what direction would you travel to get from new york to istanbul
Istanbul is an absolutely astonishing urban center! I fell in love with information technology the moment I got out of the bus: friendly people, vibrant atmosphere, delicious food, interesting history and culture make the visit to the urban center an unforgettable feel. Probably, in my case ane of the reasons is the fact that I take some Turkic blood in my veins 🙂 Just as many other touristic places it has its traps, and then here are my travel tips on the things non to practise in Istanbul in order to have a really enjoyable experience!
Demand help with planning a trip to Istanbul? I am here to assist!
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ane. Don't stay shut to the sights.
Of form, it is much more convenient to stay closer to the sights, when y'all do non have to spend time and money to become to an attraction. But by doing this you volition miss the real Istanbul and the authentic local life. If you stay in Sultanahmet shut to the Bluish Mosque or in Taksim near Istiklal, you will see crowds of tourists and locals alike. And it will exist noisy. We stayed at Çapa, reasonably not far from Sultanahmet, and actually enjoyed the neighbourhood. And information technology is cheaper 🙂
Check, for case, Hotel 1453, All-time Garden Hotel, 5-star Ottoman's Life Hotel Deluxe and Lemis Suite apartments. In add-on, I have a mail service on the best areas to stay in Istanbul: click here to read it.
two. Don't take the tram on Istiklal.
I know how tempting it sounds: to take a ride in the historical tram in the centre of Istanbul in its most famous street. Well, information technology was not that dashing when I had to stand up in the tram packed with people and not being able to run across a glimpse of Istiklal. Then, don't practise it, especially if yous intend to actually encounter this wonderful street. Frankly, many people only accept photos of themselves in front of the tram without getting in. But if you are tired – and y'all will be, if you are going to peek into all the shops, of which there are plenty – information technology is fifty-fifty advisable to accept the tram to get to the other side of Istiklal.
3. Don't shop on Istiklal.
Continuing with Istiklal, hither comes my adjacent tip: don't shop there. I have to admit, I am guilty of this i. There are many shops on Istiklal, particularly lots of non-and then-expensive European brands as Mango, Bershka, H&G, and local Turkish ones, and it is difficult not to fall to the temptation of buying a fancy dress or a T-shirt. Merely people who travel to Istanbul frequently advise to go to big shopping centers, which are not touristic, and the prices are lower.
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4. Don't call up there will be no queues.
There volition always be queues in Istanbul to all the major sights, so consider this when planning your itinerary. Of course, if you go in that location off flavour, it won't be that bad, but if you lot visit Istanbul during popular times, look to wait hours (sometimes) before you can get in.
I remember we had to wait for a long fourth dimension at Topkapi: first to buy the tickets, and and so again inside at the Treasury. The Treasury is quite small, then they can't permit many people inside at once. Just, notwithstanding, it was extremely crowded when nosotros finally got in and we could barely come across the exhibits. If you lot want to skip the queues, you volition have to pay for an organised tour (click hither or here to meet information technology).
Dolmabahce is another place where queues can be endless and, considering that the number of visitors is limited, tourists have to come in that location very early to ensure they get a place. When we were at that place, nosotros managed to buy the terminal tickets 🙂 If you lot want to be certain that you will have a ticket and dread waiting in the line, opt for a skip-the-line tour of the palace (click here for more info). Merely keep in mind that it's not likely your guide will do a tour of the palace itself equally they at Dolmabahce have their own guides.
If you merely don't demand the hassle of waiting in lines at every major tourist attraction, opt for a 1 day bout that offers guided entrance to a couple of locations similar Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, Bluish Mosque, etc. (click hither for more than info).
What you accept to remember is that these skip-the-line tours are more expensive than simply buying archway tickets, merely you will go a guide and won't have to wait for hours. Personally, I prefer to await every bit I am quite frugal when I travel 🙂
5. Don't buy apple tree tea.
I am ane of those people who loves tea: waiters in Istanbul ask me if I am Russian when I social club information technology 🙂 After hearing and then much near the Turkish apple tea, I decided to try it. Well, no offence to apple tea lovers, but information technology is far from being the best beverage I have ever had. And that pulverization the tea is made of looks totally artificial. Improve buy accurate Turkish tea: I retrieve Çaykur is the most popular ane of them.
6. Don't buy everything you lot see in the bazaars.
Yes, the Egyptian and Grand Bazaars are absurd, and you tin buy lots of things at that place, but they are intended for tourists primarily, and are very expensive. If you want to purchase Turkish delights or tea, meliorate go to a local bakery or a supermarket. Just an example: my friend wanted to buy Çaykur tea in the Egyptian boutique, because, every bit the rumor has information technology, it is cheaper there than in the Grand Bazaar. In one shop it cost xv Turkish liras, in the 2d i 30(!) Turkish liras, and in the supermarket – 12 Turkish liras only (or might be fifty-fifty less depending on the tea type).
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vii. Don't buy in bazaars without haggling.
Haggling is crucial! You lot tin cutting the price by half. The items in the bazaars are overpriced, and you tin can't buy everything in supermarkets or local shops. If yous actually desire that amazingly colorful scarf or those wonderful tulip-shaped spectacles, then don't be agape to deal. When the seller tells the price, say that it is besides expensive. They lower the price a bit, but you go on with maxim that information technology is however likewise expensive, and turn to get abroad. Usually they stop you and ask to set up your ain cost. Don't be too immodest, give it a reasonable price, and you will strike a deal. A story once again: on my first trip to Istanbul I did non know any of these, but managed to cut the price of a scarf from 60 Turkish liras to 25.
8. Don't be agape to endeavor street food.
Turkey has an amazing national cuisine, and you don't even accept to go to a eating place to endeavor it. Get yourself a kumpir (a baked potato with filling), balik ekmek (fish and breadstuff), tombik (information technology is like to burgers, only tastes much better), simit (a staff of life with sesame seeds), and baked chestnuts. And freshly squeezed pomegranate and orange juices! I think street vendors are everywhere in Istanbul, and then consider yourself safe from starvation 🙂 . If you are not a fan of street food, and don't think it is hygienic enough, go to small Turkish restaurants.
And, obviously, don't go to McDonald'southward or Burger King 🙂 The Turkish cuisine is non express to street food, then get to restaurants that serve traditional kebabs and delights. Trust me, y'all won't be disappointed!
9. Don't eat close to touristic places.
This one is a very strong don't, and it's true non only for Istanbul. We had a dinner in a very pocket-sized restaurant merely next to the Topkapi palace: unfortunately, I don't retrieve its name, but it was overpriced and the nutrient was awful. Actually, it was our worst repast in the city. Only get a bit farther from the sights and you volition observe actually nice places to consume.
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x. Don't article of clothing revealing clothes or curt dresses.
Turkey is a country with a Muslim majority, and it means that a dress code should exist respected. I strongly advise women not to wear brusque dresses or skirts or clothes that reveal a lot of cleavage. I do not think many of us need and so much unwanted attention.
I wore one time a long in a higher place-knee shirt with thick black tights and too many people paid attending to me, while older ladies kept rolling their optics 🙂
11. Don't assume Istanbul isn't safe.
Some of my readers ask whether Istanbul is safe, so I feel that I should address this question. In my opinion, Istanbul is every bit prophylactic as whatever other city I have visited. When in Istanbul, I take general precautions, like I practice in any other identify: I don't walk late at dark in distant neighbourhoods, I keep my belongings shut to myself and don't flash annihilation expensive.
I went to Istanbul often on business trips, meaning I would walk the city alone when my work for the twenty-four hours was done. In other cases I travelled there with my female friend and nosotros walked effectually many areas, some much farther than Sultanahmet and Taksim. Nosotros had to wait for buses/ferries in some distant and empty places, nosotros stayed at a hotel that was managed past men just, walked the tourist areas at night and we are nonetheless alive and kicking 🙂
I have a longer postal service on rubber, where I share my feel and impressions well-nigh Istanbul as a female person traveller: click hither to read it.
12. Don't try to get to everywhere on foot.
When I looked at the map of Istanbul, some sights seemed to exist actually close to each other, while in reality it takes a lot of fourth dimension to get there. When we went to Yildiz Palace – an amazing place, by the way, I thought that Dolmabahce is not really far from there. Trust me, it is, and I am glad we took the charabanc. If you like long walks, then it is non a huge distance for you, but for the states, who attempted to get everywhere on pes every bit much as possible, it was quite an ordeal.
Do you know any other things not to do in Istanbul you lot would similar to share? Anyway, if you lot are going to Istanbul, you volition demand a list of places to see there, so I am here to help! And I have a huge list of useful tips for Istanbul!
Well, in any city you travel, you have to stay somewhere 🙂 When I search for accommodation, I always use two options: it is either AirBnB or Booking.com.
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Source: https://irmanaanworld.com/things-to-avoid-doing-in-istanbul/
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