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I have stayed in the Ottoman Hotel Imperial for a week from the 23rd of May till the 30th of May. It was my best stay ever. From the moment I contacted the Hotel, their Front Office/Manager were so extremly attentive, helpful and very prompt. They made me look forward even more to visiting Istanbul and staying with them. They never hesitated to provide me with any information I required, and were ready to service me even before my arrival. Once I was there, the pick up went very well and their reception was so warm, courteous and informative. Starting then, I received the best service by all means.The area, Sultanahmet, is a prime location :In the heart of the City, In the heart of History. The room was clean, comfortable, lush and had a lovely view. The breakfast/food was very good and they even serve some Ottoman dishes, which I found very delicious.The service is very courteous, impeccable and the staff are very friendly. They have a lovely garden, were you can relax and enjoy your food and drinks around the clock. Their Guest Relation Team is the best I ever came across. These ladies make your stay, a time to remember. In one sentence, I would like to sum it up : The Ottoman Imperial Hotel, Staff and Management, make your stay a home away from home with a magical touch. Staying in the Ottoman Hotel Imperial is a must, if you happen to visit Istanbul for business or pleasure.
I was travelling Turkey last year and booked all my travel through Walkabout Travel Turkey www.walkabout.com.tr They were fantastic. I wanted to be all good and be a real backpacker but it was so brilliant to have all the basics like transport, accommodation and attractions found for me, allowing me to do all the fun and interesting things. All the people in the office went out of their way to make sure i had the best trip possible and loved all my stories when i returned to Istanbul.
Just down from the Blue Mosque on the tram line in Sultanahmet
Comfortable rooms, superb beds, hotel facilities were above average. The continental breakfast was fresh of good quality and variety. The staff were extremely helpful. The hotel bar has terrific views over the old Istanbul looking onto the Bosphorus in the distance.
The hotel is based in a superb location and extremely central for all tram lines and tourist attractions such as the Topkapi palace, the Blue Mosque, Hadgi Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and so on. Walking distance for the Bosphorus ferry.
One criticism: because of its central situation by Taksim Square, the noise of traffic can be heard in the mornings. Overall a comfortable, central hotel, absolutely perfect for business, but especially for a city break.
Sıraselviler Caddesi No:45/1 Taksim 34437 ISTANBUL / TURKEY
www.starhotelsgroup.com/grand/index.htm
Huge hotel, out of this world food, lovely pools. This is the best hotel I've ever stayed in, and right on the beach. Great for honeymooners. Quiet at night. Get a sea view room - it's fantastic.
side,turkey
I absolutely have to recommend the beautiful Pera Place apartments located right off of Istiklal Cadici in the heart of the best neighborhood in Turkey. My boyfriend and I stayed there for 10 nights in May and had an incredible time. The owners are extremely helpful and trustworthy. The apartment has been beautifully renovated, but they kept the original mouldings and wood, so it still feels authentic. We ended up getting engaged during the trip, so obviously we had an unforgettable time.
If you are thinking of staying in Istanbul for more than a few days, this is absolutely the best place to be!
Great value for money and hugely atmospheric, if you can find it. Hop on a dolmus into Fethiye, get off at the last stop, then take the road behind the main mosque into the heart of the town. It's only about a two-minute walk (if you get lost, ask a local or follow the cats!) Buy your fish direct from the stall holders - levrek (sea bass) and cupra (sea bream) are both delicious - and one of the surrounding restaurants will cook it for you there and then, how you like, for a small cover charge with fresh bread and salad alongside. Mezes are extra and raki, the potent local aniseed-based tipple traditionally enjoyed with fish, is an absolute must. My favourite is Recep's Place and the owner, formerly a butcher, is a bit of a local celeb.
Hal ve Pazar Yeri, No: 51, Fethiye, Tel: +90 (0)538 304 0555).
It was the most perfect canoe ever - the owners of St Nicholas Pension, Patara take you and your canoes up into the mountainous interior and drop you off to the spend the whole day canoeing back down to the stunning coast with beautiful sand dunes and ruins (it's where Father Christmas was born by the way!) The owners also meet you for a picnic lunch half-way down. There's mountain backdrop scenery, turtles, martins swooping into riverbank nests and some not too hair-raising white-water bits. A friend and I went some years ago and still rave about.
The following website has everything - info about St.Nicholas Pension, excursions and how to get there - www.stnicholaspensionpatara.com
Lovely shop owner - Gelal - at this shop will bend your ear in praise of Islam and the Turkish state before giving you a deal.
Vezirhan Cd. No: 40
Cemberlitas
Tel 90-212-520-92-42
Gumusluk is one of the the last remaining 'unspoilt' bay on the Bodrum peninsula, due to the strict laws prohibiting construction. This is due to the fact that the whole of Gumusluk is located on the ruins of the 2000 year ancient city of Myndos. A small charming fishing village, Gumusluk does not get the crowds that you will find in most other bays in Bodrum. For music lovers, a summer long International Classical Music Festival takes place in the old byzantine church on the top of the hill.
By dolmus(shared taxis) - 30 minutes from the central Bodrum bus garage.
www.gumuslukfestival.org
A beautifully and sensitively restored church with outstanding mosaics depicting various biblical scenes.
It's not easy to get to but worth the effort.
Go to the bus terminus at Eminonu on the waterfront side of the street.
Find the bus stop for number 90.
It should say Draman on front.
Ride the bus all the way to the terminus. It goes through a fascinating neighbourhood. Then continue to walk straight on up the same street up the hill.
At a T junction go left and immediately right up Nester St.
The church, a brick building which looks like a mosque is over on a side street to the right.
Don't go on Wednesday - it's shut.
I booked two private tours at Izmir (Ephesus etc.) and Istanbul (the works) with Byzas Tours / Tours Istanbul. Their service was impeccable. Booking was a breeze and the actual excursions went perfectly. Very knowledgeable guides, practically brand new vehicles, punctuality, no hidden costs. If I could, I would even attribute the good weather on the days to them but obviously, that was just good luck.
www.turkeytravelservice.com
www.ephesustourguide.com
Phone: +90 212 458 2191
Address: Binbirdirek mah. Klodfarer Caddesi No: 3/36 Sultanahmet - Istanbul
E-mail: info@ephesustourguide.com
We recently rented this homely lovely apartment for a five day stay in Istanbul and had a fantastic time. It was pretty cheap considering the size and location. There are two double rooms and another room with two single beds, kitchen, living room/dining room, one little bathroom, a little balcony and all the mod cons you'll need on holiday.
The views from the apartment look straight across the Golden Horn with the Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque visible in the distance.
The area (Beyoglu) was fantastic! Not very touristy (which I thought was great) but still with loads and loads of things to do, see and eat. A young hip crowd, loads of bars, shops, restaurants and very easy transport around the city (or walk to the Grand Bazaar in 30mins). The owner gave us a little personal tour around the area when we arrived showing us good local restaurants, bars, cafe and the best places to eat local delights.
Only one thing that might be a problem - it gets a bit noisy on Friday and Saturday nights due to the numerous restaurants nearby - the locals like to party around here, so probably not great for kids but it didn't bother us much. Other than that - is excellent in almost every way.
You can book the apartment via ownersdirect.co.uk:
www.ownersdirect.co.uk/turkey/TK821.htm
The Bozburun peninsula is largely a conservation area, perfect for nature lovers and exploring uncrowded, pretty bays with crystal clear water and for enjoying stunning views (car essential!). You can see gulets being built in Bozburun, a lively harbour town.
We stayed in the traditional village of Bayir, known for its ancient plane tree, up in the hills above the coast. The hosts of our stone villa, set in a wild, organic garden overlooking a valley, were charming. Ayhan, the owner, an energetic and qualified archaeological guide can take you on hikes or tours around the region.
Follow signs to Bozburun from Marmaris, you will find other towns and villages (e.g.Turunc, Sogut and Bayir) signposted. The drive down to Turunc has beautiful views. Explore from there... The Chalet Vista in Bayir can be booked through the owner, Ayhan, directly: ayhansengurel@mynet.com (or the villarenters website, which has photos).
I love, love, LOVE Leb-i-derya. I don't care one jot that it's over-priced. It's refreshing to find a society in Istanbul hangout that's friendly and welcoming - even on a Saturday night in July without a booking. And the views are sublime. Try to arrive before sunset otherwise you'll completely miss the point and good luck in finding it! If you get lost, ask the doorman at the Richmond Hotel on Istiklal Caddesi for directions...
Kumbaracı yokuşu 57/6 Tünel, Beyoğlu
www.lebiderya.com/
We joined a family gulet cruise with an onboard archaeologist. We were a little uncertain how much 'history' there would be and how the children were going to like the cultural site visits, but it turned out to be a great mix. The kids swam and swam, jumping off the gulet into the crystal waters, and were fascinated by all the Greek and Roman sites. They turned into historical detectives, young Indiana Jones's, exploring 2000 year old temples and putting on plays in ancient Greek theatres.
When we were thinking of booking, we found the fact that our guide would be taking his own family and gives his name to the company very reassuring, and it turned out to be well organised and truly inspirational. I only wish I were back on the boat being cooked for and enjoying the sunshine!
This is about 1.5 hour drive from Antalya and it is a beautiful city and not as crowed. It has great beaches.
Fly to Antalya and take a bus there or rent a car
This area of beach and hotels is 45 minute from Ismir. It's beautiful and worth the trip.
Nice, dependable buses depart from the large Izmir bus station almost every hour or rent a car to get there.
I have lived in Istanbul for 14 months. The Sultan-ahmet area is the best for tourism and it is the location of the old city of Byzantium. It is also where you can find the St. Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque and Topkai Surai (Ottoman Place).
Any taxi can take you there
There’s a forgotten train ride through the middle east that no-one mentions or goes on; it lasts from 8am on Sunday to 8pm Sunday and goes through two vast countries. This train departs Istanbul and arrives in Damascus and on-route it meanders its way through the interior of Turkey bordering mountain ranges and plains and going through medieval cities such as Konya and the rarely visited town of Antep. You then you enter Syria and immediately hit the mecca that is Aleppo, with its bustling streets and many souqs and then you travel through Syria and finally end up in the oldest continually habited city on Earth, in one of the greatest cities in the middle east, Damascus… and all of this for £50.
Last October I went to Istanbul. I had been dying to go for ages but couldn't find any friend interested, and travelling solo was too daunting. So I found these women that organize tours of Istanbul for women only and had the time of my life. The guide was excellent and the support woman knew absolutely every single place. We had a great time all eight of us in the group. We saw amazing sites, and in the evening we visited great restaurants and bars, so stylish and incredibly affordable, and made friends with the locals. I recommend going to the hamam in Cemberlitas, that was an unforgettable experience, especially after a long day touring... I'll definitely be going back!
www.womenontour.co.uk
Cemberlitas Hamam: www.cemberlitashamami.com.tr/hamam_english.htm
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