Rita Gatlin & Jackson Vereen, Corte Madera
We went because: On a previous trip to Greece, we ventured off to Istanbul. What an adventure. We had to go back – history, food, shopping.
Don’t miss: Sultanahamet, the oldest section of Istanbul. And the Turquoise Coastline is a must-see. Spectacular. Breathtaking.
Don’t bother: Going to Bodrum. Ho-hum. Too many tourists and trinket shops.
Coolest souvenir: Turkish tea cups made by a local artisan in Kas.
Worth a splurge: Day of sailing to coves around Kekova, an ancient sunken city, with a local family. A feast and fresh fish prepared on deck.
We wish we’d packed: Less clothing. We had to buy a suitcase to fit all the treasures we bought.
Other comments: We enjoyed hiking to many ancient sites and were surprised at the stunning beauty of the coastline.
This article appeared on page N – 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle
via Sultanahamet worth seeing in Istanbul.