The city of wonder,

The city of love,

Since I first saw you,

I can’t take my eyes off you, Istanbul!

This is how people feel about Istanbul.

This city that saw many nations, many battles…Numerous brave generals and their soldiers walked through the streets of it. People fell in love, people had quarrels and they brought their children up into this marvellous city.

The Landscape Is Just So Beautiful!

Is there any other city in the world that is bounded by 2 different seas, connected by a stunning blue strait with the Golden Horn?  There’s also  the forests all around. Once the sun shimmers off the water and shines across the whole city, there’s nothing else like it. Moreover, the city of Istanbul connects two continents of Asia and Europe, literally like a bridge. Finding the right word to express the beauty of Istanbul is quite difficult. You should come and experience it in person.

An Ancient  Peninsula Full of History

There is a lot to see in Istanbul.The Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, the mosques, the museums, the churches, the synagogues.Every street, every shop , every little house has a different story to tell you. You could go for a walk around the ancient streets of this mysterious city for days, may be even for months. What you will get after all

that wandering is nothing but joy mixed with amazing history.

Delicious  Food

There is a saying in Turkey:  The way to one’s heart passes through one’s stomach. You understand how true is this saying when you start tasting delicious cousine of Istanbul. The syrupy and crusty baklava, the breakfast spreads that cover tables and tables, the different types of soups, the kebabs, the pides, the sea food, the street food.. Everything is so fresh and cooked exactly the way you want it. And also the turkish delight.. So yummy. Don’t forget to buy some of those before leaving the city.

The  Joy Of Wandering And Exploring the Unknown

Taking the ferry to the Asian side and back, passing by the Maiden’s Tower, is such an experience that is difficult to put into words without seeing it in person. Walking the streets through numerous parks, climbing up hills and discovering tombs, mosques, churches, and so much more in every spot your visit is a non-stop fun. You never know what to expect next since the city is so full of vibrancy and life. It might be a new friend, a new food, a piece of history you would never know about its  existence – You see one thing and the next thing you see is something totally different. Wander the streets to unsurface the unknown.

The Night Life

Wonderful dinners with views over the Bosphorus, a night at the theater, the opera, the latest pop hit. Catching the latest exhibition in a world-class art museum. You want some jazz and take a sip of your whisky, then a brick building somewhere in Kadiköy. Or may be what you are looking for is a traditional Turkish tavern. Just name it and Istanbul will provide you with the best option to cheer your night.

Turkish Hospitality At Its Best

Every time you visit Istanbul, you will be welcomed with great welcome and hospitality. Every person you come across, every person you meet will treat you as if you were friends like forever. Don’t get tired of free pastries, teas and Turkish delights because these “ikrams” will keep coming nonstop during your stay in Istanbul.

Turkish Coffee

Many methods of coffee making are available today and most probably Turkish coffee making is one of the oldest ones. It has a unique taste.It is boiled, gets a bit  foamy on top and served with water. If you are lucky enough, you might find a fortune teller to help you with it after you done.

The design of the thin-l cup and the protective foam, keeps the coffee hotter for longer as you enjoy each sip.People in Turkey mostly drink it after a wholesome meal because it is good for digestion.This has been a very old tradition. Besides, Turkish coffee strengthens your friendship. It is like a symbol of long-term friendship.There is even a saying; If you drink Turkish coffee with a friend, it will keep your relationship tight enough for 40 years.

By the way it is served with cold water since it would clean your palate.

Tea

Turkish tea has a long history. According to some at least 5000 years old. It is strongly related to Turkish culture. People consume a lot of tea in Turkey and Turkey is an important tea producing country. In the eastern Black Sea Coast, there is a city called Rize which gets a lot of rain throughout the year. That’s why they are number one in terms of production. More than half of the tea plantations in Turkey might be seen in Rize. They process the leaves and then they are brewed. It is a hot drink that is consumed at regular basis. Although some prefer to drink it cold but it is not the case for many. The best tea is drunk boiling hot. It also goes very well with simit (beagel).

Ayran ( Buttermilk)

Add some tap water into your plain yoghurt. You might add some salt and shake it until it becomes homogeneous enough. Ayran is one of the things, a gift that has been given to the rest of the world. If you are into drinking yoghurt you’ll definitely love the freshness and taste of buttermilk just as much. Preparation is quite easy and definitely super super healthy. It can be drunk at home temperature but it is best when it is cold.

Boza

It is made out of wheat and yeast. Its sweet and tangy flavour makes it super addictive. When it is cold, one of the things that come to people’s mind is tea and Boza. Originally Boza is from ancient Anatolia when people had the access to wheat, corn, rice and barley. It is said that it lowers your blood pressure and super rich in potassium. Mostly it is served with fresh chickpeas or peanuts. If you happen to hear a street seller in his traditional outfit and holding his giant container(pot)  shouting ‘Bozaaa’, don’t get scared. Just get one cup of it and enjoy the rest of the day.

Şalgam Suyu (Pickled Turnip Juice)

It is quite famous in the south part of Turkey. There are some cities like Adana, Mersin and Hayat where this juice is more popular than tea and ayran. ( It is something to do with the boiling hot weather) Pickled turnip juice comes from the mustard family.They  mix the beets with water and salt to create a simple pickle. Thanks to black carrots, it becomes red.

Rakı

One of the best known and popular drinks of Turkey is Rakı(Raki). An alcoholic drink with  no color. People mostly drink it adding some water. Otherwise, without deluding it with some water, it might turn out to be rocket fuel. It  is made from processing anise and grapes. You’ll find many people enjoying a glass or two after work at sunset with friends, listening to some folk or arabesque music, enjoying some appetisers like some cheese, pastrami, olives and chatting the night away.