Tagged With: Istanbul
Istanbul’s Yeni Camii (New Mosque)
Istanbul has always been described as the crossroads of the East and West. Walking around Istanbul is like stepping into old world Europe, complete with ancient Roman ruins, cobblestones, and crumbling stone edifices. The only difference is that, unlike in Europe, everywhere you turn in Istanbul, you’re bound to see the characteristic domes and minarets … Continue reading
Turkish Glass Mosaic Lamp — My Favourite Travel Souvenir Of All Time
When I visited Istanbul in October 2010 on a business trip, Turkish glass mosaic lamps seemed to be in every street corner (at least, the streets frequented by tourists). True, there were carpets in every street corner as well. But buying carpets was out of the question because (i) you can get ripped off if … Continue reading
Grand Bazaar: Istanbul, Turkey
A trip to Istanbul is never complete without making a visit at the famous Grand Bazaar, known locally as Kapaliçarsi. If you get there through the tram, you’ll instantly know when you’ve reached the stop for the Grand Bazaar — in addition to the automated announcement on board the tram, most of the passengers (obviously … Continue reading
Hotel Ambassador, Istanbul: Boutique Hotel With A Breathtaking View
For some reason or another, I’ve always prefer staying somewhere other than the usual international hotel chains. I throw caution to the winds and book a stay in a Swiss farmhouse near the French border or a boathouse that’s just a tram ride away from the centre of the endless party of Amsterdam. And if … Continue reading
Memories of Istanbul’s Street Food
My memories of any place I visit is almost always intertwined with memories of its food. Mention the word ‘Istanbul’ and, automatically, I’m reminded of these street food samplings:- There’s the döner kebab (Turkish: döner kebap or döner kebabı, literally “rotating roast”, often abbreviated as döner) which is found in almost every street corner. This … Continue reading
