DON'T MISS
Take a Bosphorus boat tour to get a different perspective of this beautiful city. See Istanbuland life by the river and there is a choice of tours you could take depending on how much time you have at your disposal. Cruise along and view the Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce palace to the Yildiz Park and palace and many more sights that will keep you enthralled.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
SHOPPING
Shoppers of the world unite at the Grand Bazaar a labyrinth of over 4,000 shops making it one of the largest indoor marketplaces in the world. Everyone who comes to Istanbul pays a visit to the largest indoor marketplace in the world that was established in the 14th century. You will find a plethora of things to buy, from the ubiquitous 'evil eye' ( every one buys one!) to hand painted ceramics, to jewelry, spices, carpets and kilims that Turkey is well known for and a host of others items. It will be a rewarding and serendipitous journey indeed!
GRAB A BITE
Turkish food has delighted through the ages, whether it is the ubiquitous kebabs or the melt in your mouth baklava. Simit is Turkey's answer to the bagel and it is delicious chewy bread available at every street corner you turn. The street food is fantastic and you can try whether it is 'kebap', 'kofte' or 'doner' be adventurous and go ahead try it! And you really cannot leave Istanbul without a cup of Turkish coffee can you? The very concept of coffee and conversation probably was invented in Turkey, so take your time at a cafe, have meaningful conversation with your companion and sip your coffee - and if you are looking for an atmospheric coffee shop make your way to FazilBey in Kadıköy Market with the aroma of freshly ground coffee wafting into the street outside.
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES
At the start of summer the temps are fairly cool at approximately 70F°/21.5C°, though it gets a bit hotter in July and August when temperatures get about 10 degrees warmer, after which it starts to cool down.
LOCAL CURRENCY
The Turkish Lira is the local currency in use, though credit cards are widely accepted most every where.