Istanbul What to Pack

Luggage and bags: Bring with you extra luggage space. You often end up with having to buy an extra bag

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: As for any trip in the Med Sea

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: extra antibac and some hygienic stuff can be ok. But there are ok toilettes around also.

Miscellaneous: Between the couple of trips to Istanbul I have made, both were in different seasons, one in summer, and one during the winter. This made all of the difference in the world in regards to clothing! In the summer, it was warm enough to wear short sleeve shirts, even short pants, on most days. But during the winter, it was tremendously cold, it even snowed several days I was here. A thick jacket, long sleeve shirt, and jeans or pants were a must! So depending on the time of year you visit, adjust the wardrobe you bring accordingly.

2 constants that a visitor to Istanbul will want, regardless of the season - confortable walking shoes, and a good camera! I did so much walking here, even with my cushioned athletic shoes, my feet were still sore after each day. Worth every blister I got though! :) And if you have a digital camera, try to have a large-capacity media card or memory stick. So many photo opportunties here it will blow your mind! :)

Luggage and bags: Try not to carry anything to heavy or you will regret it

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Depening on which month you visit.

Good walking shoes and be prepared to walk some steep roads
Warm jumpers/jackets for winter
for summer just incase a lightish top for some cool evenings...it does happen

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Most toiletries can be brought over there just as you would find at home but can be expensive.
Basic first aid
Mosquito Repellent
If you need anything to be re-charged then such equipments is a must

Photo Equipment: A digital camera these days will more than sufice but it is up to you if you want more. Be warned that some museums will either not allow you to take photo's or charge you for the ho0nour

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Beach wear is always an idea you ever know where you may end up

Miscellaneous: Several things made my trip to Turkey pleasant, most used and helpful were walkie-talkies so that my daughter and I could communicate when we separated in markets, etc. In my journal I noticed a big star beside my walk-into-the-water beach shoes (for stoney beaches). We also used hand disinfectant before eating our picnic foods..water of course was not available under picnicing conditions. A small "sample" bottle lasted four weeks.

Luggage and bags: It is hard to visit Istanbul and come back home without any souvenirs. Be sure to leave some space in your bags for a water pipe or a backgammon game. You could even put a small collapsible bag inside your luggage, leaving it reserved for things purchased at the Grand Bazaar or the Arasta Bazaar.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: A lot of people make the mistake of assuming Istanbul is warm the entire year. If you are traveling in the late winter/early spring, bring an umbrella and a warm jacket. I could not believe how cold it was in March, not to mention how much it rained!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Unless you find a supermarket, most shops have a limited supply of toiletry options. Sure, you can find aftershave lotion, but it might not be of the same quality that you are used to in your home country.

Photo Equipment: Bring plenty of film, as you will likely pay a lot more for it in Istanbul. Plus, the quality might not be the same. If you need a replacement battery or your camera brakes, there is a whole block of camera shops a minute away from Sirkeci train station.

Miscellaneous: If you are going to Istanbul during the summer, bring sunscreen and a hat. A compass might also come in handy.

Miscellaneous: Books:
We took the 'Dorling Kindersely Guide' with us (a good balance of information) and the 'Companion Guide', by John Freely.

There are a number of books by Turkish writers, read before, during and after the trip, and I particularly recommend:

Orhan Pamuk: 'My name is Red'.
I've reviewed it in my bookclub

Perihan Magden : 'The Messenger Boy Murders.'

Yasar Kamal : 'Mehmet, My Hawk'

There are a number of translations of the poems of Nazim Hikmet available.

One VT member who has a really beautiful website with Turkish writing quoted alongside beautiful pictures is Rumisabuncu

3 more images

Luggage and bags: Since many VTes are asking me about the weather there.Let me tell you something;

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: 4Winter and Autumn
anything for winter:
boots,gloves,hat,shawl,sweaters,umbrella,raincoat,coat, etc
in winter,Istanbul is cold and snowy most of times.Usually,the weather starts getting bad within end of november till middle of march.
Autumn is warm and rainy or warm and sunny ( you never know)

4Summer and Spring
Anything for summer included ;sandals,umbrella,raincoat,a few sweaters (can be rainy sometimes)
Istanbul is humid and hot in Summer and rainy and sunny in Spring (most of times is sunny and fresh there)
Suggested time to go is spring (april,may) and autumn (september,november)

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: you dont need to bring anything you can anything there.Pharmacies are open bwtn 9a.m. -7.30 pm. Besides these times ,you can find "Nobetci Ezcane" which open after 7.30 pm till the morning.To find those Pharmacies on guard just check the the windows of the closed pharmacies. You will see a list there,which tells you the addresses of closest guard pharmacies around there

Photo Equipment: you can find anything,you dont need to bring anything.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: Camping areas are out of Istanbul either Outdoor Gears. Beacher are in Prince's Island and out of Istanbul which names Kilyos.

Miscellaneous: ISTANBUL Turizm Polisi (The cop of the tourist)
Yerebatan Cad. No:6 - Istanbul / TÜRKiYE
Tel : +90 (212) 528 53 69.

For the weather
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=istanbul

(for the map of Istanbul)
http://www.euroave.com/maps/frame1.php?xcity=istanbul

if i forgot to add something,please remind me.
Since i am not going there as a tourist,i might not be that objective :-))

Luggage and bags: Less than 20 KG

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Cotton shirt and jeans - HONDA NHC minded, a white jacket and as real citizen of Ghent
in our heart carrying the symbol of "Klokke Roeland" - the great Triomphante and voice of Honda in Europe.
Furthermore a symbol of our NHC theme - a dark green Poloshirt showing the "Paperrazzia" emblem - We will go for the World Convention

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Depends on the team members

Photo Equipment: A Canon Digital 300D