Bosphorus Cruise & Two Continents Tour: An Honest Review

So, you’re thinking about doing the Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour in Istanbul, Turkey, too? As a matter of fact, it’s almost one of those things you see pop up everywhere when you start planning your trip. I mean, the idea of cruising between Europe and Asia does sound pretty cool, right? Yet, it’s very hard to tell what’s genuinely a must-do and what’s just a tourist trap. Well, I took the tour myself, and in some respects, I want to give you the lowdown – the real deal, without any fluff. Here is my account of doing the Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour so you may see what the experience is actually like and what to maybe expect. I hope my honest review will likely assist you to choose whether this adventure suits your travel desires.

What You Should Expect From The Bosphorus Cruise

Basically, the Bosphorus Strait splits Istanbul right down the center, with one side in Europe and the other in Asia, right? And a cruise? It’s almost your ticket to see both without really fighting the notorious Istanbul traffic, actually. The views? Oh, very amazing! The Ottoman palaces, the ancient fortresses, and the waterside mansions – they’re just unbelievably beautiful. We went during sunset, and seriously, it was like something out of a movie or something. Yet, it can get pretty crowded. Make sure you arrive slightly early to secure a prime spot so that you may have better, unblocked views, okay? Or you could be like me, kind of stuck behind someone’s big head for half the trip! Most of the cruises have narrations about the things you’re seeing; that tends to be really interesting and give you some historical background. Just a bit of advice, if history actually isn’t your thing, bring headphones. There will likely be a lot of dates thrown around.

Navigating to Asia: The Two Continents Part

Okay, so, the Two Continents Tour means you get to, actually, set foot in Asia for a bit. It typically involves crossing one of those huge bridges – by the way, the bridges are quite an amazing sight themselves! We stopped at a high point on the Asian side to grab those very necessary panoramic shots of Istanbul. It sounds amazing, and it is good, yet be prepared for how the experience may be so brief. A bit of the tour feels like, alright, “Yep, you’re now technically in Asia, take a photo, and then let’s move right along”, that can be disappointing. However, the benefit, actually, could depend a lot on the tour group and guide. Our guide actually told a number of stories and facts about the area, which genuinely added a lot. Ask lots of questions if that, is that, a specific experience you expect from it too, to truly enrich that part of the tour.

The Tourist Hotspot Stops Along the Route

So, the tour may also drop by places like the Ortaköy area. It tends to be super picturesque, especially with that iconic Ortaköy Mosque right on the water’s edge. Great for photos, right? Yet, be ready for tourist central! You will find tons of other people snapping photos, buying souvenirs, and maybe trying the kumpir (stuffed potato). Is almost the feeling you’re experiencing real Turkey? Not really. It is, more or less, a very touristy experience. But if, like your, you don’t mind a little bit of a crowd and you need some postcards, this place may work for you. As a matter of fact, just keep your belongings close; crowded places do get pickpockets.

What Might Surprise You About The Tour

You get Turkish tea – lots of it! Just a little glasses of this strong, warm tea appear magically throughout the tour. Is it a trap to make you need the restroom? Maybe. Is it a cultural thing? Yes, basically. Will it help you stay awake during the tour? Absolutely! Yet, remember that those extra pit stops in crowded marketplaces might mean you spend additional money. This is typically where they attempt to sell you carpets or spices or maybe some “authentic” Turkish delight. In a way, you could experience a bit of a sales pitch, that will affect the way you think about it, but that’s alright, really. Politely saying “no, thanks” actually goes a long way. This is almost one of the strategies utilized to sell souvenirs.

Is It Worth the Money and the Time Investment, or Is it Really Overrated?

Seriously, that is actually the big question, and the response is, it kind of depends, actually. So, if you would want to see a lot of Istanbul fairly quickly and don’t mind crowds, then, arguably, yes, it’s likely worth it. The Bosphorus cruise itself may be, you know, very amazing, and going to the Asian side tends to be something a bit different. Yet, if you detest super touristy things and are wanting some genuine local experiences, it might be better to instead explore on your own. You might actually be able to hop on a public ferry for a lot less money and explore some less crowded neighborhoods. I mean, as I was saying, that’s how I generally prefer to travel. What I can say about it, really, the Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour provides, actually, a glance of Istanbul’s charm and gives that really cool feeling of standing in two continents at once, as a matter of fact.