Travel tips from me and the NYTimes

Recently, the New York Times published two travel articles on Istanbul (which, indecently, was also voted by readers as the place they most wished to visit in 2011).

The first  is from their Frugal Traveler blog, in which the author attempts (and succeeds) at spending only $100 during a weekend trip to Istanbul.  He stays on a new friend's couch and Kadikoy and enthusiastically recommends the neighborhood as a cheaper and scenic alternative to the European shore.  Having spent a month living in Kadikoy, I would argue that it is one of the best kept tourist secrets in Istanbul.  It is a very young, mostly tourist-free neighborhood full of relaxed bars and restaurants.  The shopping is cheaper and it is home to Istanbul's largest organic food market.  A mix of stores and open stalls, the market runs along several blocks of the pedestrian-only city center and offers a stunning variety of fresh produce, fish, and cheese as well as breads, pastries and other essentials of Turkish cuisine.  Far from being an inconvenience, Kadikoy's location across the Bosphorus actually serves to its advantage.  As you can tell from my pictures, residents of Kadikoy enjoy a spectacular show almost every night as the sunsets behind the landmarks of the old city.  As the Frugal Traveler writes, passenger ferries across the Bosphorus are cheap, frequent and afford more stunning views of both of the city's shores.  Much less crowded that any other form of public transportation, the 20-25 minute trip from shore to shore is just enough time to enjoy a cup of tea and simit from the fully stocked snack bar found on every boat.  I was excited to Kadikoy mentioned  in this article, but at the same time want to remain off the tourist radar for my own selfish reasons.

A second article discusses the time-forgotten beauty of Buyukada, the largest of the Prince's Islands.  You can read about my visit to this island here.  Buyukada is another great budget-friendly destination.  Ferries to the island are inexpensive and it is full of scenic beauty.  Its small size and largely car-free roads make it the perfect place to explore by foot or bicycle.

For more travel tips from the New York Times and its readers, you can explore the Istanbul online travel guide at the NYTimes.com.