Istanbul is one of those fascinating cities which draws you back and we've just returned from another long weekend there to discover and explore a little further afield .....
Saturday began with an early trip to a local market .... no other tourists here ...... everything was on sale from pots and pans to factory seconds but we were mesmerised by the vast quantities and variety of fresh food which we were encouraged to sample!
A riot of colour ...... I think this deserves a post of its own some time .........
Our next stop was a market of a different kind ..... Misir Çarşisi (the Spice Bazaar) in Eminönü .....
.... another feast for the eyes and tastebuds ......
We sampled so much Turkish Delight and we didn't need much persuasion to buy half a kilo of pistachio flavour to take back home ........
The rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee, from the renowned Mehmet Efendi (coffee roasters since 1871) fills the air ........ no wonder there's always a queue outside ......
Street food is everywhere in Istanbul from roasted chestnuts and corn on the cob .... to pide (Turkish pizza), fresh mussels and freshly squeezed orange juice ......
but we opted for a famous fish sandwich prepared on this beautiful boat .....
..... and then it was our turn for a boat ride across the Bosphorus ......... to Kadiköy on the Asian side of Istanbul. It did seem strange just popping over to Asia from Europe in twenty minutes!
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| Looking back to the European side with the famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in the distance. |
It was then a novelty taking a waiting dolmuş, a shared taxi to Bağdat Cadessi. Dolmuş means stuffed or full and it sets off when there are eight passengers on board!
The attractive Bağdat Caddesi (Baghdad Avenue) is lined with old plane trees and is renowned for its stylish cafés, restaurants, prestige car showrooms and upmarket shops ......
A quick stop at a chic Italian ice cream parlour down a side road.....lemon and nectarine ..... amazing... and mojito .... absolutely divine and I'm not even an ice cream fan!
There were Turkish flags everywhere as May 19th commemorates Atatürk, Youth and Sports. (19th May 1919 is regarded as the beginning of the Turkish War of Independence.)
Unusual for us to see Marks and Spencer draped in a Turkish flag!
but... the high-end Turkish brand, Vakko has to be one of the prettiest stores I have ever seen ...........
We hopped on another dolmuş and off we went back to old Kadiköy ....... via Cafer Erol, a 200 year old Turkish Delight shop for more treats to take home! (I know we bought half a kilo at the bazaar but we just can't get it back in England and this is a very special shop!)
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| Beautiful Turkish delight bowls |
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| Our cute little bowl |
It was late and time to eat at ...... Çiya Sofrasi .....a typical Turkish restaurant which always gets wonderful reviews .... and now we know why!
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| Lamb with cherries, chicken kebab and lamb in a yogurt sauce |
Finally ... coffee, tea and one last piece of Turkish delight!
Now that's what I call a busy Saturday!
I have always longed to visit Istanbul... your photos are stunning.. the colour is so vibrant - I cannot wait to visit! Jenny
ReplyDeleteMiss B, you touched my heart with this beautiful post from my hometown, thank you so much : ) I wish I was there to meet you. I am going there this week for work and I will spend the weekend there : ) I haven't tried Ciya restaurant so far, putting it in my never ending list now : )
ReplyDeleteLove Istanbul when I was there 25 years ago and its only my list to get back there and do the rounds again. It beautiful and manageable as its reasonably small.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Istanbul, but so want to - love all your photos. The Vakko building looks quite French Colonial in style to me. I always love to go to fresh food markets in foreign countries - you get such a different perspective on what you're seeing all around you. The ones in Vietnam I remember as being particularly fascinating (some interesting meat products being sold....). xx
ReplyDeleteIstanbul is so beautiful and so enchanting Miss B! I haven't been to Istanbul. Would love to visit it one day. The food looks so delicious and interesting. Love all of the different colours of the spices. Just a fascinating City with lots of contrast and history.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing place to visit! love the colours in that market. x Rigel
ReplyDeletehttp://www.peachmacarons.com/
Gorgeous photos!
ReplyDeleteHey Miss B,
ReplyDeleteSo nice to meet you! Your photos of Turkey are mesmerizing! My gosh; so much to see and do; must take more than one visit, I guess. Thanks for inspiring us with your words and images, it's all so intriguing!
Poppy
Hi Miss B--you have me wishing for a quick trip to Istanbul--I loved the spice market and visiting all the top sites, but isn't it fun to walk in a local market and have a waffle filled with fresh fruit and a bag of delicious nuts? I will have to get the name of the fish boat from you the next time I visit ;)
ReplyDeletehello Miss B!!!!
ReplyDeleteIts so nice to see your post again!!! I've been thinking of you!!!
I had no idea Istanbul is so pretty like in those pictures.. wow seems so interesting to visit to!!!!
Your so lucky to got the chance to see it and been there ;)
Take care and wish you a lovely week!!
xoxo,Meg of Sweet Gala's
omg i want to visit istanbul so bad!
ReplyDeleteHi,dear:)))
ReplyDeleteThanks a LOT for your visit and for your kind words!
How impressed me your post Aboutaleb Istanbul.... I think,I want again GO to drive with my car!
So wonderful images and truly,intresting info,much beautiful details!
Hugs,
***Violetta***
Great post, Miss B. Ah Turkish coffee! Exploring the local markets in Turkey looks lots of fun. Istanbul is a destination in my bucket list. Thank you for your kind message. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos.. those Turkish desserts look so interesting! Gorgeous colored farmers market produce and architecture is beautiful:) Hope you are enjoying your day! xxleslie
ReplyDeleteMiss B, I always see and read so well about Istanbul, is actually onto my wishlist of the cities to visit! Great place, full of things to see and eat!:) I liked your Sat tour, in particular the kind of food you tried:) Have a lovely week ahead, kisses! xo
ReplyDeleteI loved this post. Really would like to get to Turkey one day. So much beauty and fun cultural things to see. You Europeans are so lucky to be able to pop down to Turkey and all over for a weekend! I'm seriously jealous.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. Always so much fun to read.
xxKim
I so want to see this city.
ReplyDeleteFood looks absolutely delish!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnother one of my blog friend's just visited Istanbul. It sounds like such an interesting place. I really like all the Turkish wares and such. The food and desserts look amazing. GODIVA chocolate is always yummy. I would love to visit this wonderful place. Thank you for sharing some of your experiences.
ReplyDeleteLove,
~Sheri
Very happy when people go to Turkey as I have family there and have been visiting my whole life!! And hey, my cousin works for vakko!
ReplyDeleteWow the colours are amazing and the buildings. It does look a bit odd to find an M&S store draped with a Turkish flag. The smell and sound must be intoxicating too!
ReplyDeleteThat Vakko store is really pretty. It's almost like a legislative building from the past converted into a a luxury store.
Istanbul hasn't crossed my mind but it looks very exotic I'm considering it x
You can almost smell the spices. This is definitely a place I would like to visit
ReplyDeleteSounds like you enjoyed yourself a lot in Istanbul! Quite a fascinating city to visit! I was there a few years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday. The culture, the architecture and the Bosphorus were my favorite aspects of the trip. So glad to see it through your eyes;)
ReplyDeleteCatherine xo
An absolute delicious post Miss b! Thanks so much for sharing with us I'm always leaving with mouth watering with inspiration. Turkey has changed much since many years ago when my family went. Will have to make a trip there in the near future. I love going to the markets when visiting places. xx/Madison
ReplyDeleteI've just added another "must-see" country to my ever growing list of places to visit! If I wasn't convinced by the scenery or culture, the food is definitely the clincher!
ReplyDeleteThe markets look amazing. What a busy day indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteWow Istanbul has never really been on my radar of places to go and I'm not sure what I imagined, but I did not imagine it to look like this. It really does look beautiful and that shopping mall looks very chic.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that you went for just a long weekend, you are very adventurous. Thanks for sharing , you have tempted me, I'd love to see Vakko for myself! ha ha x
http://forcailini.blogspot.com
I'd love o go there! Love your photos, thank you for sharing and inspiring us! xo Caroline
ReplyDeletewow, what a great weekend! your pictures are beautiful!
ReplyDeletenever been there neither but I would love to!
ReplyDeleteNice pics
http://www.letiziabarcelona.com
I don't think I will ever tire of Turkey, Ive only been to Istanbul on trips but would love to explore more, its so filled with interesting culture, amazing food and wonderful people. The markets are pretty awesome too. I am really craving rose water and pistachio Turkish delight right about now! Thanks for sharing these beautiful picture memories with us.
ReplyDeleteI love your post. We were in Istanbul a couple of years ago, your photos make me want to return!
ReplyDeletewowie! i've heard so many good things about istanbul - must be a beautiful city, but i've never been there. i've been to turkey once but we just stayed in the south, in antalya. it was amazing!
ReplyDeletelots of love xx
That dessert looks amazing!
ReplyDeletewww.northernstyle.blog.com
i love seeing your travels! put me in your suitcase next time :D
ReplyDelete& that food is making my mouth water! so jealous!!
xx Corinne
cateyesandthighhighs.blogspot.com
Beautiful photos and post!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a good week, dear!! and my g+ for your post!!!:)))
Besos, desde España, Marcela♥
It looks like an amazing place that spice market would be my moms dream spot hehe.
ReplyDeleteMeghan Silva's Blog
I also love exploring exotic places and those colorful spices look amazing!
ReplyDeletexo
Sharon
Miss B love your blog...and thanks for taking us along on your trip to Istanbul...fascinating
ReplyDeleteThank you! So glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteWOW, so interesting and amazing that something so different is only twenty minutes away! The spice bazaar looks fascinating. Was Turkish Delight the name of a spice? How would you use it, I'm curious ;) ... once more, you've taken us away on another virtual adventure! I always love them! Thanks for the fun (and for dropping by too!). Hope you're having a wonderful week, sweet! xo ~S
ReplyDeleteSANDY M Illustration
http://oohlafroufrou.blogspot.com
Turkish Delight is not in fact a spice but a sweet. A kind of gel made from starch and sugar in cubes dusted with icing sugar. There are many flavours including pistachio, my favourite!
DeleteWow! What an amazing trip - great post too... I LOVE Istanbul and should really try and fit in another trip before long. Those gorgeous towels in the market looked lovely. Thanks for popping over to my blog by the way and for your comment. S x
ReplyDeleteLooks fabulous there....I would love to go to that spice market!Hope you are having a good week:)
ReplyDelete~Anne
I love Estambul..!! Have fun..!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post! I loved the explanations and pictures! So colorful, so amazing and a Marks & Spencer with the Turkish flag? Amazing! Really great, well done for this amazing post and thanks for sharing! I never went there, but always planned to! denisesplanet,com
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for all these great, positive comments. I'm so pleased you enjoyed my tour of Istanbul - it really is a fascinating place and I hope you will join me in Part 2 - Sunday on the islands.
ReplyDeleteConstantinople is such an amazing city, also love the food there!
ReplyDeletehttp://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/
I've never been to Istanbul but it certainly looks delightful from your wonderful photos and descriptions.
ReplyDeleteRowena @ rolala loves
WOW that market place and alla those spices looks amazing:)
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see a classic Swedish house...check out my blog:)
I wish you a wonderful weekend beautiful:)
LOVE Maria from inredningsvis.se
I've always wanted to visit Istanbul - it seems like such a fascinating city. You've really brought it to life in this post, particularly the cuisine. And I'm not too proud to admit that the very idea of Turkish delight made in Turkey has me practically salivating on my keyboard :)
ReplyDeletexox,
Cee
I hope I can visit Istanbul one day. Looks like an amazing city.
ReplyDeletexx
How charming! The food looks delicious too!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coco et La vie en rose
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This looks fabulous! What a treat to be able to see these places all from the comfort of my own chair! Looking forward to next post!
ReplyDeleteRosemary
Thanks as always for your wonderful words over at mine! Have an awesome weekend!
ReplyDeletewow Istanbul looks amazing- those Turkish delights are making me drool :D
ReplyDeleteLooks fascinating!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful City <3 ,amazing Places!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Woow very interesting post!! I want to go to Istambul so these tips will be extremely useful!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhat was the name of the first local market you went to??
xoxo
Patricia
http://misstoptenimage.blogspot.com
The first local market is called Pazartürk at Bahçeşehir (I'll be writing a post on it sometime)but it's about an hour from the centre. There is another good market near Taksim, closer to the main attractions called Tarlabaşi.
DeleteI have a friend who married a Turkish guy and now they live there.. I've never been..
ReplyDeleteBeutiful! I love Estambul <3
ReplyDeletehttp://specialsensationsdiary.blogspot.com