Istanbul, Türkiye

“A first-person walkthrough of a visit to Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı in Karaköy, the late 16th century Sinan-designed bath that reopened in 2012 after a seven-year restoration. The video covers the standard sequence: hot marble slab, kese scrub, foam wash, cool rinse and tea in the relaxation room under the 17m dome. Useful for setting expectations about the firmness of the scrub and the modesty...”

“Şehir Hatları, the city's public ferry operator, runs a Long Bosphorus Tour out of Eminönü at 10:35 most days, costing a fraction of the tourist cruises lined up along the waterfront. It heads the full length of the strait to Anadolu Kavağı with a three-hour layover before turning back, a five to seven hour round trip in total. The short tour and the regular Eminönü to Kadıköy commuter ferry give...”

“Forum regulars repeatedly steer first-timers toward Karaköy over Sultanahmet: better food scene, flatter streets for luggage, and easy connections via tram, ferry and bus. Sultanahmet wins only if walking distance to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque is the single priority, and several posters note it gets quiet and hassly after dark. From Karaköy you can walk the Galata Bridge to the old city in...”