Have you been to Istanbul?

the food is great. i only saw a little of istanbul but i mean in turkey in general. izmir is cool. when i was there there was a cool amusement park with a big nature park around it with cool little pubs. the bazaars are awesome. idk about now but gold used to be super cheap to buy. you could buy custom made jewelry for amazingly low prices. 18k gold ones. try the spinach or cheese borek and the pistachio cookies. if you can make a side trip ephesus is cool. if you go in summer cesme beach was awesome white quartz sand. also (watch out for bugs in your salad) if youre there in peach season. the peaches are to die for.

Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
Song by The Four Lads ‧ 1951

Lyrics:

Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night
Every gal in Constantinople
Lives in Istanbul, not Constantinople
So if you've a date in Constantinople
She'll be waiting in Istanbul
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it, I can't say
People just liked it better that way
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Istanbul (Istanbul)
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it, I can't say
You just liked it better that way
Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
So take me back to Constantinople
No, you can't go back to Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Why did Constantinople get the works?
That's nobody's business but the Turks
Istanbul

I have been there a few times and it is overall a very nice city, mainly the old part of the town.

There are plenty of sights to see, starting with the covered bazaar. You can easily stay a few hours in there. Also the famous Hagia Sofia is well worth a visit as well as the Topkapi Palace. The treasure chamber of the Topkapi Palace is very interesting with many displays from the Ottoman Empire.

If you have some time left, pay a visit to the spice market, just at the end of the Galata bridge linking the old and the new parts of the city.

When in Istanbul, watch out for pickpockets and hagglers. Don't fall for their tricks like I have.

My sister was there for a couple of days about 10 years ago and loved it. Go for it.

It's on my list of places to visit now that my daughter lives over that way

How far from the airport to the city itself? I may visit since Turkish Airlines is the cheapest to Europe.

YT videos show interesting sites and awesome food.

No