Istanbul Turkey
Istanbul had always been high on our list of places to see and we were not disappointed when we finally made it there. What an amazing city so much to see and do.
Some of the photos in the slideshow below were taken on a cruise down the Bosphorus Strait which connects the sea of Marama to the Black Sea and separates Europe from Asia making Istanbul the only city in the world built astride two continents. On the cruise you pass palaces, ancient wooden villas and modern homes, a unique landscape. An unbelievable number of boats and ships from cruise ships to cargo ships pass through here every day on their way to the Black sea and beyond.
Istanbul had always been high on our list of places to see and we were not disappointed when we finally made it there. What an amazing city so much to see and do.
Some of the photos in the slideshow below were taken on a cruise down the Bosphorus Strait which connects the sea of Marama to the Black Sea and separates Europe from Asia making Istanbul the only city in the world built astride two continents. On the cruise you pass palaces, ancient wooden villas and modern homes, a unique landscape. An unbelievable number of boats and ships from cruise ships to cargo ships pass through here every day on their way to the Black sea and beyond.
The Blue Mosque is awesome, built in 1609 its name comes from the 20,000 marvellous blue toned Iznik tiles decorating the interior walls. I was amazed at the size and the detail in the small tiles, just spectacular. It is a sign of respect that women cover their head with a scarf before entering the Mosque. The Blue Mosque makes a great photo opportunity and if you get the chance to go back after dark to take a photo it is just as beautiful in the night sky.
www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-blue-mosque
Hagia-Sophia, built in 537 was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Memhet 11 and into a museum by Ataturk in 1935.
www.hagiasophia.com
Another must see in Istanbul is Topkapi Palace Museum. This extraordinary palace was the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years. The rooms exhibit rich collections of porcelains, robes, weapons, as well as Ottoman treasures and jewellery.
The queues to enter the Palace can be quite long so get there early in the day.
www.topkapipalace.com
The Grand Bazaar is fascinating, so many store keepers trying to entice you to buy their goods. Bargaining is used here so don't be afraid to bargain but know when to stop. There is so much to choose from in the bazaar from food, clothing, handbags, souvenirs, carpets and more. It is so busy, people everywhere which adds to the atmosphere. If you like Turkish Delight you have to try some from one of the vendors. Totally different from what we call turkish delight. The real thing is so much more intense in flavor and texture, delicious just about describes it.
www.grandbazaarturkey.com
The Spice Bazaar is another fantastic must see. Vendor after vendor has a large display of every spice you could imagine, the colors are spectacular. Other items are available at the Spice Bazaar but it is predominantly spices.
When buying souvenirs we went to some stores in the city and bought hand painted bowls for several dollars each which I thought a bargain for an original Turkish Hand painted bowl. While walking through the Grand Bazaar I saw the identical bowls for half the price so best check out the bazaar before purchasing at outside stores.
I would recommend staying on the European side of Istanbul as this is where most of the tourist spots are located. Istanbul is a beautiful city, so unique so if you are thinking of visiting Istanbul, think no longer just do it, it’s amazing. We found people very friendly and helpful offering directions both on trams and in the street, volunteering information without even being asked.
www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-blue-mosque
Hagia-Sophia, built in 537 was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Memhet 11 and into a museum by Ataturk in 1935.
www.hagiasophia.com
Another must see in Istanbul is Topkapi Palace Museum. This extraordinary palace was the residence of the Ottoman Sultans for nearly 400 years. The rooms exhibit rich collections of porcelains, robes, weapons, as well as Ottoman treasures and jewellery.
The queues to enter the Palace can be quite long so get there early in the day.
www.topkapipalace.com
The Grand Bazaar is fascinating, so many store keepers trying to entice you to buy their goods. Bargaining is used here so don't be afraid to bargain but know when to stop. There is so much to choose from in the bazaar from food, clothing, handbags, souvenirs, carpets and more. It is so busy, people everywhere which adds to the atmosphere. If you like Turkish Delight you have to try some from one of the vendors. Totally different from what we call turkish delight. The real thing is so much more intense in flavor and texture, delicious just about describes it.
www.grandbazaarturkey.com
The Spice Bazaar is another fantastic must see. Vendor after vendor has a large display of every spice you could imagine, the colors are spectacular. Other items are available at the Spice Bazaar but it is predominantly spices.
When buying souvenirs we went to some stores in the city and bought hand painted bowls for several dollars each which I thought a bargain for an original Turkish Hand painted bowl. While walking through the Grand Bazaar I saw the identical bowls for half the price so best check out the bazaar before purchasing at outside stores.
I would recommend staying on the European side of Istanbul as this is where most of the tourist spots are located. Istanbul is a beautiful city, so unique so if you are thinking of visiting Istanbul, think no longer just do it, it’s amazing. We found people very friendly and helpful offering directions both on trams and in the street, volunteering information without even being asked.
Blue Mosque
Inside the Blue Mosque
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Hagia Sophia
Inside Hagia Sophia
Below see photos of the accommodation we chose in Istanbul. The service is amazing. On arrival we were taken to the beautiful roof terrace and offered a drink of our choice. Then Alehandro sat with us explaining the area and suggestions of things we might like to see. We received valuable advice on the transport system and he supplied us with a map with all the information we could possibly want including his mobile number in case we needed anything.
The team on the front desk Arthur, Bahri, Alehandro, Spencer, Sim, Tina, Karin & Sami and in the restaurant particularly Yusuf and Aziz are all great. The breakfast and complimentary afternoon tea are really special. The personalised service along with the beautiful rooms, bathrooms and public areas in this hotel made it a great choice and we would recommend it to anyone. Thanks guys for a great time you made our holiday in Istanbul special.