A memorable weekend in the fascinating Istanbul, Turkey

Istambul, capital city of Turkey

 

Wingless Ataturk airport to 12.
Finally Istanbul. It's much I want to visit this city, considered the gateway to the East and which is also my first contact with the East and the Islamic world.
Take a taxi and reach the accommodation you choose, just under the Galata Tower.
Already the roads are driving in the city I adore ...
We go now and visit the Galata Tower, we continue to go straight Tunel Istiklal Caddesi to Taksim Square. The long avenue immediately transmits the emotion of being in a vibrant city where you live in the best traditions radically different: young miniskirt and boots stroll alongside women in niqab.
From Taksim take the funicular to go down and Kabatas.
Walking along the Bosphorus admire the mosque and the palace Bezmi Alem Valid Dolmabahnce. Take a taxi and reach Ortakoi. This quiet corner of Istanbul is amazing. The small flies on the Bosphorus and behind the bridge connecting Europe and Asia is truly a postcard.
Taste the famous Kumpare, baked potato stuffed with everything a little (the Turkish version of the Moscow Kartoska!) And we'll bask in the sun admiring the Asian coast and ferries that cross the Bosporus. We return to the center by taxi and we do leave the Galata Bridge. And 'the sunset and the bridge is full of fishermen. You breathe and smell of sea fish and spices. Beside the bridge do a tour of the small fish market and take a drink in one of the bars under the bridge. I am thrilled with this first day, the city and especially impressed by the people. The Turks show indeed very interested in talking to the hand, to help and be heard. The language is not a problem, and although he knew little English can be understood perfectly.

I am awakened by the singing of Muezim dawn. In total silence is quite effective. Today the old town. After the bridge we have breakfast with turkish coffee (good replacement to our express) and cottages filled and begin our tour.
The new mosque and the bazaar of spices. Here, the smells and stalls are really indescribable, I love it even more.
We continue with the Basilica Cistern (magical atmosphere), the Blue Mosque (great) and Santa Sophia.
We also visit the Topkapi Palace, with all its gardens full of flowers and tulips is a true spectacle.
Lunch with the typical doner kebab now will struggle to eat elsewhere! We continue through the streets of Sultanhamet and reach one of the many entrances to the Grand Bazaar. Come here, get lost in the streets, enjoy every corner, looking slyly exposed the commodity is worth just a trip to Istanbul. Needless to say I can not get out .. but refer to purchases and preoseguiamo Beyazit square, the university and the Mosque of Suleiman. it is evening and we are destroyed.

Today the weather is not the best, so do not waste the chance to dive back to the Grand Bazaar. Recrossing the Spice Bazaar, we walk the maze of alleyways of the old city breathing an atmosphere of its own. Back to the Bazaar we are dedicated to shopping and the art of negotiation.
Never pay more than half of what is originally requested! Again, these people are incredibly funny show, not only to sell their things. They love to start talking over a glass of tea and take it for long.
Today there's no hurry, we have exhausted the attractions and we take captive their times. We continue to walk and we do not miss the tasting of the famous cakes sesame street of roasted corn and delicious Kokorec! We eat fish in one of the restaurants on the Galata Bridge (too touristy, but at least the menus in English!). After dinner we go to say goodbye to this wonderful city one of the cafes around Galata. It's on a terrace with a breathtaking view of the cttà and the tower itself. Last hour prayer room in the music lowers and leaves room only silence the voices of muezim that run from a mosque on the other echoing horn of gold. It 's so and remember that this greeting Istanbul, but choosing to return to Turkey to spend their summer holidays.