miss b loves .......Istanbul markets and some interesting finds!

During our latest trip to Istanbul, at the end of May, we visited a local pazar (market) and I mentioned here that it deserved its own post......so here it is! 

Good markets fascinate me as they really reflect local life and culture. This was very much a neighbourhood market outside the city centre and we seemed to be the only tourists! We were amazed by the quantity and quality of the fresh produce .........

We've not seen garlic as fresh as this in the UK .... 

....and we just had to buy some to take home....

Stallholders offered us samples to try (which doesn't usually happen in our markets!) If only watermelon back home tasted as good as this one .....

....and this cheese actually reminded me of our own local crumbly Lancashire cheese both in appearance and taste!

There was so much choice ......the freshest herbs ......

miss b loves .....Princes' Islands, Turkey

Princes' Islands (Kizir Adalar) in the Sea of Marmara, off the coast of Istanbul, are a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the city. A couple of Sundays ago we visited the largest island Büyükada (Big Island!)

The catamaran from Kabatas soon transported us to another world ... a bygone era ......

As there's no traffic on the islands (except for service vehicles) the only way to get around is on foot, horse and carriage(fayton) or bicycle and we thought it would be fun to hire bikes and ride to the top of the island. 

During the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, members of the royal family who fell out of favour were exiled here and gave the islands their name.

The bike ride took us past impressive villas and wooden mansions set in the most beautiful lush gardens along flowery lanes. No skyscrapers here!

miss b loves .......... Istanbul and a visit to the Asian side

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 ........

miss b loves ........extra-special gifts...and an award

Father Christmas was very good to me this year and brought me lots of gorgeous presents but some were extra-special! I especially loved three gifts which were bought in Istanbul....

....a box of Vakko chocolates .......

......decorated with a beautiful Christmas tree brooch which I could also make into a very glamorous tree decoration next year.....

A hammam towel, lightweight, more absorbent than a regular towel and perfect for the beach........

....and a wonderful hamper from the Olive Farm shop.......

miss b loves...... spring in Istanbul.....part two

Sunday began with a visit to Dolmabahçe Palace, one of the most glamorous palaces in the world (on my must-visit list for quite a while!) and it was the residence of the last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. In a stunning location on the banks of the Bosphorus, the white marble façade is so striking.

The Swan Fountain

miss b loves.......spring in Istanbul....part one

A couple of weeks ago we spent another hectic yet fascinating  long weekend in Istanbul. As promised, here is part one of our very busy schedule........ 
Saturday began with a visit to Topkapi Palace which was home to the Ottoman Sultans, their many concubines, children and servants for nearly 400 years and was the heart of the Ottoman Empire.                      

miss b loves .........Istanbul

Next week I'm off to Istanbul again for a long weekend and I'm so excited - it's one of my favourite cities. Looking through my photos from our last visit I remembered that I had intended writing a post about two amazing places - the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia .......so here it is!

miss b loves........ Taksim, Beyoğlu Istanbul

 

A trip to Istanbul would not be complete without a day in Taksim, Beyoğlu the heart of Istanbul starting with a stroll around the Gelata district. There are beautiful old houses and buildings, cafés, quirky shops selling handicrafts including colourful pottery and stylish boutiques. Galata Tower is the most impressive monument of the district with its 360 degree view of the city from the top.

One of the gorgeous boutiques
 with an eclectic mix
 of inexpensive jewellery and discounted
designer clothes. 

Galata Tower

Amazing 360 views from the top of Galata Tower

                              
From Galata we made our way to Tünel Square and then continued along the İstiklâl Caddesi (Independence Avenue) which is pedestrianised (apart from the trams!)and has 2.5 kilometres of shops, cafés, pâtisseries, restaurants, bars and clubs, as well as bookshops, theatres, cinemas and art galleries.