Here are some of the reasons for visiting this Turkish oasis in which Istanbul can be proud to have the tag as one of the most colourful, exotic and spicy cities on the planet
the city is massive (it spans two continents!) and it has so much to offer in terms of mosques, markets, museums and foreign culinary delights! not to mention my charming visit
(1) Visit the Spice Bazaar. This is the second largest covered market after the Grand Bazaar. Here i'd like to pick up some spices, nuts, dried fruit, Turkish coffee, loose leaf tea, and even Turkish delight! yummy!!! then haggle for gifts in the Grand Bazaar
(2) Listen to the call of prayer between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
(3) Take a Turkish bath oooh how lovely and relaxing
(4) Ride the red street car. One way to see Istiklal Avenue I believe without having to weave your way through the crowds is to ride the streetcar from one end of the strip to another. The streetcar has a decidedly vintage feel and it makes for a pleasant journey through Istanbul’s shopping hub, a marvellous experience - save those aching feet and sing abbadabbadooooo at the locals
(5) Walk across Galata Bridge. Yes, you could very well ride the light rail across, but if you choose to walk, you’ll get to see all the locals fishing from the bridge, the vendors selling sesame covered pretzels, and the boats carrying passengers down the Bosphorus with abbadave aboard the next departing vessel
(6) Take that boat tour down the Bosphorus. as we would only have a few brief days in the city and we know we won’t be able to cover all of the main attractions, taking a cruise down the Bosphorus would be a great way to get a glimpse of Istanbul’s main points of interest. riding past Dolmabahçe Palace, the Rumeli Ruins, the Maiden’s Tower, and many mosques, mansions, and gardens along the way dodging those fishing lines along the way
(7) Drink some Turkish tea. If you come to Istanbul I am told you have to drink tea out of a tulip-shaped glass. Turkish tea is prepared in a rather unique way using a teapot that has two level's: one to boil the water, and the other to brew the tea. You then pour the tea into the glass and dilute it with the hot water so that it’s made to your taste though not exactly that of PG Tips!!!
(8) Smoke hookah. Argilah, nargile, sheesha, hubbly bubbly – whatever you call it, there is an ample supply of hookah bars in Istanbul where you can lounge around while you smoke the water pipe and sip on a class of tea or coffee. although not a smoker myself i'd like to try it along with a glass of refreshing beer
(9) Eat a doner. Doner is a Turkish dish made with meat cooked on a spinning vertical rotisserie. The meat can be lamb, beef, or chicken, and it’s served in a pita with vegetables and a few toppings. It’s a tasty and affordable lunch which you can find in any part of the city.
(10) Go to a belly-dancing show - ooh wonderful and jolly yummy
(11) Visit the Blue Mosque, lay down my prayer mat and prey for all I wish for and to thank the powers that be who made me the winner of this competition ( oh well maybe )
(12) Get lost and see what surprises the city throws our way. Istanbul is a great city to get lost in. So if you’re feeling rather adventurous, why not leave the guidebook behind and just head out on foot to see what you can discover for yourself of which I especially specialise in this subject, eh' getting lost of course
this is my dozen reasons for wanting to visit this spicy and exotic city and being a part of the 'Just You' group I cannot deliver any other reason and being a comp winner would be the icing on the cake
Turkish Delight, Belly Dancers & the spicy smell of Istanbul!!!
Regards
Dave