Road Trips Caravan Camping Australia & World on a Budget

Istanbul

Istanbul is surrounded by water. It spans two continents, is a cultural mecca, full of friendly people, awe-inspiring architecture and cats.

Topkapi Palace Views in Istanbul

By Jan Robinson 35 Comments

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The best way to absorb the Ottoman opulence of old Istanbul is to take in some Topkapi Palace Views. Located in the historic district close to Hagia Sophia, the Palace (a museum since 1924) is a reminder of those grand times. It is interesting to note that although Istanbul or Constantinople as it was then …

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Galata is the best place for a first time stay in Istanbul

By Jan Robinson 34 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.

  Where is Galata?   Galata is the southernmost Neighborhood of Istanbul’s Beyoglu District. Some first time visitors choose to stay amongst the big name sights of Sultanahmet, but for our first week in Istanbul we chose the Galata Neighbourhood. Downtrodden and derelict in the 60’s it’s cobblestoned streets now hold an interesting collection of …

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Ten Reasons Plus One to Visit Istanbul

By Jan Robinson 30 Comments

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1.  The People.   It is no accident that the People of Istanbul are No. 1 on my list.  Turkish people are honest, ever helpful and surprising in their quirkiness. Vendor at the Talarbasi Sunday Market, Istanbul. 2.  The Mosques. The imposing Blue Mosque has deserved top billing amongst the more than 3000 Mosques in …

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Rustem Pasha or a Mosque hidden in a Market Place

By Jan Robinson 24 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.

Rustem Pasha, Istanbul’s hidden mosque, is a delightful find and if I were to live in Istanbul I know it would draw me back time and again. [pinit] Following an effortlessly balanced tray of simit, we squeezed down Hasircilar Caddesi, a street that comes to life on the edge of the colourful Istanbul Spice Market, …

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Cengelkoy in a hook of the Bosphorus in Istanbul

By Jan Robinson 25 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.

Istanbul holds a gold mine of memories for me.  Discovering the Rustem Pasa Mosque hidden near the Spice Market in a street selling everything wooden, sitting with some Turkish kids on the thirty foot high Theodosian Walls or just living in our Galata Apartment come immediately to mind. Remembering our day at Cengelkoy (Hook Village) on the …

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The sights of Istanbul from the Kadikoy Ferry

By Jan Robinson 30 Comments

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Stand with me for five minutes on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge amidst the fishermen with their long rods and look toward the Asian Shore.  It takes a while before a visitor here comes to terms with all the water. Flowing beneath us are the waters of the Golden Horn; in front and left the Bosphorus Straits …

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The Strangest Food I’ve Eaten While Traveling or a Cup of Pink Pickled Cabbage

By Jan Robinson 22 Comments

This post may contain compensated links. We may earn a small percentage if you book through a compensated link, but it won’t cost you any more by doing so. You can read our full disclaimer here.

I am so glad BootsnAll posed the question: What is the Strangest Food You’ve Eaten While Traveling? for Day 10 of #Indie30 challenge. Answers I Considered. Poutines? – Only Canadians think they are not strange. Insects? – Nuh – 80% of the World’s cultures eat them. Liver and Pineapple Salad? – While these two ingredients …

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Fantastic Friday Balik Emek at Eminönü Plaza Istanbul

By Jan Robinson 11 Comments

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Where is Eminönü Plaza? The plaza is located on the Eminönü side of Galata Bridge in Istanbul. It’s all about the spectacle. On board the boats are huge BBQ plates and multiple cooks – cooks who don’t suffer from motion sickness.  Eminonu is a busy ferry port and waves from passing traffic cause the boats …

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