klb saw things this way:
Overall
5
Stunning combination of east meets west; exotic and metropolitan, August 12, 2013
Reviewer: klb
Pros: Historic sites, mosques, the harbor
Cons: Lines at most popular sites are long
A beautiful port and stunning to sail into. The sail into Istanbul is not to be missed. So much to do. You could come back time and time again and never see the same thing twice. Women, be prepared to cover your head, shoulders and knees in some of the mosques. Wraps are available for borrowing, but it's nice to have your own to wear. Lines are long and plenty of crowds in summer time. Arrive early in the morning and get going quickly to see as much as possible. Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are among the best. Topkapi Palace is okay, but not like the other two. Grand Bazaar is an experience, but you might just stay for 20 minutes unless you're really into bargaining!
LillianA saw things this way:
Overall
5
A remarkable city, rich in history, good food, fine museums and so much more, July 28, 2011
Reviewer: LillianA
Pros: No matter how many times you visit, there is always more to see
Cons: After several visits, few major complaints
With one foot in Asia (the old city) and the other in Europe (the new city), the ancient capital of Byzantium is also a bustling modern hub, a city of contrasts with the youngest population in Europe. There are so many "must see" places that cruise passengers should plan on adding at least a few days before or after the cruise. For first time visitors, the list start with the Aya Sofia (Hagia Sofia), once the most magnificent church in all Christendom, later, a mosque under the sultanate, and now, a state-run museum. Steps away is the Blue Mosque, which takes its name from the blue glazed tiles that cover the inside walls and glow in the sunlight. The 17th century mosque is renowned for its six minarets, perfect proportions and massive (109 feet wide) center dome. Nearby lay the ruins of the Roman Hippodrome, with the Ottoman-era Sunken Palace Cistern at its northern end -- seen in the James Bond thriller "From Russia with Love." Also nearby is another movie setting, the 15th century Topkapi Palace, a rambling complex of buildings and gardens commanding a splendid view over the Golden Horn. The showstopper here is the Treasury, a veritable Ali Babas cave overflowing with gold and precious gems, including the jewel-encrusted sword of Sleiman the Magnificient, the 86-carat Spoonmakers Diamond, and the famous Topkapi Dagger, with three huge emeralds in its hilt. The 365-room Dolmabahe Palace, a 19th century white marble Baroque confection is another imperial residence, with splendid French-style gardens and glorious Bosphorus view. The list of major museums includes the Istanbul Archeological Museums; the Pera Museum, designed by Frank Gehry on the site of a 19th century building; the Mosaics Museum; the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art; and the Istanbul Modern, the countrys first modern art gallery. No visit is complete without a foray into the fabled 15th century Grand Bazaar, where over 4,000 shops spread over 64 streets sell gold and silver, brass and copper, leather goods, crafts, spices, souvenirs from pashminas to T-shirts, and of course, carpets. Bargaining is of course part of the dance -- which can be tiresome when you just want to buy something and leave. For a pre- or post-cruise stay, my favorite splurge is a palace that has morphed into a five-star hotel. The iraan, on the shores of the Bosphorus, was once the residence of Sultan Abdlaziz. Since it became a hotel in 1991, the Palace has hosted royalty (including Jordans King Abdullah and Queen Beatrix of Holland), heads of state (including George Bush and Bill Clinton) and Hollywood stars (including Uma Thurman and Annette Benning). The Palace hotel has 11 sumptuous suites with private butler service. The newer hotel on the grounds, the iraan Palace Kempinski has 313 rooms and 20 deluxe suites; several dining rooms, and 14 elegant boutiques; an inviting infinity pool where swimmers can gaze out at the Bosphorus; private cabanas overlooking the Bosphorus; a fitness center, and a full-service spa that includes a traditional Turkish hammam. The breakfast buffet is perhaps the most lavish offered at any luxury hotel. Table after table is laden with the best of every cuisine, from Asian specialties like kimchi to American pancakes and everything in between. The pastry table includes superb baklava and other local delicacies. My second-favorite hotel is the Hyatt Regency, a sleek, modern property with a five-star location high above the Bosphorus. Guests on the Regency floor have at their disposal a spacious lounge with scenic views where they can enjoy complimentary breakfast and a bountiful cocktail interlude. The hotels Gaia Fitness Centre & Spa has a full menu and features a splendid hammam with white marble tiling, high ceilings, and a warm marble block to lie on and soak up the steam. The 45-minute hammam ritual combines bathing, scrubs, massage, and a facial treatment. Other luxury hotel brands here are Ritz-Carlton, Swisstel and Four Seasons. The grande dame among Istanbul hotels is the Pera Palace which dates back to the 1890s and has housed such famous figures as Dame Agatha Christie, who write "Murder on the Orient Express" here; Mata Hari,the notorious spy; Alfred Hitchcock, Greta Garbo, Ernest Hemingway, Jackie Onassis, and assorted European royals. As the hotels grandeur had faded, it was closed for extensive renovations and reopened in 2010.
geekguy1 saw things this way:
Overall
5
Wonderful city, December 13, 2010
Reviewer: geekguy1
Pros: How easy it is to get to all the major sites
Cons: How little time we had there
We were to Istanbul a year before this cruise, and it is a very easy city in which to get around on your own, so we took the tram to the Sultanahmet stop (the heart of the city) and toured the Basilica cistern (okay, but not as good as we expected); the Grand Bazaar (shopping on steroids, with haggling over price the thing to do); and the Sulemaniye mosque (not as impressive as last years stop at the Blue Mosque, but worth seeing in its own right). For a city that is relatively inexpensive, though, we found it easy to spend way too much money for what you get at lunch. Grabbing something on the go is a better idea here. This review doesn't talk about the Blue Mosque, Topkapi, or Hagia Sophia, because we did that last year on a land tour, but all of those sites should be on your MUST SEE list.
