One week. Istanbul again or Rome for the first time?

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Asim

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My flight from Pakistan to Canada stops in Istanbul for 7 days. I've been living in Turkey (though not Istanbul) for the last four years so I know Istanbul quite well.

I want to know what you think I should do...

1. Hang out in Istanbul for the one week
or
2. Take a short flight to Rome and stay there for 5 days. I've never been to Italy.

Take note: I would have to fly back to Istanbul to continue on my flight to Canada after the one week. The other factor is that I'll be with my wife and two kids (5 year old and 1 year old). I'm the guy with the brassed Leica MP and one kid latched on my back and the other being pushed in a stroller!

I wonder if it is worth the hassle of flying all the way to Rome with the family for one week. I'll have to pay for flights and perhaps more expensive hotels. Or would I enjoy Istanbul more even though I've seen most of the touristy sights. Perhaps you have other recommendations for Istanbul or any other itinerary?
 
I went to Rome last summer for the first time and found it to be a spectacular place to visit. Awesome photo opportunities around every corner. I walked all over the city, up and down left and right. I cant say if it is worth it to you money wise, that's up to you. From a photographic perspective, you can't do much better than Rome. The food is awesome too. It might be tough with kids in tow, but that will be true where ever you go.

Vatican City is amazing and a must see place.

I stayed in a Holiday Inn hotel, outside of central Rome, but within walking distance to the subway. It was a very cheap hotel and I'd stay there again if and when I go back to Rome.

Good luck where ever you go!
 
5 days and 2 small kids? Go someplace familiar and not too far, which in your case would be Istanbul.

When you have significantly more time and can leave the kids with your parents or in-laws, then see Rome.
 
I've not been to either, but from what I've read and seen online, Istanbul all the way for me.
 
The hassle of another flight, delays, security, unforeseen..
Go to Istanbul.
My heart says Rome, my logic orders Istanbul.
Make some great family pix and Istanbul.
 
jonmanjiro said:
With wife and kids in tow, I'd personally stay with whats familiar, so Istanbul.



You've never been to Ciya Restaurant in Kadikoy on the Asian side of Istanbul, then. Some of the best food I've ever had! Nothing I ate in Rome comes close ;)
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I live in Istanbul and Turkish food is completely over-rated. Once you get past all the types of Kebab and the approximately 10 types of Meze you've virtually seen it all - which is what you'd expect from a cuisine developed by people whose roots began on horseback.

Turkey's cuisine is an undeserved reputation built by foreigners who do a 1 week trip. After that it's the same 1 week repeat infinidum.

If you had poor Italian food its probably because you were in the major cities? What I experienced food-wise in Verona was enough to justify Italian cuisine as one of the world's best.
 
Scheelings said:
I live in Istanbul and Turkish food is completely over-rated. Once you get past all the types of Kebab and the approximately 10 types of Meze you've virtually seen it all - which is what you'd expect from a cuisine developed by people whose roots began on horseback.

Turkey's cuisine is an undeserved reputation built by foreigners who do a 1 week trip. After that it's the same 1 week repeat infinidum.

If you had poor Italian food its probably because you were in the major cities? What I experienced food-wise in Verona was enough to justify Italian cuisine as one of the world's best.
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So you're not living in Istanbul for the food, then?

The best meals I had in Italy were probably in Agrigento, a smallish city of about 60,000 in southern Sicily. Good food, excellent service, and no mysterious bill padding like most other restaurant experiences I had there. To each his own but I'd still rather eat at Ciya.

Anyway, the OP said he's thinking of going to Rome, not Verona or Agrigento, so he should probably cross off good food from his list of expectations. We did after two days in Rome, and cooked in our apartment instead.
 
jonmanjiro said:
So you're not living in Istanbul for the food, then?

The best meals I had in Italy were probably in Agrigento, a smallish city of about 60,000 in southern Sicily. Good food, excellent service, and no mysterious bill padding like most other restaurant experiences I had there. To each his own but I'd still rather eat at Ciya.

Anyway, the OP said he's thinking of going to Rome, not Verona or Agrigento, so he should probably cross off good food from his list of expectations. We did after two days in Rome, and cooked in our apartment instead.
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I work here - not complaining about Istanbul - it's a fantastic city and the people are great - less dodgy people here than Rome, that's for sure!

My food experiences in Europe are similar to yours - Paris was just awful, but the smaller the town, the better the food and service.

You can probably find great food in Paris and Rome - but more likely its in the business districts rather than the tourist traps.
 
Scheelings said:
You can probably find great food in Paris and Rome - but more likely its in the business districts rather than the tourist traps.
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Of course you stay away from the eateries near the major tourist attractions that offer multi-language menus and "tourist" menus if you want good food. Isn't that the rule for getting good food anywhere?
 
Given that you have small children, its probably too much of a haul to leave Istanbul. But if you do go to Italy, Florence or Sienna are much nicer alternatives to Rome in my view. And better photographically too. The northern small cities - Verona, Vicenza, Padua are just as good and a lot more affordable, but would require flying to Milan and then taking the train, so even less doable unfortunately.
 
pagpow said:
Of course you stay away from the eateries near the major tourist attractions that offer multi-language menus and "tourist" menus if you want good food. Isn't that the rule for getting good food anywhere?
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Yeah of course it is, but I suppose I'm trying to explain away the reason that food seems to be so much better the smaller the town gets - at least in Western Europe.
 
Scheelings said:
Yeah of course it is, but I suppose I'm trying to explain away the reason that food seems to be so much better the smaller the town gets - at least in Western Europe.
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Interesting point; I'll have to check out whether that is true. I do know that it is becoming easier to eat badly in Italy, unfortunately.

Giorgio
 
Been to both with three children, and were I in your shoes, would pick Rome in a heartbeat. Off the beaten path, and around the termini train station, you can have some of the best food in Italy right there in Rome.

In my shoes, I would pick Istambul, 'cause I haven't visited in a long time.
 
It depends on how much energy you and your wife have. If there's any doubt, stay in Istanbul. Tired, low on energy and cranky in Rome with two little kids is not much fun and doesn't do this great city justice. You will need a lot of energy there, what with all the walking and sightseeing. On the other hand, if both you and your wife think you can handle it, go there. To me, it beats all other major cities in the world. Good food can be found away from the usual tourist traps.
 
Istanbul is one of the best place for street photography t...you can find lot of daily activities at Grand bazzar, Gallata, etc.

Rome is good place as well, mostly object of photography are ancient buildings.

City transportation for you, wife and kids,
- Istanbul has nice Trams line and cheap taxi.
- Rome regular bus not comfortable for kids, but you can use Hop on Hop bus, pay daily.

Food:
Not easy to find halal food in Rome (in case you need it)
 
Thank you all for your replies. I've traveled from Toronto to Lahore,Pakistan this past week and found it exhausting with the two kids. And this past week has been tough handling the jet lag for the kids. After reading all your replies and experiencing this last flight to Pakistan, I think it's confirmed that we'd rather just stay put in istanbul for the week. Perhaps we'll do some new things like visit the islands or take a road trip out of the city. I'm here in Pakistan for another 2 months so I'll be traveling around here for tourist/photography purposes as well. I've brought a couple of dozen rolls of provia 100f with me. :)
 
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