04/03/2019
Currently visiting Istanbul. The city of cats...may I add the fattest cats in the world, I think, as everyone takes care of them. They are huge, tame and have a great life.
As we are touring Istanbul, it has just come to me how important it is to know where you would like to go and NOT TO BOOK a car. Oh my word. Just returned back to the apartment now again and the traffic is a total mess. So stick to the tram/funicular/metro.
Buy an Istanbul card. Make Taksim Square or the Blue Mosque your focus and from there you just be "train" smart. It is easy, cheap and you see so much. There is a train every 4 minutes so you are never stranded.
The most important thing I want to bring to your attention now is the accommodation in Istanbul. Please ask the following questions before you book:
1. Is the property situated on a hill and is the main area around the property flat? Istanbul is know for it being extremely hilly and for some people this might be an absolute no go.
2. How far is the property from the nearest metro.
3. Is the property serviced every day?
4. How far is the nearest convenient store - do not expect a Spar, Aldi, OK foods or 7 Eleven. No. It is like a one-man-band store but normally very cheap.
At the moment the area close to the sea at Tophane down to Kabatas is under construction so no walking along the sea shore. They are building a new port for big passenger liners. So my opinion the best places to stay currently is either Taksim or Sultanahmed.
Once again, remember that it is of utmost importance, that you read previous reviews carefully. Our fist hotel - Berjer Boutique Hotel & Spa was great, but our second stay - an apartment "Residence Le Reve" an absolute shocker. Filthy dirty and old and run down and off course the photo's tells a different story. Thought of getting Booking.com's assistance to assist in a situation like this? Forget it. Booking.com has offered us 25 Euro for the inconvenience, but we either have to clean ourselves or life in the dirt, although the property informed Booking.com they have cleaned.
So, moral of the story is. If you are told to pay at the property, do not request a prepayment. Rather first have a look if you are happy and then pay, or take your luggage and leave. We paid in advance and now we are stuck. Also there is some or other issue between Booking.com and Turkey and nobody that is not living in Turkey, can book any property currently while in the country. Booking.com has told us to find a hotel and book directly. How nice is that for assistance when you are stranded in a foreign country.
It is important that you get yourself an app to convert voice to voice - English to Turkish, as 1 out of every 500 people understand a bit of English. You will find Turcsell and Vodaphone all over. Maybe on the airport it is the easiest, because then you are covered from the start.
Feel free to contact me for any assistance. Despite of all the hassles with this trip, I still love returning and visiting Istanbul and still find it the most amazing city in the world.
