Istanbul’s Blue Mosque
The minarets and domes of the imposing Blue Mosque,
Why you must visit the Basilica Cistern
We had passed on the Basilica Cistern twice before because of the long lines. As they say, third time’s the charm. This time we decided to brave the queues. A gentleman came up to us and said that since my husband was using a walking stick, we could go straight in instead of queuing. We…
Sailing along the Bosphorus
The minarets of the New and the Süleymaniye mosques were waving goodbye from the shore, wishing us a safe voyage. The seagulls, which would become our constant companions throughout the cruise, were starting to swirl around the stern. We were on board the public ferry that sails from Eminönü about to start our cruise along…
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar
“How do I find this place again?” “Take a photo with your phone, that way you can ask for directions back here” My husband was sitting at a café inside the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul with a steaming cup of tea. I was going to explore the bazaar but was worried I’d never be able…
The amazing Hagia Sophia
It was a 15-minute walk from our hotel down Ordu Caddesi (Turkish for street) to what became my favourite place in Istanbul: Sultanahmet Square. There’s so much history that my head was sent spinning a few times. Where else can you sit down for a rest next to a column built in AD330 to celebrate…
The food in Istanbul: what is it like?
Where to start? The delicious kebaps? The freshly squeezed pomegranate juice? Or the glorious baklava? Let’s have a look at the food in Istanbul. Restaurant food The most traditional dish, which I think I ate every single day, is the kebap (spelled kebab or kabob in English speaking countries.) It consists of skewered chunks of lamb…
Istanbul: random observations and first impressions
In no particular order, here are my thoughts and observations about Istanbul, the former capital of three ancient empires: Eastern Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. The name of the city alone conjures up romantic images from the past. If I think of Istanbul, I think of sultans and harems, belly dancers and minarets and the Orient…
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