ISTANBUL
Location: Turkey
Population: 14 million
Fun Fact: Tulips actually originated in Istanbul and were sent to the Netherlands
Istanbul is one of those places which have always intrigued me. It's where my parents went on their honeymoon and my mom met my dad's parents for the first time, it's where you can see the unique fusion of European and Middle-Eastern cultures, and it's where you can get some of the best food in the world!
My dad and I visited Istanbul in February of 2013 for almost a week, and everyday was something new and exciting and filled with delicious food! Honestly, I don't think we had one bad meal. And we ate A LOT.
We walked around the different neighbourhoods, got lost exploring the Grand Bazaar, visited the incredibly stunning and mesmerizing Blue Mosque, the Süleymaniye Mosque and - my favourite - the Dolmabahçe Palace. This last place was unbelievable. We weren't allowed to take any photos inside but, if you Google it, you'll see what I mean.
One of the things I really loved about Istanbul was all the stray cats and dogs and how well-respected they were by the locals. They were literally everywhere. From parks, to restaurants, to high-end stores, each of these places was like home to some of these animals. It was actually really nice to see! One of these times that stood out most to me was when I walked by the Swarovski store and saw a cat lying underneath a glass showcase in the storefront window. They're so cute, how could you say no?
Unfortunately, my photos from this trip aren't the best since they were taken before I really got into photography and knew what I was doing. But I really wanted to share this trip with you guys anyway, so enjoy!
Waking up to this view every morning was amazing!
Every so often there would be a man selling roasted chestnuts and the smells were intoxicating!
The Blue Mosque, also known as the Hagia Sofia.
Inside the grounds of the Blue Mosque.
Inside the Blue Mosque. I could have spent hours staring at the intricate patterns and details of the different domes. I can't believe this exists!
Wandering through little alleyways after visiting the Blue Mosque.
The most adorable little face!
One section of the Dolmabahçe Palace. It has a beautiful view of the Bosphorus!