Kemal already emailed a great list of sites and restaurants for our free time in Istanbul, but I'll add to this a list of Hamam's suggested by Rick Steve's. The Hamams if you're not familiar are the traditional Turkish baths. The whole process takes about 1.5 - 2 hrs. It's useful to bring along a hairbrush (not for me), shampoo, clean underwear, flip flops, a kese (raw silk mitten the people use to exfoliate your skin ... if you don't bring your own, they use the same one they used on everyone else), and a bottle of water. If you're a little adventurous, into taking steams, getting your skin exfoliated, being massaged, sipping tea and appreciate an all around relaxing experience ... the baths are likely a place for you. Expect to pay up to 100 TL and a 15TL tip.
Recommended by Rick Steves:
Buyuk Hamam - in Kasimpasa; designed by famous architect Sinan, reasonable price, most "local" feel less accustommed to tourists
Cemberlitas Hamami - across from the burned column; in also designed by Sinan
Suleymaniye Hamami - next to Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent; also designed by Sinan
Cagaloglu Hamami - halfway between underground cistern and grand bazaar; one of the more attractive and historic baths
Enjoy! See you Saturday!
Jeremy
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