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Walking around any of the other neighbourhoods you will come across traditional Turkish concerns frequented by locals where you can try authentic food including kebabs at very reasonable prices. The roads leading up to Taksim Square from the Galata Bridge have many kebab cafes. There are several good seafood restaurants in the Kumkapi area, serving locally-caught fish.

Finally for the less adventurous, Istanbul has the usual array of global fast-food outlets scattered around.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5108 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5105
The impression you receive as a tourist is that your safety is of paramount importance and that no risks will be taken. This has naturally taken on even greater significance in the current international crisis. Now, at all the main sites there are greater numbers of police, although compared to some other countries their presence is by no means overbearing.

Within Luxor town itself it is perfectly safe for tourists to wander round, although it is unwise to linger in or around the town of Qena, considered to be a fundamentalist stronghold. For trips to other towns such as Hurghada or Aswan, tourists must now travel on specific police-escorted convoys. There are sometimes just two or three convoys per day, so if driving yourself make sure you know the departure times or you will be turned back at the first checkpoint.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5105 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5104
As a visitor you’ll regularly be approached for some form of business. For any service it’s prudent to settle the price beforehand and remember that baksheesh (a tip) is always expected.

Coming from a western country it can seem farcical to tip so much, but baksheesh is an intrinsic part of Egyptian life and should be honoured (within reason of course). For example, if taking a photo of people it is polite (and wise!) to offer baksheesh. This is after all, a poor region in a poor country: a fact that some visitors tend to forget.

Hence, although much of the locals’ amiability derives from securing more business, visitors will also be approached by people who genuinely want no more than to demonstrate Egyptian hospitality. It isn’t unusual to be invited to someone’s house for dinner or tea, which provides an insight into how local people live. However, discretion should always be exercised particularly for lone female travellers.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5104 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5103 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5103 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5102
Alternatively, there are plentiful taxis on the other side waiting to take you the remaining 3-4km to the sites. All tickets for the sites must be pre-purchased at ticket booths 1km inland. A general ticket for the Valley of Kings or Queens costs 55LE (approx. £5.50) and gives admission to three separate tombs, although Tutankhamen’s tomb will set you back a further 70LE.

As with many other attractions in Egypt, ISIC holders receive a 50% discount. A word of warning: don’t feel obliged to take an unofficial tour of a tomb by one of the wardens: they will expect and occasionally demand, a tip for the service.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5102 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5101
Karnak is one of the world’s most celebrated monuments: a vast complex of different temples built over 1300 years including the spectacular Hypostyle Hall with its 134 giant columns. It’s worth seeing in daylight (afternoon is less crowded) and at night with the sound and light show. It’s about 2.5km north of the town centre and can be reached by walking either along the Corniche before turning right when you see the sign for Karnak, or directly up Sharia El-Karnak. Alternatively, take a caleche or taxi from the centre. Entry is 40LE.

The impressive Luxor Temple is right in the centre of town on the Corniche. Entry is 30LE. The small Luxor museum just up the Corniche houses a number of interesting artefacts and will take an hour or so to cover and is probably worth visiting. Entry is 30LE.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5101 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5100
For example, the recently-opened Indian restaurant at the Sheraton has received excellent reports and is well worth a visit. Other hotels such as the Hilton and Emilio also house very good restaurants and are open to non-residents. At the budget end, there are several good-value ‘tourist’ restaurants.

The Ramses restaurant adjacent to the Emilio on Sharia Yusef Hassan, is a very reasonable, basic place somewhat undiscovered by the bulk of tourists.

The restaurant at the St Marks Hotel on Sharia El-Karnak is cheap with pleasant service but in need of a facelift. The Amoun and El-Hussein which are next door to each other further down Sharia El-Karnak and attract large numbers of tourists, both are good value serving mainly western dishes.

Although the town isn’t renowned for its nightlife, some of the larger hotels such as the Etap and Sheraton have discos until the early hours where you can also see bellydancing shows.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5100 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5099 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5099 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5098 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5098 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5008
Here you can buy practically any type of merchandise from authentic rugs, to leather goods and jewellery. Haggling is obligatory of course, but beware of pickpockets.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5008 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4998 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4998 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4997 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4997 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4996 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4996 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4995 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4995 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5114
An absolute essential whilst in Istanbul is to take a local ferry across the Bosphorus, for example to Uskudar on the Asian side of the city. The crossing will give magnificent views of many of the historical buildings whilst emphasising the city’s extraordinary setting, which sprawls over several hills. Regular ferries leave Eminonu on the Golden Horn for the Asian side. Tokens are best purchased from the official kiosks and not from touts who will happily overcharge or short-change the unsuspecting tourist before vanishing into the crowds.

To reach other parts of Turkey there are regular train services and a very good bus network offering cheap and frequent departures countrywide. Istanbul’s main otogar (bus station) is situated on the north-western outskirts of the city at Esenler and easily reached by local train.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5114 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5113
With this in mind the city of Bursa makes for an interesting stopover. The city is beautifully located against a mountainous backdrop and offers skiing during winter months. There is a thriving bazaar and several lovely examples of Ottoman-built mosques such as Yesil Cami.

To reach Bursa take the regular catamaran from Yenikapi to Yalova (badly hit by the 1999 earthquake) on the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara, then catch a bus from outside the ferry terminal for the hour-long drive to Bursa’s otogar.

A feasible daytrip from Istanbul is to the historic town of Edirne about 3 hours north-west of Istanbul close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria. Catch one of the frequent bus services from Esenler. Arriving in Edirne may feel as though you’ve returned to Europe but there are some interesting Ottoman monuments to be seen here including the beautiful Selimiye Camii mosque.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5113 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5107 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5107 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5106 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5106 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5009 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5009