1
If you go to Russia, visit Moscow without fail, being in Moscow - go to Red Square. Being in New York - visit the Statue of Liberty. Being in London - Times Square. In Istanbul, the symbol of the city and perhaps even the country is St. Sophia Cathedral. So, the first place you should visit in Istanbul is Hagia Sophia. It is a huge cathedral decorated with every imaginable and unimaginable mosaics, ornaments, columns of all ages and peoples ever frequented the territory of modern Turkey. To stand on the guards’ footprints on the stone floor who gathered at the gates for thousands of years, to look at the mosaic of Empress Zoe and her husband, whose face was rubbed sore because Zoe married thrice, to look at the font where Bulgarian khans and princes of Russia were christened... To make a wish thrusting your hand into the hole in the wall, which fulfills your wishes according to the legend... All this must be done in the Hagia Sophia, and then go for a walk around the city.
2
Treat yourself! Calories will come with time, they are not so much replete with vegetables and fruit in Turkish cuisine. Try everything: chestnuts which are sold right from smoking braziers in the town, roasted corn, magnificent Istanbul buns, rolls with the fish that was caught in the Bosporus and roasted in your presence... Fast food in Istanbul is really tasty. Look into the sweet-shop - Turks for many centuries didn’t taste alcohol and compensated it with sweets in which they are good experts. Do not forget to take fresh juice after meal made from all existing fruit and vegetables, which is sold everywhere in Istanbul and costs no more than one and a half dollars for a glass.
3
Take a boat trip along the Bosphorus. Of course, this should be a walk on the boat, otherwise you will have to walk on the bottom of the strait extending deep into the earth for 400 meters. So you won’t see the bottom of the Bosphorus, no matter how intently you seek. And you don’t need to look there. On the banks of the Bosphorus there are old palaces, formidable castles, ancient towers, luxurious halls of the Ottoman aristocracy... All this together with unique views of the city make trips on the Bosphorus the most amazing tour in the world. Moreover, you can drink tea on the excursion steamer.
4
Take a steam bath! There is a completely unique bath in Turkey inherited from the Roman Empire. This is so-called "Hamam" - three hours of pure bliss. First, you will walk through a few marble halls with different temperature, then you will bask in the warmth of the huge stone made of marble - well, everything is generally made here of marble, - then the bath-house attendant and masseur will be occupied with you... Hamam is a synonym of heavenly bliss, believe me.
5
Rise to the city walls of Constantinople. They have more than one and a half thousand years, and if you come to Istanbul to feel the spirit of antiquity and olden days, these walls are just for you. Not far from them there’s Yedikule Castle with 7 towers, which is worth a visit too. The view from its towers is amazing... And on the way back it’s worth staying on the waterfront of the Golden Horn.
6
Devote one evening to Taksim. First, go to the Galata Tower and go round the observatory balcony looking at the toy top of Istanbul. Of course, Istanbul is huge because you will be looking at it from a height of sixty meters! From Galata you can walk on foot down to the Golden Horn. And from there by Tunnel (a mixture of cable railroad and subway) you will go to Taksim and spend a night at the Istiklal. it is an unbelievable street, the small area in the center of Taksim, Istiklal never sleeps. There is fun, lights, Istanbul restaurants, cafes, clubs, parties, shops... Go to a Greek wine restaurant or in a restaurant with Russian cuisine opened by emigrants from Russia in the beginning of the century.
7
Stroll along the wooden bridges of underground reservoir Yerebatan and feed the carps that live in this amazing architectural system. You can also count the old columns which fill Yerebatan like trees in the forest. But you won’t count all, there are to many of them.
8
Go to the Asian part of Istanbul at least once. It is no worse than the European part, just much more authentic, quiet, slow, just like East should be. There are lots of little shops which sell good paintings by contemporary Turkish artists, and there are many galleries where the paintings can be viewed for free.
9
Be sure to smoke hookah and ask to add there the most aromatic varieties of tobacco. Smoking hookah is better in a cafe overlooking the Bosphorus, reclining on cushions as if you were a sultan.
10
Stroll through the Egyptian market and buy as many spices as possible. First, they are cheaper than anywhere else in Istanbul and Europe. Secondly, there are incredible, wonderful spices here. And also - sweets, seaweed bast whisps, dried sponges and lots of other wonderful things.
|
