TURKEY - Istanbul, GREECE - Santarini and Athens?

[GotGarlic]

I just remembered something else. My mom and I spent a few hours in the Grand Bazaar and while we didn't buy much there, it was fun to see. It's so beautiful, with the tiled walls and the really colorful pottery, rugs, etc., that I think it's worthwhile to visit even if you don't buy anything.

After we wandered around for a while, we found a little open-air restaurant and had a snack. Then we realized we couldn't find our way back to the entrance, so we could get a cab back to the hotel, so we asked for directions from the waiter at the restaurant. He called over a boy about 10 years old and evidently told him in Turkish to take us to the entrance, so we followed him out and gave him a tip. Everyone went out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable. I really want to go back one of these days, with DH this time.

[simplicity]

I've been to Santorini. Beautiful place. It is an island for tourists though, so there may be no way to avoid tourist-type restaurants. Suggest you ask the conceirge at your hotel or the front desk where they eat. They always know where the best, reasonable local restaurants are. Everything I ate there tasted good.

Enjoy your trip!