Athens and Istanbul Travel Tips
 

I'm getting ready to go there on business and would appreciate any travel tips or things to do that aren't on the tourist circuit. Anything would be appreciated.

Q1: How is driving a car?
Q2: What should I avoid?
Q3: If I saw only one place, what should it be?

Thanks in advance.

The best thing I can tell you is to remember that the Turks and Greeks don't get along

I lived in Southern Turkey for awhile (in the 80's) and visited athens several times... once I got into a conversation with a Greek cab driver and mistakenly told him I was living in Turkey... To make a long story short he got pissed and dropped me off at the wrong place

Driving a car is a nightmare... There are basically no traffic rules... It's like anarchy

Don't say "peach" to a Turk. It's an insult

Don't show the heel of your shoes in Turkey. It's an insult

Basically, you'll pretty much like all the normal tourist stuff in those big cities. Check out the blue mosque in Istanbul and definately the Acropolis in Athens Personally, I prefered the rural areas and had the most fun just ending up in little villages off the beaten path etc.

Maybe plan on buying some meerschaum pipes when you're in Istanbul.

The town of Ephesus http://www.ephesusguide.com/ near Izmir was definately a highlight back then...

Have fun! I'd like to see the those countries today.. they've probably changed a bit since I was there 20 years ago

When in Athens just wave the Turkish flag, when in Istanbul pat the Turks' wives asses, they're Muslims, they appreciate you being friendly with their female family members (don't forget the daighteres too)...

Stock up on hash in instanbul :thumbsup

If you'll drive visit the:
METEORA
And RHODOS's Castle (one way ship ticket cost about 80hahaha8364; for a car) after you may continue to the Cyprus and Turkey

Then you stay in Greece call the Istanbul KONSTANTINOPOL and in turkey you better say as it is.
The car driving in Athens after the Europe may looks like anarchy but actually they stops on red light :)

Q1: How is driving a car?

hard to find parking, easy to get in to car accidents if you are not careful

Q2: What should I avoid?

not many things i can think, if you smoke pot etc better forget it for a while cause drug laws are strict.

Q3: If I saw only one place, what should it be?

hard to tell, parthenon is a must to visit, aside that many places based on what you are looking for.

although i dont live in greeceanymore send me msg on icq and ill give you further info + if you run in to any kind of problem you call me and i help you :)

common things to say in greek that will win you friends.
Kali Mera Malakas - good morning friend
Kali Spera Malakas - good evening friend
Eh ho Feelo - thats my wife
Tous Kerata des - I'm american and this is my wife

They drive on the left side of the road like in england. Its curtious to wave at the passing cars with your fingers spread wide apart

Big fat hairy men in speedos

Take a boat to mikonos. they have a horse shoe beach there. Its beautuful to lay naked in the sand.

my pleasure

Funny shit!

:1orglaugh

***

that's cyprus bro ;-)

never been to either but sounds like a blast