Recently in Istanbul Category

Shopping in Istanbul is enough to enchant anyone - even someone like me who hates window shopping. The winding roads of the bazaars leading one into another, vibrant colors, sounds and rich smells transport you straight to the middle pages of Scheherazade's tales.

The prices need to be bargained over and it's all a mater of skill how much (or how little) you pay. An old saying assures you that you can find anything in a Turkish bazaar. Be sure to test that theory and be pleasantly surprised.

From antiques to a throbbing garment industry (with quite a few fakes of good quality), silks, a wonder stone called Meerschaum, handmade carpets, leather apparel and even wood inlaid work, every piece you find in Istanbul is art.

Another thing that is exciting to me is the thought of finding and pouring over old books, maps and prints, smelling their old smell, feeling their yellowing pages, looking for lost secrets - Istanbul markets have a great selection.

You should definitely stop by the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian market and the flea market in Beyazit Square and on a day that you feel like a lark, just a watcher, wander by a 'pazar' and enjoy the sights of a temporary market selling fresh fruits and vegetables. (and finding in the midst of them a fake Armani!)

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Unlike other Islamic cities, Istanbul offers you a pulsating nightlife. Despite the restrictions on drinking, the city is full of bars and hot spots offering you not only the local drink - Raki, but also beer, wine and sophisticated cocktails.

For some authentic Turkish entertainment you could head to Sultanahmet.
Take time while in Istanbul to visit Hayal Kahvesi, a restaurant cum bar cum disco where you can relax to the sounds of live jazz and rock.
Another place that is interesting is the Orient Hotel near the Grand Bazaar where along with delicious dinners you will get to watch folklore shows.

Foodwise, Itanbul is a gastronome's delight. Mostly big on seafood, you have a lot to choose from - pickled tuna fish, sun dried mackerel being the best starters and moving on to Red Mullet or Silverside with rocket as your fish salad.
Even with a small budget it is easy to find good food in the many districts of Istanbul.

The shore of the Bosphorous spoils you for choice with restaurants serving mouth-watering seafood lined up. A variety of kebab, meze and drinks are available.

If you would rather grab some fast food somewhere or some good old home food, then Beyoglu is the place for you. On the streets of Istiklal you will find cafes, bistros, pastry shops and eating joints that dish out regular European fare.

For food aimed at tourists, that is, less Turkish and more international fare - you could also venture in to Sultanahmet, but it is likely to be very expensive. However you could find a reasonable local place and if you do be sure to taste the Sulu Yemek and the Pilav which is rice.

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Istanbul has a fine abundance of monuments and archeological sites for history buffs to feast on. Besides these however the place is abounding with activities all through the year. Jazz Festivals, Yacht Exhibitions, an International Film Festival, exhibitions on the Hamam tradition of the Ottomon empire - which covers their baths and hairdressing, there is always something happening in Istanbul.

You can visit the Ataturk and Akatlar cutural centers for your fill of ballet and opera.
There are museums galore - toy museums, Military museum, Ayasofya which is now a museum. But you must visit the great Basilica cistern - the most visited cistern in the world. Even with cafes and lights and garish music, the cistern is still an overwhelming sight. With columns adorned with the heads of Medusa and stones brought in from other historical structures, do not miss the Basilica Cistern.

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There's a lot to do in Istanbul but more you should not miss outside of the city too. If I was to recommend just three day trips i'd make them Cappadocia, Ephesus and Bursa and throw in Troy just for the romance of it.
Ephesus has an appealing vintage charm and is one of the best preserved cities on the Mediterranean from the classical days of the Romans. Visit its ruins and the last house that the Virgin Mary apparently resided in.
Cappadocia is my personal favorite - with 36 discovered underground cities, fairy chimneys, hot air ballon rides over a terrain filled with natural wonders and beauty, the Byzantine churches of Gerome carved out of cliff with colorful frescoes, you might even feel like staying on longer than a mere day.
Bursa is called the 'green city' of Turkey with its diverse natural beauty and vivacious gardens and parks. Once the capital of the Ottomon empire, there is much to see from the Green Mosque to the Yesil tomb, visit the silk markets while you're there too. The 15th century Muradiye mosque might also interest you as will the mausoleums of Osman and Orhan. If you haven't yet explored the Turkish baths in Istanbul be sure to get one in Bursa.
Visit Troy if you're a mythology freak and would actually like to believe that the Iliad happened and that Helen, Achilles and Hector actually lived. Why not?There are other places you might travel to as the wind moves you. Do that.

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Travelling in Istanbul can be a big headache till you get used to it. The traffic jams over the bridge are infamous, the only thing going for them (if you're the silver lining kind of person), is that atleast you can indulge in some serious, uniterrupted Bosphorous gazing while stuck in one place.
By 2008, work is expected to be complete on a tunnel crossing the Bosphorous that will be partly underwater!
But to more information on travelling that can be useful to you now -
There are dirt cheap trams that provide swift transport to most tourist spots. Besides these you can get an Akbil (smart ticket) that will get you discounts on most public transport within the city.

From taksi's to Dolmus'(collective buses), private and public buses, a metro, tram, ship, motorboat, a ferry car or sea bus to take you to neighboring cities, there are loads of choices for travel in Istanbul and possibly the best way to go is with public trasport, sparing yourself the trouble of cussing while on holiday. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

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Once upon a time in a city called Constantinople or was that Byzantine or Istanbul...?
That's right, Istanbul's sights are as diverse as its many names. From the Galata Tower - the first sight to hit you in the city to remnants of the Ottomon empire to churches that metamorphosed into mosques, palaces and bazaars, there is much to see in Istanbul.

The Blue Mosque, which is not really blue on the outside gets its name from the blue tiles inside. With 260 windows and 6 minarets it is an awesome experience, dazzling sights that pull your gaze skyward and once within shining light that streams in from the very same sky. With stained glass windows and the blue tiles unfolding, it's a rather mystical experience.
The history of the Ayasofya is as chequered as that of any human. The Ayasofya has been a church, a mosque and is now playing museum. With its changing history came the changes in architecture, and the structure boasts gold mosaics, minarets, beautiful portraits of kings bowing to Jesus and if the interiors weren't enough, there are manicured gardens, a fountain and tombs gracing the grounds.
The Dolmabahce Palace situated on the banks of the Bosphorous is a lavish symbol of the Ottomon empire. With over 200 rooms and 43 salons, it is a testament to some of the finest craftsmanship with porcelain sculptures, marble walls, crystal handrails and antique carpets.
The Galata Tower too has been many things - a communication tower, a prison, a sight for a spot of rope climbing! But its most interesting story is when Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi managed to fly from the tower to the Asian shore with wings attached to his arms!
The Topkapi Palace as opposed to the Dolmabahce palace is rather simple. With gardens, the oldest church of the roman empire and a beautiful baroque fountain as soon as you enter, it will offer you a wide variety of sights.
Other than this you might want to visit the Hippodrome, the Maiden's Tower and the Golden Horn. Turkey itself is dotted all over with sights worth travelling for from the Ephesus archeological remains to the Temple of Apollo and Lycian tombs.
Wander free here and you'll always find something worth looking at or end up somewhere worth being.

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The best time to visit Istanbul is in spring (April to June) or autumn (Sepetmeber & October). Winter in any other part of Turkey but Istanbul is not advisable getting seriously snowed in or rained out.
The two most important events in the Turkish calendar that you need to keep in mind while planning your trip are the Kurban Bayrami and Ramazan. Turkey has a 5 day public holiday for the former and this could seriously affect your plans.
Seasons which see the Formula 1 Grand Prix or the International Film Festival are quite full and may make  it difficult for you to find accommodation. Plan ahead!

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If Villas are more your style, then take a look at these two villas located in Bebek. Both the properties are three storey villas with views to the sea. A well looked after garden and sprawling space are their main attractions. Though the villas need renovation, they could be revamped well if purchased by someone with an eye to using the land surrounding it artistically.

A home that you should not miss if you can get it is a two storey house placed with a marvelous view of the Bosphorous, positioned right in the middle of it with a chance to wonder for ages over the single bridge connecting two diverse cultures. With full access to the main road and close to a leisure club, you could while away many a day just hiding away near the Bosphorous.

For condos, you could keep a check on The Senator and Club Pera Palas for their listings on available condos. If you choose you could be instantly notified of new condo listings.

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Get yourslef flats for upto 6 months in the Beyoglu area, which is the pulse of Istanbul's day and night life. Whether you stay in Istiklal Street resounding with funky cafes, bluesy bars, restaurants and cinemas or at Taksim Square which houses the quaint open air museum or other neighbouring areas which are the spots for internatinal Jazz Festivals, film festivals, Music Days and a Blues Festival.

A one bedroom flat that I particularly like is 10 minutes walking distance from Taksim Square, which is the heart of arts and culture activities in Istanbul. The flat boasts of a winter garden, stone walls covered with plaster reminiscent of the Ottomon empire and all the basic amenities like phone, vacuum cleaner, lamps, stove, central heating, etc.

A rather grand two bedroom flat in a historical building furnished in the neo-classical and art nouveau styles is situated just 5 minutes away from Istiklal street and is fully furnished with antiques and candelabrums's, carpets and rugs setting an old world charm that reflects the city. Other than all the things you can think of from linen to washing machines to music sets to plates, this flat also has wireless internet connection!

Many, many more one and two bedroom flats in this area are available for you to enjoy a stay in the very center of Istanbul.

A two bedroom flat With pale bluey-green walls and white trims giving an ornate look, overlooking the paved tiled street of Istiklal has a balcony with a view to the Bosphorous can be your home for a short stay. With wooden floors and comfy couches in the living room, a stocked kitchen and airconditioning, this flat is one of the many available including one with four star tourist rating.

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Living in Istanbul is a life of indolence and energy, efficiency and warmth - it is like sharing your room with a person who has two distinctly different but enagaging personas. Europe and Asia meet in all their glory in this city separated by the dazzling Bosphorous.

Simeon Mitropolitski, a Canadian analyst quotes an old saying that assures you that in a bazaar in Istanbul you can find anything at all - even milk from a chicken - and in this case, residential real estate to suit anyone's pocket. He gives us a rundown of the real estate scene in Istanbul with per square meter and per month rates ranging from $150 per month to $25,000 per month!

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I wish I could say with a grand air, "Turkey has always fascinated me" , or that the idea of a place which has been the vortex of the Ottomon Empire, seen Roman rulers come and go, inspired Yeats to write almost an ode to it was what drew me to this land of monumental history and eternal beauty. But truly it was a moment of one-upmanship with a boyfriend. I needed to know more about this exotic place he had mentioned and I drowned myself in information.

However I came to it, I can only be grateful that I did.
No words i use could paint for you the power and granduer, the blue mosques, the bustling crowds, the dark cisterns under your feet, no words could draw you in better than Yeats' poem 'Sailing to Byzantium'.

Whether he talks of  'the golden smithies of the Emperor, Marbles of the dancing floor' or its people 'caught in that sensual music all neglect
Monuments of unageing intellect', he does a much better job than I ever could.

Take a look at the poem.

For my part, I will say this - any place that can literally bridge the gap between two continents is worth an encounter with.

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