Hi Frugalistas! I didn’t write my guide to Istanbul after my first visit in October. Istanbul was too big, and just too much to write about after a single visit. Vibrant, energetic and with always something to see and do, Istanbul is now a firm favorite with me. From your comments, I know it is one of yours too. […]
A visit to Chora Church in Istanbul
Hi Frugalistas! This week’s Friday Fotos visits one of the smaller tourist sites in Istanbul – Chora church. While Chora is a bit off the beaten tourist path in Istanbul, and is much smaller than the better known Hagia Sophia, it is nonetheless a stunning place, worthy of your valuable travel time. How To Get […]
6 foods you must try in Istanbul
Hi Frugalistas! My recent post on the Culinary Backstreets Istanbul Eats walk I took in Istanbul really struck a chord with readers. So many comments and so much discussion! The food and drink I’ve featured on my Instagram account has also generated a lot of discussion. So what are my favorite Turkish foods? 1. Street […]
Istanbul: eating my way round the New District
Hi Frugalistas! Regular readers will know that one of the key philosophies of frugalfirstclasstravel is enjoying being a temporary local. Eating, lots of walking and mixing with the locals is a key part of that. Regular readers will also know how much I love my food. I was therefore delighted to discover the Culinary […]
The frugal first class travel guide to the Blue Mosque
Hi Frugalistas! Staying in Sultanahmet, the call to prayer from the Blue Mosque is a real feature. Stay close enough, and it wakes you every morning. Walking around Sultanahmet, its minarets form a landmark and help you guide your way. I was fortunate enough to have a hotel room overlooking the mosque – I loved […]
The frugalfirstclasstravel guide to visiting Hagia Sophia
Hi Frugalistas! Hagia Sophia was probably the tourist site I was most looking forward to visiting in Istanbul. But I was a bit worried. Would it be much smaller in “real life”? Would it be over run with tourists making it impossible to see anything? Would I be queuing for hours? I’m delighted to say […]
Visiting the three most popular tourist sites in Istanbul
Hi Frugalistas! Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace. The “big three” tourist sites in Istanbul. Before I arrived in Istanbul I was worried that perhaps these sites would fall into what I call the “too loved by tourists” category. Well, I’m happy to announce that no, in my experience they aren’t. But, like visiting […]
Three things that surprised me about Istanbul
Hi Frugalistas! I don’t know about you, but when I travel to a new place I always some preconceived ideas about what I am going to experience. My trip to Istanbul was no exception. I was delighted to discover some of my preconceptions exceeded my expectations, and some of my negative preconceptions were just plain […]
Seven things I know about Istanbul
Hi Frugalistas! This was meant to be a short guide to Istanbul. But despite having spent four days there, I feel so ill-equiped write it. Sure I went to the “big three” sites of Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. Sure, I went to the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market. A Bosphorus […]
Visiting the Hammam in Istanbul
Hi Frugalistas! I was looking forward to visiting the hammam in Istanbul. I did my research and found a really smart place, not far from where I was staying. The day before my appointment I went to a breakfast with some fellow bloggers, and that’s when I started to get cold feet. Horror stories of […]