Travel to Turkey

Lonely Planet Istanbul

Format: Paperback
Author: Tom Brosnahan
ReleaseDate: February, 2002
Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications
Rating:

read in bookstore, but not impressed, LP Turkey better
LP Istanbul didn't attract me with its layout, when compared to DK Istanbul. Evaluated this in bookstore, but the LP Turkey had a bigger section on Istanbul and seemed better to buy overall. I could get a much better "big picture" using DK. Tom is an authority on travel to Turkey, and I think his website does a much better job at showcasing his expertise than this book does--it's more dynamic, updated, has discussion forums.

On the fence
The other being DK's Eyewitness guide. This is one of two books that my wife and I took with us for our week in Istanbul. While we would call neither a difinitive guide, both were helpful. We found the Lonely Planet to be hit and miss. Practical layouts and maps were very helpful with key sights. We never would have found the crusader tomb in the Aya Sofya without it. Nor would we have thought to go to the Museum of Archeology if it was not for it's strong endorsement. The overview of the history was surprisingly in depth and very informative. And what to expect as far as the people and tips on bartering were dead on. The condition of the public restrooms (yikes!) was also a nice heads up.
However, if this is the most recent guide it is outdated. It mentions a book bazaar that has since closed when we arrived in October of 2003. This wasted a signifigant portion of our day looking for it. Also the restaraunt guide was frustrating. The Cozy Pub lived up to it's endorsement. Friendly folks who delighted in telling us the do and dont's of Turkish cuisine. We dined there three times. But the "five star" Sarnich restaraunt was the biggest dissapointment. Even though you could not beat the atmosphere (dining in a 1000 year old cistern)the waitstaff was rude and the food was just plain bad. I swear to god, french fries and frozen veggies with meat the size and hardness of hockey pucks with moderatley decent wine for two for a 100 bucks.

I do recommend this book but with the strong reservations mentioned. There were things that we found in this guide that were not in our other one and vice versa. But this is to be expected, since I have never relied solely on one book for any country.

Real men drink tea
Sometimes it tries too hard for laughs. It's more lively and entertaining (and cheaper) than the Blue Guide. I didn't notice any Turks amused at naive tourists drinking non-caffeinated apple tea instead of the hard stuff. Some of the penny-pinching Lonely Planet stuff doesn't make a lot of sense in country that is so cheap once you get there but so expensive to get to. It's full of interesting and practical information but the Blue Guide remains the standard reference for serious study (if serious study is what you travel for).
I'd recommend reading this before you go but carrying the Blue Guide with you at the sites.

Related products:
click image or link for details on these Turkey travel books.

	Lonely Planet Turkey
	Insight Fleximap Istanbul
	Istanbul (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
	Turkey (Eyewitness Travel Guides)