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How Many People Can Ride on a Bunk Bed Bus?

Twenty four people can ride comfortably on each bus. The 60 foot coach buses were created from “bendy” or “bendi” buses and are equipped with 24 beds and 24 seats so can choose exactly how you spend your time on the bus. The beds are stacked three high and there is very little headroom but once you lie down, the beds are quite comfortable and they make the long trips around the UK much more tolerable. Each bunk is supplied with a duvet, sheet, pillow and privacy curtain. You will also find a pouch in your bunk with an eye mask, toothbrush, and toothpaste. What I love best about the buses is they also provide free coffee, tea and biscuits to passengers, like me, who enjoy a midnight snack or an early morning dose of caffeine. Each bus is equipped with a toilet and Wi-Fi is also available.

How Much Do the Sleeper Buses Cost?

The cost to travel in one of these overnight bunk bed buses is pretty affordable but the price will vary depending on the route you select. Even though the sleeper buses are fairly new, routes that were once offered during the day are now being switched to night time so travelers have the convenience of the bunk beds. If you want to save money on your tickets, make sure that you order your tickets well in advance of your trips. Megabus offers good discount rates for early bookings.

What Are Other Travelers Say about These Sleeper Travel Buses?

Other travelers are enjoying the flexibility allowed by the sleeper bus because it gives them the option to sit or lie down. The Wi-Fi connection is great if you wish to check email or work during your trip. When you get tired, all you have to do is head over to your bunk and get comfortable. Most passengers have found that the bunk beds are comfortable but only once you lay down and relax. The privacy curtain is nice if you happen to be someone who sleeps with his or her mouth open or if you snore. The complimentary snacks and drinks are definitely welcome especially for those who often travel on long boring trips.

Why Choose Overnight Sleeping Buses?

Bus traveling in the UK was not very popular prior to the introduction of these more comfortable and convenient buses because most people preferred to drive even long distances instead of sitting on a bus for a long period of time. The switch to nighttime long distance routes gives passengers an opportunity to sleep while still traveling to their next destination which can be difficult in a car especially if you are the driver. If you are traveling for pleasure, you can sleep on the way and still spend your days seeing the sights. Plus you no longer have to worry about driving and navigating in an unknown area specifically at night. It is by far, the safest mode of transport for travelers who are looking for a budget-friendly and stress-free commute throughout the UK.

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The best way to plan a trip to Vegas is by first determining the types of activities that you and your family like to do. Do you enjoy going to museums? Las Vegas is home to the Neon Museum, Atomic Testing Museum, and the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts. Do you and your family like attending concerts or shows? There are various truly entertaining shows such as the Cirque De Soleil, Broadway Musicals, Singing artists, Magicians, Comedians, and various other interesting acts. Do you enjoy walking around and exploring a town? Las Vegas has some truly amazing sights to see including the various hotels and casinos. At night, once the lights come on, the sites look completely different. If you enjoy seeing natural scenic sights, then you definitely want to fit in a visit to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and the Valley of Fire State Park. Both natural landscapes are incredibly beautiful to see and fun to explore.

If you happen to be lucky enough to have a nanny or babysitter for your kids, you and your spouse can definitely find plenty to do on a night out on the town. Las Vegas happens to have some of the best restaurants and buffets. If you would also like to do a little dancing, the clubs come in many varieties and are lots of fun to visit. Most couples find that Vegas can be romantic because many of the hotels do offer luxurious accommodations and lots of pampering. The spas are definitely a must for anyone who wants to relax and to recharge those batteries.

Bellagio view from Eiffel Tower

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Most Las Vegas travel deals include accommodations so make sure you are booking a good one. Some of the best hotels and resorts include the Bellagio, Caesar’s Palace, Four Seasons, Hard Rock, and Fantasy Tower. The Bellagio is by far the most expensive but it sure is worth the truly unique experience that it offers. The Hard Rock is my favorite even though it is not the most popular anymore. Located right down the road from the Strip, the Hard Rock is perfect for grownups who want to have a good time but without the hefty price tag of other more popular hotels and casinos such as the Bellagio. When you start planning or reserving your travel to Las Vegas, make sure that you ask the hotel or resort if kids are welcome. Some places do not allow children while others separate families from single and double occupancy rooms which works out perfectly for you and your family because folks in the single and double occupancy areas tend to make more noisy plus they like to stay up late.

Unlike other destinations in the U.S., Las Vegas travel packages don’t necessary offer non-peak rates. Travel to Vegas is popular year round because the weather in Vegas makes that possible. To get the best deal, make sure that you compare a few different Vegas trip packages that are available until you find the best match for your family. Visiting the surrounding areas such as the parks, Hoover Dam, and the Grand Canyon can be done with a rental car for cheap so you don’t have to spend a lot of money to see one of the prettiest parts of our country.

Belize Barrier Reef system

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Barrier Reef Tours
Don’t have the funds or time to get to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef? Head to Belize’s Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world behind the GBR. Tours are available ranging from extensive dive tours to snorkel tours that last an hour or two. Tailor your tour to your experience level and desired outing length. Some of the must-see spots around Belize’s reef include the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, Esmeralda Canyons, Cyprus Gardens and Tuffy Rocks. If you’re staying in San Pedro or Caye Caulker, it will be hard to miss the tour companies along the main streets of the islands. Prices will be relatively the same between all companies, so look for the company with the sturdiest boat and most seasoned skipper and hop aboard!

Belize cave tubing tour

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Cave Tubing Tours

On the mainland of Belize, you’ll find a variety of offerings for cave tours through some of the most beautiful cave systems in Central America. Most tours leave from Belize City and head about 2 hours inland towards the Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve. With your guide, you’ll hike through the rainforest with your tube to get to the cave openings. Once you’re there you’ll experience a truly peaceful and amazing float down the river and cave system past crystal formations, ancient ceremonial sites, waterfalls and more. You’ll spend time underground, floating through the cavernous wonderland that encompasses central Belize. Once you emerge, you’ll be greeted by tropical birds and other animals that live in this lush habitat. Cave tubing tours can last a few hours or be combined with another tour in the rainforest, including overnight caving expeditions.

Zip line tour

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Zip lining Tours
Fly through the canopies of some of the world’s most beautiful rainforests in Belize with a zip lining tour. Belize is famous for its lush tropical diversity and majestic rainforest canopy. Most tours leave from Belize City and involve an hour to two-hour trip inland. Once in the rainforest, you’ll zip across lines suspended from platforms high up in the trees, offering you unparalleled views of the canopy and the sounds of the forest. You can combine zip line tours with cave tubing tours, Mayan ruins excursions to places like Altun Ha, Lamanai and Xunantunich, horseback riding tours and more. Many of the tour companies that operate on mainland Belize offer a wide variety of tours that can be combined for day trips or overnight trips.

When you travel to Istanbul you will notice the hotels are spread far and wide across the vast reaches of this huge city, with conglomerations of them in the top tourist hotspots, which are of course in the Old City, and around Taksim and Istiklal Avenue. Where you decide to stay will really come down to price and locality preference, and to a certain extent the facilities, though I tend to find hotel facilities are rarely used when staying in a bustling city like Istanbul, so there’s no point in paying extra for them!

Hotels in Istanbul’s Old City

Galata Tower

If you’re planning to explore all the sights of the historic peninsula, then staying in this part of the city makes sense. The Old City has a wonderful atmosphere after all; even though it’s visited by countless tourists, it still feels somewhat magical!

There is such a huge selection of hotels here that are bound to suit every taste; from the luxurious Ritz Carlton, to the smallest and most basic, though somehow charming, hotels and guest houses. If you can find one with a roof terrace I would thoroughly recommend making use of it as from many of the roof terraces you can enjoy wonderful views out to the Sea of Marmara and of course over parts of the Old City too. A view of the Blue Mosque or Aya Sofya will set you back more, and remember if you’re right on top of the Blue Mosque (or any other working mosque) that you will be hearing the ‘call to prayer’ very early in the morning!

There are countless restored old Ottoman houses that have now been converted into hotels, and these are very popular, usually with some lovely historic features, so you may want to consider staying in one of these.

Hotels in Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue
The other part of Istanbul well known for its many hotels is around Taksim Square. This is at the end of Istiklal Avenue and is one of the business centers of the city. Because of this there are large and well equipped hotels that will attract business tourists, and leisure tourists, and the area around Taksim includes well known hotels like the Savoy and InterContinental.

On Istiklal Avenue itself there are many hotels too, though these are more recommended for tourists who prefer to be able to crawl out of a bar or club and into bed! The atmosphere is lively and no doubt noisy for many of these hotels, so they are not recommended for anyone who prefers a peaceful night’s sleep!

As you can see, whether you are looking for the best luxury hotels in Istanbul or just cheap hotels Istanbul there are plenty of lodging options for every travel budget in this majestic Turkish city.

Literary Prague cafés can be found all over the city. It is a city with a surprising literary depth, though much of it nodding to the darker days of Communism that once and in many ways, still does, hang over the city like a thick fog. And the café culture is deeply entrenched here too. Prague’s first café opened in 1712, and by 1916, there were 120 cafes in the Golden City, most of them several-story-high art deco masterpieces that provided havens of smoking, drinking, dancing and intellectualism during the city’s pre-World War II golden age.

The café scene in Prague has evolved over the years, but it is still a strong part of both local and expatriate identity here. The grand art deco cafes carry on, though a mustier and more tourist-filled incarnation of their former glory, but numerous smaller cafes have opened up in the city, most of them during the decades that followed the fall of Communism, when Prague became the so-called “Left Bank of the 90s”, as thousands of expats poured into the city, many of them would-be writers and artists.

A travel tour of Prague’s literary cafes should start, surprisingly, right in the heart of Old Town, just where you wouldn’t expect a great literary café to be. Behind the Týn Church, duck in under a small stone arch to the Týnská Literární Kavárna (Týnská 630/6; +420 224 827 807; antik.knihytynska.cz), where a capacious patio bursts with student energy under the church’s creepy gothic spires and fresh pints of Bernard (an intellectual’s favorite) spill onto wobbly tables.

Wind your way down the unending maze of Old Town’s cobbled streets to Retezová, a street where two jazz era cafes stand across from one another. Aptly named to attract bohemian types and writers, Café Montmartre (Retezová 7; +420 222 221 244) was once a favorite haunt of Max Brod and Franz Kafka and its sparse selection of wobbly wooden tables and threadbare furniture make a great place to converse the night away. Across the street, Literarni Kavarna Retezová (Retezová 10) is a bit warmer, with dusty oriental rugs covering creaky wood slat floors and plenty of local color if you feel like brushing up on your Czech.

You’ll certainly want to experience one of the 1920s grand cafes and there are plenty in Prague, Czech Republic. Café Slavia (Národní 1012/1; +420 224 218 493; cafeslavia.cz) is just a short walk south along the Vltava River. The too-snooty waiters and over-priced beers are worth suffering through to experience the grandiose marble tables on several levels connected by brass fixtures and black-and-white photos in this high-ceilinged café.

These days, most of Prague’s real intellectuals and expatriates don’t bother with Old Town; they stick to the leafy confines of Vinohrady, a sweet neighborhood in the south part of the city. And one specific Vinohrady square offers a particular set of intellectual delights – several buzzing cafes overlook a small cobbled roundabout centered on a strange reptile and fish fountain. It is here, at the intersection of Americká and Záhrebská, where several cafes converge.

The oddly-named Blatouch (blatouch.cz) is a student favorite (the Charles University dorms are just around the corner) where lamps, velvet curtains and beer taps all come with a gentle layer of dust and everything feels just that wee bit grubby. Across the way, Kavárna Zanzibar is smaller and slightly smarter, with a few sidewalk tables and plenty of sudová vina (cask wine on tap) to be had, while next door, Pink Floyd Caffe (Americká 16; pinkfloydcaffee.wz.cz) looks a bit dodgy from the outside, but once inside, you’re warmed by its sponge-painted orange walls and the huge garden out back.

Best place for general shopping –

Chatuchak Weekend Market

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Bangkok, Thailand is full of shopping opportunities, from huge opulent malls to the crowded street markets, any shopper is sure to find whatever it they are looking for! Don’t be fooled by the name, Chatuchak Weekend Market is open every day and well into most nights! Be ready to bargain though and it is a game taken seriously by Thai vendors, so if you aren’t careful your friend will come back with the same item for half the price that you paid!

Shenzen, China is also a great place and an easy stop if you are in Hong Kong or Macau. Here you will find plenty of malls and western style shopping outlets, but you can also find the traditional markets in the Dongmen area if you want to get the real bargains. This place is great – even the Chinese from Hong Kong come here to do their serious shopping – so you know you can get a great bargain!

Best places for tailored clothes –

custom tailored suit in Itaewon

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South Korea is hands-down one of the best places to get tailored suits and clothes which will be of high quality, yet still reasonably cheap. My father had a suit tailored which fit pristinely for about $85! When he wore it in the US to business meetings, people gave him compliments and until he spilled the beans, most thought it was Calvin Klein or something comparable.

A second option is India, but the quality of fabric and tailoring – at least in my experience, is not as precise and top-notch. However, if you are looking for a bargain, you are sure to find one here!

Best place for electronics and current fashions –

Tokyo electronics market

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Tokyo, Japan, of course, is the best place to find those top quality electronics and you don’t have to pay the import taxes on them like in the US – since they are made here! Besides electronics, Tokyo is also famous for its extreme and ever-changing fashion, as well as Hello Kitty, manga, and other Japanese handicrafts. So if you are into keeping up with new trends, here’s the place to find them. Beware – Tokyo is not always the cheapest place to shop, if you are not buying local products.

Of course, there are plenty of other great travel destinations for shopping in Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and others, but these are a few of the best!

What is Travel Insurance?

Travelers’ insurance policies vary greatly but most offer coverage that includes trip or flight cancellations, disruptions or delays in travel, loss of luggage or personal belongings, accidental death or dismemberment, medical and dental care, and some even cover you should the company or person you have made reservations with files for bankruptcy or cancel the trip on you. There are many other smaller or less costly items covered but these are the major and most likely to disrupt or cause you loss of time, money, and frustration. Also keep in mind that most travel disruptions are caused by people or events that are out of your control. In fact, weather related events are the number one cause of flight delays or cancellations which are the main reasons why plans and reservations must be cancelled or delayed so having an insurance policy that can help you get some of your money back is highly recommended.

When Do I Need Travel Insurance?

You should have some kind of insurance protecting you when traveling even if you travel within your state or country but especially if you travel overseas. You don’t however have to take out a travel policy if you are already have coverage for travel related events covered within other policies you already own such as your homeowner’s, car, medical and life insurance policies. Make sure to check all the details of your existing policies so you don’t duplicate coverage when you purchase a travel specific policy. If you cannot determine such coverage on your own, simply call your insurance carriers to confirm which travel related coverage is included. If you plan to travel abroad, make sure that you ask if your current policy covers you while visiting other countries. You should also check with your credit card companies to make sure that you have coverage should any transactions you make while traveling need to be reimbursed or cancelled. If you charge your airline tickets, hotel, and other travel expenses on your card, many companies will give you a reimbursement if you should cancel or if you encounter travel delays. Some even cover you for things such as accidental death, loss of luggage, and car rental damage so it is really worth checking out.

Where to Buy Travel Insurance?

Never purchase travel insurance coverage from a travel agent, cruise line, or other tour related person or company. Such policies are typically more expensive and many do not offer you the type of coverage you need. If the company or person you purchase the policy from goes bankrupt or is a fraud, you lose your money and some much needed coverage. A third-party insurance carrier, especially one that is national or even international, is your safest bet because not only are they likely to be around for a long time, they also tend to offer lower premium rates to customers. Make sure you compare rates and coverage between at least a couple large companies because there is a pretty good chance that you will find some major differences in both departments.

What is the Average Cost of Travel Insurance?

Most insurance carriers that offer travel benefits are reasonably priced. You can probably expect to pay anywhere from 4 to 8% of the cost of your trip. The length of your trip will determine a big portion of the cost and some policies take the age of the travelers into account as well. Keep in mind that the small amount you pay for a policy is nothing compared to the cost of replacing your luggage and belongings or the cost of medical expenses. Another costly event is that is completely out of your control is an emergency evacuation due either to Mother Nature or a terrorist attack. Such events can completely alter your plans and in many cases, you have to pay the entire cost for the evacuation.

After spending time in at least half a dozen different Asian countries, I was totally unprepared for Macau. We set out from Bangkok for a weekend trip, and because of the close proximity, and the fact that it’s such a popular tourist destination, plane fare from other points in Asia is comparatively cheap. But when we landed, it felt almost as if we weren’t in Asia any more. Most of the architecture is decidedly Portuguese colonial, the ruins of St. Paul’s puts you squarely in 16th century Europe, and the delicious cuisine is like nothing else you will find anywhere else in Asia.

ruins of St. Paul's

Like neighboring Hong Kong, Macau is a “special administrative region” of the People’s Republic of China—which means that money flows freely and commerce is king. As a major tourist center, you will pay more than you would traveling through the mainland provinces, but it’s still moderate compared to major tourist centers in Europe. We stayed at the Hotel Sintra, within walking distance to Senado Square. We spent a little extra for the Deluxe room, which was spacious and beautiful, but still affordable. If you stay there, check out the hotel restaurant; and if you’re there over the weekend, take advantage of the buffet which offers an incredible spread.

Macau casino

Of course, with more gaming tables than Las Vegas, Macau is the undisputed gambling capital of the Far East. The casinos are big and glitzy as one would expect, and the gambling action is intense. My wife allowed me 100 Hong Kong dollars to spend in the enormous Venetian casino. “Hundred bucks,” I thought, believing it would last me a while. Of course, once I realized that it equals about 12 dollars American, my excitement waned quickly and I went through my allotment in about three minutes. But, all is not lost, and you quickly realize that you don’t have to gamble to have a good time in Macau. The Venetian is so much more than gaming tables. It’s an incredibly realistic replica of the European city of Venice, complete with canals and gondolas, singing gondoliers, and even actors in period costume strolling through the mall. And of course, if you’re not planning on losing money at the Baccarat table, plan on losing it in the spectacular stores throughout the Venetian. This is not your typical Asian bazaar. If you’re flush with cash (make it big at the Pai Gow table, did you?), you can pick up a chic handbag at Coach, check out the trendy togs at French Connection, stop by Tiffany & Co. for a few trinkets and then get a box of Godiva chocolates to take back to the hotel with you. And naturally, there is no shortage of fabulous restaurants, from traditional dim sum, to Macanese cuisine and even Morton’s of Chicago for a good old-fashioned American steak.

A-Ma temple

Do take time to pull yourself away from the casinos, though, and explore the traditional side of Macau. Pay a visit to the A-Ma temple, a Taoist temple dating back to 1488, and then you will suddenly remember that yes, you really are in China and not Lisbon. And speaking of Lisbon, if you’ve ever been there, one of the most memorable sights is the incredibly decorative mosaic tiled sidewalks, which are also pervasive throughout Macau—especially near Senado Square.

We had naturally expected the food there to be mostly Cantonese, and there is plenty of that on offer—but you will also find plenty of Portuguese and Macanese restaurants. Be sure to sample Macanese cuisine a few times—is it Chinese? Is it Portuguese? Can’t tell. It’s the best of both, and not to be missed. You will also notice that as you stroll through town, you will see small shops selling Portuguese egg tarts, or Pastéis de nata, on every block. Having had the pasty little egg tarts at Chinese buffet restaurants back in the States, I was at first tempted to pass it by, but these are a completely different creation. Lord Stow’s has the best, but you can’t go wrong almost anywhere you go. They’re always fresh-made, with flaky crust and sweet custardy filling, caramelized just-so on top—simply incredible. Don’t just get one.

Kuh-thunk, kuh-thunk, kuh-thunk. My husband and I pulled his and our toddler’s luggage up the steps of the métro station then drew the bags down the stairs; heading to the next train with large cargo can be quite a trudge, and each station is nearly always sans elevator. My husband had waited and waited in the morning cold for a Roissybus to the city. Our little girl somehow managed to buoy us both with her good spirits, despite a cold little nose.

We passed our wiggly (but mercifully pleasant) two-year-old daughter back and forth to give our bodies and nerves some respite. It was not the most pleasurable way to spend a bitterly cold winter day in Paris, France. Luckily, we only had to ride the nº 8 train to reach my place in the 11th arrondissement.

on le Bateau Mouche boat ride

Let there be no doubt: I am an avowed Francophile. I adore Paris (after all, it’s Paris!), and four trips there have allowed my love to deepen; however, I also have an unvarnished view.

Paris on the first trip is like a new boyfriend who has effortless natural charm; as time goes on, the flaws appear. Parisiens who rush you to express yourself in halting French. Parisiens who speak quickly (parlez plus lentement, s’il vous plaît became a useful phrase: please speak more slowly) or who can’t understand you despite your perfect accent.

Travel in Paris can let you down. Shops close early or don’t open at all. People shove you on the métro. You are pick-pocketed (it happens plenty; take precautions). The weather is almost maliciously disagreeable at times. You get bad directions and advice.

Amid the disappointment, however, is its sparkling beauty, sublime pastries, the energy that permeates the streets, and more. So much more. As with a problematic love, you are pulled back in just as you are ready to break; Paris seduces you again.

Sometimes I had to give Paris the silent treatment; wordless walks through the streets became my medicine. By the end of each walk, I would love again. Sometimes it’s good to just listen.

I am now married to Paris, for better or worse, even if the love is not always mutual. I had experienced Paris with my then-fiancé, who was my husband when we visited twice pre-baby, and alone as an intern.

I was working for the US Embassy for three months. My mother instincts butted heads with my career ambitions. In that mix was a hearty ache for my family. I arrived in Paris in mid-October and mon mari et ma fille came to visit in December.

This was the first time we were in Paris with a little one. How would this go? We always engaged in genteel adult activity on past visits; nothing we did was suitable or fun for a child. We had a love of museums and cafés, wine and dining, shopping and sight-seeing. I would see children everywhere about, but wondered how to make sure she had fun.

I lived in a tiny sublet that required me to squeeze around a sink to reach the toilet and a shower I literally could not turn around in. We were squeezed rather tightly, but we managed.

One of our first outings was to Notre Dame Cathedral. She was bundled in a stroller, and in sufficient awe of the architecture and sheer size. My husband, an architecture buff, had hoped she would enjoy it. She did.

Parisians, it turns out, love to dote on little ones and she got much favorable attention.

Mona Lisa at the Louvre! The first time I've ever seen no crowds!

That day, we went to Musée d’Orsay just to get out of the cold. She loved the art and was never bored. She wanted out of her stroller to get a closer look. The Orsay has paintings by Van Gogh, sculptures by Rodin, and much more. After, she dug into some chocolate cake; I like to think it was the best gâteau au chocolat in the world.

Another day, we got off the Bastille stop. The landmark commemorating the Bastille is gorgeously lit. In that square, at an edge of le Marais, was a small carnival with rides she loved.

We strolled in the pleasant evening mist on a balmier day in the hip, old Marais area, window-shopping (lèche-vitrine) through gorgeous Place des Vosges. The patisseries afforded opportunities to try pastries, a new obsession. The holiday lights throughout the city made her wide-eyed.

We took her to the Louvre, and she again wanted to look at the “pictures!” The Louvre is much larger than the Orsay; she ran down the echoed corridors with delight. She even got to see the Mona Lisa! After, we treated her to a taste of home: Chicken McNuggets (McDonald’s is unsettlingly popular in Paris).

Bridge over Seine on boat ride

We exited the métro further east to get closer to the Eiffel Tower. We ate first and our gracious server clearly liked polite Americans. It was another misty night and the lights of the tower were mesmerizing. Our daughter gasped at the sight.

Our final outing was on le Bateau Mouche, a riverboat. We floated up and down the Seine and got to view Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and more. By this time, she was infatuated with the tower. She genuinely enjoyed herself. It was a perfect end to a too-brief visit.

us in front of the "mesmerizing" Eiffel Tower on a misty night

You, the reader, may assume that my daughter is especially well-behaved. She really isn’t! She has a typical threshold for boredom and can be rambunctious. It seemed that le magique de paris cast its spell on her. She took much of it in silently, like her mother.

To this day (she is three) she excitedly points out the Eiffel Tower on plates, pictures, photos, etc. She may not remember the details of her first visit, but I believe that Paris got under her skin. She will always have pictures and her parents’ memories. For her parents, it was possibly the most delightful visit of all.

Oh, and one last thing: on the way back to the airport, three Parisians helped us carry luggage up and down three different flights of stairs. Paris, I will never doubt your love again.

The city hasn’t been called Constantinople since 1923, and the last sultan, Mehmed VI, was banished in 1922, yet Istanbul has retained the majority of its historical heritage. You can visit the great palaces from which the sultans reigned, and you can wander among ancient relics in a part of the city dating from Roman and Byzantine times; stand in awe, admiring the Blue Mosque, and walk the vast spaces inside Aya Sofya, then browse the thousands of ‘shops’ that make up the Grand Bazaar. These are just a few of the highlights you can enjoy while visiting Istanbul!

Understanding Istanbul’s Geography
Istanbul is the only city in the world to span two continents, crossing the Bosphorus that divides Europe from Asia, and links the Black Sea to the Marmara. This mix of European and Asian makes Istanbul what it is today – a vibrant, historical, yet cosmopolitan place that isn’t quite sure if it’s European or Asian!

Aya Sofya

When I travel to Istanbul I spend most of my time on the European side as this is where the majority of tourist attractions are located, but the Asian side has it appeals too. It’s more residential and therefore quieter, yet you’ll still find some of Istanbul’s characteristic hustle and bustle in the areas around the two ferry terminals, at Üsküdar and Kadiköy.

Back on the European side are the main commercial, business and tourist centers of Istanbul, with the bulk of the tourist attractions being situated within one relatively small piece of the city, on the Sultanahmet Peninsula. The Peninsula juts out from the city and has the Sea of Marmara on one side, and the famous Golden Horn on the other. Crossing the Golden Horn will take you to Galata, then on to Taksim; a more modern but still popular neighborhood of Istanbul.

Istanbul is Not ‘Just’ History!
Istanbul, Turkey isn’t just a destination for history lovers. It has a wonderful array of shopping, and I’m not just talking about the Grand Bazaar! The city is home to the largest shopping mall in Europe, Cevahir Mall, aka the Istanbul Cevahir Shopping and Entertainment Center, which has hundreds of famous stores, places to eat, a cinema, small roller coaster, bowling, and more. You’ll also find the area around Taksim and Beyoglu is a popular shopping district too, with nightlife and many restaurants added into the mix, but maybe these should be seen on your second or third visit to Istanbul as I believe it’s the history and culture that really make this city what it is.

inside Topkapi Palace

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The Historic Sultanahmet Peninsula
Most of Istanbul’s endearing landmarks will be found on the historic peninsula. To some, this is simply known as the ‘old city’ though bizarrely enough there are parts of Istanbul that were settled before this! However, the ‘old city’ has such a huge concentration of history and culture that it’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 for landmarks like Aya Sofya, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.

Each of these major landmarks have their own appeals, and with so much to see in them you would be hard pushed to fit these three Istanbul attractions into one day, let alone the many other attractions in the old city too! For this reason I would recommend at least 3 full days in Istanbul, though more than this would be better so as to allow you to take a little more time, and really enjoy the city.

In addition to the top three landmarks mentioned above there are other attractions not to be missed. Istanbul Archaeology Museums (in plural because there are three museums here) offer a fabulous look at ancient history, and feature quite a number of ancient relics, and if you enjoy museums there is also the Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum to visit within the old city.

The ‘Sunken Palace’ (Yerebatan Saray) is probably unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and you really can’t appreciate the Grand Bazaar until you’ve visited, while the Spice Bazaar will overwhelm your senses with all its fragrances!

Across the Golden Horn
Cross the bridge over the Golden Horn and you’ll find a plethora of other attractions to enjoy here too. This part of the city is called Galata, and it’s just as old as the ‘old city’, though doesn’t have as many historical attractions. The Galata Tower is the most obvious landmark, and I would definitely recommend a visit to enjoy the wonderful views over Istanbul from the top.

Heading north you’ll come into Beyoglu where you can shop, dine and enjoy nightlife all on Istanbul’s most famous street, Istiklal Avenue. The Museum of Divan Literature is also an interesting visit, especially on a Sunday when you can witness a performance by the Whirling Dervishes.

The Bosphorus and the Princes’ Islands
Whichever city I’m visiting I love the opportunity to get out on the water and to see the cityscape from a different perspective, and Istanbul is no exception. You can take a cheap ferry ride across the Bosphorus to the Asian, or Anatolian, side of Istanbul, and enjoy the views from there, or spend more money and take a guided boat cruise along the Bosphorus to see some of the waterfront attractions, and admire the sprawling mansions (called ‘yali’).

One attraction that most first time visitors to Istanbul are unlikely to have heard of is the Princes’ Islands. This chain of nine islands is in the Sea of Marmara, a short distance from the heart of Istanbul, and offers a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere compared to the hustle and bustle of the city. There is no transport allowed on the islands so you get around by horse drawn carriage, bicycle or by walking, and with the serenity of the place it’s easy to forget you’re so close to one of the largest and busiest cities in the world!