DotCom

We are going to Turkey and Greece for the first time at the end of Feb,
March. Mostly Istanbul and Athens.
Any body here that can tell me about it? Also, this is our first time
flying for that long. Any pointers on that?
TIA
Peggy

Bill Steltzer

You didn't say much - whether you're going alone or with a group. But
go prepared for some rain. We lived in Istanbul for two years and at
that time of year there were often long stretches of cloudy and rainy
weather.

Dan Stephenson

In article <[email protected]>, DotCom
<[email protected]> wrote:

    > We are going to Turkey and Greece for the first time at the end of Feb,
    > March. Mostly Istanbul and Athens.
    > Any body here that can tell me about it? Also, this is our first time
    > flying for that long. Any pointers on that?
    > TIA
    > Peggy

I highly recommend going to a bookstore and getting a guidebook for
each city. As for flying a long time, I find a iPod helps, as do Bose
noise-cancelling headphones.

--
Dan Stephenson
Photos and movies from US Parks and all over Europe:
http://homepage.mac.com/stepheda

Iceman

"We are going to Turkey and Greece for the first time at the end of
Feb, March. Mostly Istanbul and Athens."

Are you aware that both of those cities will probably be cold around
that time?

"Any body here that can tell me about it?"

Istanbul is a fascinating city, and deserves at least a few days. The
Topkapi Palace is where the Sultans lived, and their treasury is
especially interesting (golf ball-sized diamonds, etc.) The Blue
Mosque is one of the most famous in the Islamic World. The Aya Sofya
was once one of the largest churches in the world, but was turned into
a mosque when the Muslims conquered the city. The Sunken Palace
Cistern is an underground maze of columns and pools. There's also the
Kariye Church - a church from the first millenium, some of whose
mosaics are still intact. And you will find great food and friendly
people throughout the city. (People will constantly hassle you to buy
carpets - it gets annoying, but remember that it is a poor country and
they are just trying to make a living.)

Also consider Cappadocia or Ephesus.

Athens OTOH is a dump. Once you've seen the ruins (allow about a half
a day) there's no reason to stay any longer there, and you should
consider spending time in other places in Greece instead. (NOT the
Greek islands if you are going in February.)

"Also, this is our first time flying for that long. Any pointers on
that?"

Drink lots of water or juice during the flight. Avoid alcohol,
caffiene, or carbonated drinks. Every three hours or so, get up from
your seat and walk briefly up and down the aisle.

Jack Campin - bogus address

[Istanbul]
    > People will constantly hassle you to buy carpets - it gets
    > annoying, but remember that it is a poor country and they
    > are just trying to make a living.

There is a lot less of that hassle than there used to be, and
it's very localized (in the most touristy parts of Sultanahmet).
I think the salesfolk have worked out by now that such pushiness
is counterproductive. It survives in full industrial-strength
form in the Bedesten of Kayseri, though - I guess being so far
off the normal tourist route they're extra-desperate. The usual
angle there is "I'm a student and would like to practice my
English" followed shortly by "my uncle has a carpet shop here".
(Whereas in Diyarbakir that introduction would be sincere).

Is there a good accommodation website for Rhodes? We're going
there in the autumn. I think we've got the other info sorted
from books. We prefer the cheaper end of the market, but not
hostels and definitely NOWHERE NEAR ANY YOUNG BRITISH CLUBBERS.

============== j-c ====== @ ====== purr . demon . co . uk ==============
Jack Campin: 11 Third St, Newtongrange EH22 4PU, Scotland | tel 0131 660 4760
<http://www.purr.demon.co.uk/jack/> for CD-ROMs and free | fax 0870 0554 975
stuff: Scottish music, food intolerance, & Mac logic fonts | mob 07800 739 557

Dan Stephenson

In article <[email protected]. com>,
Iceman <[email protected]> wrote:

    > (People will constantly hassle you to buy
    > carpets - it gets annoying, but remember that it is a poor country and
    > they are just trying to make a living.)

.. by pawing over you, holding you, getting in your way? **** 'em I
thought I was used to beggars having lived in NYC, but holy shit the
pitches from those jackasses was a pain in the ass. Sorry for the
language but they and the "my brother..." line were way way too much.
I really liked Istanbul, too, but WOW

--
Dan Stephenson
Photos and movies from US Parks and all over Europe:
http://homepage.mac.com/stepheda

DDT Filled Mormons

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 04:27:39 GMT, Dan Stephenson
<[email protected]> wrote:

    >In article <[email protected]. com>,
    >Iceman <[email protected]> wrote:
    >> (People will constantly hassle you to buy
    >> carpets - it gets annoying, but remember that it is a poor country and
    >> they are just trying to make a living.)
    >.. by pawing over you, holding you, getting in your way? **** 'em I
    >thought I was used to beggars having lived in NYC, but holy shit the
    >pitches from those jackasses was a pain in the ass. Sorry for the
    >language but they and the "my brother..." line were way way too much.
    >I really liked Istanbul, too, but WOW

Watch out for the offer of a cup of apple tea. It will be boiling hot,
and while you wait for it to cool down, you will be shown endless
carpets.

And the salesman always has a brother or cousin in your home country
too!
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--

A.Spencer3

"Jack Campin - bogus address" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > > Is there a good accommodation website for Rhodes? We're going
    > there in the autumn. I think we've got the other info sorted
    > from books. We prefer the cheaper end of the market, but not
    > hostels and definitely NOWHERE NEAR ANY YOUNG BRITISH CLUBBERS.

B&B's will be found right in amongst the streets of the old quarter of
Rhodes town. From very cheap up to whatever standard/cost you choose
Well away from the nightclubs, yet very walkable out of the old city into
the modern areas when you wish.
A far more interesting way to stay, anyway!

Surreyman

DotCom

Oh sorry Bill.
Yes, we are going with a tour. Friendly Planet. Anyone have experience
with them?
And yes, we are aware it's going to be cold and it's the rainy season.
Somehow we will manage to enjoy the trip regardless.
BTW, my father's name was William Lawrence Stelzer. I gasped when I saw
your name. <s>
Peggy

"Bill Steltzer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ups.com...
    > You didn't say much - whether you're going alone or with a group. But
    > go prepared for some rain. We lived in Istanbul for two years and at
    > that time of year there were often long stretches of cloudy and rainy
    > weather.
    >

DotCom

Thank you.
Yes, I will do that as well as post anywhere I might get more info from.
Thanks again.
Peggy

"Dan Stephenson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:100720051708484668%[email protected]...
    > In article <[email protected]>, DotCom
    > <[email protected]> wrote:
    >> We are going to Turkey and Greece for the first time at the end of Feb,
    >> March. Mostly Istanbul and Athens.
    >> Any body here that can tell me about it? Also, this is our first time
    >> flying for that long. Any pointers on that?
    >> TIA
    >> Peggy
    > I highly recommend going to a bookstore and getting a guidebook for
    > each city. As for flying a long time, I find a iPod helps, as do Bose
    > noise-cancelling headphones.
    > --
    > Dan Stephenson
    > Photos and movies from US Parks and all over Europe:
    > http://homepage.mac.com/stepheda

DotCom

Thank you for the great info Iceman.
One observation though...how does one purchase a carpet and be able to
transport it back to the US with the baggage limitations?
Peggy

"Iceman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ups.com...
    > "We are going to Turkey and Greece for the first time at the end of
    > Feb, March. Mostly Istanbul and Athens."
    > Are you aware that both of those cities will probably be cold around
    > that time?
    > "Any body here that can tell me about it?"
    > Istanbul is a fascinating city, and deserves at least a few days. The
    > Topkapi Palace is where the Sultans lived, and their treasury is
    > especially interesting (golf ball-sized diamonds, etc.) The Blue
    > Mosque is one of the most famous in the Islamic World. The Aya Sofya
    > was once one of the largest churches in the world, but was turned into
    > a mosque when the Muslims conquered the city. The Sunken Palace
    > Cistern is an underground maze of columns and pools. There's also the
    > Kariye Church - a church from the first millenium, some of whose
    > mosaics are still intact. And you will find great food and friendly
    > people throughout the city. (People will constantly hassle you to buy
    > carpets - it gets annoying, but remember that it is a poor country and
    > they are just trying to make a living.)
    > Also consider Cappadocia or Ephesus.
    > Athens OTOH is a dump. Once you've seen the ruins (allow about a half
    > a day) there's no reason to stay any longer there, and you should
    > consider spending time in other places in Greece instead. (NOT the
    > Greek islands if you are going in February.)
    > "Also, this is our first time flying for that long. Any pointers on
    > that?"
    > Drink lots of water or juice during the flight. Avoid alcohol,
    > caffiene, or carbonated drinks. Every three hours or so, get up from
    > your seat and walk briefly up and down the aisle.
    >

DotCom

Okay thanks...I won't fall for the tea ploy.
<s>
Peggy

"DDT Filled Mormons" <deepfreudmoors@eITmISaACTUALLYiREAL!l.nu> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
    > On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 04:27:39 GMT, Dan Stephenson
    > <[email protected]> wrote:
    >>In article <[email protected]. com>,
    >>Iceman <[email protected]> wrote:
    >>> (People will constantly hassle you to buy
    >>> carpets - it gets annoying, but remember that it is a poor country and
    >>> they are just trying to make a living.)
    >>.. by pawing over you, holding you, getting in your way? **** 'em I
    >>thought I was used to beggars having lived in NYC, but holy shit the
    >>pitches from those jackasses was a pain in the ass. Sorry for the
    >>language but they and the "my brother..." line were way way too much.
    >>I really liked Istanbul, too, but WOW
    > Watch out for the offer of a cup of apple tea. It will be boiling hot,
    > and while you wait for it to cool down, you will be shown endless
    > carpets.
    > And the salesman always has a brother or cousin in your home country
    > too!
    > --
    > ---
    > DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
    > ---
    > --

George

DotCom wrote:
how does one purchase a carpet and be able to
transport it back to the US with the baggage limitations?

With your 140 pounds or so baggage allowance, you probably shouldn't
have too many problems.

George

Iceman

"One observation though...how does one purchase a carpet and be able to
transport it back to the US with the baggage limitations?"

The carpet store will gladly ship it for you so that you don't have to
carry it around.

DDT Filled Mormons

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 15:26:57 GMT, "DotCom" <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Thank you for the great info Iceman.
    >One observation though...how does one purchase a carpet and be able to
    >transport it back to the US with the baggage limitations?

They will offer to send it back for you. When it arrives, you will
find it's not quite the carpet you expected, but a carpet nonetheless.
Smaller maybe, plainer maybe, but certainly no worth sending back.

On the other hand, it might not even arrive.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--