It’s almost Thanksgiving, that peaceful time of year when family and friends get together, reflecting on what they are most thankful for. And of course, the main event of this harmonious day, is feasting on a tantalizing turkey dinner!
We thought it would fun to explore another option for turkey however, one that you don’t eat! That’s right, we’re talking about taking a trip to Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey.
Few thrills match the experience of standing on the deck of a Turkish ferry as it sails into the Bosporus (Bosphorus) Strait at sunrise, as the first rays of light strike the domes and spires of Istanbul’s heart-stopping skyline. It’s a magical sight, made even more dramatic by the haunting sound of the muezzin’s call to prayer echoing through streets dotted with colorful cafés, markets and mosques.
The only city in the world sited on two continents, Istanbul blends the cultures of Europe and Asia into a setting as rich and varied as the pattern of any kilim. Water also defines its character: the city stretches along the Bosporus, the channel that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and then narrows into the Golden Horn, a fresh-water inlet intersecting the European side of Istanbul.
Several bridges span the Golden Horn, most notably the Galata Bridge. Here a steady parade of cars, donkey-carts, and pedestrians stream between the old city of Stambul to the south and modern Beyoglu to the north.
Immerse yourself in Istanbul’s past by exploring its opulent palaces, mosques, and museums, structures evoking the splendors of the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman empires that flourished and fell over 3,000-years.
The old city is home to dazzling architectural gems from those fabled times, including Topkapi and Dolmabahce Palaces, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Süleymaniye Mosque, which houses a priceless array of treasures.
Istanbul is considered one of the world’s greatest shopping centers. Don’t miss the Grand Bazaar, the planet’s largest covered market, a labyrinth of streets containing more than 4,000 shops that sell everything from leather goods to carpets, from jewelry to meerschaum pipes.
Here bargaining is a fine art that proceeds over tulip-shaped glasses of hot tea. Watch craftsmen at work at the Bazaar of Istanbul Arts. Then visit the Spice Bazaar, a delightful throwback to Ottoman times; here you’ll discover such exotic treats as bee pollen, saffron, and lokum (Turkish delight).
You’ll find the cuisine in Istanbul second to none. Meals usually begin with meze, cold appetizers of an infinite variety, and proceed to a meat or fish course, which you choose either right in the kitchen or from offerings brought to table.
Some of the best fish are found in charming little restaurants along the Bosporus, but the streets around the Kumkapi fish market are also packed with dining spots-as well as a rollicking music-filled scene. After the excitement, revive your senses at an incomparable Turkish bath: the soothing massage, warm suds, and body scrub will soothe you.
A trip to Istanbul will leave you with fond memories. The variety of things to see and do makes Istanbul a destination that truly does have something for everyone.
And though reservations must be purchased locally, you can get a jump on your rail travel around Turkey by getting a Balkan Flexipass. Having a flexipass will allow you to travel throughout Turkey as well as Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia. A pass is a great side-dish for your Turkey travels!
Tags: Balkan Flexipass, galata bridge, golden horn, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Thanksgiving, Turkey, Turkish Ferry
My sister travelled to Turkey thirty years’ ago and loved it. Friendly people. My sister loves to shop and this was the best shopping experience during the entire cruise. Other places were great, too but Turkey was fab.