Turkey is one of the historically fascinating countries in the world and a trip to spend just 10 days in Istanbul and Bursa might sound crazy, but it is definitely worth it. Turkey is a nation straddling eastern Europe and western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Ankara is Turkey’s modern capital. Rich in culture, history and architecture, Turkey is a dream destination for writers, vloger, Travel journalist, Flim makers and visitor as well.
This tour is one of my personal favorites and truly the travel experience of a lifetime. Arriving at 5 am and having 10 days I opted for the Metro airport service .I stayed in Hotel Akcinar 12, Serdar Sokak, Nöbethane Cd., 34120 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey , right near Nobatang Road fathiy , waking up early each morning in an attempt to capture as much of the experience as creatively as possible.
Turkish breakfast is a BIG deal and endless adorable outdoor cafes line the streets so just pick one and sit down.Within 15 minutes our table was absolutely covered with cheeses, breads, spreads, honey, jams, crepes, and a whole host of unknown delicious looking items. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
The Hagia Sophia. Full-day 40TL per person/Ticket
After breakfast we headed to the iconic Hagia Sophia and the massive 17th-century Blue Mosque (Masjid).The Hagia Sophia, one of the historical architectural wonders that still remains standing today, has an important place in the art world with its architecture, grandness, size and functionality.
The Hagia Sophia, the biggest church constructed by the East Roman Empire in Istanbul, has been constructed three times in the same location. When it was first built, it was named Megale Ekklesia (Big Church); however, after the fifth century, it was referred to as the Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom). The church was the place in which rulers were crowned, and it was also the biggest operational cathedral in the city throughout the Byzantine period.
The church was demolished on January 13, 532, after the public riot (Nika revolts) that took place during the fifth year of Emperor Justinianos’ reign (527-565),
The current structure was constructed by Isidoros (Milet) and Anthemios (Tralles), who were renowned architects of their time, by Emperor Justinianos’s (527-565) orders. Information from historian Prokopios states that the construction that began on February 23, 532, was completed in a short period of five years and the church was opened to worship with a ceremony on December 27, 537.
The white marbles used in the structure came from the Marmara Island, the green porphyry from Eğriboz Island, the pink marbles from Afyon and the yellow from North Africa. The decorative interior wall coatings were established by dividing single marble blocks into two and combining them in order to create symmetrical shapes.
Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s (1451-1481) conquer in 1453, Hagia Sophia was renovated into a mosque. The structure was fortified and was well protected after this period, and remained as a mosque. Additional supporting pillars were installed during the East Roman and Ottoman periods as a result of the damage that the structure experienced due to earthquakes in the region. The minarets designed and implemented by Mimar Sinan have also served to this purpose.
The Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s orders and has been functioning as one since February 1, 1935, welcoming both local and foreign visitors.
Blue Mosque (Masjid) or The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Masjid). Free for Visitor
It is a historic mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey. A popular tourist site, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque continues to function as a mosque today; men still kneel in prayer on the mosque’s lush red carpet after the call to prayer. The Blue Mosque, as it is popularly known, was constructed between 1609 and 1616 during the rule of Ahmed .Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the mosque’s interior walls, and at night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame the mosque’s five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes. It is next to the Hagia Sophia.
After hours of wandering around I finaly came back to my hotel Ackcinar . 1st day is over and I was very tired and fell to sleep with out any lunch .
Princes Islands. Full-day €50-80 per person
Next day after breakfast from my hotel I jumped on a 90-minute boat ride to one of the Princes Islands, the biggest of them all, for what proved to be one of my biggest surprises on any recent trip. No 10 days in Istanbul is complete without visiting these islands and the Stay Inspired 5-hour tour of the island the perfect way to fit it into my schedule.
The main feature of any of the Princes’ Islands is the sound of … silence. All motorized vehicles are banned, making the islands an oasis of peace and quiet. The only sounds you’ll hear are bicycle bells and the typical sounds of horse hoofs. Yep, that’s right. Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the main transportation means on the islands.The Princes’ Islands ) are a chain of nine rather small islands in the Sea of Marmara only four of them are open to the public.
If you plan to visit the islands, make sure you get on the very first & fast ferry to the islands on any given day.The ferry charges and timetables change according to the seasons, so make sure to check the exact departure dates of the ferries .At 9pm I came back to my hotel .
Amazing Spice Bazaar & Eminönü.
On 3rd day after breakfast at 9.Am I planed to visit famous Eminonu stop & Spice Bazaar.Eminönü is one of the oldest neighborhoods of Istanbul, located in the center of Old City area. Until April 2008, it used to be one of the 32 main districts of the city but with a new regulation in city planning now there are 39 districts and Eminonu is not one of them anymore, it’s just a neighborhood today within Fatih district. Being at the entrance of the Golden Horn, the old harbor next to the Sea of Marmara, Eminönü was always an important site since the Byzantine times until today, it was the hub of ancient Constantinople. There are several tourist sites in Eminönü such as Ottoman mosques, palaces, old bazaars, churches, and several museums.
Some of the important historical and touristic monuments within its boundaries are: Sultanahmet Square (ancient Hippodrome) with the Serpentine Column and Stone Obelisk and Egyptian Obelisk, Bayezit Square (Forum Theodosii of the Byzantines), Hagia Sophia, Hagia Irene Church, Little St. Sophia (ancient S. Sergius and Bacchus church), Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan today), Topkapi Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque, Blue Mosque, Beyazit Mosque, Shehzade Mosque, Yeni Mosque, Nuruosmaniye Mosque, Laleli Mosque, Rüstem Pasha Mosque, Spice Bazaar, Grand Bazaar, Gulhane Park, Istanbul University.
Spice Bazaar
No visit to Istanbul is complete without stopping by the atmospheric Spice Bazaar. It was built in 1664.The Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey is one of the largest bazaars in the city. Located in the Eminönü quarter of the Fatih district, it is the most famous covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar.
The Egyptian Bazaar or Spice Bazaar, has stalls full of fruits, teas and spices. We explored the rows and rows of shops sampling everything from Baklava, apple tea, cheeses, smelling all the spices , there are: rosebud, jasmine, and fruit teas; Turkish delight in every color and flavor; herbal remedies; dried fruits such as apricots, figs, dates and even strawberries and kiwis; honey and nut soaked baklava; olive oil soaps; Turkish coffee; and much more besides.We bought lots of Turkish delights ,4 Turkish Peshmena Chadar,lamps,Plates and safron all of them are costly but unique of its kind.
The Grand Bazaar. Free Entry
On 4thday at 11:00 Am I went to world famous Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Some one told me that It was listed No.1 among the world’s most-visited tourist attractions with 91,250,000 annual visitors. The Grand Bazaar dates from the 15th century.The most important historical shopping center of Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar, which has gates opening to many areas of the Historic Peninsula. First time visitors to the Grand Bazaar will be astounded by its splendor and size.
No wonder it is one of the most popular shopping areas in the world. The world famous handmade carpets and kilims of Turkey, some of the most beautiful examples of Turkish silver art, souvenirs and decorations made of copper and bronze and high quality ceramics, onyx, and leathergoods are for sale. A walk through the Bazaar is a journey amidst enchanting scents of spices, dazzling colours, hypnotizing sounds, beautiful handicrafts, and of course the tempting smell of Turkish coffee. I bought 4 Turkish Peshmena Chadar,lamps,Plates from there.After shoping we again went to Eminönü stop which was not faraway from my hotel and enjoyed the view of Galata Bridge.
Galata Bridge & Tower.
On 5th day I tried to explore amazing place named Galata bridge & its tower. The Galata Bridge is a bridge that spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. From the end of the 19th century .Apart from its place in fiction, the romantic appearance of the Galata Bridge made it a subject of many paintings and engravings. Today, the modern Galata Bridge has several restaurants and coffee houses underneath where local people enjoy their meal watching the rush of the ferry boats and fishermen. I ate fish bagger from the side boat with pickle but it was not that tasty , the price of that bagger was 10TL +3TL for pickle juice.
Then I went to wolrd famous Galata Tower it is one of the highest and oldest towers of Istanbul. It is 206 feet high tower provides a panoramic view of the old town.It was built in the 14th century .Tower was used for the surveillance of the Harbor in the Golden Horn. Galata Tower was opened to the public in1967.Galata Tower Entrance fee is 25 Turkish Lira & Children under the age of 7 is free of charge.
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