The Kybele Hotel in Istanbul
by Thad_Koch about The Kybele Hotel in Istanbul
$75.00 US dollars The hotel has almost 2000 small hanging antique lamps, all lighted, in the lobby, dining area, with antique furnishings. The staff all speak english and are eager to help. Our room had a 4th floor terrace with a view of Aya Sophia. All this with a buffet Turkish breakfast and super location. We paid $75.00 per night for two.
Forum Posts
Alone in Istanbul
by HHol
I will be in Istanbul in May.
As a middle aged woman can anyone suggest a reputable tour group to see Instanbul?
RE: Alone in Istanbul
by unaS
Try contacting these people by email http://hotels.magnificenttravel.com/
I arranged lots of 1 and 2 day tours with them that worked out very well indeed.
Be sure to state *clearly* your basic requirements, then reiterate them :)
My Turkey pages are here if you are interested. That was 3 years ago when I was 60.
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/d16ba/bde/
RE: RE: Alone in Istanbul
by unaS
Is not so large???
Population: 10,034,830 [World Gazetteer, 2006)
Area: 1,538,77 km²
Population density: 6521 inh./km²
It required over an hour to drive from Sultanhemet to the Chora Church Museum in non-rush hour traffic!!
RE: Alone in Istanbul
by worldinabag
Hi
You can do Istanbul on your own quite easily. I sent you an email and attached my notes on Istanbul. I hope this helps.
Best of luck.
RE: Alone in Istanbul
by AlperAy
Hi HHol,
I agree that you can do it yourself. The only need is a good guide book in your language. All the main sites (Topkapi palace, blue mosque, grand bazaar, hagia sophia, spice bazaar etc.)are closed to each other, within walking distance. Choose a hotel at Sultanahmet district that we call historical area. Also, you can use light tram from sultanahmet to visit Dolmabahce palace and lively Taksim. For bosphorus tour, traditional ferry aparts from Eminonu, closed to Sultanahmet area. Some hotels also offer free airport transfer so dont forget to ask.
Have a nice holiday, Alper
http://locallypera.blogspot.com
Re: Alone in Istanbul
by Alikatt
As a woman traveling to Istanbul alone, there is a brilliant book I recommend that you read, Tales from the Expat Harem: Foreign Women in Modern Turkey edited by Anastasia Ashman and Jennifer Gokmen. I think you will be inspired by the wonderul stories the expat women wrote about as well as give you insight on Turkey's culture and traditions by their own account.
If you go to the official tourist site of the Turkish government, you'll most likely find a registered tour guide. I think you can do it on your own too but to make the most of your time, you are probably on the right track.
One time as a result of a VT meeting in Istanbul, I met a member visiting from New York who is friends with one of the owners of Kybele Hotel in Sultanahmet who calls himself Mike. Mike conducts daily tours of Kapali Carsi. If you can do that, it will be worthwhile. You can try to go there at 9 am and ask if you can join the tour. He has a wealth of information on Istanbul
Good luck!