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Istanbul Highlights from Our Long Weekend in Turkey

11/16/22 | Istanbul, Travel, Turkey

Hello again!  This will be the first week in quite some there will be five new pots on Sparkles & Shoes but I am loving getting back into the grove.  Today I am taking a mid-week break from my holiday gift guides for a travel post.  When I was organizing my photos this weekend I realized just how many adventures I have yet to share with you all and despite everything that has happened this year, I have now been to 11 countries in 2022!

Instead of going in chronological order I decided to share more about my most recent adventure – our long weekend in Istanbul, Turkey.  As I mentioned in my October travel recap we went to the seaside city for a wedding but in the days before and after were able to take in quite a few of the sites.  From the TripAdvisor suggestions of sites to visit we did two, three, five, six, nine, and ten – not too shabby! Here are my Istanbul highlights:

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Mark taking in the view of of Eminönü and the Istanbul Old City

Istanbul Highlights - Rooftop overlooking the old city of Istanbul with Suleymaniye Mosque

Turkish pottery at one of the hundreds of stalls in the Spice Bazaar

Istanbul Highlights - Turkish Pottery on Sale on the Spice Bazaar

The Dolmabahçe Palace, the domed sultan’s residence on the River Danube

Palace on the River

Worshipers in daily prayer inside the Suleymaniye Mosque

Worshipers Praying in Suleymaniye Mosque Mosque

Turkish carpets for sale in the Grand Baazar

Turkish Carpets in the Grand Baazar

The Solumaine Mosque at night

Solumaine Mosque at Night

Galata Tower, the 5th century tower and former prison, in the Beyoğlu District

Galata Tower in Beyogu

The Main Hall of the Spice Bazaar

Istanbul Highlights - Main Hall of Spice Baazar

A rainbow array of spices in the Bazaar

Rainbow Spices in the Spice Baazar

The Hagia Sofia Mosque from Sultanahmet Park

Hagia Sofia from Sultanahmet Park with Red Dome and Minarets

Inside the grand Hagia Sofia Mosque

Istanbul Highlights - Inside Hagia Sofia Mosque

The amount of cats in Istanbul was amazing, this one was just lounging in a coffee shop!

Cat at Coffee Shop in Istanbul

The royal bedroom in the Harem at Toppaki Palace

Istanbul Highlights - Bedroom in the Harem at Toppaki Palace

One of the famous red tram on Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue)

Famous Red Tram on Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) in Istanbul

Which is your favorite shot from these Istanbul Highlights?

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Comments

  1. Tracy says

    November 23, 2022 at 7:06 am

    My husband really loves to cook so all those spices would have to be my favorite. He could spend all day talking to the vendors about recipes and which slices to try with what. Just crazy the variety you can find in places like this versus the United States.

    For me, I would spend lots of time with all those colorful balls. Serving bowls, jewelry, bowls, and I’m sure I would find many other uses and would stock up. They also make great presents.

  2. Sherry says

    November 18, 2022 at 2:24 pm

    Really hard to choose, you have such a good eye but I think I will go with the night shot.

    My husband and I have been toying with going there and I can’t wait for him to read your post so we can make some firm plans.

    So glad you are back to traveling and reporting on all of your wonderful destinations.

  3. Matilda says

    November 18, 2022 at 12:47 pm

    Such a beautiful city. I have never been there and you are wetting my appitite for a visit.

    Will have to put it on my list of places to visit. How long would you suggest staying and was there anything you didn’t get to see that you wished you had?

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog founded in 2012.  After six years of living in London I am back in New York with my husband and two littles! 

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