Istanbul Holiday Guide
Istanbul - Constantinople - Byzantium. City on the Bosphorus, between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, City on two continents. Officially 9 million, unofficially 14 million inhabitants. Boundary between Asia and Europe, between Orient and Occident. Mosques and bazaars, western lifestyle and Anatolian tradition. The reason for our 4-day stay in Istanbul, however, was the operation of Vivien (see link below). Since it looks again without glasses and contact lenses, like an eagle!
Already on the journey from the airport into the city, we were enchanted by the silhouette, with its myriad dome and minarets fascinated. Again and again we went on parts of the 21-km-long massive walls along.
The Bosporus, the strait between Asian and European continent by a 1 km long, free-floating bridge spans and offers next to the hellish traffic, beautiful views of the two banks of the Bosphorus. A boat trip or a long walk along the shore you should not miss.
Sultanahmet Camii, owes its Beinahmen the “Blue Mosque” of the decoration with blautonigen tiles and 6 with its minarets, instead of the usual 4, the most impressive buildings next to the Hagia Sophia. During the prayer hours, hundreds of Muslims come here to pray, an impressive experience.
In addition to the traditional parts of the city, offers Istanbul, around the Taksim Square, even a completely modern, western city centre pedestrian zone along with the usual international shops and restaurants. Only the historic tram recalls the old days. Away from these miles are still Local and traditional tea gardens with a wide range of local cuisine.
Another dominant structure is the Galata tower at the northern end of the same bridge. From up here you have a wonderful overview of the entire city. At night you can see a show and dinner Folklore-/Bauchtanz- visit, but at astronomical prices € 60, –/Pers. We renounced it.
With most “experienced” man Istanbul at a stroll through the great bazaar. His gigantic proportions of nearly 31 ha and nearly 4000 stores in a labyrinthartigen covered Gewölbebau make the visit a unique experience. Spices, gold, carpets, ceramics, copper, brass, leather goods, etc. everything is in abundance exists and will loudly by the merchants. It is traded and haggled, just typical oriental and for us always fascinating.
Topkapi Sarayi, the centuries-old Ottoman Sultan’s palace is situated in a beautiful park and one of the main attractions of Istanbul. The view from here on top of the Bosporus, the Golden Horn and the city are unique. We enthusiastic but especially the architecture and the equipment of different premises. A fairy tale palace as from Thousand and One Nights. Before louder photographing and amazed, we missed time in the harem to go, because already at 16.00 clock close to its gates. Schade, the tickets we had purchased thus free.
Despite the partly already widely west dominated lifestyle, there is still the old traditions. Verschleierte women and provides traditional craftsmen still everywhere in the roads. The company is pure men almost everywhere.
Our trip to Istanbul was not only in relation to the operation successful. The whole city with their different ways of life, the grandiose buildings and the lively street life has us very much. Istanbul is in any case worth a visit.
