Turkey - Istanbul
Istanbul-a gorgeous city with an interesting history and lots to see and do.
If you've read my other posts, you will know that cruises are one of my favourite things to do in a city with a river. The evening cruise on the Bosphorus doesn't disappoint. The river runs from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. On one side is Asia and on the other is Europe.
The colourful Bazaar is an amazing collection of anything you would want to buy. The sellers entreat you to buy, but they are also very nice. When one of our group felt faint, a shopkeeper had her sit down and he brought her some tea. Everywhere we went, Turkish hospitality shined.
Topkapi Palace is considered the best example of an Ottoman palace. From 1465-1856 the Ottoman Sultans lived here. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can just imagine lounging on what we now call "ottomans." There is a wonderful view of Istanbul from its patios and courtyards, and many exhibits to examine. See photo below of view of the hill top Topkapi palace from the Bosphorus.
The Blue Mosque and the Haga Sophia are just a short walk from each other and are the highlight of any visit to Istanbul.
The Haga Sophia: For 900 years it was the center of Orthodox Christianity. In 1453 when the city was conquered by Ottomans, it became a jewel for the Muslim world and was the grand mosque of the sultans for 500 years. In 1935, Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum of the Turkish Republic. The Ottomans didn't destroy the images of Jesus and Mary, they just covered them up. Today they have been uncovered and are side by side with Muslim calligraphy. It couldn't be a more interesting or beautiful museum!
The Blue Mosque was built in the early 1600s and is still an active mosque. It is also a tourist attraction for all because of its beauty. It is apply named Blue because of the tiles used to decorate it.
Topkapi Palace from Bosphorus Topaki Palace Blue Mosque Famous Bazaar
