Thursday, February 17, 2011

Next destination is...

Istanbul!

Nahkatakkeja! Basaareja! Mezejä! Sininen moskeija ja Haagia Sofia! Parhaat vinkkinne otetaan ilolla vastaan.

Kohta mennään, en malttais enää odottaa!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here is some tips, since I am Turkish;
If you go to an open baazar or sort of places, even coffee shops or in hostel, since it is very obvious that you are foreign they will cheat on you by over charging. If a hat is like 5 tl, You can get it for 3tl by bargain, but you are Finnish so they will tell that It is 15tl..
Be very alert. Istanbul is cheap, oben bazaars, markets etc are very cheap but people DO cheat on turists. Of course in museums or in chain markets you would have to a certain price but when buying something, be careful. I dont think there is a single seller that does not cheat on foreigns in Istanbul.
About the hostel it is the same, but be careful when choosing hostel, if you choose, Many hostels serve bad or they dont know English or beds and blankets could be full of flea so...
I can give many many many further information if you wish..
Cisil

Eltsu said...

Cisil, luv u! Thanks for the tips! According to TripAdvisor, hotel should be ok. Any ideas what we could do in Istanbul with toddler? Is there anything special to consider when traveling with kid?

Anonymous said...
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Eltsu said...

Cisil, You are an angel girl, you know that right? You give your time, our knowledge, your phonenumber.. what more could I ask for? Thanks, you really make us feel welcome.

Eltsu said...

oh.. many things in istanbul...
First of all, Istanbul is fulll of robbers, so never take anything precious with yourself while travelling around the city. Lets say try to have as minnimum money as possible, you can pay all the stuff with your debit or credit card. Or if you going to have money, dont put it directly to your own purses but for instance put 10 tl to right pocket, put 20 tl to your left pocket etc...
Second of all, Istanbul is really soooo big and crowded city. It is not like Helsinki, or other European cities. It only has more than 5 million population initself,and as it is a bridge between Asia and Europe transportation is a huuuge issue. With you guys, that would not be a problem but with the kid, he could be very bored and discomfort. So If you are going to hire a car going from A point to B point may take hours, traffic is suck there. If you are not hiring a car, you should get Akbil (a kind of ticket that you install money in it, and you use it while taking bus) But buses are terrible also, so crowded, (although it depends from where you are going but generally they are crowded again for the baby he may vomit on the way or he may get bored so try to have many stuff with him to keep him busy. nevertheless ship travel will be so fun and will be more easier. However, you indeed should consider about hiring a car, traffic is crowded but it would be very comfortable for you guys, Istanbul is so big and by using busses you will get sick of that, especially baby. you can find 50tl for a day again thanks to bargain, dont let them overcharge you. Food, you would adore it, there are manyyyy mannny many goood cuisine, except than döner/kebab stuff you should eat other things. For Emil, They are alll harrrmless! I do not think his stomach will be feeling bad in here. But never buy food that they sell on the streets, I mean they sell bakery or sort of stuff, in little kind of vehicle that by pushing their hands they ride, you wil see when you come. Also if you come in summer, Turkey is very hot (starting from april-may), as a matter of fact the baby may get skin rubbing or rash, or sun burn. But you can get creams and lotions when you get here in pharmacy, You dont need to bring it from Finland. Diapers, baby food, all kind of stuff for the baby is good quiality here, luckly. The best brand is like Milupa (Still I can ask my relatives who has child, I am not familiar to baby food) for baby food, you can get it from anywhere in Istanbul. You are mom so you know better but for both yourselves and for the baby, you dont have to bring much clothes or stuff, you will get it from here cheaaappp!
Shoes, antiques, and stuff, clothes, food, you can find everything again cheap!
Anyway I can give you indeed much more detailed lists
to sum up, I may have talked little bit negative, but you will all enjoy the sightseeing and with the baby it will not be hard.
But about where to go/ what to do
There are mannnny things you can do in Istanbul, and all of them are suitable for families that has a little kid.
Except than mosquoes and museums (you know you can get the catalogs from turist center) Breakfast in Ortaköy, walk around Bebek, Taksim, Cihangir..
also you should visit open baazars that are held certain days, but only you for shopping, dresses are like 5 tl 10 tl. Because with the baby it will be so hard, open baazars are crowded
Kapalıçarşı, a must see,
islands around Istanbul another must see, you can have a day trip there..
Pierre Loti Hill, another must see..
There are many must sees...
I am sure you are already searching alot. but I can always help you, and give you more and more details. Istanbul is also my fav. city. Plus let me know before come, I'll give my phone number, even though I live in Ankara, you are always welcome, and if you need anything but any-thing, you always can call me