Travel Monday – Istanbul
Line BreakAuthor: Kathryn Frengs (350 Articles)
Travelfusion's Social Media Officer, I manage all of our online marketing and presence on Twitter, Facebook, our blog and more. I love my job!
Today we’re traveling to the border of Europe and Asia to the gorgeous city that’s jam-packed with culture, Istanbul, Turkey. The only city to be situated on two continents, Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia and as a result has a fantastic mix of cultural influences and things to see and do.
On a first visit, you’ll be blown away by the architecture, the food, the cafés and especially the hustle and bustle of the city. One of the most breathtaking and famous monuments in Istanbul is the Hagia Sophia. Built as an Orthodox basilica in the year 360, the Hagia Sophia has served as a church, a mosque and now a museum, and is thought to be the architectural model for many other Ottoman mosques. The Hagia Sophia is also thought to be one of the world’s greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture. While the exterior is certainly majestic, the interior is also worth noting. The ornate mosaics and central dome have all been preserved along with a number of interesting artefacts from the thousands of years since this massive structure was built. You can spend a whole day studying these beautiful examples from the various periods of Turkish history.
Photo credit: David Spender
A much newer but similarly ornate example of a mosque in the area is the Blue Mosque, or Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Though still a fully functioning mosque, the Blue Mosque has also become a popular attraction for visitors to Istanbul. Located just next to the Hagia Sophia, it’s interesting to visit both and compare the two in terms of size, structure and especially interior. Dominated by blue colours, the mosaics and interior of the Blue Mosque are ornate and definitely unique. Though not as renowned as its neighbour, the Blue Mosque is an interesting place to visit and gives another view on the history of mosques and religious structures in the area.
Photo credit: David Spender
The Bosphorous or Istanbul Strait forms the boundary between Europe and Asia and acts as a sort of dividing line between two parts of the city. Connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, there are some picturesque and attractive waterfront homes on both sides of this waterway that tend to house some of the more well-to-do Istanbulites. Some of these homes date back to the Ottoman area and most are quite colourful.
Photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar
Of course no visit to Istanbul would be complete without a visit to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. One of the largest and oldest covered market in the world, the frenetic pace of the Grand Bazaar will ensure that even the most seasoned traveller finds his head spinning. With fifty-eight separate streets and a reported 1,200 shops, the bazaar offers something for everyone and includes corners for spices, jewellery, handicrafts, rugs and more. Get ready to haggle and bargain and you may walk away with that perfect souvenir from your travels to Istanbul.
Photo credit: shioshvili
Of course you don’t have to take my word for it. With fares this March from London to Istanbul starting at only £75 return on EasyJet, you can head to Istanbul to see for yourself the fantastic clash of cultures and history that makes the city so unique.
Tags: Asia, Europe, istanbul, Photos, Travel Monday, Turkey
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
-
http://www.markellison.me/ Mark
-
Travelfusion
-
http://fastforwardacademy.com/index-page-irs-enrolled-agent-exam-course.htm Ricca
-
Travelfusion
