On Monday, we posted that in a couple of weeks time we will be flying to Rome from Istanbul. Albeit a very fleeting visit, it does mean that we’re going to be able to squash in a bit of time in our favourite city before we fly. And we’ll be staying overnight, somewhere around the …
The first time we ever went to Istanbul we studied guidebooks carefully for all the must-sees; where they’re situated, what days they’re open, how much the entrance fee is. It was like a military operation because a trip to Istanbul was the fulfilment of an ambition for both of us. We wanted to make the …
We’ve been looking forward to doing this post for some time for a couple of reasons. The first reason is because of the visual effect – I’m a sucker for mixed, vivid colours. The second is because all these mixed, vivid colours spill from our friend’s shop in Kapalı Çarşısı (known as the Grand Bazaar …
In Istanbul, tucked away in the back streets of Beyoğlu is the old area known as Çukurcuma. There’s always an area of any city that becomes the place to see, to be seen and to know about. While we were living in the UK in Manchester, this area was the Northern Quarter. And, during the …
Tarihi Sultanahmet Köftecisi is one of the most historic eateries near to some of the most historic tourist attractions of Istanbul. Most tourists visiting Istanbul for the first time are likely to be staying in Sultanahmet – the area boasting Sultanahmet Camii (the Blue Mosque), Aya Sofya, Topkapı Palace and the Basilica Cistern (aka Yerebatan …
It’s little wonder that every time we walked past Palatium restaurant in Sultanahmet, it was a packed. Howling wind, driving rain – and a huge floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall window radiating a warm, inviting glow to the outside world. We were two of its very regular customers whilst we were in Istanbul in October, as it was …
While we certainly haven’t seen all of the prominent mosques in Turkey, Süleymaniye Camii in Istanbul is a definite favourite so far. We visited here on our first trip to Istanbul some years ago. And we’ve been trying to return since. In February 2010, we had trouped up the hill from Sultanahmet (via the lovely …
For us, the most exciting part of being in Istanbul is the food; mainly the street food. Last year, we couldn’t keep away from the deep-fried hamsi at Karaköy fish market, returning on numerous occasions over the few days we were there. When we were back in Fethiye, we drooled at the very thought of …
After reaching the Edirnekapı bus stop and having our fill of some of the tastiest köfte we’ve ever had, we felt warmed inside and confident that we couldn’t be too far away from the the special building we were searching for: The present day Kariye Mosque or Kariye Camii. About Kariye Mosque Formerly the Byzantine …
The Turks are very proud of their coffee and describe Turkish coffee as their gift to the world. Ask anyone in Turkey what the most famous brand of Turkish coffee is and, without hesitation, the reply will be Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi. These days, under the ownership of Mehmet Efendi’s grandchildren, Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi is an …