Istanbul

Vialand Theme Park is a huge amusement park and shopping mall located in Istanbul, Turkey. We visited this theme park at the end of May 2023, during our weekend trip to Istanbul. We paid a 240 USD entry fee for a family of three (also kids pay full fare). After visiting the park I was left with the feeling that the price might be way too overpriced for the attractions we actually used.  As we were traveling with our 4-year-old daughter, we were using just the bare minimum. The total price of…

Hotel Baykal is located on the shores of Golden Horn in Unkapani, Istanbul. This hotel is located about 3 km from the historical Sultanahmet area.  Free WiFi is accessible in all areas. We booked Hotel Baykal for a 3-night stay at the end of May 2023 during our short trip to Istanbul. At the time of booking, we were just choosing the cheapest options available, and I have to say this was a bargain deal. In total, we paid about USD 160 for our 3-day stay here, which is something really…

In late May 2023, my family and I embarked on a spontaneous adventure to Istanbul, immersing ourselves in the lively atmosphere of this vibrant city.Our itinerary was filled with the thrill of amusement parks, where we embraced the joy of heart-pounding rides and laughter. Amidst the fun, we had the pleasure of meeting a dozen skilled Turkish mechanics, adding a unique touch to our journey. Engaging conversations and shared moments made this encounter a highlight of our trip.Now, picture this:…

I have traveled back and forth to Istanbul for dozen times, sometimes just by a connecting flight, sometimes just to spend a day or two in Istanbul. Most of the time, I have relied on shuttle services ordered from hotels or using public transportation. The last time when we visited Istanbul, via Sabiha Gokcen airport (May 2023) I noticed the price for one way transfer to the city center was EUR 60 (a few years ago I paid USD 40 for the same ride). This time I decided to check if there is a…

Istanbul has been on my travel map ever since I remember (Okay, I first were here back in 2009). Time after time we like to take layover flight via Istanbul, and so did happen last time, at the end of February 2020 - we booked a connected flight Tbilisi - Istanbul - Riga with Turkish Airlines so we have a chance to spend at least a day in Istanbul After taking a hammam in our centrally located Istanbul hotel (Best Point Hotel Old City Istanbul (Sultanahmet)), in the next morning after…

Located in the Old City of Istanbul, this hotel is within walking distance to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. Best Point Hotel Old City offers air-conditioned rooms. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel. We booked here a one night stay at the end of February 2020, during a layover flight from Tbilisi via Istanbul to Riga. We booked a family room which included a really comfy bed (s) and even a private hammam (Turkish sauna). Our price about $95 per one-night stay (…

Istanbul Airport will be the main international airport serving Istanbul. It is based in the Arnavutköy district on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. The opening ceremony took place on 29 October 2018, scheduled so as to coincide with the 95th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic. On November 1 2018, five daily flights will start to arrive and depart from the airport: Ankara, Antalya, Baku, Ercan, İzmir.These flights will all be operated by Turkish Airlines. Regularly…

For a luxury stay in Istanbul, you will find a wide selection of top World brand hotels, Sheraton, Hilton, Kempinski, Four Seasons, Hyatt you name it. a From my personal experience, I've stayed at a dozen of Istanbul's boutique hotels in a price range USD 60-100, with Dosso Dossi Istanbul Old City Hotel located in Sultanahmet, being the latest. Make sure you check out article What to do and see in Istanbul in less than 24 hours if you are traveling to Istanbul for the first time. Also, I…

So you have just 24 hours for Istanbul? In this short indie travel guide, I will list places you could easily manage to visit and see in less than 24 hours.  My story short - at the end of May we booked connecting flight from Riga to Tbilisi, via Istanbul, we had an option to have a shorter waiting time, but we decided to spend one night in Istanbul's Sultanahmet area, which offers great access to the most of the tourist sights in Istanbul. If you are traveling from Istanbul Ataturk airport,…

Istanbul has been on my travel radar since 2009, when I first visited it during a layover flight to Telaviv, Israel. Since then I've traveled countless times to and back from Istanbul.  So did happened during our latest trip Riga - Istanbul - Tbilisi, we booked a lovely hotel Dosso Dossi in Sultanahmet district and spend one night in Istanbul, trying out local street food and visiting most iconic sites in Istanbul. Street food in Istanbul Filled potatoes. Yummy Minarets of the Blue…