Sadly it was time to head home today, a VERY early start taking us to Istanbul's Ataturk Airport for the flights home to Washington.
It's been a superb tour - lots of incredible experiences shared with a great group of fun travelers.
Thank you all for making it such a success!
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Istanbul's Topkapi Palace & Farewell - Thursday 1st October
Today, our last day in Istanbul & indeed our last day in Europe, we began with a morning tour of the Topkapi Place, former home of the Ottoman sultans.
Our guide again was Selahattin who walked us through the huge complex, explaining some of the history of the palace & the sultans as well as the various buildings uses.
We had free time at various points, to be able to visit the palace treasuries that contained both material & religious treasures - from relics of the Prophet to huge jewels & honors aware by a variety of European nations.
This afternoon was left completely free - for folks to relax over a glass of Turkish tea, perhaps whilst haggling for carpets, to shop in the Grand or Arista Bazaars, or to visit one of the city's many museums.
This evening we regrouped for our final dinner, down by the waterfront in the Eminent district.
One can't leave Turkey without sampling the ubiquitous kebabs, & our restaurant, Hamdi, is renowned as one of Istanbul's best & most authentic for kebabs - a type of food, according to legend, that developed when the Turks were a nomadic people ranging across the Asian Steppe.
We tried a variety of kebab styles with different meats, including the famous 'Testi' kebab - a lamb 'stew' slow cooked for hours in a clay pot that is broken open at the table.
With delicious food - & far too much of it - good company & great views it was a perfect end to our tour.
For some intrepid travelers the night was still young (despite the looming 3am departure!) so a group diverted on the way back to our hotel to visit a local teahouse that hosts a Whirling Dervish each evening. Our timing was a little off & we had to wait almost an hour for the next performance, but in the meantime we were able to people-watch the locals, & a few tourists, smoking hookahs, see traditional flat bread being made, etc. When the dervish appeared it was indeed impressive to see his balance & poise, as he span for long periods of time before stopping, seemingly without getting dizzy. Another great experience before we headed back to the hotel for a few hours sleep.
Our guide again was Selahattin who walked us through the huge complex, explaining some of the history of the palace & the sultans as well as the various buildings uses.
We had free time at various points, to be able to visit the palace treasuries that contained both material & religious treasures - from relics of the Prophet to huge jewels & honors aware by a variety of European nations.
A little building we passed on the way to the palace...
Topkapi is entered through a serious of fortified gateways...
A scale model, illustrating the size of the complex & its location at the confluence of the Bosphorus & Golden Horn.
The palace's decor ranges from traditional Islamic & Turkish arts including tiles to ornate
18th & 19th century European.
Though unfurnished the rooms of the Harem still give a sense of the splendor & comfort of life in the inner court.
Overlooking the Bosphorus, with Asia behind & to the right!
This afternoon was left completely free - for folks to relax over a glass of Turkish tea, perhaps whilst haggling for carpets, to shop in the Grand or Arista Bazaars, or to visit one of the city's many museums.
This evening we regrouped for our final dinner, down by the waterfront in the Eminent district.
One can't leave Turkey without sampling the ubiquitous kebabs, & our restaurant, Hamdi, is renowned as one of Istanbul's best & most authentic for kebabs - a type of food, according to legend, that developed when the Turks were a nomadic people ranging across the Asian Steppe.
We tried a variety of kebab styles with different meats, including the famous 'Testi' kebab - a lamb 'stew' slow cooked for hours in a clay pot that is broken open at the table.
With delicious food - & far too much of it - good company & great views it was a perfect end to our tour.
For some intrepid travelers the night was still young (despite the looming 3am departure!) so a group diverted on the way back to our hotel to visit a local teahouse that hosts a Whirling Dervish each evening. Our timing was a little off & we had to wait almost an hour for the next performance, but in the meantime we were able to people-watch the locals, & a few tourists, smoking hookahs, see traditional flat bread being made, etc. When the dervish appeared it was indeed impressive to see his balance & poise, as he span for long periods of time before stopping, seemingly without getting dizzy. Another great experience before we headed back to the hotel for a few hours sleep.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Istanbul in Depth - Wednesday 30th September
Unfortunately today dawned as wet & windy as yesterday ended. But we put a brave face on it & headed out with local guide Selahattin for our morning' sightseeing.
Text to be added...
Taxi wheeling & dealing
A deserted Blue Mosque park
Hagia Sofia
Divan Yolu caddesi, the main street of Sultanahmet
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