Buzz
The vibrant Grand Bazaar, with its myriad of colors, traditional sweet treats, and hundreds of palaces and fortresses in Istanbul... will enchant you from the very first encounter.
Travel to Istanbul – the city connecting Asia and Europe, where every departure carries a love story
Istanbul – the transcontinental city with a part in Europe and a part in Asia has long been a place I desired to set foot in. The allure of solemnity, the mystical East, and the modernity of the West made me choose Istanbul for exploration at the first opportunity.
For many, choosing to travel to Istanbul (Turkey) at this time might not be considered very wise, given the security concerns. However, for me, any place is peaceful if there is peace in the mind. After all, is there any place on this earth that is 100% stable?
Once again, the charm of the Grand Bazaar
Exploring the architectural wonders and rich history of Istanbul, I want to share my enchanting experience at the Grand Bazaar. Despite hearing much about its grandeur, witnessing it in person left me in awe. It felt like navigating a maze, unsure of the entrance and exit. Yes, I got lost in the vast and world-renowned Grand Bazaar. My advice: have a map handy!
Venturing into the area showcasing Turkey's distinctive spices in vibrant colors, one cannot miss the carpet section and the sweet delicacies corner. Merchants eagerly invite customers to taste homeland specialties.
A unique aspect of the Grand Bazaar is that only male vendors operate here!
Baklava – A traditional sweet delight that captivates everyone
Baklava stands out as the most popular dessert in Turkey. I felt immersed in the numerous baklava shops lining Istanbul's streets. The basic version features thin layers stacked, coated with condensed milk, and generously layered with a distinct syrup and crushed pistachios. Pistachios are a common ingredient in this country and can be found in most sweet treats.
The locals here ideally start their day with a cup of hot tea and savor some freshly baked baklava. You'll feel energized to kickstart a new day. I was so captivated that I ordered a variety just to experience the diverse flavors of this tempting pastry. It felt like I consumed a lifetime of sugar, but the very next day, the craving for baklava returned as if I had never tasted it before.
Palaces and Temples of Majesty
Istanbul holds a vast and vibrant cultural and architectural treasure trove. From the international airport to Istanbul, you'll encounter numerous mosques built with large domed roofs, each impressive and grand. Istanbul alone boasts around 500 temples, large and small.
In this city, one cannot ignore the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque – the azure sanctuary. This grand mosque is adorned with 20,000 blue ceramic tiles, featuring a central dome and numerous smaller domes, with six minarets reaching towards the sky.
Not far from the Blue Mosque lies Hagia Sophia, an unmissable destination in Istanbul and a symbol of the Ottoman Empire. Initially a Christian cathedral of the Eastern Orthodox Church, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 and eventually became a historical museum in 1935. Hagia Sophia holds significant historical and religious importance for Istanbul and Turkey as a whole.
If the mysterious charm of Eastern civilization-infused mosques is appealing, Istanbul proudly boasts two opulent and modern palaces comparable to those in European countries: Topkapi Palace and Dolmabahçe Palace.
Topkapi Palace is a massive historical treasure, offering breathtaking views of the Golden Horn, a natural harbor in Istanbul, the Bosphorus Strait, and the Sea of Marmara. The palace features four gates separated by extensive courtyards, a harem section, and spans 70 hectares, surrounded by a 5-kilometer-long protective wall.
Dolmabahçe Palace served as the main center of the Ottoman Empire from 1856-1922, commissioned by Sultan Abdul Mejid I. Construction began in 1843, completing with a staggering cost equivalent to 35 tons of gold, featuring 285 rooms and over 40 halls.
Other noteworthy spots not to be missed include the Galata Tower, the city's tallest ancient structure, and the Basilica Cistern – the 'sunken palace' beneath Istanbul's streets.
To fully embrace the experience of traveling between two continents, I embarked on a fantastic journey by purchasing a ticket for a tourist train along the Marmara Sea, capturing the panoramic beauty of Istanbul. Along this route, you'll admire the Bosphorus Bridge connecting Ortaköy on the European side with Beylerbeyi on the Asian side, a symbolic link between two continents.
Parting ways with Istanbul on a rainy morning, I felt that five days for Istanbul still seemed limited, with many places left to explore and experience. I'll forever remember the evening on the ferry from Kadıköy back to Eminönu, seeing Hagia Sophia from afar covered in the golden dusk, shining with grandeur. If possible, visit Istanbul at least once in your lifetime!
Source: Afamily
***
Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourAugust 18, 2017
