Istanbul - What to do when you get there!

The Blue Mosque

If you haven’t read last weeks blog, go read it now… I’ll wait…

Ok welcome back, I hope you enjoyed that!

As you will have read I went to Istanbul with my family and had an absolute blast. In this blog I want to tell you all about what we did, what you should and shouldn’t do and how to do it well.

Let’s start with a few things to be aware of, there were some scams we saw and unfortunately a few we fell victim to…

The first was at the tram. There is a card you need to get on the tram but only certain stations have machines to buy the cards. This was extremely frustrating and the machines didn’t seem to have an English language setting so we were definitely confused. A man came over offered to help and then charged us 6 times the actual cost which we didn’t realise until after the event. We then saw him on the last day at a different station and he didn’t  recognise us so we took joy in telling other tourists nearby that he was a scammer.

The second was if someone drops something near you, leave it. We were scammed by a guy who dropped a shoe brush and when we handed it back he “thanked” us by cleaning our shoes and then charging us 180tl EACH for it. We should’ve really said is this free before we started but I guess we’re just too trusting. Someone else then tried it on us later that day and we did have a giggle at his frustration when we ignored it.

Another thing we fell victim to wasn’t so much as scam but simply an unfortunate event. My dad went o take out money at an auto bank and it took his card. He had been told to go to this auto bank by the hotel as they can’t give cash withdrawals, and he had been to it earlier in the trip and all was fine. Thankfully he was able to cancel the card and it was nearly the end of our trip but we then had to ration the cash we had so we didn’t run out. We would recommend getting plenty of cash before going on your trip and make sure you have small bills as well, as some scammers try to avoid giving change if you give them big bills.

There are shops outside the bazaars where a lot of people congregate making it a tight squeeze to get past. I had brought a small backpack and my mum brought a cross body that she wore under her scarves. I kept my bag on my front when in crowded areas and my mum kept her hand on hers at all times. My dad also wore trousers with a button on the back pocket to keep his wallet safe. This is something we typically do regardless of where we are but I think it’s wise to be aware of your surroundings.

And some tips and tricks of what we did that made our trip as wonderful as it was regardless of a few little hiccups…

We had a transfer arranged from the airport to our hotel meaning we had a seamless and comfortable journey. The drive from airport to hotel was about 45 minutes for us as traffic was light at night so be aware it can be longer. We were glad we booked the transfer as a guide told us the taxi pricing can be incredibly dodgy when a taxi driver realises you’re a tourist.

We booked a private walking tour on our second day to see the mosques, baths and Grand Bazaar. This was incredible! For just 200 Euros we got a 4 hour walking tour, and as a flat rate regardless of group size that really is a steal! Our guide was called Mary, she knew Istanbul like the back of her hand, knew the safest and most beautiful places, gave a play by play as we walked and answered a multitude of questions. My family loves history and she was truly a fountain of knowledge. Not only that but guides get priority entry into some of the attractions such as the Basilica Cistern which is the underground water system. This was extremely beneficial as the queues seemed to be never ending. Not only that but we had mentioned to her that we loved Turkish rugs and that I would love a pashmina and she took us to the best spots for those.

When we went to the rug shop called Hereke Hali, we got Turkish tea and coffee, along side a private history lesson about the evolution of Turkish rug making as well as being shown how they are meticulously made. When we decided to buy one we were shown the most beautiful array of one of a kind rugs made locally by artisans. We found the perfect rug for the space we wanted one for and it was posted when we got home and arrived within a day. The team were so helpful and Erkut, the owner, made sure we got exactly what we were looking for.

When we went to look for pashmina’s Mary took us to the Grand Bazaar to a small but beautifully organised cashmere shop with a never ending array for cashmere, silk, mixed scarves. I pointed at all the beauties I loved and was told the process and composition of each piece which I truly found fascinating. I found a stunning coral cashmere pashmina and one with a cream cashmere base, embroidered with green silk thread. My mum found a beautiful beige and cream pashmina which will perfectly compliment her wardrobe.

My last request of Mary was to find a genuine Turkish lamp. It may seem strange that I wanted to spend more than necessary when there are cheaper versions all over the spice bazaar and lining the touristy shops, but I have always through the they are beautifully made and knew I needed a real one my home. We went to a spectacularly lit shop covered in glass lamps where I got to pick and choose from every single piece the gentleman had. It may have been pricier but my goodness is it perfect.

When we asked Mary about the fake v real bags etc she gave us a simple tip… If someone is willing to half their price immediately it’s absolutely a fake, and from a lot of what I saw not a very good one. If however you know you’re products you’ll be able to find some hidden gems. With a lot of luxury goods being made in Turkey some rejected pieces or “seconds” can end up in the markets meaning you can find a genuine piece that may simply have one or two slight imperfections. These will however be more expensive and you’re highly unlikely to be able to barter as low as you can with the fake vendors. The one vendor I found with real pieces was also in the Grand Bazaar and he brought his price down slightly but not by much. They were however much more affordable leather goods than if we were buying them at retail.  If you know you’re looking for a fake of something specific do your research first. If you know what to look for you can find some very good fakes or some much cheaper seconds.

On our last full day we booked to go on a boat tour along the Bosphorous between Europe and Asia with Sunset Bosphorous by Velena Travel. Getting to it was a bit confusing but we made it and saw some truly breathtaking views. Not only was it beautiful but it was also extremely educational, learning not only the history of the river itself but also the history of the royals who ruled, wars that were fought, buildings built, myths made and history created along the famous river. During the boat tour we stopped on the Asian side so we could stretch our legs and see a little of the culture before we headed on our way again. We were treated to some local cuisine along the way including sweet treats, tea, coffee and fresh fruit. One thing I would’ve changed re my outfit was that I wore a dress and I wish I’d worn trousers as there was a breeze along the water so was colder than on land, however there were blankets provided and we could’ve gone in doors but we wanted to see it all!

Food in Istanbul ranged from street food to 5* restaurants and the prices were as such. It was always very clear which places were genuinely good by the amount of locals in/around the restaurant. We did try some local cuisines but also ate in hotels for dinner each night which was of course a little safer for picky eaters. We had Turkish on the first night, Italian on the second and French on the third so there is definitely a wide range and something for everyone. If you’re wanting the get any local delicacies to bring home, buy them in the city, not the airport as the prices are astronomical in the airport.

The new airport, in my opinion, is wonderful! Not only is it bigger than most shopping malls and packed with shops, it’s also very clean and kid friendly with separate security for families with young children and a little plane train to transfer them to their gate. The shops are on the more expensive side and we didn’t see many brands that were cheaper there than in the UK but there were some beautiful pieces.

We stayed at the JW Marriott which was spectacular. Not only was the service wonderful but the food was perfect and the rooms immaculate. It also had a roof top bar where you could sit and watch the world go by on the river and hearing the call to prayer up there, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets was an incredible experience. I don’t know about my family but I definitely came home with a fuller heart, it was absolutely wonderful!

Overall we had a really enjoyable and interesting few days. I think the old city was just fascinating. Learning about the history as well as seeing how the city has respected and preserved the original buildings was truly wonderful. I would highly recommend Istanbul to anyone who asks. Simply do your research and travel smart and you’ll be able to have a fairly seamless and sensational trip.