ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Once known as Constantinople and Byzantium, Istanbul is the most populous city in Turkey. It straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Since my first visit to Istanbul, I have fallen in love with the culture, food, people and the shopping. A must-visit here is The Grand Bazaar; it has thousands of shops to browse, and you can find just about anything. I used to go there to shop for my store, Peluche Decor and would find something new and interesting each time I visited. The spice market is also a must visit to find any kind of spice, dried fruit and tea your heart desires.
At dinner make sure to try the Raki…but drink slowly because it does creep up on you. Take a sip of Raki and then a sip of water to slow the effect. I’m speaking from experience.
The other beautiful surprise was the sound of the call to prayer throughout the city. It is beautiful, and adds to the majestic views as you travel around town or are sitting out at a cafe.
Things To Do and See:
Bosphorus Strait Boat Cruise https://duckduckgo.com/?q=boat+tour+on+istanbul+strait&t=osx&ia=web
The Blue Mosque http://www.bluemosque.co
The Grand Bazaar https://thegrandbazaar.org
The Spice Market https://turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/GoldenHorn/EgyptianMarket.html
Basilica Cistern http://www.turkeysforlife.com/2016/01/basilica-cistern-istanbul-yerebatan.html
Beylerbeyi Palace and Bosphorus https://turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Bosphorus/Beylerbeyi.html
The Hippodrome https://turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/Sultanahmet/Hippodrome.html
Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel in Old Town https://www.fourseasons.com/istanbul/
