Opinion
Tripologist: What are the best things to do on a short stay in Istanbul?
Michael Gebicki is Traveller’s expert Tripologist. Each week he tackles the thorny issues in travel as well as answering your questions. Got a question for the Tripologist? Email tripologist@traveller.com.au
Michael Gebicki
The TripologistMy husband and I are joining a Mediterranean Cruise which embarks in Istanbul. Any suggestion on where to stay and what to do to explore the history and culture of Istanbul for two or three days before joining the cruise. S. Chan, St Ives, NSW
Take a boat trip along the Bosphorus in Istanbul.Credit: iStock
I like the Sultanahmet district just west of Hagia Sophia Mosque, it’s in the high part of the city which means no panting walks up the hill from the lower part of the city, although there is a tram. Sultanahmet is close to the highlights including the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and it’s relatively tranquil.
One hotel that might suit you here is the four-star White House Hotel. The style is ornate Ottoman, the views from the terrace are sensational, the price is reasonable and feedback from guests is excellent.
As well as the highlights mentioned above, don’t miss the incredible Basilica Cistern, a boat trip along the Bosphorus, a stroll along the waterfront near the Galata Bridge, the Kariye Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.
I recommend three nights, especially if this is your first stop from Australia, there’s a lot to take in.
Inspired by recent Traveller articles about uncrowded Baltic beaches and the delights of Hanseatic cities, we are planning to drive around the Baltic. Are there any companies which would rent us an electric vehicle through the eight countries bordering the sea? Is it worth including the northern sections around the Gulf of Bothnia or should we cut across via Mariehamn and the Aland Islands? G. Coutts, Cremorne, NSW
The Estonian capital of Tallinn.Credit: iStock
Travelling in the Baltic States is slightly more challenging than some other parts of Europe but Sustainable Journeys has a 12-day itinerary that makes for easy travel through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Starting from Vilnius and finishing in Tallinn, the package includes accommodation in small, locally owned hotels and guesthouses, museum visits, cultural experiences, national park fees and the one-way hire of an electric vehicle.
From Tallinn you could fly to Gdansk, pick up another electric vehicle – Sixt, Europcar and Avis all have models – and drive west into Germany to continue your exploration of the Hanseatic League cities, then drive north through Denmark and around the Gulf of Bothnia.
Finnlines operates a car ferry service from Helsinki to Travemunde, near Lubeck. The crossing takes 31 hours and this would be cheaper than the one-way rental fee. Drive time from Lubeck to Gdansk is about eight hours. Travelling via the Aland Islands is tricky since ferry services are limited to Tallinn.
We are cruising the Rhine in mid-July, arriving in Basel and we have a free day before boarding our cruise. Should we take a fast train to Lucerne and spend the day there, returning late at night to Basel? S. Carrow, Bondi, NSW
The Chapel Bridge in the town of Lucerne.Credit: iStock
Basel has plenty to see, but so does Lucerne and this is a great opportunity. Catch a morning train to Lucerne, it’s an easy city to manage on two feet and there’s lots to enjoy including the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower, the Musegg Wall, the Jesuit Church, the Spreuer Bridge, and the Lion Monument.
The Rosengart Collection is a personal favourite, a gallery of Impressionist and Classic Modernism works featuring many of the big names of those genres. You can take a guided city tour operated by the visitor office.
Days are long in July and you might have enough time to take the newly renovated and world’s steepest cogwheel railway up Mount Pilatus. Ideally, take the ferry from Lucerne to Alpnachstad where the cogwheel railway begins, the so-called Golden Roundtrip. The train from Basel to Lucerne takes just over one hour.
My sister and I are planning a “do-it-yourself” tour of the UK and Ireland around September/October 2026. Locations we are interested in include Cornwall, Devon, the Lakes District, Yorkshire, Glasgow, Inverness and anywhere in Wales and Ireland. We are thinking of four to five weeks. Is driving ourselves or using trains best? L. Tye, Bathurst, NSW
A hire car is a much better option. If you’re planning to visit only cities and larger towns, public transport is the way to go but you’ll want to explore villages and out-of-the-way places and go when and where you like and a vehicle of your own gives you that freedom.
Your itinerary is ambitious. You could easily spend five weeks in the British Isles. Allowing three nights in each stop, that gives you a total of 11 to 12 stops, and Ireland might be better left for another journey.
You’re travelling outside peak visitor season and if you’re arriving in London, what you might do is head north to Scotland to make the most of the relatively warm September weather. Next stop would be the Lake District followed by the lovely Yorkshire Dales and the city of York, and don’t miss Harrogate.
From there into Wales, through Snowdonia National Park and along the coast calling in at Porthmadog and the slightly eccentric village of Portmeiron. From Aberystwyth head for Worcester followed by Cheltenham and then make a rambling tour of the gorgeous Cotswold Hills. Next stop is Bath, followed by a circuit of Cornwall and Devon and finally back to London.
For accommodation, take a look at Sawdays. Use the map to select places to stay.
Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances.
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