Articles & Information

Sailing San Francisco Bay with Captain Kirk

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:23:10 -0800

Why settle for looking out at San Francisco Bay when you can be on the bay looking back at the spectacular skyline of San Francisco? Imagine gliding across the water just offshore along fabled Fisherman’s Wharf in a sleek racing boat. Circle Alcatraz Island and head for the Golden Gate Bridge. Take the helm and join the traditional whoop with the others in your small group as you sail under this architectural marvel.   Head briefly for the open sea. That gentle tug is the wind filling the sails -- and for a while, as you feel the deck shift direction beneath your feet, you are sailing faster than the wind. With just a little imagination you can feel in synch with ancestors back through the millennia when sailing was not recreation but a way of life. You can easily feel transformed. This is not an amusement park ride. It is not a computer game. This is real. It’s as authentic as modern man is likely to be able to feel.   You can be a sailor for a few hours in the company of Captain Kirk (Miller), whose private yacht charter company is your host as you share a unique San Francisco experience. Yes, there are other “Bay Cruises,” and they are a lot of fun. But size does matter. This experience can be personalized for your pleasure when there are only six of you. (After the certification process is complete in the spring of 2010, the maximum number may grow to 16.)   Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, engagement, family reunion, corporate team building exercise, or romantic getaway -- sailing on San Francisco Bay gives you a unique perspective and a memorable experience. It can’t be a surprise that many of Captain Kirk’s sea adventurers are repeat passengers.  You can choose to simply surrender to the gentle rocking of the boat and enjoy the primeval experience of sailing. The boat is under the command of Captain Kirk, who has 30 years of international sailing experience and has sailed this bay for 20 years. Or, you can pitch in and feel like a master (or mistress) of the sea. The typical charter is for 3-4 hours to assure a thoroughly satisfying experience. You can mix high speed sailing with leisurely gliding along the shore -- whatever suits your interests.   Learn about the two yachts that are available, the length of trips recommended, and the amenities. For example, the “Bay Wolf,” a Santa Cruz 50 sailing yacht, is a quarter-million dollar thoroughbred. She provides an exhilarating experience -- both for the novice sailor with the goal of comfort and the experienced yachtsman who wants to be challenged. San Francisco Yacht Charters with Captain Kirk lets you choose. A Santa Cruz 50 was the first to reach Hawaii in last year’s Pacific Cup yacht race. So, you’re in good company. A look at Captain Kirk’s log book reveals that, without exception, these sailors on the bay are rapturous in their praise of the experience.   You’ll be sailing from Sausalito, just across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. You can take the ferry over or make the trip by car and enjoy free parking. Sandwiches and drinks are included in the charter price. Ship ahoy! In addition to their detailed website, you may also call for more information: 650-492-0681.   Nearby Saylor’s Restaurant & Bar is a great place for a post-sail meal if you like fine Mexican cuisine and ambience.  Photos by Jay Gordon (except where indicated)
Note: A clue to Captain Kirk's character is that 10% of his revenue from the charters is contributed to non-profit organizations. If you have an idea for using the San Francisco bay cruise as a fund-raiser for a non-profit, Captain Kirk is a good listener.

For more San Francisco Sailing Photos click here.

Organic farmers market - kelseyville, Lake County, california

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:35:10 -0700

Becoming a part of the local culture, however briefly, adds extra pleasure to a visit anywhere in the world. A popular summer and fall activity is a visit to a local farmers market, where you have the pleasure of buying directly from local farmers and craftspeople.These are sensible places to stock up on nutritious snacks if you’re in a car, delicious meal items if you’re in an RV.

Kelseyville, just six miles southeast of Lakeport in Lake County, California, is home to a thriving farmers market through October. (It begins every year in May.

Throughout the season you’ll find an abundance of such staples as honey, eggs, and local crafts. Since you’re at a winery, there’s wine tasting in a convivial atmosphere. There is also coffee service and an elaborate selection of freshly baked breads and pastries. You can even get a massage to get rid of those kinks from carrying bags of fresh produce.

Late in the season you can expect such organic produce as: peaches, pears, plums, and summer garden vegetables (squash, corn, tomatoes). Also other vegetables, such as beets, berries, and onions. There will also be cut flowers and plants as well as a booth with a variety of goat cheeses.  This farmers market is located at 4350 Thomas Dr., Kelseyville, CA, where it crosses Highway 29. It is open 8:30 a.m. - 12 Noon.

For more info:
All Farmers Markets in Lake County  Steele Wine Wikipedia Kelseyville  Kelseyville Hotels, Restaurants, Things to do

Boonville Surprises for the discriminating diner

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

If you’re headed north from the San Francisco Bay Area on Highway 101 to explore the wondrous beauty of anything included in the definition of the Pacific Northwest, there’s good news. One of the most popular routes to reach the coastal area is Highway 128, which goes through Boonville, a sleepy little patch of rural beauty with some surprising culinary distractions.

Some of Mendocino County’s most inviting wineries are just a bit farther west toward the coast from Boonville. Certainly, you don’t want to do extensive wine tasting on an empty stomach!

An ideal stopover for the discriminating casual diner is Mosswood Market Cafe and Bakery. Proprietress Sharon Hurley oversees every aspect of your breakfast or lunch with genuine care. There are distinctive brews, wines, teas, and specialty coffees.

For breakfast, you may choose panini, parfait, or house-made organic granola made from a French recipe. Lunch choices include organic green salads, wraps, panini, or custom made sandwiches. Think oven-roasted turkey, black forest ham, roasted free-range chicken, brisket pastrami -- not what you might expect in a rustic stopover.

There were such surprising touches as marinated red onion, fresh-made chutneys, Mendocino Mustard, chipotle sauce, roasted eggplant, goat cheese, and roasted garlic pesto.

As if this weren’t enough, there is a selection of desserts and artisan breads to enjoy or take with you, all distinctive and delicious. My personal favorite -- carrot cake made with tangerine oil and topped with a sinful buttercream frosting.

There’s even Wi-Fi access.

If you’re driving through Boonville in the evening, perhaps on the return trip from the Mendocino Coast or after visiting the wineries along Route 128, consider dinner at the Boonville Hotel. (14050 Highway 128, Boonville. 707-895-2210.) This is also a charming hotel for a stopover. Ten rooms and suites. Lovely gardens. However, locals and visitors alike appreciate the fixed prince dinners that are served in the dining room Thursday through Monday. Just $30 for a 3-course gourmet meal. An a la carte menu is also available.

Johnny Schmitt is the Chef/Proprietor. He and his team of sous-chefs offer a different delectable menu every evening, depending on which quality products are available that day. Typical on a recent evening, starter ingredients included: heirloom tomatoes, local melons, fresh mint, cheese and charcuterie, and mustard-balsamic dressing. There was also an oil poached albacore tuna chickpea-eggplant baba-ganoush or sliced tomato & marinated olives.

“Main plates” included dishes featuring roast chicken, polenta, pork loin chop, vegetable ratatouille, grilled sea scallops, and sweet white corn & potato chowder. Dinner dinners were chocolate-walnut tart with chantilly cream & caramel sauce, mixed berry shortcake, bread pudding with orange sauce and Chantilly cream, or simply espresso with vanilla ice cream and cookies.

WELCOME TO 26 MILES OF GLACIAL SCENERY

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:17:02 -0700

No going ashore. No tender mercies. Discovering Tracy Arm is simply a matter of stepping out on your balcony or into an open area of the ship. The experience begins about sunrise. It’s not as if you have to dress up to be presentable. Most people are wrapped in warm clothing, clutching hot drinks and fumbling with their cameras. This is an area where cruise ships, well, cruise -- for about 4.5 hours.

Wherever you look there are mountains, waterfalls, forests, and floating ice. There are occasional sightings of wildlife ashore. Remember to take binoculars! (A camera telephoto lens isn’t quite enough.) The ship’s speed is a slow crawl -- good news for photographers. Also time to run up and down stairs and from side-to-side of the ship for the best scenes to shoot.

Most of us gawk sigh deeply, and take countless photographers before the chill settles into the bones. Back inside for nourishment and warmth. Then, back outside when new waterfalls appear, framed nicely by snow-capped mountains.

For more photographs of Tracy Arm, click on “Photo Albums” above, then “Travels in Alaska.” Scroll down to the Tracy Arm selection. Feel free to browse along the way.

Click Here To See More PHOTOS of Tracy Arm

More information about Tracy Arm:
Wikipedia

Travel to Icy Strait Point, alaska

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:18:03 -0700

At Icy Strait Point you experience the full richness of thousands of years of Alaska’s Native heritage as the guests of the Huna Tlingit, who operate this port. You won’t see any glitz, but you’ll see lots of genuine smiles and a devotion to the culture of the ancestors of the 880 people who now live in the village.

The old cannery site was converted just a few years ago into a sprawling hospitality center. Excursions are available from your cruise line but may also be purchased here at the Fish House. Among the tours are flightseeing over the glacier, kayaking, fishing, ATV Expeditions, a ZipRider adventure, bike treks, and a chance to learn tribal dance & cultural legends. You can enjoy specialty coffee drinks and snacks from the concession inside while you wait for your tour departure.

There are walking trails and friendly locals to answer your questions. You will also have a chance to see brown bears and other wildlife. Bring binoculars and, of course, your best camera.

The highlight of any visit to Icy Strait Point is going in search of humpback whales. There are few experiences as exhilarating as this. One of the guides on the excursion boat explained that the hunt is all by sight -- looking for blowholes. A typical whale eats up to a ton a day. Have I seen that guy at the ship’s buffet? Local whales feed all summer until it’s time for 80% of them to migrate to Hawaii to mate and calve, a trek that takes about three months.

A breaching whale is a magnificent site. (See photo.) Hurling themselves out of the water is especially popular with males, it seems, as a mating ritual. Apparently, lady whales find this very appealing. So do tourists with digital cameras. It sounded like the final moments of popping corn as a couple of dozen photographers on our boat followed the antics of our escort for several minutes of our trip. The trick is to hold the shutter down for 150 or so snaps and just share the best. Thank you, Nikon, for making me look like a much better photographer than I really am.

After a wet, chilly day at sea it’s time to return to the ship and enjoy a snack and a warm beverage before dinner. That’s when the familiar smile of a waiter like Lucas (from Brazil) reminds you that being extravagantly pampered by an international crew is what cruising is all about.

Click Here To See More PHOTOS of Icy Strait Point

More information about Icy Strait Point

Visit the glaciers

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:11:30 -0700

Welcome to Juneau, capital of Alaska. There are 1500 square miles to explore, more than half of it glaciers. The population of 300K expands considerably when there are multiple cruise ships in port throughout the summer months. Smile at a local! Oh, heck, smile at everyone! This is a friendly place.

In your day ashore you may have to be satisfied with a walk around downtown and a visit to Mendenhall Glacier, which is a part of the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the U.S. There are other activities, of course. If you haven’t booked anything with your cruise line by the time you arrive, there are a number of tour vendors lined up along the walkway from where your ship or tender docks. You’ll quickly see the Mount Roberts Tramway -- if you’d like a birds-eye view.

The “River of Ice” at Mendenhall is the major attraction. Self-guided trails lead you to countless “photo ops.” The visitor center offers an 11-minute video every 15 minutes as well as lectures by forest rangers. Don’t wait too long to visit: several hundred feet of glacial ice are lost each year. There are distinctive Alaskan gift items in the shop there. A favorite with kids are the knitted finger puppets of indigenous wildlife. (Easy to pack!)

In addition to the expected souvenir and jewelry shops in Juneau, there are stores featuring the arts and crafts of local artisans. Among them is Basement Studios, a co-op run by the artists themselves. Learn about this important work to honor Alaska’s heritage at www.basementstudiosalaska.com. Co-owner Tasha Walen showed us around and shared information about making the most of a visit to Juneau. Other popular crafts around town include totem carvings and other distinctive Alaskan creations.

If you need to supplement your rain gear or outdoor wear, Foggy Mountain Shop is a good source for brands and quality you’ll recognize. Visit them online at www.foggymountainshop.com. These local folks can outfit you for the most rugged excursions or a comfortable day visit to the glaciers.

Don’t miss the downtown Red Dog Saloon. Swinging front doors and sawdust on the floor. Clues enough?

While recognizable chain restaurants in Alaska tend to have prices nearly double those in the Lower 48, one delightful discovery in Juneau was street vendors of tasty food. Across from the State Capitol Building, you could get a generous cup of homemade chicken soup for just $4. (The best I can remember!) Their giant-sized pulled pork sandwich on a bun with chips was $7. Great values! The State Capitol is a short walk from downtown and is open for tours. Sorry, Sarah’s gone.

Questions not to ask shopkeepers, since they’ve been asked before: Do you take American money? When do they turn on the Northern Lights? Can I charge this to my cabin?

Most mind-boggling observation by a tourist: “Why pay to go all the way out there to see a glacier? It’s just styrofoam and paint. If it were real, they’d have it downtown.” And you were worried about not being sophisticated enough for cruise travel?

Click Here To See More PHOTOS of Juneau

More information about Juneau:

Travel Juneau
Juneau.com
Wikipedia

Ketchikan -- Gateway to alaska

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

You can walk off the ship directly into “downtown” Ketchikan and stroll among the boardwalk shops. Or take one of the many tours to the outskirts and learn about the timber and the fishing and cannery heritage of the region. There should be time for both shopping and sightseeing. There will also be many opportunities to learn about the rich tapestry of native Alaskan culture.

If you haven’t pre-booked an excursion with the cruise line, there are vendors along the wharf with some ideas for you to consider. Or, you can pick up a comprehensive pull-out Walking Tour Map of Ketchikan at one of the shops or the visitors’ center. (Allow 1.5 - 2.5 hours to “see everything.”)

While waiting for our tour to the Great Land Rainforest Sanctuary to depart, we wandered into several shops. There are the usual jewelry stores, including many that focus on diamonds. This has nothing to do with the history or culture of Alaska. Instead, it’s a nod to cruise passengers who are often celebrating special events.

Since the forecast for weather was for more rain and cooler temperatures, we found hats to keep us warm at the Forget-Me-Not Sweater Shoppe. (www.forgetmenot.com). Locally owned stores give you a chance to shop for authentic arts and crafts made by native Alaskans.

The wharf area stores also offer furs, collectibles, totem carvings, souvenirs of all types and the ubiquitous T-shirts. I opted for a dignified night shirt, emblazoned, “Chocolate Moose” with an endearing likeness of a popular local critter.

Heads-up: Ketchikan averages 260 days of rain per year. (According to our guide. Another source said only 160. Either qualifies as potentially “wet.”) A clever traveler will have packed a sturdy, compact umbrella, maybe even some rainwear -- although ponchos are readily available from the tour operators. If it’s misty (or more), have something with which to regularly wipe your camera lens. (Those droplets on your photos really aren’t artistic.)

The stroll through the rainforest proved to be a good choice. We ambled along the paths below old-growth trees with several sightings of bears in the distance. (Don’t take snacks in your pocket!) The cub we saw seemed more interested in learning to climb a tree that examining visitors. A little farther along there were salmon pools and water fowl. We watched salmon fighting upstream at the hatchery.

At the center we visited a rescued bald eagle and owl who are no longer able to survive in the wild and learned how raptors are nursed to health and returned to the wild when practical. When they require continual care, they can become part of the educational program.

Meals ashore can be pricey compared to the “Lower 48.” Luckily, your floating buffet is nearby. Always carry your cruise card and a photo ID with you for easy re-boarding.

Click Here To See More PHOTOS of Ketchikan

More information about Ketchikan:
Visit Ketchikan
EarthCam
Wikipedia

Days at sea en route to alaska

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:24:34 -0700

Okay, you’re unpacked. You walked around the ship as the Sea Princess left the Port of San Francisco. You gawked at the Golden Gate Bridge from both sides and underneath. You sprawled in your cabin and savored the sensory overload before dinner. You had a sumptuous meal served with style and genuine hospitality.

So, what do you do for two days until you reach Ketchikan, the first port of call for this voyage? Princess Patter is the newsletter that briefs you on what’s available each day. Use it as a catalog of activities, entertainment, and services. Carry it with you for reference throughout the day.

Once you begin visiting a new port each day, your agenda will be geared to what you’ve planned to do ashore. Cruise lines choose the best tour operators available and accept responsibility for getting you back to the ship on time -- or to your next port of call if you’re delayed. Of course, this almost never happens.

Sure, there may be deals to be had in many ports where you can save money but you have to decide the level of adventure you can tolerate. Me? I love being pampered. With rare exceptions, such as when I know the port well, I choose from the array of excursions available and let myself be pampered into a stupor. It’s easy to have everything charged to my cabin. (Except tips, of course.)

For now, you can relax in the library, even check out a book (except for the travel guides and reference tomes). The Internet cafe provides a choice of plans and a schedule for a cheerful expert to assist you when you need. Bring you own laptop on the trip and use it here or in your stateroom.

There will be an abundance of shopping opportunities. When ships are at sea you can get great duty-free deals. There always seems to be a sale on logo items at some time during the cruise. For the hearty, there’s a gym. If you just want to feel pretty, there are spa services. There are games, crafts and lessons -- from dancing to computers and ceramics -- as well as special things for kids to do. Doing nothing has also been heartily endorsed by countless cruisers.

No matter what time zone your body is on or your appetite, there will always be a place to grab a bite or have a refreshing drink. Typically, you can pay a flat fee the day you board to get a sticker for unlimited soft drinks. On this voyage there was also a deal for a specific number of specialty coffee drinks, monitored by the punch card you are given. This morning I was having a superb cappuccino in one of the dining areas while the guy next to me had a Bloody Mary. There’s something for everyone! Tomorrow we could even switch beverages.

There’s a TV in your cabin. One of the features is old movies. There are also movies in the indoor theater and on the gigantic outdoor screen at various times throughout the day. You can always research what is available on individual ships on the cruise line websites. This is my tenth cruise on Princess in less than four years, so I have a feel for what to expect. One thing all the cruise lines have in common -- they want you to have a great time and tell your friends. Never by shy about asking questions or directions. The international crews are consistently eager to please.

On this and many other cruises, you will experience time changes. There will always be notification by the ship’s daily briefing. To be sure you don’t miss shore excursion departures or activity start times, you may want to pack a small alarm clock.

Click Here To See More PHOTOS at SEA

Welcome Aboard!

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Alaska is a major destination from San Francisco’s famed Pier 35. Among the choices is a 10-day trip round-trip from San Francisco to multiple ports in Alaska. This is your chance to take a virtual trip with me.

As for any travel, you have a better chance of the experience meeting your expectations with some time invested in advance planning. Visit your cruise line’s website to learn what is expected of you. In many ways the process is nearly the same for all the lines with perhaps a few important variations.

For example, Princess no longer sends packets of material shortly before your departure. Instead, you register your passport and preferences information in advance on their website. You may even select your shore excursions. Then, just prior to departure you print out your boarding pass. Report to the pier for check-in. This may have become the norm for other cruise lines as well.

Bags to be taken to your stateroom are tagged and left with handlers. You’ll see them next when they are left outside your cabin. Take only your carry-on pieces, which would include your valuables, medicines, and other “must-have” items. Ships typically sail around 4 p.m. Bags may be delivered up to 8 p.m.

The cruise line website will provide specifics, but you may generally board any time after noon, preferably after 1 p.m. You should be settled onboard by 3 p.m. There will be a safety drill before sailing. Avoid rushing. For most of us, rushing just makes us stupid. Leave the things you carried onboard in your cabin and head to the buffet for a welcoming lunch. Stroll around the decks to become familiar with the layout.

Dining choices have expanded from the legacy “early or late” to include “Anytime Dining.” The early seating is usually fully booked several months in advance -- at times a year or more. On big ships, such as those operated by Princess, there are two free nightclub shows each evening. It’s wise to coordinate these with your dining preferences.

Early warning: “Anytime dining” may mean the first 15 minutes the dining room is open and anytime after 8 p.m. Any other time could involve a lengthy wait in line. If you don’t have your preference by the time you board, find the dining room and discuss your preferences with the staff. They are unfailingly helpful -- to the extent they can be. Be patient and understanding. Relax: whatever you get you’ll have a great meal.

If you don’t want to wait in line for a seat in the dining room, you always have the option of the buffet. There you’ll find a staggering array of selections. Little, if any, waiting. Tasty food reflecting a variety of cultures. Serve and seat yourself.

Being resilient will be the most effective tool for ensuring a satisfying trip. You have migrated temporarily to what at times may be a crowded, confusing mass of new people and situations. To quote the Borg dictum, “Resistance is futile.” Relax and enjoy!

Accept that life onboard is at a slower pace. This is typically a senior crowd. While you may be alert and sprightly, others could be taking it a little slower. Some will be infirm. Be kind; this could be you before you know it. If it’s you already, be assured you will be made to feel welcome.

If someone in front of you stalls in an elevator doorway or at the top of a staircase, take a deep breath and given them a chance to get oriented. You will still get to the next port on time. The buffet will still be there. Life proceeds; perhaps just a tad more slowly than what is normal for you.

Tip for maintaining your sanity: Take along a set of quality earplugs. There will always be people who think that, because they are awake, everyone else must also be. Earplugs are a buffer between your rest and someone else’s inadvertent incivility.

I also try to remember to take along a power strip since most staterooms seem to have been designed before people traveled with various entertainment accoutrements as cell phones, electronic readers, laptops, and music systems. Having a single U.S.-type and one British-type outlet, for example, will require more planning than you should have to make on a vacation.

News for first-time cruisers: When you check in you will present your credit card, which will be charged with whatever you purchase during the cruise. Meals (except in the specialty dining rooms) and entertainment are free, but drinks, shopping, etc. do not require such mundane tools as cash.

Istanbul -- Enchanting on every level

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:48:26 -0700

It may be easy to forget the total joy of luxury without an occasional reminder. There’s no better time to do that than on vacation. No better place to practice than my favorite city in the world, Istanbul. There are hotels for every budget. In more than twenty years of regular visits, my personal favorite remains the Istanbul Hilton. Thanks to the points from my Hilton American Express card, I was able to enjoy three days of incomparable luxury as their guest before departing on a week-long cruise to the islands of Greece.

The delightful surprise when I checked in was an upgrade to an elegant room on an Executive Floor with a balcony and view of the Bosphorus. There were details to delight all the senses. Fresh fruit and flowers every day. Every detail of the suite layout was planned for quiet opulence. A lounge area on the penthouse floor served the guests of these three floors. Complimentary snacks and refreshments, including liquor, were available throughout the day. Who says loyalty can’t be bought!
Service at the Hilton Istanbul and other tourist venues in the city are generally attentive without being intrusive. Hospitality is an essential part of the culture, and the goal is to make you feel like an honored guest.

This magnificent city remains a mystery to many. It is the only city in the world located in both Europe and Asia. Regular ferry boats are available to carry you back and forth along the coast -- until you find a place you want to visit or to enjoy a fresh fish lunch at one of the tiny restaurants along the wharf. Turkish cuisine is considered one of the top three in the world; only French and Chinese are considered comparable. Thousands of years as a crossroads and home for multiple cultures make this a reality. Dining in Istanbul can be an exploration of both the exotic and the familiar done in exciting new ways. Imagine what you would like, and it is likely to appear.

Istanbul is a city that enchants at any level. Although this is a Muslim country, it is secular. Yes, you will see a few women in traditional garb, but you will also see the latest fashions from Europe for both men and women. The Grand Bazaar is the oldest covered bazaar in the world. It offers more than 4400 shops with quality jewels, leather products, crafts, and a staggering range of fancy things to consider. It’s fun to pretend you’re rich and easy to forget you aren’t.

A more contemporary venue for shopping, dining, and strolling is Istiklal Street, which begins at Taksim Square. It’s within walking distance of the Hilton and numerous other international hotels with familiar names. This is a pedestrian area with a trolley that goes to the bottom of the rambling street and back. There are small restaurants with cafeteria-style lines to let you see the selection of food and choose, rather than trying to comprehend Turkish menus. It’s “point and dine” at its best. Keep in mind, alcohol can be extremely expensive. Understand the currency exchange before you spend.

Istiklal Street is sensory kaleidoscope, a hangout for thousands every night. Street musicians entertain. There is the fragrance of fresh roasted chestnuts and newly grilled ears of corn. Everywhere there are the sounds of merriment as groups of young people enjoy the night. The festivities last until 4 a.m. I’m told. The sprawling city of Istanbul is, if anything, a total escape from the humdrum.

Typically, I am a fan of organized bus tours because they allow you to see the greatest number of interesting places in the briefest possible time. Very efficient but not always convenient to personal tastes. I’ve seen the major attractions numerous times and knew where I wanted to visit to get new photos of scenes for you to enjoy. So, I opted for a car and driver with a private, English-speaking guide. It was a smart investment, arranged by the concierge at the hotel. (Wherever you stay, the concierge can be your new best friend.)

Local guides must endure an exhaustive training course to be certified, so you are likely to be escorted on any tour by a remarkably well informed guide. I’ve enjoyed many over the years. They were all first rate. You may arrange excursions ahead of time by using keywords ISTANBUL TOURS in your search engine for an array of offers. Your hotel concierge is always your best source of information about enjoying any city. My guide to Istanbul on this trip was the best yet. Serkan Ozabaci took me for return visits to my favorite places, where he taught me much more than I thought possible. You can e-mail him directly if you like at guide212@gmail.com. He can also help assure your shopping is in your best interests.

The cultural heritage of this region is so extravagant that visitors who’ve been many times realize they have only scratched the surface in what there is to learn. Mosques and museums are among the major attractions. They feature a range of architectural styles, and their interiors are often inspiring and deeply satisfying. The most significant for visitors may be the Aya Sofya (a former Byzantine Church) and the Blue Mosque (with its famous six minarets). The neo-Baroque 285-room Dolmabahce Palace was built in 1856. It has an exquisite collection of 19th century decorative arts. It also provides a stunning, quarter-mile long view of the Bosphorus.

My favorite place to visit in Istanbul is the Topkapi Museum. It was the first Ottoman palace, built in 1478. See it the first time with a guide. Return to savor this magnificent remnants of 400 years of the Ottoman empire on your own. There are also extravagant displays of costumes and furnishings of the sultans as well as many Islamic holy relics. The Treasury of priceless jewels and artifacts may be the major attraction. The harem quarters is fascinating, but make your reservations for a scheduled departure when you arrive at the complex since there will probably be a considerable wait. There are many lovely gardens and a delightful cafe where you can rest between jaunts about the massive grounds.

Once you visit Istanbul, you will surely want to return.

Click Here To See More PHOTOS of Istanbul