Turkey - Istanbul

October 2012

Turkey

22 days in Turkey included: Istanbul, flight to Izmir, road trip to Ephesus and through west coast & west-central villages, & then flight on to Cappadocia before returning to Istanbul.
 

 




Istanbul

Views from the charming Terrace Hotel where I stayed included the Sultanhamet neighborhood, Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. The top floor room, # 8,  was small, with a low ceiling, but just perfect for me.  Just outside the door was the indoor terrace with additional views of the Bosphorus River and Asia. The top most, outdoor terrace provided a wonderful 360 view!
 




Terrace Hotel
Kutlugun Sokak No : 39 
Cankurtaran - Sultanahmet 34400
Tel : 90 212 638 97 33 Fax : 90 212 638 97 34
Mr. Dogan support@terracehotelistanbul.com 
www.terracehotelistanbul.com/terrace.html

Watching the day begin and end in tranquil Sultanhamet was a treat.  

My trip overlapped one day with Mike & Deanna's extended visit to Turkey. The food in Turkey is delicious - never ate so many delicious tomatoes, peppers, and aubergines.

Blue Mosque
Built during the rule of Ahmed 1, bewteen 1609 & 1616

Hagia Sofia
from the Greek - Holy Wisdom
Buit in 537; until 1453 was an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, in the 1200's it was converted into a Catholic cathedral, and in 143 was converted into a mosque. It became a museum in 1931.

Grand Bazaar
Covers 61 streets and houses over 3,000 shops

Kariye Mosque

Famous for Byzantine art

Basilica Cistern
The cistern was built over the ruins of the Stoa Basilica, circa 400 BC.

Edirnekapi Neighborhood
Range of lifestyles in Istanbul 

Topkapi Palace
Residence of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 years, 1465-1856

Spice Market

Hamsi - Fried Anchovies from the Black Sea. The Best!