We've made it! It's time for the last city on my travel recap tour: Istanbul. I'll admit -- we simply didn't take as many photos in Turkey compared to the other countries. Part of that is because we forgot to charge the camera and had to be stingy with our battery at 12 percent. The other part is that we were simply too tired to do real photography work.
Istanbul is a major city. I'm not entirely sure how people view it, but I'd assume that they probably think it's super religious, conservative and old school. Granted, religion does play a big role in Turkey, but Istanbul is a very modern place (that's actually partly in Europe and partly in Asia). I think it's the only city on two continents.
Since the city is full of walkable streets, we spent our days exploring the town on foot. I had meals and cocktails in the city center, which boasted a hipster vibe. We stayed in the new town next to the Galata Tower. This part of town was filled with creative shops, coffee houses and street cats.
Although we chose not to stay in old town, we did spend an entire day there when we visited the Hagia Sophia and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (aka: the blue mosque). The Hagia Sophia is very well known and is actually more of a museum than a mosque these days. It looks quite nice from the inside. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is still used as a mosque and is very pretty from the outside. In order to go inside, men must wear long pants and women must wear long pants, sleeved shirts and hair coverings (provided at no cost).
We actually ended our trip in Istanbul, but before we went there, we spent three nights on our friends' catamaran sailing between the Marmaris and Bodrum. These friends are originally from Turkey and Norway, but they both used to live in the Bay Area. Earlier this year they left California, bought a catamaran and started on a sailing adventure that will eventually take them from Turkey to the Caribbean. It was great that we got to meet up with them on their boat before they left the Mediterranean. Which of the four countries that I visited is on your list? Italy had the most to see; Croatia was the most unique; Greece was quite pretty and Turkey was quite cool.

Since the city is full of walkable streets, we spent our days exploring the town on foot. I had meals and cocktails in the city center, which boasted a hipster vibe. We stayed in the new town next to the Galata Tower. This part of town was filled with creative shops, coffee houses and street cats.
Although we chose not to stay in old town, we did spend an entire day there when we visited the Hagia Sophia and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (aka: the blue mosque). The Hagia Sophia is very well known and is actually more of a museum than a mosque these days. It looks quite nice from the inside. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is still used as a mosque and is very pretty from the outside. In order to go inside, men must wear long pants and women must wear long pants, sleeved shirts and hair coverings (provided at no cost).
"I think it's the only city on two continents."
Do you guys remember the story about the Asian man in the Italy post? Well, something similar happened to me in Istanbul as well. I definitely got a ton of stares while in Turkey. But while trying to take a photo with the Hagia Sophia as my backdrop, three little girls would not break eye contact with me. They eventually came up to me and asked if I spoke English. I said yes, and then they asked if they could take my photo. I declined, but told them thanks for asking. Like I mentioned before, I'm a unicorn. Being stared at annoys me, but at least these girls were sweet about it.
Note: I was too tired to edit these photos. All are shown in their raw form.
I would love to visit all these countries, they all have a different type of charm. Thanks for these recaps, I love them!
ReplyDeletexo
Pinksole
Istanbul is on my bucket list of places to visit because it's the setting for one of my fave books:) So cool to hear about the city and also good to know it's not as religious as I thought it would be. And these unedited photos are great!
ReplyDeletePS So jealous of your friends doing that sailing adventure. Someday...sigh....
Wow! What an adventure you guys had!
ReplyDeleteWow what an amazing trip! This is definitely a bucket list city and it looks so beautiful and educational. Your photos are amazing, I can't tell they are unedited!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Cathy
I still can't believe you get stared at! But at the same time, I can relate.... but happens more in the states.... I also didn't realize Istanbul in 2 continents. I need to brush up on my geographer more haha.
ReplyDeletewww.rdsobsessions.com
Istanbul looks like a great destination to conclude your trip! I always expected it to be religious and old world so it's good to know that it's actually quite modern.
ReplyDeleteIstanbul looks amazing!! I love that umbrella lined alley way!
ReplyDeleteThese photos are gorgeous, even in raw form. I didn't know much about Istanbul until this post, and now I'd love to visit this city one day :D
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rosegoldrhyme.com
I am so envious of your awesome trip. haha ... I love Istanbul. I have been there a few times and can't wait to go back again. Loved all the photos.
ReplyDelete❥ tanvii.com
Turkey has been on my list for some time. It really looks like has such a cool vibe. Ooh and how cool that your friends have a catamaran and are sailing all over the world!
ReplyDeleteUgh! This is my dream vacation! What an amazing place to visit - your pictures are incredible! I hope to get there one day!
ReplyDeleteI have heard how much of a gem Turkey is- Istanbul sounds lovely!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
This is next on my bucket list! I've been seeing those umbrella installation's on Pinterest for years!
ReplyDeleteGreta
Such an Amazing trip and you have such great photos. I'm not about travelling to Europe and its neighbors but you gave me plenty to see and read. Thanks Dear.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous trip! Your photos are so lovely dear, especially the colorful umbrellas!
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
That is so great that you got to meet up with your friends and go sailing! I'd love to be able to visit Istanbul someday. It's on my travel wishlist along with Greece! I've been to Italy twice and Croatia once and love them both.
ReplyDeletexo, Laura
It looks like you had an amazing time! I have always wanted to go there!
ReplyDeletexo Jessica
www.whatsfordinneresq.com
The photos are so beautiful!! I've never really thought about traveling to Istanbul, but now I think I need to!
ReplyDeleteThis gives me so much FOMO. Just added this to places I need to visit before I'm 40.
ReplyDeleteoxo,
Iesha aka Lesh
Wow - what an great opportunity. I don't really know anything about Turkey, but it looks beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteStunning architecture, amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such a unique city! And how cool your friends are sailing across the world. What an adventure.
ReplyDeleteChic on the Cheap
That sounds like an adventure!
ReplyDeleteActually, no edition needed on your pics! Maybe just a touch of brightness but we can all just easily bright up our screens haha. I love the umbrella "roof" path.. I've seen it a lot on Instagram posts.
ReplyDeleteWoow! it looks as a magic place!!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great time!
xx
La ilusión de Nina - http://lailusiondenina.blogspot.com/
Istanbul is a lovely lovely place. I didnt get to do a lot when I visited, so I really want to go back. What part of the city is the place with the umbrellas in the air?
ReplyDeleteIt was in the Galata area close to the Willy Wonka Chocolate restaurant on Kebapçıhanı Sokak street.
DeleteI would LOVE to go to Istanbul! Did you feel safe there? I would have yelled at those little girls, but I can also be horrible. LOL
ReplyDeleteOmg, yes -- totally felt safe. People stared at me all the time but apart from the occasional asking to take my picture, there was no safety concern.
DeleteBeautiful Pictures; I never knew Istanbul is nestled in two continents. Thanks for sharing. I stopped by to say hello. Enjoy your blogging break.
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