Istanbul was Constantinople
Now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople
Been a long time gone, Constantinople
Now it’s Turkish delight on a moonlit night
This song has been stuck in my head for two days, coincidentally I am sure, I started to hum it right after we made the final decision to go to Istanbul, Ephesus and probably Bodrum on a two week proper holiday to Turkey in July. The airplane tickets have been booked using a whole load of frequent flyer miles. Hotels are currently being researched, and now comes the fun part of travel plans; planning all of the things to do, places to see and where to go in Turkey!
Our plan is to take a full week in the city of Istanbul (no longer Constantinople, or frankly Byzantium for that matter) and see much of the city. Thereafter it will probably be a flight to Bodrum and a bus ride up to Ephesus to check out the ruins. Finishing up with a 4-5 day relaxing stint on some of Turkey’s famous beaches in the Southern Mediterranean. Can you say excited? I can….
So while in Istanbul we hope to go here: Topkapi Palace
And of course the Blue Mosque (picture above the lyrics to the song Istanbul Not Constantinople).
And of course the Basilica Cisterns (Link to Photo below)
Oh my goodness there are so many things to see… There is the Bosphorus Strait, plenty of castles, Hagia Sofia, the Galata Bridge and Tower, the Whirling Dirveshes….that’s just a part of what is to see in Istanbul alone. There is all of the awesome Turkish food like kababs, kofte, hummus and olives, pita bread, and sweets (lots of sweets) and strong mint tea. There are carpets and lanterns, trinkets and tchotchkes from the Grand Bazaar. Massages and baths in Turkish Steam Rooms (Hamam) and eating and drinking and walking (oh yes there will be walking) and parks and donkeys and and and….
Oh MY… and that hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface, that doesn’t include Ephesus, one of the greatest classical cities in the Mediterranean or the beaches around Bodrum…
We are SO SO SO EXCITED! Have you been? Where would you go?
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Can I suggest adding Dolmabahce Palace to your list? It was the second palace after Topkapi for the Ottoman rulers. They decided that Topkapi was too basic for them. After the last ruler was exiled, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk (founder of the Turkish republic) sometimes used Dolmabahce palace and he died in a room there. It is quite eye opening once you see the wealth they had. A lot of people assume when they see Topkapi palace that the Ottoman rulers did not live in luxurious surroundings but once you see Dolmabahce Palace, you realize different.
Natalie,
That sounds great! We certainly will check it out. I am off to explore your blog now.
Kristy