It's been a long long time since I posted anything here.
Let me write something about my recent trip to Istanbul, Turkey (for CASA 2013).
I still have mixed feelings about the place - between sad and happy. Happy for all the development I saw there. Sad for this place once used to be the seat of the khilaafa.
Ok let's get to it:
Visit
Most likely, you would stay in Sultanahmet area, the old city. The top places to visit are:
1) Hagia Sophia,
2) Topkapi, and
3) Sultan Ahmed (blue) mosque.
Fortunately the mosque is free to visit :) , for the other stuff, I would definitely recommend the Museum Card. It costs 72 TL, and includes all of Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, the Archaeological Museum and much more. Plus, exclusive lines for the card holders. The card is valid for 4 days.
Other places to visit: The Eyup mosque (take a ferry, but they don't operate everyday), Balat area for a walking tour (although didn't like it that much), Grand Bazar and the spice market, Suleymaniye Mosque (great inside work) and the little Hagia. A walk on the istiklal street and the taksim square area is a must.
The bosphorus: This is a special place for many reasons. Most people would want to take a boat ride across it. Many websites and users recommend the IDO boat right (the full tour), and this is what I took as well. But I think it was horrible. First of all, it is very crowded and the boats don't have open roof or other good viewing and sitting areas. I would rather go on a private open-roof boat tour that are offered there.
Dolmabahce Palace: This is unmissable This was the new home to the sultan's; 40 TL for a single entry. But is free on Sunday!!
Observe:
The Dervish Sema ceremony. This is where they all go round and round and round (crazy sufi's). I did not visit any place for this due to some reasons. But they are now found at many places:
EMAV
The Dervish Museum also has a good Sema area.
Eat Eat ...
Some great stuff here as well. Myself and my wife are big fans of Iskendar Kebap, so had plenty - at different places. Try this link: 10 best kebab restaurants.
And to top it off:
BTW if you are traveling in a family, you might want to check out flat/apartments instead of multiple rooms in a hotel.
I have some photo shared here:
FlickR Page
Picasa Web Album
Do checkout Frommer's Guide to Istanbul. Its in invaluable. Also this one.
Let me write something about my recent trip to Istanbul, Turkey (for CASA 2013).
[HDR: inside of Hagia Sophia]
I still have mixed feelings about the place - between sad and happy. Happy for all the development I saw there. Sad for this place once used to be the seat of the khilaafa.
Ok let's get to it:
Visit
Most likely, you would stay in Sultanahmet area, the old city. The top places to visit are:
1) Hagia Sophia,
2) Topkapi, and
3) Sultan Ahmed (blue) mosque.
Fortunately the mosque is free to visit :) , for the other stuff, I would definitely recommend the Museum Card. It costs 72 TL, and includes all of Topkapi, Hagia Sophia, the Archaeological Museum and much more. Plus, exclusive lines for the card holders. The card is valid for 4 days.
Other places to visit: The Eyup mosque (take a ferry, but they don't operate everyday), Balat area for a walking tour (although didn't like it that much), Grand Bazar and the spice market, Suleymaniye Mosque (great inside work) and the little Hagia. A walk on the istiklal street and the taksim square area is a must.
[entrance to the Topkapi]
The bosphorus: This is a special place for many reasons. Most people would want to take a boat ride across it. Many websites and users recommend the IDO boat right (the full tour), and this is what I took as well. But I think it was horrible. First of all, it is very crowded and the boats don't have open roof or other good viewing and sitting areas. I would rather go on a private open-roof boat tour that are offered there.
Dolmabahce Palace: This is unmissable This was the new home to the sultan's; 40 TL for a single entry. But is free on Sunday!!
Observe:
The Dervish Sema ceremony. This is where they all go round and round and round (crazy sufi's). I did not visit any place for this due to some reasons. But they are now found at many places:
EMAV
The Dervish Museum also has a good Sema area.
Eat Eat ...
Some great stuff here as well. Myself and my wife are big fans of Iskendar Kebap, so had plenty - at different places. Try this link: 10 best kebab restaurants.
And to top it off:
BTW if you are traveling in a family, you might want to check out flat/apartments instead of multiple rooms in a hotel.
I have some photo shared here:
FlickR Page
Picasa Web Album
Do checkout Frommer's Guide to Istanbul. Its in invaluable. Also this one.
Comments
Turkish cuisine is one of my top favorites.
I don't have any particular love for the Turkish cuisine except the Iskendar Kebab, which i love. BTW in Dubai there is a restaurant that serves Iskendar kebab thats better than many that i had in Istanbul :)
Perhaps you had to dig more for a good restaurant there :-P