My boyfriend and I are going to Greece for the first time May 9th-18th (also first time outside the US). We have a vacation package that goes to Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. Both of us are super excited. But here is the part causing me a little anxiety...... We are flying from Houston, TX to Istanbul for a 2 hour and 20 minute layover then on to Athens. I was looking into the Istanbul airport to see the layout, and the reviews are scaring me a little....... Dirty bathrooms (not too big of a deal), super crowded, rude airport staff, and flights that change gates without notice which causes some people to miss their flight...... I've flown all over the US so airports don't really bother me, but what has me worried is being in a different country and being outside my comfort zone. On a good note, my boyfriend and I are flying business class on Turkish Airlines so I know we will have access to the VIP lounge. So, does anyone have any words of advise for me? Am I worrying too much? Oh, and I'm the type of person that has to be super early to my gate to ensure I don't miss my flight. That's where my anxiety comes in, I don't want to miss my flight and be stuck in a foreign country.......
Any bit of advise from those that have had experience at this airport would be wonderful!
Thank you in advance!