To wrap up this trip report briefly, I really enjoyed Istanbul. Great city, lovely people always willing to help. A city that, while going forward and connecting to the modern world, is also doing all it can to preserve its great history. Istanbul has a fantastic public transportation system that should be frequently used. Use the Istanbulkart, which operates like an Oyster card. It will save you both money and time. British and American passport holders can get a visa on arrival. Other nationalities check with your local consulate for visa policies. For first-timers, recommended areas to stay are Sultanahmet and Sarkeci. Both are in or close to the famous historic sites. Taksim is another popular place to stay, in a more modern part of the city. This area has great nightlife, plus loads of bars and restaurants to enjoy.
