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Rick Steves' Istanbul Paperback – March 18, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Lale Aran and Tankut Aran—an Istanbul-based couple who have been married for 11 years—lead tours for Turkish and American groups to wherever they can (including Best of Turkey tours for Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door). They have a passion for unusual travel destinations, and always enjoy learning about the past, present, and future of the peoples of the world. With each trip, they say they become new souls, enriched and enlightened, taking one step forward. In addition to traveling, tour guiding, and guidebook researching, they run an Istanbul-based “Back Door”-style travel agency, SRM Travel (srmtravel.com).
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By
Y. Chen
on May 20, 2014
Format: Paperback
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I have always preferred Rick Steves' books over Lonely Planet, as its chapters are easier to follow for a first time visitor - this book is no exception. The book offers helpful maps that detail all the major roadways and sights, you will not need a secondary map (Knopfs) or guidebook. The book could use a better mass transit map, but Istanbul's tram system is pretty straight forward, and as a tourist, you are probably only taking one tram line anyway between Taksim and the markets through Sultanahmet. Istanbul does not have very wide roads in the old city, taking the taxi would not be fun with the potential traffic issues, avoid if you can (unless you are not staying near the old city).
The locations in the book are accurate for all sights and restaurants listed, however, the prices were not, as everything seemed to be 10% more expensive than listed. (I have the current version that came out in March 2014 and I visited in April 2014)
Pro-tip - One may now purchase the 3 day Istanbul Museum pass (Muze) for 80 Liras (~37 USD) that allows entrance to Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia, and various museums. It functions like the Paris Museum pass or the Roma Pass - allows visitors to skip the enormous ticket buying lines as the actual entrance lines are often short. I purchased this pass at Aya Sofia, which saved me from monster lines at Topkapi Palace.
The locations in the book are accurate for all sights and restaurants listed, however, the prices were not, as everything seemed to be 10% more expensive than listed. (I have the current version that came out in March 2014 and I visited in April 2014)
Pro-tip - One may now purchase the 3 day Istanbul Museum pass (Muze) for 80 Liras (~37 USD) that allows entrance to Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofia, and various museums. It functions like the Paris Museum pass or the Roma Pass - allows visitors to skip the enormous ticket buying lines as the actual entrance lines are often short. I purchased this pass at Aya Sofia, which saved me from monster lines at Topkapi Palace.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By
M. Oholendt
on May 31, 2014
Format: Paperback
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While this book is a Rick Steves', the authors are not. There are points that were difficult to follow and important details missing that RS would not have omitted. (directions on walks were confusing, no special instructions on navigating ticket info, entrance info, etc during ALL the chaos of Hagia Sofia, for example; the tram instructions made it sound so easy for a world traveler--this was difficult--example: instructions on HOW to purchase tickets (only coins, only Turkish Lira, only able to purchase a one-time token, but NOT a pass at some stops--the instructions to buy at major bus, ferry etc was misleading. Taxi information was incorrect---some have meters, some do not.) Etc, Etc, Etc
Bottom line, if you are used to RS books through Europe, you may be disappointed.
Bottom line, if you are used to RS books through Europe, you may be disappointed.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
Mac T
on July 1, 2014
Format: Paperback
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This was an amazing resource that I was so glad I purchased before my trip. Whenever I didn't consult the book first, I would end up making a mistake (for example, I got the audio guide at a place where the book said I didn't need one because they had all the relevant info already written out.) I learned to always read the book before going to an attraction. Even on the Bosphorus cruise the book tells you which side of the boat to sit on, and because I didn't read it first, I was on the wrong side!! Use the book!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By
Virginia Sandoval
on August 24, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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I have been a Rick Steves' follower since 1998. I live in Europe and have traveled extensively throughout the continent. I bought this book before my first trip to Istanbul. Frankly, overall, I was disappointed. There were a few good suggestions but not the quality I expect from a Rick Steves' guide book. I wish it was written objectively by an outsider, namely Rick, not two Turkish natives. I say this because the write ups seemed slanted and some things, like the fact that the city is overrun by stray cats, was left out of the book completely. Ask your accommodation to provide you with the transportation rechargeable card to save you money on trams. You just return it when you leave. One family can share the same card. Bottom line after my family's trip, you will get swindled, prowled upon by countless beggars in Old and New Town, and most likely taken in the city of Istanbul. All entrance fees in the book have risen to unnecessary rates in the past year. There are prices for locals and prices for tourists everywhere. You will spend money like London or Rome for lodging and be taken to the cleaners for meals if you do not ask for a receipt and look it over carefully. 10% gratuity is almost always added so do not pay a penny more. Look out for water and/or power outages...Sorry, Rick, wish you didn't let your readers down on this one. We want to hear YOUR recommendations and honest comments not someone else's.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
mj
on July 6, 2014
Format: Paperback
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Very good guidebook. His tours are very informative and easy to follow. After a week of tour guides in Greece and Ephesus of varying quality, my husband and I thought we would try using the self quided tours in this book. They were for the most part excellent and very easy to follow. The only thing off was the price of the museum pass. 85 t lira. And it did include the harem in Topkapi palace and church of Irene was open and included Some of the construction places were a bit off as well. Definitely would recommend if you would like to explore the old district on your own. For restaurants and shopping. I found trip advisor to be more up to date
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By
Karl Mascarenhas
on April 13, 2014
Format: Paperback
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The self guided walking tours in Rick Steve's Istanbul guide were an invaluable resource on my recent trip to the city.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
Justarasta
on May 5, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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A very good, useful and up to date reference book. It's a bit weak on touring areas outside of Sultanhamet and I wasn't impressed with one restaurant suggestion we tried. Maps are useful and you get a real sense that the authors know what they're talking about. I'll excuse the restaurant issue as restaurants are notoriously inconsistent. My only real complaint is that sometimes things were hard to find and the book could be better organized. I know that the book tells you how to take the subway and tram into town (a far better way of going than taking a cab) but I never could find that reference point again. Yes I know next time to mark it myself but there's lots of things to mark in this book which is a good thing.
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