Life is a patchwork of experiences
When I travel, I am always on the lookout for new and unique experiences or classes, especially if they involve a creative element. So, when my friend and traveling companion discovered a class where we could learn Turkish paper marbling in Istanbul, I knew I needed to fit that into my Istanbul itinerary.
I booked the Turkish paper marbling class online (Like A Local) the day before I was planning to participate. I quickly received a confirmation e-mail with directions to the class location. It was in the Sultanahmet area and not far from my hotel, so it was a brief 3 block walk, and very easy to find.
Continue reading “Traditional Turkish Paper Marbling – Learning Beautiful Ebru Art in Istanbul”
The Topkapi Palace harem complex is a beautiful and still slightly mysterious part of the Topkapi Palace which was the home of the Ottoman Empire Sultans.
Paris has the Palace of Versailles. Vienna has the Hofburg Palace. London has Buckingham Palace. In Istanbul, it is Topkapi Palace that was the opulent home to the Sultan rulers of the Ottoman Empire and their female entourage for almost 400 years. Learn about what went on behind the walls of the Topkapi Palace harem.
Continue reading “Sleeping With the Sultan – Behind the Walls of Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace Harem”
Before the more famous Hagia Sofia was built, Hagia Irene served as the main church in Constantinople. Hagia Irene also served as a model for the construction of the Hagia Sofia next door.
To step through the door into Hagia Irene in Istanbul is to step through a time portal back to fourth century Constantinople. Before the more famous Hagia Sofia was built, Hagia Irene served as the main church for the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Hagia Irene also served as a model for the construction of the Hagia Sofia next door.
Continue reading “Istanbul’s Hagia Irene – A Step Back in Time”
My first visit to Istanbul was in the spring of 2016 with my husband. We were excited to experience all the great history and culture and came back with many great memories. But one of our most memorable moments was a quiet hour that we spent sipping Turkish tea at sunset, looking out over the Bosphorus.
Continue reading “PhotoPOSTcard: Traditional Turkish Tea – a True Istanbul Experience”
Photo location: An abundance of tulips and other spring flowers in Gülhane Park, Istanbul.
The first time I ever heard the Islamic call to prayer was in Istanbul on my first visit in 2016. The sun was starting to set as I was taking a break on a bench in the hippodrome area in front of the Blue Mosque. The tulips were in full bloom and the scent of hyacinths was wafting on the early evening breeze.
Continue reading “PhotoPOSTcard: The Call to Prayer in Istanbul”
Not all of the mosques in Istanbul are open to non Muslim visitors. But fortunately, the most historic and famous mosques in Istanbul are open to tourists.
Not all of the mosques in Istanbul are open to non Muslim visitors. But fortunately, the most beautiful and famous mosques in Istanbul around the historic core of the Sultanahmet area can be visited by tourists during the non prayer times of the day.
Continue reading “Visiting the Historic and Famous Mosques in Istanbul”
This photo was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the 2018 North American Travel Journalists Association Competition in the Photography, Arts and Culture -Online category.
You can’t visit Istanbul’s historic district without encountering a stray dog, or two or ten. They roam freely and apparently quite happily, and often become the star of the show, despite the iconic scenery around them. They lay down anywhere and everywhere and people will carefully walk around them. They appear well cared for and well fed. If a dog has an ear tag, then it is part of the Trap, Tag and Release program where the dogs are captured, vaccinated, fixed and then released back into their neighborhood. As with the cats of Istanbul, it takes a village to care for the dogs of Istanbul as well.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
There is no doubt that the city of Istanbul is steeped in thousands of years of history – history that can still be touched today. Sitting beneath modern city streets that are teeming with pedestrian, automobile and tram traffic, a walk through the underground space of the Basilica Cistern is an opportunity to physically experience a world that existed 1500 years ago.
Continue reading “PhotoPOSTcard: Experience the Atmospheric Basilica Cistern in Istanbul”
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, or Blue Mosque as it is more commonly known, was completed in 1617. Legend tells that its architect misread the Sultan’s instructions and mistakenly interpreted “six minarets” instead of “gold minarets”. This was a problem because at that time, only the Great Mosque of Mecca had six minarets. To allay criticism, the Sultan then ordered that a seventh minaret be added to the Great Mosque in Mecca.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
