Gizli Bahçe Konaklari – The Secret Garden Mansions of Antalya: High above Antalya harbour and nestled against the old city fortification we came across Gizli Bahçe Konaklari, a cliff-top restaurant with fabulous views of Antalya Yacht Harbour and its surrounds. But, the Gizli Bahçe Konaklari is not just a restaurant with splendid scenic views. Here […]
Conrad Istanbul Hotel
Hotel Review: The Conrad Istanbul: For our three nights in Istanbul we stayed at the Conrad Istanbul, a part of the Hilton Hotel group. This is our fourth stay at the Conrad Hotel in Istanbul, so we’re quite familiar with its location and the surrounding attractions. Conrad Istanbul Located in the Besiktas area on the […]
Meryemana – The Virgin Mary House in Ephesus
Meryemana or The House of Mary – A Sacred Shrine in Ephesus: Meryemana or The House of Mary is a sacred shrine that is much venerated by both Christians and Muslims. Located on Mount Koressos or ‘Nightingale Mountain’, as the locals refer to it, the House of Mary is about 8 km from the centre […]
Cumalikizik – A Village of Ottoman Houses
Cumalizik – A Village of Ottoman Residential Architecture: We arrived at the main square of Cumalikizik and except for a couple of delivery workers, the village square was quite empty. The market stands are covered in blue tarpaulin and there was neither stallholders nor produce in sight. It is Ramadan and many of the village’s […]
See the Two Sides of Istanbul on a Bosphorus Cruise
Enjoying the Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul: As a waterway, the Bosphorous has a couple of interesting and important roles. It links the Mediterranean to the Black Sea and it also divides the European side of Istanbul from the Anatolian section. On any visit to Istanbul, one of the pleasurable things to do is to go […]
Istanbul Airport Transfer – Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
Istanbul Airport Transfer: From Sabiha Gokcen to Istanbul: Sabiha Gocken Airport (SAW) is the second of Istanbul’s two international airports. It is named after Ms Sabiha Gökçen, the first Turkish female combat pilot and also the world’s first female fighter pilot. Sabiha Gocken Airport is located in the Pendik/Kurtköy region, on the Anatolian side of […]
The Egyptian Market – An Exotic Spice Market in Istanbul
The Egyptian Market (Misir Çarsisi) or Spice Market is the Second Largest of Istanbul Markets: The Egyptian Market (Misir Çarsisi) is a spice market in Istanbul. After the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian Spice Market is the second largest of Istanbul’s covered market. Construction of the Misir Çarsisi began in 1597 by order of the mother […]
Istanbul – A City Where East and West Do Meet
Istanbul Attractions and Tours, Istanbul Hotels and Istanbul Things to Do: Istanbul is a city of many contradictions. It is Asian and European, modern and ancient, religious and secular, mystical and practical and what makes it so appealing is the co-existence of all these opposing qualities. Visitors will find Istanbul a melting pot of many […]
The Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar is One of the Largest Covered Markets (Kapali Carsi) in the World: The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is grand indeed. With 60 covered streets and up to 4,000 shops, it is no wonder that this sprawling covered market (Kapali Carsi) holds the distinction of being the largest covered market in Istanbul. Interesting […]
Yerebatan Sarnici or Basilica Cistern – Istanbul’s Sunken Palace
The Great Cistern of Justinian is also known as Yerebatan Sarayi or “the Sunken Palace” Istanbul is full of hidden treasures and one which is truly hidden is the Yerebatan Sarnici or Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir in the vicinity of Hagia Sophia. Often called the Great Cistern of Justinian, the Basilica Cistern is no […]