Istanbul is a fascinating, world-class city. The Sultanamet area, where the Blue Mosque, Aga Sophia Church, Topkapi Palace and numerous other city highlights are located, is the best place to stay. We enjoyed the friendly Hotel Historia with its elevator and lovely lobby chatting area. It is within a 10 minute walk of the sites mentioned above, and only 10 to 20 minutes from most of the others - including the ferry docks. We also recommend seeing the Whirling Dervishes perform their riveting religious ceremony at 5 pm the last Sunday of most months in their Museum of Divan Literature.
Most guidebooks dont mention it.
Turkey, A Travel Survival Kit by Lonely Planet was my primary guidebook. The Travel Survival Kit series is my favorite in every country for its outstanding maps, information and recommendations. If you plan to make advance reservations, also bring a Rough Guide or similar book until a later edition of the Survival Kit is published. If your travels in this area include Thessaloniki, Greece, dont miss the magnificent Archeological Museum containing the remains of the unlooted tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. The workmanship of the gold tiaras, masks, jewelry, armor and carved and painted vessels is exquisite.