My husband and I just got back Friday night from spending three days/two nights in Istanbul Turkey. It was a rather short trip yes but no regrets in going. Just wish we had more time to spend there. The main purpose of the trip was to watch AC Bellinzona (Swiss football/soccer team) play a Turkish team in their third round for the UEFA cup. AC Bellinzona lost, 1-2 but both teams played well.
We arrived in Istanbul Wednesday afternoon. Talk about traffic from the airport to the hotel! My husband made the comment a few times that the traffic in Istanbul is 20 times worse than in Naples Italy, yet there is never an accident. It was amazing, taxi drivers driving like crazy, slamming on the brakes, yet no one ever touches the other. Wednesday evening we ate at a wonderful restaurant overlooking the Bosporus Straight (aka Istanbul Straight) with a gorgeous view of the Faith Bridge. The Faith Bridge is a bridge that connects the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. After supper we went to a local “trendy” disco, Reina, still along the Bosporus Straight. Needless to say we didn’t get back to the hotel very early. We were supposed to be up early Thursday morning for a guided tour of Istanbul, leaving at 9:30. We asked the front desk for a wake-up call at 8:30, which came and went. Finally, someone from our group came knocking on our door at ten. We declined going on the tour, since we had only slept about 4 hours plus my husband’s back was kind of bothering him. We ended up having a nice relaxed lazy day, hanging around the area. When the other people came back from the tour, they said they enjoyed it, but where destroyed due to seeing so many places in such a short amount of time.
Seen on several occasions street vendors. Seems to be pretty common. Seen men selling things like bananas, pretzels, corn, bread or even a shoe shine. I was pleasantly surprised how clean Istanbul is, considering its size. Of course there are neighborhoods that are cleaner or dirtier than others, but first consider the size of the city but also how old the city is. Istanbul was at one time Constantinople.
Life in Italy 
Hope you enjoyed yourself in Istanbul! 🙂
I myself was very surprised with how clean it is also. And yeah, the traffic is absolutely crazy… That’s why I prefer using the metro or tram when I’m on the European side.
Did you get on any of the ferries that go on the Bosphorus? Which Turkish team was your team playing against?
Thanks for sharing your trip with us. It looks very interesting. I hope you enjoyed yourself. 🙂
Bas, curiosity question for you, how reliable are the buses there? Seemed like there were five million of them, and considering the traffic……
We were only on one ferry Thursday night that took us to a restaurant on an “island” in the middle of the Bosphorus. I personally don’t remember the name of the restaurant, but seemed rather exclusive and spendy.
AC Bellinzona played Galatasaray SK. Galatasaray won, 2-1. Afterwards there were no “hard feelings”. As our bus left the stadium, some Galatasaray fans were waving and smiling. Was like wow, that is civility.
Turkey’s definitely on my wish list.
I have a theory on traffic and accidents. It is that a city could be crazy crowded/busy/trafficy, but won’t experience a lot of accidents if a majority of the drivers are locals. Once you throw someone who isn’t used to the local driving culture in the mix – accidents.
Hi there! Another place I’d like to visit. I found you via Entrecard and am following you because my husband and I are planning a trip to Italy for a few weeks in April/May!
Turkey is ok but foodwise forget it, perhaps for an American its alright but in general not many people enjoy it.
Sorry but I did not mean to be personal. From European experience not too many enjoy the Turkish cuisine especially coming from Belgium, Italy and France.
Ann – GOOOO!! We hope one day to go back and see more of Istanbul and Turkey.
Yes I am American and liked the food, as did my ITALIAN husband. Each person is different. Then again, the average Italian will tell you that Italian cuisine is THE best in the world, as probably the French.
Lisa, what parts of Italy are you and your hubby going to be visiting?
Hi Ann,
I was wondering if you pen pal? I am looking for new pen pals in foreign lands, and would love one in Italy. if interested in chatting more, please email me…
sassylucylootoo(at)yahoo(dot)com
looks like a nice place. Glad you had a good time.
hi Ann,thanks for visiting my site..I hope we could exchange links..if it’s ok..
hey, hope u enjoyed the trip.
i hope the traffic wasnt as bad as we have to face here in bangladesh
hey, hope u enjoyed the trip.
i hope the traffic wasnt as bad as we have to face here in bangladesh
I have a co-worker who is from Istanbul and he says that I should visit there one day if I get the chance.
Nice pics. Even from them it looks to be a very clean place.
Cheers!
It is that a city could be crazy crowded/busy/trafficy, but won’t experience a lot of accidents if a majority of the drivers are locals
Oh I love the pictures. Wow how have I been missing you?
Also my daughter is an English Professor.
Looks like you had a grand time.
Sorry to hear that you’ve been sick. I have too for almost 3 weeks now.
And it’s not fun.
I am so pleased that I found your site. And thank you very much for posting an add with me!!:-)
Oh I love the pictures. Wow how have I been missing you?
Also my daughter is an English Professor.
Looks like you had a grand time.
Sorry to hear that you’ve been sick. I have too for almost 3 weeks now.
And it’s not fun.
I am so pleased that I found your site. And thank you very much for posting an add with me!!:-)
Yes a great time was had by all! Guess in addition to my husband and I someone else returned a little under the weather. But now all are feeling back to normal thankfully.
Ever since Matt Lauer went there this year in his “Where In The World Is Matt Lauer” series, I have wanted to go there! It looks so amazing, so exotic, too, love that!
Bella