbled streets and activity everywhere. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are within walking distance. I spent my first day staving off jet-lag by exploring. The call to prayer echos over loud speakers from every mosque, and I know I am in Turkey.
I made it.
The shop owners stand on the sidewalk outside their shop. At first their greetings and questions of "where are you from" sound innocuous, but if you engage at all, or even make eye contact and smile, they become very persistent and pushy wanting you to come see their merchandise. So unless you are in the market for a carpet, etc. Don't stop. Keep walking. Don't say, "later," they will remember you next time you walk by. This can be hard for us friendly Americans, but it will save you from being pulled into every shop.
What about the pushy shop owners?
Süleymaniye Mosque
This was my first time entering a mosque. I covered my hair with a scarf and removed my shoes. It felt odd to be walking into a religious place with bare feet! The main room was huge with towering domes and gigantic metal rings suspended from the ceiling with hundreds of lamps attached. Pink and gray geometric stones decorated the walls. Don't miss walking around to the back courtyard. There is an amazing view of the Bosphorus.
Underground Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi)
TurkeyThrills
#9
Turkish Bath
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Just do it. I can't stress it enough. This was such a memorable and wonderful experience. Don't worry that you will be undressed in front of strangers - just take a deep breath and do as the Turkish do.
I went to the Çemberlitas Hamami near the Grand Bazaar. There are lockers to lock belongings and I was given a brand new kese (raw silk exfoliating mitt) and a bikini bottom to wear. The plump, smiley attendants didn't speak a word of English but guided me through the experience with gestures.
First, I laid on a large, round stone platform to soak up the heat and to sweat. After awhile my lady started scrubbing me with the kese, pouring water from a silver bowl, and lathering me up with mountains of bubbles. She washed my hair and I had a chance to soak in a hot tub type dipping pool. Wrapped in my red and white checkered towel I enjoyed a tea before heading back out into the real world (with the softest skin since birth).
A quick, but worth-while stop near Sultanahmet Square is the Underground Cistern. It was built in 500 A.D. to store water. Nice and cool on this 90 degree day, it was a short stroll on elevated boardwalks to the stone Medusa head columns recycled from Roman architecture.
