In 2 weeks, we are spending 4 days in each city and taking a 7 day cruise in between. We have never been to either city. We are staying at the Park Hyatt in Istanbul and the Ivis 4 in Athens. I have read the tour books but welcome any restaurant/foodie/music/sightseeing recommendations. Thanks in advance.
I haven’t been for a decade, but Hagia Sofia, the Basilica Cistern, and Tokapi Palace are must sees in Istanbul. With the last one walk through the Treasury to the balcony at the back to understand why it was built there. A general ticket will get you into them all without queues.
We stayed there because the Sultanahmet was sold out due to an economic conference. The Park Hyatt is a lovely hotel with fabulous rooms. It is on the other side of the Golden Horn from the historic sites and takes a while to get there because Instanbul traffic is special. I’m a real estate guy, location, location, location, and will stay on the other side next time. Park Hyatt is in an affluent neighborhood with high end shops. I prefer to stay closer to the action, but the Park Hyatt itself is wonderful.
My Istanbul report from earlier this year
Foreigner entry to the tourist sites mentioned above is extortionate, far higher than in comparable cities.
Athens is next on my list (just back from Kefalonia) so watching with interest.
Stayed in Athens in May last year for a couple of nights prior to a cycling vacation - had a great dinner at Aleria. Had a table in the garden which was great at that time of the year.
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I just looked at the menu and booked Aleria for our last night in Athens. do we want the garden in July?
The garden is really nice (check out the photos on the restaurant website and TripAdvisor etc) - its surrounded by a high wall with some trees for shade. It was not that busy when we were there and everyone was dining in the garden. The only problem could be the temperature in July but, if I was booking in July, I would book the garden! Hope that helps!