House of travel Spain, Portugal, Greece & Turkey 2017 | Page 39

Istanbul
Istanbul really is a Turkish delight, an intoxicating mix of breath-taking architecture,
a roller-coaster ride of history and a stunning setting combined with the Turks’
zest for life. Head for Sultanahmet, the historic heart of the old city and gaze in
amazement at the domes of Aya Sofaya and the Blue Mosque. Dive underground
into the spooky Basilica cistern and then brace yourself for the Grand Bazaar.
There are 3000 shops in here and the locals are very keen to sell you something!
While away an afternoon in the teahouse beneath the walls of the Topkapi Palace
and count the ferries plying the Bosphorus and the ships sailing towards the Black
Sea. At sunset the fishermen on the Galata Bridge head home just as Istanbul’s
skyline forms a glowing silhouette of domes and minarets.
Our favourite things to see and do
Topkapi Sarayi (Palace) – Home of the Ottoman sultans
for nearly 400 years, The Treasury in the 3rd courtyard is
amazing. Get there when it opens at 9am and go straight to
the Harem. Only a certain number of visitors are allowed at
one time, so get there first to avoids the queues.
Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya) – Said to be one of the great
buildings of the world, it’s a former Byzantine church, a
former Ottoman mosque, and now a museum.
The Blue Mosque (Mosque Of Sultan Ahmeti) –
One of the city’s premier sights, it’s called the Blue Mosque
because of its light blue interior tiles. You can visit at most
times of day and it’s free. Avoid all mosques on Fridays as this
is the Muslim holy day and mosques can be closed for lengthy
amounts of time for prayers.
Grand Bazaar – Turkey’s largest covered market sells all
kinds of things like beautiful Turkish carpets, glazed tiles and
pottery, copper and brassware, leather goods, meerschaum
pipes and alabaster bookends. Try out your haggling skills.
Hammams (Turkish Baths) – For something a little
different why not try a Turkish Bath. You’ll be pulled and
pushed, rubbed and scrubbed to within an inch of your life,
but you’ll come out feeling wonderful.
Bosphorus Cruise – By far the best way to view the city
of Istanbul is by boat on the Bosphorus, the most impressive
sights being along the southern shores. You’ll see Topkapi
Palace, the Maiden’s Tower, the Selimiye Barracks (where
Florence Nightingale worked), Dolmabahçe Palace, Yldz Park
– Palace, the village of Ortaköy and the Bosphorus Bridge to
name a few.
Turkish cuisine – Indulge in Turkish cuisine like stuffed
vine leaves and sip tea in tulip-shaped glasses, or go for broke
and tackle the national drink – raki or lion’s milk.
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