remphish1 Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I am contemplating doing a day trip to Istanbul from Athens. Would have about 11 hours on the ground. From what I hear 3 nights in Athens is overkill. So my question is two fold. Is three nights in Athens overkill? Also, is it worth it to go to Istanbul for just the day? I can hit the ground running and will cram in lots I am sure as I am always on the go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I only have experience with Constantinople. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I only have experience with Constantinople.Damn I was going to make that joke. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ih8music Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Never been to Istanbul but a friend of mine recently moved there. I had no idea it was such a beautiful city and region. I say go for it. Sometimes a rushed visit is just as much fun as a long one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Screw it..I just booked it..I don't know when I will next be in the region so why the heck not. Still bring on the pointers if you got them for Istanbul! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 The day of the week will be important as Aya Sofia and Topkapi Palace have (different) days closed during the week. To do both might be impossible - better 2 days with an early start at both to avoid typically long queues for entrance. So, given you only have 1 day, go for Aya Sofia (assuming it is open on the day you go). My favourite building in the whole world. The Grand Bazaar and Blue Mosque with a bit of wandering in between might be the totality of your day but it really is hard to go wrong in Istanbul. Stay around the tip of the horn - being an ancient city most things compact around there of course. Plenty to see a bit further afield but not worth attempting in one day. If you have time get one of the public ferries to Asia and back just for the view from the water and a cooling breeze. This is astonishing but will have to wait for another timehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Sarcophagus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-seven Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 I've been there. I spent a birthday there actually and really enjoyed it. I think you could make a great day out of a visit. I had a great massage and bath at a gorgeous, historic marble bath house. I'm in the food business so I was really interested in trying the food. We happened to be there during Ramadan which is a great time food-wise since they set up a whole, temporary food village every night after sundown. I had some delicious things like Gözleme which is a flatbread filled with things like cheese, tomato, onion. It was really delicious and I still dream about finding a place where I can have that again. They also have fantastic stuffed grape leaves...nothing like we get here. These are char-grilled and fresh with amazing flavor. They also have some great lamb dishes, but I actually got pretty ill on that so I won't go into too much detail about that . I remember getting a fish sandwich right off the boat down by the water. I could go on and on about the food but I won't bore you if that's not your thing. There's amazing architecture, ex. Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia that are really beautiful. We took a beautiful night time ferry ride on the Bosphorus, sipping some apple tea in cute little glasses that was really lovely as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted April 19, 2014 Author Share Posted April 19, 2014 I have 14 hours on the ground and I will be there on a Thursday I have 6 places I want to stop at and even will do a 60 minute Turkish bath I am optimistic but whatever happens it will be an experience! Thanks for the pointers it's sound awesome! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Lunch/snack/drink here. it's all about the location ... http://www.sevenhillshotel.com/photogallery Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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