IstanbulBest ways to improve this book: While the idea of having locals write the guidebook sounds good, users of this guidebook will miss the viewpoint of the Western traveler exploring a new world. This shows particularly in discussions of food and culture; I always appreciated Rick's viewpoint on local cuisines in other guidebooks. May I suggest Rick, or someone on his staff, provide more Western insight into the guidebook of such a wonderfully different culture? Dale in Fairfield, Oh USA 08/30/2008 Mark the hammans listed in the book on the map. Also please include up-to-date prices (there were no prices in the guidebook). We had sticker shock at Cagaloglu Hamani which after listing in "1000 Places to See Before You Die" has greatly increased their prices. Gail Gerdemann in Albany, OR USA 06/26/2008 Steve - you are fabulous! I love the fact that you remind Americans that we travel to experience other cultures. Too many Americans travel and expect high service, ice, etc. Us Back Door travelers respect other cultures and embrace them! Let's hope Obama gets elected so America can get its positive image back someday! You are the best! Amy Sinclair in Novato, CA USA 06/05/2008 have someone periodically visit the places mentioned in the book John Dillon in New York, NY USA 05/27/2008 Great book - no suggestions byond the addition (above). Rich McGourty in Chicago, IL USA 05/12/2008 The easting recommendations are NOT up to Rick Steve's standards in other guidebooks. We found Lonely Planet's recommendations for the same restaurants more open, honest and useful. Quite frankly, this is the first time in 7 years we have had a BAD experience with a Rick recommendation. As an aside the Sera Restaurant in the Armada hotel (Sultanahmet area) was excellent and recommended by Lonely Planet. Suzanne Lau in St Ismier, France 04/28/2008 Congratulations. Your Istanbul book is very "Rick Steves'" like even though it wasn't written by Rick Steves at all. You made me feel connected to Islam very nicely. I wrote to you about your London book. We've been using your books for a few years now. In Athens and Istanbul, it was so funny because we almost got run over by, let's see, trams, taxis, trucks, buses and cars. What look like alleys are STREETS in Athens and Istanbul. And you don't hear the tram coming until it's too late and you realize you're in the middle of the tracks. Here's a good traveling advice, if you agree. When you're traveling a limited number of days, perhaps you shouldn't order meat medium-rare. There's a chance of totally ruining your vacation if you get sick from it. Mark McKnight in Austin, TX USA 04/07/2008 Please include photos of sights along the Bosporus cruise. Identifying some of the sights was difficult with just text descriptions. Gary Fogal in Renton, WA USA 03/16/2008 Stress the use of akbils (if you buy jetons you can't use them on busses) You might add a line about long lines at Dolmabahce Palace - we waited a long time for tickets (although there is a ticket booth on the right that most folks overlooked) and waited a long time for entrace to the palace and then a long time for entrance to the harem. Karen Muncaster in Westford, MA USA 01/07/2008 Continue mentioning the names of shopkeepers and restaurant owners throughout your walking tours. For example, I was able to meet every person mentioned in the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market tours, and in every case was offered tea, a private tour, or a great photo op. Showing them their names in the book was an icebreaker that truly opened doors to conversation, photos, and insights into their work. And of course I bought a few treasures as well! Helen Holter in Seattle , WA USA 11/01/2007 RE: Bosphorus cruise tour map -- An earlier post says there is a map only for the beginning of the tour (p. 239), but you can find the entire route on p. 233, at the start of the chapter. Perhaps that can be referenced in the book as you travel farther along on the cruise. Helen Holter in Seattle , WA USA 11/01/2007 Add numbers to the descriptions for tours and walks; it’s done sporadically in the book. For example, highlights are numbered for the Chora Church Museum tour (p. 216), but other tours and walks are not. The New District Walk (p. 99) lists 23 sights; I numbered each description before my walk, making it easier to flip back to the numbered map without having to locate it on the tiny key on p. 99.
Helen Holter in Seattle , WA USA 11/01/2007 Loved the Princes’ Islands ferryboat trip. This should be added to the next version of Rick Steve's Istanbul book. (See my detailed information under "Discoveries/Tips" category.) Helen Holter in Seattle, WA USA 11/01/2007 The map for the Bosphorus cruise (Bogaz) only shows the very beginning of the tour. Please add the remainder of the tour so that one can follow along better and get a real feel for where one is at relative to the seas at either end of the strait. Dale in Fairfield, Oh USA 07/20/2007 Why stop at just Istanbul? My son's in-laws are Turkish and we spent an amazing 9 days there and barely saw half of the wonders of Turkey. At least we had family to show us around but for the rest of the world, write a book for the whole country! Jane in Galbraith, AR USA 06/17/2007 Although this 2007 book was written by locals and provides alot of useful information, I really missed Rick's input and sense of humor. Rick is so entertaining in his other books that you don't even have to take a trip. I was very disappointed. Brenda Kibler in Monkton, MD USA 06/13/2007 |
