Turkey

 

Turkey is a country that is very close to my heart. Istanbul is one of the most iconic cities in the world and is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Whether it is the experience of visiting the historic palaces or the magnificent mosques, Istanbul never fails to charm. Taking a cruise down the Bosphorus is an experience that I won’t forget and with dinner and traditional Turkish dance and music, it educates you about the cuisine and culture of the country. Next up, is an amazing experience of visiting islands in the middle of a sea and it almost feels like a fantasy. The Princes’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara are approached by ship. The island that remains my favorite is the largest one, known as Buyukada. The tour of Buyukada remains one of my most memorable experiences.

For me, one of the most unforgettable experiences in Istanbul is visiting the Topkapi Palace where you can see some of the most important relics in Islamic history. The beautiful Blue Mosque is also a must visit and the nearby Hagia Sophia as well, which remains another of my favorites sites in Istanbul due to its architecture and history. I have been lucky enough to walk up to the top of the Hagia Sophia in order to have a better view of the interior of this ancient building and indeed it is spectacular. Next to the Hagia Sophia is the Bascilia Cistern, which is the underground water reservoir that was used in the early days. It is significantly cooler inside the cistern as compared to the outside. Another fascinating feature of the Basilica Cistern is the Medusa head pillars. The Suleymaniye Mosque is another important mosque in Istanbul which I love because of its beautiful architecture and design. The Galata Tower is another medieval masterpiece which is not to be missed. Another important place that I have been lucky enough to visit in Istanbul is the tomb of Hazrat Abu Ayyub al-Ansari and the Eyup Sultan Mosque.

The Dolmabahce Palace is a sight for the sore eyes with its amazing architecture on the outside and inside and remains one of my favorite sites in Istanbul. The Palace is an epitome of luxury with its massive rooms, halls, and walkways. The palace has been extensively decorated with gold and crystal. I have been lucky enough to witness the world’s largest Bohamian Crystal Chandelier in the Ceremonial Hall of the palace as well. Inside the palace are the portraits of many of the important Ottoman rulers and their family members. The Palace is famous for being the home to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and he spent the last days of his life at the Palace. Walking inside the Palace feels like witnessing the history and is an experience that can’t be put in words. Outside the Palace building are the lush green lawns with flowers and trees, a beautiful big lake, a clock tower and many gates.

Bursa is an another important city to visit if you are in Turkey. Turkey is famous for its majestic mosques and Bursa has a few of its own. The most important mosque in Bursa is known as the Green Mosque or the Yesil Mosque, it is an Ottoman Architecture Masterpiece and remains one of my favorite mosques in the country. Souvenir shopping is important to me no matter where I go so I have a collection of souvenirs from Bursa as well. Uludag is a mountain in Bursa and it is a popular tourist resort as well. The mountain can be approached via a car or cable car. The weather is cooler up on the mountain and the fresh breeze is enough to make you feel euphoric again. The breathtaking view from the mountain is the reason why Uludag remains another important experience for me.

In Turkey, from the high street shopping to souvenir shopping, you will find everything. Visiting the Taksim Square in Istanbul is a must and from the Taksim Square, you can visit the Istiklal street from where you can find almost any brand that you can imagine. For souvenir shopping, visit the historic Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar and you will find almost anything from the Turkish Delight to souvenirs. There’s a musical instruments shopping district in Istanbul as well from where you can find almost any brand of any musical instrument.

Turkish cuisine is one of a kind. Breakfast is incomplete without cheese and simit with Turkish Tea or Turkish Coffee. In the main course, my favorites are the doner kebab, adana kebabi and the akcaabat meatballs but there’s plenty of variety if you’re a vegetarian. My favorite Turkish desserts include Baklava and the Turkish Delight although there is a lot of variety in this department as well.