Istanbul

If there were ever a home with juicy untold secrets, it would have to be the 15th century BC Topkapi palace in Istanbul city. Covering nearly 600,000 square meters, the Ottoman Empire's royal Palace was originally the brainchild of Sultan Mehmed, the conqueror. In Topkapi Palace, they courted their concubine slaves, harem fights for power took place, castrated eunuchs served their master, and sibling rivalry over the throne would cut some family … [Read more...]

The Grand Bazaar of Istanbul, Turkey, is a lot more than an average shopping mall. The market dates from the 15th century after the Ottomans conquered Constantinople (former Istanbul.) Markets like this were traditional throughout the world where they reigned. Sultan Mehmet the 2nd ordered the construction. The Grand Bazaar shop rents were then sent to the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul, which had been converted into a mosque. Initially, the Grand … [Read more...]

The Istanbul tourist e-Pass is rapidly growing in popularity with visitors thanks to huge savings and many attractions, museums, and experiences. After a few slow years, the tourism industry in Istanbul is up and running again at full pace! Tour operators try to offer visitors the best tours, packages, experiences, and value for money. So, no matter your holiday style or budget, you will find the tour you want and see the beautiful city of … [Read more...]

Galata tower in Istanbul is the best place for a marvellous panoramic view over the Golden Horn, Bosphorus and city. Six years before, I went to Galata tower to attend a Turkish show at night-time. I could see lights from buildings, dotted across the horizon, and the lights of traffic moving, but that was it, and I wanted to return during the day. So, a return visit to Istanbul last month meant the Genoese tower was on my list of places to … [Read more...]

Mert Gurel is a Turkish film enthusiast with a particular passion for interesting documentaries about Istanbul. This is natural, given that he lives and works in the bustling city. His job as a fixer for  video productions means he sources everything that foreign and domestic companies need to make a good film or documentary in Turkey. Basically, he ties up the loose ends and helps them to make the story come together. Preferring documentaries … [Read more...]

Exploring the neighbourhoods of Istanbul is the best way to get to know this great city. When I first came to Turkey, despite knowing Istanbul was the country's largest city and top-visited tourist destination, nothing quite prepared me for realising just how intense Istanbul is. As well as being the centre ruling capitals for both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, Istanbul has a modern-day story. Indeed, touring local suburbs is now a popular … [Read more...]

Growing popularity of the Internet in the last 20 years has changed the face of mainstream travel. Holidaymakers want to gain an insight into the lives of people in other countries, so authentic local experiences are now just as popular as package holidays and well known tourist attractions. In the bustling metropolis of Istanbul, this is proven in the growing interest of guided walking tours through neighbourhoods of which Fener and Balat are … [Read more...]

Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul is a busy street. In fact, the busiest street in Turkey. Also known as Istiklal Caddesi in Turkish or Independence Avenue in English, and sitting near Taksim square, anyone visiting the city should spend at least a day exploring the 1.4-kilometer Street and all the side alleys. The street is busy from morning until night and immaculately clean and uniformed, but buildings also have a historical tale related to the … [Read more...]

Foreign travellers tend to bypass Yalova in Turkey, but for many years, locals of Istanbul who want to escape city life for a few days, have favoured it as the ideal destination. Summer weekends when the children are off school are a traditional time for them to go. For city dwellers, Yalova offers everything including thermal springs, gorgeous landscapes, hiking, trekking and biking routes, and numerous campsites. So in this article by Bayram … [Read more...]

Istanbul, one of the top cities in the world, probably gains its popularity because of the wide diversity it offers in restaurants, bars, shopping, nightlife, food and, of course, accommodation. Luxury hotels offering the best service in overnight stays attract the rich and influential travellers but most of us; tend to gravitate towards budget friendly boutique hotels in Istanbul. One company specialising in budget boutique hotels in Istanbul … [Read more...]

On your first visit, I do not recommend getting off the beaten path in Istanbul - Turkey, no matter how adventurous you are. To do so would be to miss magnificent attractions and landmarks from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras that Istanbul is famous for. Sites like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar and Spice market are a must-see even if they appear in all travel magazines about Istanbul city and Turkey.However, if … [Read more...]

Many tourists arrive in Turkey and head straight to the Sultanahmet attractions of Istanbul city. This area is the hub of Istanbul's historical timeline and former capital of the Ottoman and Byzantine empires. There are plenty of things to do and places to see, within two days. So whether you book a hotel in the Sultanahmet district or travel there for the day, expect a marvellous insight into Istanbul's most outstanding achievements. Majestic … [Read more...]

The Sultanahmet District of Istanbul is the former capital of Constantinople and Byzantium making it one of the top visited neighbourhoods in Turkey. As the centre from where the Ottoman Sultans and Byzantine emperors ruled, it also sits proudly on the UNESCO World Heritage list. So it stands to reason, that most people when visiting Istanbul, want hotels in Sultanahmet district. Within walking distance to all attractions, choose from hundreds … [Read more...]

Istanbul, an iconic city and the most popular tourist destination in Turkey, has immense dignity and pride. The cultural infusion of various communities, modern influences, and its historical timeline is impossible to ignore. Most travel publications have detailed articles about things to do in Istanbul. They normally involve shopping in the historical Grand Bazaar, visiting Ottoman palaces, admiring the architecture of Hagia Sophia and delving … [Read more...]

Istanbul has for a long time, been the heart and soul of Turkey. Boasting of more than 14 million official residents, the city is the only one in the world that spans two continents; Europe and Asia. I love Istanbul and admit to a major addiction for this characteristic destination.Occasionally I meet people who wrongly assume that Istanbul is the capital of Turkey but even though it isn’t, it is still an important business hub and the … [Read more...]

The Bosphorus strait of water in Istanbul has been strategically important throughout history. Linking the east and the west, many empires have waged war to gain control of it.These days, urban neighbourhoods are a strong feature on both the Asian and European sides and the Bosphorus has grown to be a busy trading passage for large tankers and ships. As a major tourist attraction of Istanbul, it is worth dedicating at least a day for exploration … [Read more...]

In my quest to travel to every town, city, and village of Turkey, it is not often that I return to a destination. Once I have been there, I strike it off my list and start planning a visit to the next location. The one exception to this rule is the bustling and culturally mixed city of Istanbul. Once known as Constantinople, I have returned three times and will continue to return, quite possibly until the day I die. It is too busy and big to … [Read more...]

Guest post by Joel Stubbs If you are a keen photographer, a holiday is an adventure where you get to explore rather than taking a time-out for rest and relaxation. When planning a trip to Turkey, you need to visit its largest city, Istanbul. Take a look below at some of our suggestions of the best places to get some great photography in and around Istanbul.Basillica CisternThe Basilica Cistern is an atmospheric underground waterway that … [Read more...]

The thought of a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul did not fill me with excitement. Winter is not the ideal time to be sitting on a boat, shivering with cold. However, every Istanbul travel expert recommended the Bosphorus as a "must do tour" to be on my bucket list.The problem was the cost. Local Istanbul tour agents sold Bosphorus tour tickets priced at fifty euros or more. They promised an elaborate dinner, a stunning sunset view, and a great … [Read more...]

Note  - The  shoe shiners featured in the photographs of this article did not scam me and never used any of the techniques that are listed below. They were friendly shoe shiners who agreed for their photograph to be taken and used. This article is not implying they are part of this scam.One Turkish tradition I have always admired is the shoe shiner. Sitting on busy streets with their small stools and Ottoman style boxes, they ply their trade … [Read more...]

Istanbul is a huge city with thousands of landmarks. Most of them are historic buildings dating back hundreds of years, especially to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empire. Some landmarks are more famous than others are, but all serve one common purpose as an identifiable object on the horizon. Here are my 14  favourite postcard style pictures of  some  landmarks in Istanbul.Famous Landmarks of Istanbul 1 - The Hagia Sophia is a former church, … [Read more...]

Miniaturk in Istanbul bought out the kid in me. I enjoyed it so much, and plan to go back one day. If you find yourself traveling through Istanbul then be sure to go to the Miniaturk park. Whilst it is not as exciting to see, as the Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia, it is still a fun day out.For this post I wanted to update my knowledge as it was four years ago that I went to Istanbul Miniaturkpark. I have just looked at the Miniaturk website and … [Read more...]

I was quite pleased to come across the St. Anthony of Padua church while in Istanbul. I had seen it mentioned in guidebooks but did not plan on visiting, until I found myself right outside. Located on Istiklal Avenue, behind a large set of iron gates, it is an impressive building dating back to 1906. It also has the status of being the largest, fully functioning church in Istanbul. The sudden decision to enter also led my ignorance to be put on … [Read more...]

My desire to find French street in Istanbul started when I read an article that described it as French influence in Turkey. The equivalent of China town in New York. I imagined a chance to experience two cultures within one destination. My interest had spiked. The nearest insight I have gained of France was passing through on a coach ride to and from Germany, so I placed French street on my list of things to do.However once I arrived in … [Read more...]

As newly-weds hunt across the globe for honeymoon destinations that offer breathtaking scenery and romantic culture, few know of the hidden eccentricities that Istanbul holds. A fruitful and lengthy history of four separate empires (Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman) permeates throughout the metropolis to offer a rich, layered aesthetic experience in architecture, landscape, music, cuisine, and art. However, you’d be wrong to regard it as a … [Read more...]

To start this series, I wanted to share my Istanbul pictures and was undecided as to whether black and white was the right format to do it. After all, Istanbul is a colourful and vibrant city so pictures should reflect that. However, when I visited in January of this year, constant rain and even snow meant there no blue skies or sunny backgrounds in my photos.  The benefit though was that the dark skies made for interesting pictures in black and … [Read more...]

Ah, the delightful Galata bridge in Istanbul. For thousands of people every year who head to the impressive city of Istanbul, the first question that is often on their mind is “Where are the happening places to head to?” This slang term is also always at the front of my mind, no matter where in Turkey I travel. I want to know where the locals hang out. I want to observe a busy and vibrant atmosphere that gives me a great insight into the place … [Read more...]

“Save water – Drink Wine” became the motto of our last girl’s weekend in Istanbul. It all started when I was stood at the open top of the Galata tower, which is an impressive 66 meters tall. I had a raging hangover from the night before and the fresh air combined with a fear of heights, prompted thoughts that I was going to puke! My phone was ringing which provided a temporary distraction. It was my close friend Debra Debra – “when you have … [Read more...]

The first thing to know about my exerience visiting bars in Taksim, is that I am not a night-time person any more. I like to wake up early and go to bed early. My partying days are well and truly behind me. However when visiting one of the greatest cities of the world i.e. Istanbul – I decided to try the night-life. The bustling Istiklal Avenue is one area staying busy until the early hours of the morning so that is where I headed, along with two … [Read more...]