Good morning my dear travelers! How are you today? I sincerely hope that you are good and that you are ready for a new adventure. Since you all know how much I love traveling and that this is my second biggest love in life (after fashion of course!) today you will have the opportunity to meet the city I really love – Istanbul. I’m sure that you have watched sometimes in your life some Turkish soap opera so far and that you have seen some scenes where Istanbul is presented like some heaven where you need to go and feel it!
That was me few years ago when I was watching some Turkish movie and almost every scene was in some part of Istanbul and i said to my mother: “Mom, we must go there!”. After 3 months my mother and I was on the flight to Istanbul… That was my first visit to Istanbul, ten years ago… At the beginning of this post, I would like to thank the Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau for hospitality and this fantastic adventure.
Istanbul is maybe not the main capital of Turkey, but has taken over time the role of the largest tourist center where people from all over the world come to get know with the city of hedonist and delights. In addition to this, Istanbul also has another great name – The City of Tulips. There are many names and each of us will always have the opportunity to give Istanbul its name depending on what this fascinating city will associate you the best. Istanbul is the only city in Europe that is located on two continents, Europe and Asia. The European part is new and modern while the Asian is traditional and where you have the opportunity to feel that old spirit of the Ottoman Empire.
Istanbul is a city that never sleeps. The European version of New York, which attracts an increasing number of tourists each year with its bright rhythm of life. Do you want something nice to eat? Istanbul is a city of kings food and delights, you can not stay hungry here, and prices are more than affordable.
Want something nice and interesting to buy? Istanbul is a city that can offer you everything your heart desires, the price range is from 1 euro to incredible luxury sky rocket prices, for everyone’s pocket and for everyone’s taste. I will only tell you that they have over 20 outlet shopping centers where you can buy really good and interesting things, and you will not spend a large amount of money. All you need is a card for transportation and a lot of time because Istanbul is a multi-million city where crowds can be very exhausting and you must be prepared to wait.
Now, let’s move on to my favorite topic – Turkish candies and delights. Baklava and other deacons are the reason why I do not have small money coins to buy a magnet for a fridge, but I spend everything on these treats. Of course, the prices of these treats vary depending on whether you are buying them in “famous” places reserved exclusively for tourists or you may go to some neighboring parallel streets and you can buy for the same value of money some kilo of those delicious delights.
Believe me, who did not try halva at night and did not pray in the late night hours on the reception desk for the knife, where the staff watches you as you’re probably planning to cut off the veins in the room, that person definitely doesn’t know the basic definition of hedonism in Istanbul. Yes, that’s my mom and I in the early morning at the reception desk when we have some strange tired eyes, but in the bag there is a packet wrapped in white glossy paper covers the main reason why we are looking for that knife. I know, it does not fit into that nutrition plan and nutrition program where you can not eat anything after 6 pm, but they never wrote that it’s forbidden if you come across a precious chocolate halva with pistachios in Istanbul.
The exact working hours of restaurants and shops in Istanbul are indefinable. On one occasion I came to Istanbul at 2 am and everything was open and the people were on the streets as if it was 8 or 9 in the evening. The second time I came about 11pm hours and the streets were so empty… You never know what you can expect in Istanbul, but you need just one thing to have on mind when you are in Istanbul. Whatever happens in Istanbul, stays in Istanbul… It will just a small secret between you and Istanbul, don’t worry Istanbul is a good friend it will hide your secret.
The real “life” in Istanbul is taking place in the small streets which you can see everywhere in the city. There you will notice the couples love who have some “serious” problems and they are arguing in Turkish, but in the end they end of story they make up as if there was nothing. The music which you hear from clubs has a some interesting pop – RnB sound with Arabic melody.
Since I’m not going to make you envy anymore with those photos of food, it’s not fair I know, but if for your consolation during this last visit to Istanbul I didn’t feel these deacons, but I just enjoyed taking photos of them. Okay, that’s it for today! Finally, I wanted to give you a warm recommendation where you can stay in Istabul if you want to spend more time in the central area of Beyoglu – Taksim Square.
Konak Hotel is located not far from the Beyoglu center area, more precisely from the famous Taksim Square. It is the square from where famous red trams go through Istiklal street, the main street. In addition, Konak Hotel is close to Nisantasi area where it is a true paradise for shoppers with a “deeper” pocket. I sincerely love to go there just to enjoy in the beauty of shops windows and to enjoy the decoration of the showcase while I share the bagel with a cat and I’m pretty happy to say, the cat is also very happy and little fat, but at the end we have each other to share that moment.
Why I love Istanbul? I love Istanbul because it is a city of diversity and because it is a city of contrast. There are differences in which you can enjoy, maybe we have different religions, but we have a lot of similarities. We have problems and similar reactions to some life situations. I love to see reactions of mothers with the children on the street who can not get right with the endless play of their children. Those interesting cute argues on Turkish language you will smile and enjoy, maybe you will learn some new words! 🙂
My dear travelers once again we have come to the end of this post, time just flies so fast when you are having a good time! Don’t worry in a couple of days I will publish a new post where we will continue together to enjoy the charms of traveling and we will continue our adventure in Salzburg. I will try to leave you now for a moment just because you maybe would like more to enjoy in the beautiful view on the last photo of the post!
How do you like this story about Istanbul? I would like to hear your opinion! If you have a question, comment, suggestion or message for me, you can write me down in the comments. Of course, as always you can contact me via mail or social media, which you can find on the CONTACT page.
As I promised we’ll see again in a couple of days, so if something new and interesting happens to me, I promise, I will write to you!
Best,
Mr.M
The post is sponsored by the Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau and Konak Hotel. For these beautiful photos I used the Sony Alpha 7r and Sony RX100 Mark V camera.