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Istanbul

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Latest post on 25 September 2011 - 11:15

ha ha ha, ya, I guess with the little ones taking time for hamam isn't in the cards. Next time!! I've been looking for hotels and think we have it narrowed down. Still looking for those smaller Mom and Pop type places though! Went to Venice last spring and the same thing applies....when the tourists turn right, you turn left. We found some fabulous spots to eat and stay. Did you look at the place I recommended on the other thread? It was a really lovely, family run hotel. The family room is up the back, away from the main hotel. Basic, but very clean, comfortable and quiet. Their terrace breakfast, overlooking the water, is fabulous. Eat, eat, eat and you're good to go for the climb up the hill to all of the sites. It's literally two blocks from Küçuk Ayasofya Camii (little Sofia) where there is a fab local artisans market and gorgeous, QUIET tea house. *sigh* ( http://www.saruhanhotel.com/ ). The staff/family are super friendly and helpful.

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dogcatcher44047

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Latest post on 25 September 2011 - 09:28

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Latest post on 25 September 2011 - 04:31

ahh, thanks so much everyone for your advice and links. I'm hoping to go in the fall for the weather and then maybe again in the winter...for the weather. I'm very excited now more than ever. [b'>Did anyone go to a hamam?[/b'> Nope :( , but with three little ones in tow that was hard to find the time for. lol The staff at our hotel were fantastic...recommended awesome little, local, child-friendly, cheap restaurants and off the beaten track sites etc. They also had hamam recommendations. I'm sure once you choose your accommodation (the small, family-run ones are brilliant) the staff there will help you out with the best of your very local area. In Istanbul, there's something to be said for making the most of your immediate area, rather than sticking to the (still awesome) tourist trail.

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dogcatcher44047

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Latest post on 24 September 2011 - 12:58

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Fairfield10380

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Latest post on 24 September 2011 - 11:24

We loved Istanbul, although we went in Feb and nearly froze to death. We stayed in Sultanahmet and thought it was great. You are near lots of the main sights and can get the tram easily to other areas. We stayed at Hotel Ibrahim Pasha and really liked it. The staff were lovely and very helpful, it is smack bang in the middle of everthing. They also had a roaring fire in the lobby which was very welcome in the snow, but they have a great terrace bar for the warmer months. This hotel was also featured in Red Magazine recently too. And it's not hugely expensive either. FFx

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pinks

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Latest post on 24 September 2011 - 10:48

...and if you want something to listen to, BBC Radio 4's Excess baggage has just done two fab prgrammes from Istanbul (available to listen to without a you know what), here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013f5jj

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Green-ish

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Latest post on 24 September 2011 - 08:10

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com - great site. :D

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Green-ish

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Latest post on 24 September 2011 - 08:09

dc...if you stay anywhere in Sultanahmet or very nearby, you'll either walk everywhere or catch the tram or ferries. It's an amazingly easy city to get around. We were there with children 5, 3 & under 1 and never needed a taxi.

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marycatherine

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Latest post on 24 September 2011 - 07:34

I stayed at Angels Garden Hotel halfway up the hill from all the seafood restaurants and the Grand Bazaar last time.

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April Flower

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Latest post on 23 September 2011 - 22:05

http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=155599

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dogcatcher44047

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Latest post on 23 September 2011 - 20:13

thanks so much. Been on trip advisor for the last few hours. It's my first time so I'm feeling like I'll be dropping into the unknown. Not always a bad thing but I do like to have some idea what I'm getting into. Was looking at 3 and 4 stars and appreciate hot water! Any suggestions for hamams?

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marycatherine

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Latest post on 23 September 2011 - 20:07

Istanbul is one of the best cities in the world. I have stayed near Topkapi and near Taksim Square. I prefer near Topkapi because there is so much to see and do in terms of sight seeing - all very walkable, and trams or taxis (last resort IMHO because of the traffic, not price) are all easily accessed. Loads of excellent restaraunts, the Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, the Spice Bazaar etc. etc. If you are looking at only 5* hotels don't. I usually stay at 3 or 4 * hotels (check them out at tripadvisor dot com) and while not luxurious, they have hot water for showers/baths, good sized rooms, and usually include buffet breakfast.

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dogcatcher44047

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Latest post on 23 September 2011 - 19:40

Has anyone recently been to Istanbul? What hotels can you recommend? Going in October and looked at the Old City and hotel prices seem high but it also appears that we'd be right where we want with minimal taxi's being used. Any suggestions or tips would be great. Thanks in advance!

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