Hidden Germs in Istanbul

Description:

One of the most enjoyable ways to travel in Istanbul! Traditional ferry boats travel convenient routes up, down, and across the Bosphorous, connecting Karakoy, Eminonu, and Besiktas on the European shore with Uskudar, Haydarpasa, and Kadikoy on the Asian side. A lovely parade of great, ancient mansions which line up both sides of the coast, a romantic escapade under crimson moonlight, no better way to seize the sea-water-canal of this city which divides it apart.

Description:

Discover and experience the ancient city through the eyes of a local photographer on an Istanbul Photography Walking Tour. See the stunning architecture, diversity and friendly people of Turkey's capital city and learn the best way to capture memorable holiday snaps.

During your walking tour of Istanbul you will visit Beyazid Square, the Covered Bazaar, Sultanahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Hagia Sophia, Eminonu, Galata Bridge on Golden Horn and the Old Funicular System "Tunel" (built in 1874).

Your photography tour ends with a 360 degree view of Istanbul from the top of Galata Tower. Witness the diverse multicultural history and a city coming into the modern age through the lens of your camera.

The goal of the Istanbul Photography Walking Tour is to:

• Discover and experience a city through the eyes of a local photographer
• Encourage the observation of new viewpoints and interesting details which might easily be overlooked
• Improve photography technique
• Have a more interesting experience and involvement when visiting a city
• Have fun!

Your English-speaking Photographer guide has in-depth local knowledge, a passion for Istanbul and for the art of photography. So bring your camera and be prepared to walk, shoot and click.

Description:

From Tünel at one end to the Galata Tower at the other, the entire street is full of music and musical instruments. Dozens of stores all stock guitars, pianos, traditional instruments like the Cümbüş and Oud, and Turkish cymbals. The street is full of dervishes on weekdays, and the biggest demonstrations of their whirling happen at the Galata Mevlevihanesi, located at the end of the road. This side street is a great place to immerse yourself in the musical culture of Istanbul.

Our Local Expert Says:

Summer-time day trip

Description:

In Turkish, "adalar" simply means "islands" - though adalar are very familiar territory for Istanbulites, which island you are referring to is still quite important since many Istanbullites use the islands as their summer residence and have a genuine circle of relatives and friends there. Probably the most popular day trip option from Istanbul, at least in the summer, the Princes' Islands are comprised of seven small islands, four of which (Büyükada, Kınalıada, Burgazada and Heybeliada) have constant summertime service by ferry from Kabataş and Bostanci. The islands offer treasures of history (Byzantine churches and Greek and Turkish ruins), green parks, and various upscale restaurants and hotels. As no cars are allowed onto the islands, you would be better off renting a horse-backed carriage to go from one part to another; or to arrive on the islands dressed casually and renting a bike. The islands are a wonderful retreat from bustling Istanbul, each with its own unique character and pace of life.

Our Local Expert Says:

Istanbul's most famous vegetarian restaurant - located just behind the French Consulate, it's central and a bargain as well.

Description:

Delivering some of the best vegetarian dishes in Istanbul, this restaurant is easily located on a side street from Taksim square. You really should try everything on the menu, because picking one is really nearly impossible! Homemade bread with herb butter comes with every meal. You can get a big healthy salad, a generous slice of quiche, or Indian stew with vegetables.

Description:

Named after the famous Turkish photographer, Ara Guler, who is known to have taken the photographs of Salvador Dali as well, Ara Café is a cosy, little place with quality people and food. The interior design of the place is decorated with the photographs of Guler himself. Located inside a very narrow street in Galatasaray, the café offers what any other photographer or artist would have asked for: a tranquil place to observe people without them observing you. Their hot chocolate and wet chocolate cake are a must-try.

Description:

Located on the top two floors of the new Marmara Pera hotel, Mikla is the newest hit of the Istanbul Yiyecek Icecek A.S. ("eat drink") ventures, which includes the very popular Lokanta (at Nu Pera in winter and at rooftop as Nu Teras in summer). The Swedish born chef, Mehmet Gürs, is somewhat of an Istanbul celebrity by now; he settled in Istanbul in the 1990s and has made all of the kitchens he's touched turn to gold. Reservations are hard to come by and the wait for a table is long; the management makes it easy with the upstairs bar views of the lights of the Old City. Raw grouper makes an outstanding appetizer, followed by the whole roast beef tenderloin for two. Try to leave space for the memorable pistachio and tahini ice cream.

Description:

A walk from Besiktas until Sariyer is just too long. But, if you were to do it, you would be passing by Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy, Kurucesme, Arnavutkoy, Bebek, Rumeli Fortress, Baltalimani / Boyacikoy, Emirgan, Sabanci House / Museum, Istinye, Yenikoy, Tarabya and Sariyer successively. This entire walk would last for at least 4 hours, maybe 5. However, a smaller version from Kurucesme until Rumeli Fortress is just enough to see the beautiful old houses, the fishermen, the sidewalk groceries and the Anatolian coast across. The same walk is doable on the Anatolian coast as well. There the line starts from Uskudar (across from Besiktas) and continues along Beylerbeyi, Kuleli Military School, Vanikoy (the elite residential place of mansions), Kandilli, Goksu, Anadolu Fortress, Kanlica, Pasabahce, Beykoz. Again this entire trail would be too long and tiresome. The better parts of this are from the Kuleli Military School until Kanlica. Yet, another trail along the coast on the Anatolian side is the parallel of the famous shopping street the Bagdat Street. The parallel of this street runs by the Marmara Sea and the best trail starts from Bostanci and continues along Suadiye, Caddebostan and Fenerbahce.

Description:

One of the most popular companies in town, Arnika organizes week-long trekking tours around the mountains surrounding Adapazari, about 90 minutes east of Istanbul. One and two week mountaineering trips to the Taurus Ranges, Cappadocia, Mount Nimrod and Central Anatolia as well as Van and Hakkari in eastern Turkey are also organized. Weekend rafting and jeep safaris, hiking and camping trips are also available. Staff are friendly and helpful but speak minimal English, offering you a chance at a truly authentic Turkish experience.