Turkey dropped visa requirements for US Citizens as of Jan 2024. Ordinary passport holders are exempted from visas for up to 90 days.
The official currency in Turkey is the Turkish lira. $1 equals ~32.26 Turkish liras (05/13/24 rate).
I suggest carrying some cash. You can convert dollars to Turkish liras in multiple places in the city. If you want to use your credit card; Visa/ Mastercard are widely accepted, and Amex is accepted in upscale hotels/ restaurants but some small shops/ restaurants will not accept it.
You don't have to tip in restaurants or cabs in Turkey. Some restaurants do include a 10% service charge in the check. If you're paying cash in a cab, just round up the fare ($21 instead of $20.50).
Yes, you need one. Amazon has multiple options.
Istanbul is much larger in area and population than New York City. You will see people in all attire, but I recommend avoiding wearing mini skirts, shorts, and tops that show cleavage while sightseeing/ using public transportation. Cappadocia - same dress code as above. Bodrum - wear whatever you'd like!
Temperatures in Istanbul during May are very pleasant with average highs of 71°F and lows of 56°F.
Turkish food! We'll be serving hors d'oeuvres at cocktail hour followed by a sit-down dinner. There will be an open bar.
Here is a list of places around Galata https://www.instagram.com/p/Cuwdhi3LdPg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Restaurants * Sofyalı 9 * Aheste * Asmalı Cavit * Eleos Beyoglu * Fıccın * Cuma * Tershane * Karakoy Lokantasi * Pera Antakya * Antiochia * Ara Kafe * Zubeyir Ocakbasi * Glouton * Mabou * Urban Cafe Bars and Rooftops * Taproomx (Craft Beers) * Simone Istanbul (Rooftop Cocktail Bar) * Beatrice Restaurant (Rooftop Cocktail Bar) * Monkey Istanbul (Rooftop Cocktail Bar) * Sensus (Wine and small bites) * Comedus (Wine and small bites) * Baylo (Cocktails) Pizza and Street Food * Bordel * Tunç Balık * Tamamen Organik Tost * Miss Pizza Coffee & Dessert * Espressolab * Old Java * Ecuador Coffee House * Vitavien * Mandabatmaz * Sakarya Tatlıcısı * Vacilando