5 Concepts for How to be a Good Traveler

I feel like when I'm off to a new place, whether in my own country or not, I want to be a good guest. People travel for many reasons but mine is the opportunity to immerse myself in a new place and with that comes trying to not be 'that traveler' [or see Rants from a Sassy Stew] but really experiencing the place I've chosen to go.

Read up before you go

Know what's what. Read up on travel sites or TripAdvisor comments or in a guidebook [I've found Rick Steves gives good, practical advice] what the local customs are, such as:

• Typical dinner time? (10pm in Spain)
• What to expect for breakfast (meats & cheese in many parts of Europe) 
• Is there a holiday while you are there that will close historic sites or banks? 
• When is the best time to visit certain sites (i.e.: Eiffel Tower first thing in the morning, provided it's not summer!) 
• Are the beaches sandy, pebbles or rocky? Do you need to bring your own towels? 

Dress the part

Is it a place that has religious customs that expect a certain type of dress such as a head scarf or no bare arms. Or are you going somewhere that has topless or clothing optional beaches? The Cote d'Azure was a real eye opener on my first trip there. Shorts are also questionable in some places and so are sneakers. Even the color of your clothes can be 'problematic' [white in Japan is for funerals.]

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Cote d'Azure rocky and topless beaches

Try the local cuisine

Don't be a wimp! Eat what and more importantly WHERE the locals eat. Ask the front desk people if you're at a hotel, ask locals or a police officer - they always know where to eat, even outside the US! Be polite when ordering if you're not sure what something is on the menu. Ask the server what they recommend or is there a house speciality.

Caribbean lobster

Beyoglu Fish Market, Istanbul

France

Always learn a few key words in the local language 

This is where I get to tell you that PLEASE and THANK YOU get you SO far anywhere you go. If you can manage other key words or phrases, that will make your trip an even bigger success. Just making the effort will mean a lot to a local!

Be polite

This really doesn't need an explanation. Just be nice.

To quote Rick Steves:

"Go as a guest; act like one and you'll be treated like one. In travel, too, you reap what you sow."

Istanbul: You Just Gotta Go

If you asked me "What's the best trip you've been on, so far?" Unequivocally I'd say ISTANBUL. But first you have to like bustling cities and history and the concept of melting pots. Because that's what Istanbul is, a melting pot.  I like to describe it as NYC on super-charged steroids with 2700+ years of history.

So there's all the usual stuff you must see:

Blue Mosque

Hagia Sofia

Grand Bazaar

Topkapi Palace

But there is SO much more to take in, it's staggering.  This city has been the center of the Ottoman Empire, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire and the point at which the Silk Road enters/exits Europe. It's got 37 'districts' over two continents. It's HUGE and twelve days didn't even scratch the surface.

The Golden Horn area is where most of the 'must visit' places are: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace and the places made famous in Bond movies: Basilica Cistern, the Grand Bazaar and Maiden's Tower (out in the Bosporus). Be sure to get to the Beyoglu district, Taksim Square, Galata Tower and the Asian side - all are unique and have a lot to see, do and explore.

Getting around is super easy. Public transit is the way to go. Get a pass, load it up and it works on everything: bus, metro, tram, funicular, ferry, skyway and cable car. You can even take a ferry to the Prince's Islands for about $3.00US. A 90 minute trip into the Sea of Marmara to these 9 of islands that are vehicle-free, except for government/emergency vehicles. People who live there year round use bikes, donkeys or their feet to get around.

It is a shopper's paradise and a daunting one even for the most avid shopper. Get outside the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market and wander the streets, alleys and even second stories to find anything and everything. I think what amused me the most was when we stumbled upon the "merchants for merchants" district. Ever wonder where you buy a mannequin or those little size tags in the back of clothes? Well in Istanbul you go to this section of the city instead of Amazon.

I always thought of the Dutch as the ultimate merchants. They've got NOTHING on the Turks! The really cool thing about Turks is they are not pushy like Arabs (that's a whole other post). They woo you with tea, educate you, make you a friend for life and consequently a customer for life. Evidence below:

Yes, they showed up on my doorstep with a truck full of them!

Seriously, there is all sorts of shopping all over this city. Walk down back alleys to find amazing things. The Arcades off of Istiklal Avenue and beautiful and very cool.
[Reuter's did an interesting take on the city's heritage and gentrification in the Beyoglu district. You can read it here]

OK now I'll move on to the FOOD because that's totally awesome too. Breakfast is savory (not sweet like the US) and everyone buys these sesame street 'bagles' called simit which are yummy.

Then there are the doner kebab sandwiches which can be meat (lamb, beef) in fresh bread with a variety of veges.  Think Subway, just a whole lot better! Or you can go traditional kebab at a place like the Meat House, which is rated one of the best in the Old City/Sultanahmet district.

Or you can go to the dock and get your fish sandwich.  Yep, boat goes out, brings in fish, cooks it fresh, puts it into a roll with veges. Passes it to the guy on land who stuffs it in a wrapper and sells it to you. Doesn't get much fresher than that, does it?

And you must try at least one authentic Ottoman meal. Take your time to really enjoy it. Oh and they serve family style so you can share - Bonus! Lots of lamb, eggplant, bread, salads, veges and eggs, who knew? Turkish pizza is also interesting, but in a good way. Different and worth a try for a quick meal.

Need a place to stay? I highly recommend Elenaz Hotel. Ranked in the top 25 of hotels worldwide on Trip Advisor. Owners speak 4 languages and are totally awesome hosts. Breakfast is included and has a big variety of hot/cold options. They are in a prime location, walkable to everything and also right on the tram line, behind the train station and close to the ferry. Rooms are not huge but very functional and modern.

Did I mention Istanbul is economical? Turkish Air is always one of the least expensive airlines to Europe from the US. Hotels range from really cheap to fairly expensive. (We spend $2100 for 12 nights, including breakfast for 3 people) You can eat cheap, like really cheap. Public transit is amazingly on-time and inexpensive. Attractions are average for anywhere. Mosques are free!

So just go and if you have a kid or two or six, take them too. Turks LOVE kids and it is a family friendly place.