Istanbul, Turkey

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Istanbul, Turkey

 

• Istanbul is the most populous city in Turkey and is one of the most populated cities in the world. It is considered as the cultural as well as financial center of the country. The city ranks to be one of the world’s favorite tourist destinations.

The Life:

• Istanbul presents a little bit of everything, including sports, cuisine and architectural marvels. Nightlife makes a mark as it places different levels of action in the growing number of bars, clubs plus dining areas.
• The month of May will be an ideal time for US tourists, especially for sports enthusiasts, and be a part of the anticipated Turkish Grand Prix.

Cost of Living:

• Traveling to Istanbul is cheap. Generally, fast food meals and sit down meals cost about $7. Midrange restaurants offer a meal of three courses for two persons at $32.
• Monthly apartment rates range from $435 to $700 for single-room accommodations and $800 to $1100 for three bedrooms.

Poker:

• Online poker is prohibited by the Turkish government.

Internet Access:

• Many internet cafes offer high speed internet connection at a very cheap rate. Hostels and hotels specifically in the Sultanahmet area provide Wi-Fi internet access.  Shopping centers have free Wi-Fi as well.

Weather:

• The weather conditions in Istanbul are pretty much similar to New York. Summers are general hot, dry and humid. Winters are cold and wet. It tends to be chilly during winter that it could be bitterly cold and usually very unpleasant.
• Late May until early June and late September up to early October are the best months to visit Istanbul due to its pleasant weather conditions. Days are sunny and nights may be chilly.

U.S. Visa/Entry Difficulty Level:

• Tourist visas valid for three months may be issued to US citizens upon arrival at a fee of $20. Entry requirements include passport, visa application form, a passport-size photo and credit card forms.

Language:

• Turkish is the country’s official language.

Language Schools:

• There are opportunities to learn Turkish in Istanbul. Boğaziçi University and Concept Languages are some of the language schools available in the city.

Food:

• A variety of food options await tourists in Istanbul. Döner, for instance, is an ideal choice for fast and affordable food. These doner restaurants are open for almost 24 hours.
• Balık-Ekmek is a special fish sandwich and is served via small boats and in little buffets. Patso is another type of sandwich that consists of hotdog added with fries. Its local ice cream shouldn’t be missed as well. Flavors are standard but the ice cream is combined with orchid root extract, an interesting taste with a chewy as well as stringy texture.

Recreation:

• Istanbul offers a great variety of historic as well as religious destinations. Some of these attractions include Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque, known to be ancient monuments.
• A stopover to a Turkish bath called hamam would be an unforgettable experience. It is a must-try for most tourists. Normally, scrubbing and massage are included in the treat.
• Other interesting activities are walking tours, a walk to the Theodosian Walls and a tour through the traditional Bosphorus Cruise – all of which lets US tourists experience the pride of Istanbul

Safety:

• Pickpockets of different styles and strategies are common in the city. Though policemen are present, US tourists are advised to pay close attention to their valuables such as travel documents.
• Scams and other types of crimes are prevalent as well. It is best to know of these tactics before traveling to the place to avoid being victims. Learning important phrases in Turkish, such as İmdat! which means “Help me!”, would be a great help for the trip.