Three days in Istanbul on the "South Palmyra"
I decided last summer to take my family to Istanbul, to have a cultural rest and combine business with pleasure, so to speak. We started looking for options. We did not search for a long time, because how to get from Odessa to Istanbul? The answer suggests itself - by the sea, of course. Just everywhere there was an advertisement for five-day cruises Odessa-Istanbul-Odessa on the m / v "South Palmira" from the company Ukrferry. My family has never been on white ships, we thought not for long, but went and bought tickets. Since there were three of us, we were offered a "quadruple cabin in a triple version. " There was also an option for a suite and a junior suite, but in my opinion these options are unreasonably expensive. The ticket price includes three meals a day. When traveling by sea, you don’t pay for a Turkish visa, a trifle, but it’s nice - you saved 60 bucks. By the way, if anyone decides to choose this travel option, do not be fooled by the "3 days in Istanbul" advertisement. I have traveled this route before, however, for a long time. He asked the girl who was selling tickets when the departure from Odessa, when the arrival in Odessa, he counted and asked how much the ship really costs in Istanbul. The girl spoke reluctantly on this topic, in general, it turns out two full days and one evening. We thought that during this time we would have time to see the main sights, so we agreed.
The ship is Polish built, over 20 years old, but in good condition. The cabins are small, the size of a carriage compartment, but with a shower, toilet, washbasin. A wardrobe and a mirror are also available. Fan, of course, no. But there are separate ironing rooms. In fact, you don’t need to pay special attention to a cramped cabin, you just sleep there and wash yourself in the morning. The rest of the time is spent outside the cabin. Flight attendants are all far from young, lazy, they clean anyhow. But at the end of the cruise, don't forget to put a tip envelope on the table. The tourist contingent is mainly from different cities of Ukraine, there are also Russians. The food is not a fountain, I will not say that it is very tasty, but in sufficient quantity. Most importantly, you won't leave hungry. Drinking in bars by Odessa standards is a little expensive, but quite acceptable - a glass of beer is 0.5-5 bucks, the most expensive cocktail is 10 bucks. By Istanbul standards, generally inexpensive. They take any money - dollars, euros, hryvnias.
There is a music salon on the ship, in which there is live music from evening to night (although there are almost no visitors). There is also a night disco. In the music salon there were 2 concerts with invited artists - a meeting and a farewell. We liked.
Now for the cruise itself. They offer quite a lot of excursions to choose from, but we only bought a sightseeing tour of Istanbul at night. Two adults and a child - 75 bucks. Duration - more than 3 hours, comfortable bus, good guide. We really enjoyed. But we made a plan of events in advance, so additional excursions were not included in it.
So, day one. Moored in Istanbul at 16.00, landfall was allowed at 18.00. At 21.00 we had a tour planned, and at 20.30 dinner. We had 2 hours of free time, so we just walked along the coast (from the seaport to the right), reached the end of Dolmabahce and returned back. The tour, as I already wrote, is just super, Istanbul at night is magnificent. We returned to the ship at about one in the morning, the bars were working; )
Second day. Early in the morning we went to see the sights: Sofia, the Blue Mosque, the cistern, the hippodrome, Top Kapy. From the seaport you can walk, you can take the tram. We looked at everything, only we didn’t go to Top Capa museums - there wouldn’t be enough time. They ate in the city. We returned to the ship at about 7 o'clock, took a shower, then made the ascent to the Galata tower (straight and up from the seaport). You can take the funicular up. But it works until 9 pm, and the Galata tower is only allowed until 8 pm. So we didn't get there. But this area of the Galata Tower itself makes an indelible impression, especially in the evening. At 10 o'clock we went down from Galata to the embankment of the seaport to eat seafood. I thought this place is a must visit. We were sitting on the terrace of the third floor of the restaurant, and before us was an amazing view of the Bosphorus at night. Only with these cafe-restaurants you have to be very careful. If you decide to succumb to the entreaties of barkers, immediately specify what prices are indicated on the menu (per serving or per weight), whether the portions are large. And then from the brought bill your eyes will pop out on your forehead. In general, not at all plentiful (but quite tasty) dinner for three + two beers cost about 100 bucks. Expensive! But I was not upset at all, the most important thing is that it was a dinner with a view of the Bosphorus at night. But you could get the same pleasure for much less money. Which we did on the third day.
Day three. Early in the morning, go to the market. You can walk, you can take the tram. Only the covered market and the surrounding area. You can, of course, go to Laleli, but you should definitely visit the covered market. It's without options. Let them say that the covered market is expensive, but we bought everything we wanted and were very satisfied. At 3 o'clock we left the market, arrived on the ship, threw in our purchases, took a shower and went to the park of miniatures. You can only get there by taxi, it costs 10 bucks one way. The miniature park in Istanbul is a must visit! I won't describe it, you have to see it. We arrived there at about half past five, he works until 7 pm, there was enough time for inspection. From the miniature park we took a taxi to Istiklal Square (also about 10 bucks), from there walk along Istiklal Avenue to Galata (you can take an old tram, but you need to take a walk, go to the shops... ), down from Galata, and here we are seaport. We had the last evening at our disposal, and we had to spend it with dignity. We decided to organize another dinner with a view of the Bosphorus at night, but not to pay that kind of money. In general, everything is done simply. During the day, any alcohol that you like is bought in the duty free at the seaport. Prices are definitely lower than in the city. You can also bargain. In any cafe near the seaport, take a kebap with you, or better balyk-ekmek (baked mackerel in a bun - delicious! ), salads, drinks. This pleasure costs about 20 bucks. Bring it all to the ship, take a bottle you bought earlier in the deutik, sit on the upper deck (chaise lounges, chairs, everything is available) and arrange an outdoor dinner with a view of the Bosphorus at night, but almost for nothing! The view from the ship will be the same as from the cafe, because it is nearby. This is the "farewell dinner" we arranged for ourselves.
We left Istanbul the next morning, and the next day we were in Odessa.
Conclusions and personal observations. Before that, I was in Istanbul in 1998, a lot has changed since then. Istanbul has ceased to be a cheap city, everything is quite expensive there, things, food, and services. But Istanbul is Istanbul and you should definitely visit it. If anyone decides to choose the same way of traveling as we do, I think you will not regret it. Good luck!
