Istanbul trip, Jan 2013 - Tour Guide & Dinner Venue suggestions needed.

[9V-JKL]

9V-SIA, Pics from the ///M event

http://www.bmw-sg.com/forums/bmw-4-s...ml#post1089559

[9V-SIA]

If there's ever a reason for me to go there, this would be it:

https://www.mpowerexperience.com/en/event.php

2.5 days filled with pure excitement in a city with 1001 faces! An unforgettable, breathtaking experience of speed and adrenaline for any motorsports enthusiast. You will have the unique opportunity, and be one of the first, to experience the all-new BMW M3 and BMW M4 on the former Formula 1 race track ‘Istanbul Park Circuit’. 431 Horsepower, ready to conquer the 3.317 miles offering one of the world’s most challenging driving sessions. A combination of 14 bends, multiple elevation changes, and the distinctive “Turn 8”, a 180°high-speed bend with no less than four angles, will make you feel the power of our icons.

Nice!

[9V-JKL]

If there's ever a reason for me to go there, this would be it:

https://www.mpowerexperience.com/en/event.php

2.5 days filled with pure excitement in a city with 1001 faces! An unforgettable, breathtaking experience of speed and adrenaline for any motorsports enthusiast. You will have the unique opportunity, and be one of the first, to experience the all-new BMW M3 and BMW M4 on the former Formula 1 race track ‘Istanbul Park Circuit’. 431 Horsepower, ready to conquer the 3.317 miles offering one of the world’s most challenging driving sessions. A combination of 14 bends, multiple elevation changes, and the distinctive “Turn 8”, a 180°high-speed bend with no less than four angles, will make you feel the power of our icons.

[SQflyergirl]

Looks like you too caught that light snow on Sunday the 27th as well SQflyergirl?

We were in Taksim at 2pm when it started and Fathih at 5pm when it got a little heavy.

Pics will be uploaded soon, still selecting the, over 500+ to choose from.

Not really. We flew into IST on the 27th and didn't get to the Ceylan IC till late at night thanks to TK.

[B727]

Looks like you too caught that light snow on Sunday the 27th as well SQflyergirl?

We were in Taksim at 2pm when it started and Fathih at 5pm when it got a little heavy.

Jealous, I ended up trading my IST for USM this month

[Coolnite]

We just flew out of there this afternoon - enjoyed it too

Looks like you too caught that light snow on Sunday the 27th as well SQflyergirl?

We were in Taksim at 2pm when it started and Fathih at 5pm when it got a little heavy.

Pics will be uploaded soon, still selecting the, over 500+ to choose from.

[SQflyergirl]

Guys, we're back!

A real good trip, my wife and i really enjoyed ourselves immensely.

thank you SQTalkers once again for all your recommendations, they were spot on!

Trip report coming soon!

Stay tuned.

Coolnite
Singapore

We just flew out of there this afternoon - enjoyed it too

[Coolnite]

Guys, we're back!

A real good trip, my wife and i really enjoyed ourselves immensely.

thank you SQTalkers once again for all your recommendations, they were spot on!

Trip report coming soon!

Stay tuned.

Coolnite
Singapore

[CarbonMan]

Yes, I've taken a long walk in the Kumkapi area, east and north of it. In the east, it's a very raw local area, you will see the real Istanbul. You'll see many migrant type people mingling in the area. Some shops look as if they have been there for dozens of years. People are very friendly especially if you make eye contact and smile. One tea shop owner invited us into his shop and refused to charge us for the tea! That's great Turkish hospitality very unlike the shops along the tourist belt near the mosques. Only problem is that hardly anyone speaks English, and my Turkish was quite hopeless despite 5-min lessons every morning from our hotel's breakfast lady!

Recommend this place if you have time after visiting all the other great sights!

If you want a restaurant with a great view of the Galata Bridge and Tower, try the Hamdi Restaurant at Rüstem Paşa Mh. Kalçin Sokak No:17 Fatih; a stone's throw west of the Spice Market. Go right up to the top floor; they have a balcony with a million dollar view on a clear day.

[phaleesy]

I met up with an IST-based FTer and she recommended this site:
http://istanbuleats.com/

[SQGamespeed]

I would not mind doing a roof top tour of Istanbul though, just like in Skyfall!

And in Taken 2!

I must try it the next time I go to Istanbul!

Istanbul is just such an exotic, romantic and exciting location!

PS The ferry crossing is recommended! Very atmospheric and nice to explore the Asian side.

Especially at night! It was unforgettable when I did it.

[jhm]

I haven't tried them (only looked at the splendid Istanbul Eats website for interesting food recommendations and bought their iPhone app) but the following may be of interest:

http://www.culinarybackstreets.com/c...ulinary-walks/

e.g.

Our culinary walks in Istanbul, done in partnership with the award-winning IstanbulEats.com, are designed to lead visitors on an eating binge through the city’s lesser-seen historic side streets and authentic markets, taking in countless hard-to-find culinary gems and, in between bites, a select number of untouristed monuments.

We are currently happy to offer three walks:

[...]

Two Markets, Two Continents
Our favorite Istanbul experiences include exploring the eateries of local markets and crossing the Bosphorus on the public ferry. The “Two Markets, Two Continents” route draws from our best-of list in the European side’s Karakoy neighborhood and the Asian side’s Kadikoy, tied together by a Bosphorus crossing. The historic Persembe Pazari of Karakoy, where this walks begins, might look like a place to buy springs, ship anchors, hardware and paint supplies, but we go there for breakfast at a lovely little esnaf lokantasi run by husband and wife followed by a stroll through the atmospheric mariner market streets stopping into an Ottoman-era caravansaray for tea. Then we hop the boat to Kadikoy on the Asian side and eat our way through that market sampling regional specialties such as Mersin’s tantuni, Gaziantep’s lahmacun the islama kofte of Adapazari and continue on toward the lesser-explored culinary hotspot of Moda, where we will have a life-changing traditional desserts from Turkey’s southeast and Black Sea regions, and, to round things out, visit a neighborhood institution for authentic Turkish ice-cream.

[...]

All four walks are designed for small groups and usually last half a day

PS The ferry crossing is recommended! Very atmospheric and nice to explore the Asian side.

[phaleesy]

And in Taken 2!

Oh! Did not know about the movie. I like Liam Neeson. Must rent the dvd.

Istanbul is just such an exotic, romantic and exciting location!

[CarbonMan]

I would not mind doing a roof top tour of Istanbul though, just like in Skyfall!

And in Taken 2!

[phaleesy]

We really wanted to stay at the IC Ceylan - though it's still within a taxi or bus ride to most locations, we wanted to find a more centered located hotel with prominent landmarks within walking or tram distance, being our first time and all. Hence the Crowne Plaza Old City was our final choice. Plus, a suite for S$200 after upgrade was too hard to resist, must be the Singaporean in me.

I've stayed at the CP Old City. It's a very convenient hotel. The tram station is less than 5 mins walk away. You could also walk all the way to the ferry terminal if you're inclined. Easy walk past the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque and Sofia and the main street. At least you won't have to deal with the taxi drivers too often then.

I like doing my own thing so I don't like guided tours. I would not mind doing a roof top tour of Istanbul though, just like in Skyfall!