A Little Pre-Planning

Istanbul, Turkey

Part of our earlier tour had included a half-day walking tour of Istanbul (day two).  This walking tour, set at brisk pace, orientated us to the most important of Istanbul’s famous places to visit.  We walked by ticketed venues and stopped at free ones, making a round trip of the inner city in the process.  Generally, our itinerary included: with numbers as referenced on the map :(

Put your glasses on to see this....

13. Archaeological Museum via Gulhane Park

14. Topkapi Palace (First Courtyard only) and Imperial Gate

7.  Hagia Sophia

8.  Blue Mosque (Beware of carpet salesmen offering to help jump a huge queue into the Mosque for an obligation-free viewing of their carpets.  Sure!) 

46. A stroll along the Hippodrome (stadium) taking a close look at the Egyptian Obelisk (1500 BC), Serpentine Column (479 BC) and the mysterious Brazen Column.

Blue Mosque From Sultan Ahmet Square

3.  Cemberlitas (Constantine’s Column 330 AD)

18. The opulent 18^th Cagaloglu Baths (old Ottoman hamam)

21. Grand Bazaar (no shopping allowed due to time constraints – drat!)

23. Istanbul University

24. Suleymaniye Mosque & Tomb of Sinan the Imperial Architect

27. Finally, the Spice Bazaar to taste lokum or Turkish Delight…the pomegranate & pistachio was especially good!

Basilica Cistern

Medusa Head column base

After parting ways with the group for some time on our own, we settled upon viewing a small art gallery 15. near to the Hippodrome (etchings & weavings) and the dark and brooding Basilica Cistern 1. (532 AD), with its huge marble Medusa heads, giant-sized koi and one weeping column in a forest of 336. Then it was time for a beer and footbath – a perfect remedy!

(Just a bit slow getting all the posts up this year, sigh!  A few more of Istanbul yet to come but I'm sure you can handle that.)