Smallc Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 I've heard such amazing things, and it's another bargain. I'm just wondering about general impressions. 1 Quote
SpankyMcFarland Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 It's an enormous city but the famous sites are fairly close together. The Hagia Sophia is up there with the Pantheon in the top ten intact masterworks of the Roman Empire. We felt there was a good atmosphere, friendly to foreigners, although the calls to prayer take a bit of getting used to. Quote
Derek 2.0 Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 I've heard such amazing things, and it's another bargain. I'm just wondering about general impressions. Never been to Turkey proper, but have been to Cyprus...I'd imagine Greek holiday packages are rather cheap now........ Quote
Smallc Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Posted December 31, 2014 (edited) Booking a few months is advance, you can spend 8 in and around Athens (flight and hotel) for just over $1000 per person. Edited December 31, 2014 by Smallc Quote
carepov Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 I've been to Istanbul (1998) and Hong Kong (2003), coincidently both during Christmas. Both places were great, but Istanbul was way more interesting. Also, I remember the warm hospitality of the locals. I also spent time in Cappadocia and Olympos. Turkey (1998) was #2 on my list of my best travel experiences, ahead of many other great places, but behind Israel where I flew to immediately after... ahh the memories... How much time do you have to travel? Quote
Smallc Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Posted December 31, 2014 I'm planning to go late this year possibly, as I probably won't get married until 2017. I like Istanbul because it's not too hot in the summer and it's got everything that I'm interested in within a small area. Quote
overthere Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 One of the worlds more interesting places and does not suffer from the relentless sameness of so many large cities. Much of it is best done on foot and the food is good to excellent. Take a harbour tour to see the place as it was seen for a couple of millenia prior to land transport. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Bryan Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 SmallC, what travel agent are you using that has Manitoba to Turkey departures listed? Quote
Smallc Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Posted December 31, 2014 (edited) I never use travel agents. Expedia is the only thing I generally use, though for southern vacations, Westjet Vacations is often cheaper. Edited December 31, 2014 by Smallc Quote
guyser Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Skip Istanbul, go see Constantinople instead. Have fun! Quote
Smallc Posted December 31, 2014 Author Report Posted December 31, 2014 That's funny right there, I don't care who you are. Quote
guyser Posted December 31, 2014 Report Posted December 31, 2014 Its my Turkish Delight for the day. Happy New Year! Quote
overthere Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 I never use travel agents. Expedia is the only thing I generally use, though for southern vacations, Westjet Vacations is often cheaper. I avoid travel agents too and have travelled a lot.in spite of that. I have only been once on an all-inclusive, which was nearly as horrible as expected. My usual plan is to book the cheapest airfare possible to wherever, plus one or two nights accommodation at the destination. Once I'm there and rested a bit, we search out the kind of hotels we like, which are not in travel agent brochures. Istanbul will have many such hotels at a fraction of package rates. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Bryan Posted January 1, 2015 Report Posted January 1, 2015 I never use travel agents. Expedia is the only thing I generally use, though for southern vacations, Westjet Vacations is often cheaper. Online sellers are still travel agents. That's all I ever use too (though it's usually Redtag for me). I didn't think to check Expedia -- they don't do bookings to Cuba, so I never bookmarked them. I avoid travel agents too and have travelled a lot.in spite of that. I have only been once on an all-inclusive, which was nearly as horrible as expected. My usual plan is to book the cheapest airfare possible to wherever, plus one or two nights accommodation at the destination. Once I'm there and rested a bit, we search out the kind of hotels we like, which are not in travel agent brochures. Istanbul will have many such hotels at a fraction of package rates. Some all-inclusives really are horrible, some can be a really good experience. A lot of it is going to depend on what you were expecting/looking for. The package prices are often less than flight only, so even if you have no intention of staying on the resort, it's peace of mind that if things go south with what other adventures you were pursuing, there is always a shower, a bed, a beer, and a meal waiting for you. Quote
Smallc Posted January 2, 2015 Author Report Posted January 2, 2015 Online sellers are still travel agents. That's all I ever use too (though it's usually Redtag for me). I didn't think to check Expedia -- they don't do bookings to Cuba, so I never bookmarked them. Overnight the price on Istanbul went up by 200 - 400 per person for 8 nights....Greece is really tempting though. If I had a bit more money, I'd be booking a late fall trip there, as I can get 8 nights with flight in a decent hotel for under 1100 per person. Quote
Bryan Posted January 2, 2015 Report Posted January 2, 2015 It's incredible how volatile vacation pricing is. Airfare, hotels, and pre-arranged packages are all over the map on any given day. Sometimes it even matters what time of day. I've seen prices drop considerably at around 3am, then go right back up by 5am, repeating that cycle for several days straight. (I work nights and it was a slow week ) Quote
Smallc Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Posted January 3, 2015 I spend too many hours pricing out travel to various cities around the globe, so don't worry. I stupidly booked a flight to Cabo for too much because I saw prices constantly climbing...and then they came back down (of course, not for the exact thing I bought). Quote
Bryan Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 Gah!! It's only 5C in Istanbul right now!! When you hear of Europeans taking beach vacations in Turkey... are they going in the summer??? Quote
Smallc Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Posted January 3, 2015 Gah!! It's only 5C in Istanbul right now!! When you hear of Europeans taking beach vacations in Turkey... are they going in the summer??? Yes, I think so. Summer there is actually cooler than in the north, with the normal daytime highs being in the high 20s. That's why I was looking at Fall for Istanbul. They say if there's 1 place you're going to go in your life, it should be there. Quote
overthere Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 Some all-inclusives really are horrible, some can be a really good experience. A lot of it is going to depend on what you were expecting/looking for. The package prices are often less than flight only, so even if you have no intention of staying on the resort, it's peace of mind that if things go south with what other adventures you were pursuing, there is always a shower, a bed, a beer, and a meal waiting for you. You're right. it depends on what you are looking for and of course how much time you have. Unlike the OP, I would not consider an eight night trip to the Eastern Mediterrean. That is too much like work. We just prefer to drift when we arrive and see what is of interest rather than what is provided. I do not want to see the gift shop at every stop. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Bryan Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 You're right. it depends on what you are looking for and of course how much time you have. Unlike the OP, I would not consider an eight night trip to the Eastern Mediterrean. That is too much like work. We just prefer to drift when we arrive and see what is of interest rather than what is provided. I do not want to see the gift shop at every stop. That's the big one for sure. A lot of packaged trips serve a very functional purpose: allowing people to see as much as they can in a very limited time with as little stress as possible. For long, take-your-time trips you pretty much have to be retired. A working family with kids is going to get one MAYBE two weeks at a time to see whatever they want to see. In a week, you're just not going to have much time to explore and wander around. I definitely hear you about the gift shop! While I still prefer to have a resort as my home base to explore from, I just have no interest in ever going on another group excursion. You invariably get rushed through (or right past) things you really wanted to spend time at, while spending an excruciatingly long time at places that are of no interest. Quote
Smallc Posted January 4, 2015 Author Report Posted January 4, 2015 To be clear, I'm not talking about a group excursion. I set up at a hotel with convenient walking and transit access, and spend the week exploring. Is it enough time? Of course not, but given my job and who has to take over for me when I'm gone (my parents) it's the most I'm willing to do. Quote
msj Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 It is never enough time! But do whatever you can, whenever you can, as you don't know when/if life will throw you a curveball like cancer or sick parents or .... And don't let the bastards grind you down! Quote If a believer demands that I, as a non-believer, observe his taboos in the public domain, he is not asking for my respect but for my submission. And that is incompatible with a secular democracy. Flemming Rose (Dutch journalist) My biggest takeaway from economics is that the past wasn't as good as you remember, the present isn't as bad as you think, and the future will be better than you anticipate. Morgan Housel http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/14/things-im-pretty-sure-about.aspx
overthere Posted January 5, 2015 Report Posted January 5, 2015 To be clear, I'm not talking about a group excursion. I set up at a hotel with convenient walking and transit access, and spend the week exploring. Is it enough time? Of course not, but given my job and who has to take over for me when I'm gone (my parents) it's the most I'm willing to do. I'm just thinking that Canada- Istanbul is at elast a 12 hour trip with a major time change. A week is not long considering what you lose off each end. On the other hand, that is an excellent destination and you can see and do a lot in that time. On a shortish trip, I like to take a city tour right away. It helps me get oriented and I can identify places and parts of the city that are of interest. In istanbul, I suggest that a harbour tour be part of the city tour. It is only in the last century or so that people travelled by land to Istanbul, it has been a maritime crossroads for thousands of years and the city grew from the waterfront back. I envy you, no overseas trips for me this year until next fall! Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Smallc Posted January 5, 2015 Author Report Posted January 5, 2015 This won't be until next fall either. I'm going to Cabo for a few days next month. Quote
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