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
Turkish pottery at one of the hundreds of stalls in the Spice Bazaar
The Dolmabahçe Palace, the domed sultan’s residence on the River Danube
Worshipers in daily prayer inside the Suleymaniye Mosque
Turkish carpets for sale in the Grand Baazar
The Solumaine Mosque at night
Galata Tower, the 5th century tower and former prison, in the Beyoğlu District
The Main Hall of the Spice Bazaar
A rainbow array of spices in the Bazaar
The Hagia Sofia Mosque from Sultanahmet Park
Inside the grand Hagia Sofia Mosque
The amount of cats in Istanbul was amazing, this one was just lounging in a coffee shop!
The royal bedroom in the Harem at Toppaki Palace
One of the famous red tram on Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue)
Which is your favorite shot from these Istanbul Highlights?
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Tracy says
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.
Sherry says
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.
Matilda says
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?