The Spice Market is wonderful! Click to see a large image.
Stimulating the Turkish and the Turkmenistan economies at the Grand Bazaar. The carpet at my feet is now by our bed.
Barbara and Sona feeding seagulls on the Bosporus, a day-long trip.
Jenny and Sona of the roof of our hotel, Blue Mosque right behind them. We loved the Hotel Sultanahmet and can recommend it ... in the right place, the same view from the bedroom, a few steps from the tramway stop, and very helpful and friendly staff, who, in a few days, become your friends. Click to see a large image.
Our first day in Islanbul. Our hotel is right in front of the Blue Mosque. Click to see a large image.
Blue Mosque, Istanbul. Click for an even larger image.
Hagia Sofia, the former Christian church converted into a mosque. Click for an even larger image.
Turkish delight in the Spice Market. Click for an even larger image.
Teas and spices in the Spice Market. Click for an even larger image.
Lunch on the roof of our hotel, with the Blue Mosque behind. Click on it for a larger image.
From our roof restaurant, the Blue Mosque right there, what a fabulous location. Jenny took the photo of Sona and the Sea of Marmara behind her. If you want to stay at the same place, we'd recommend Rooms 302 or 303 with the same view, of the mosque, at the Hotel Sultanhahmet. Click to see a larger image.
From our hotel roof restaurant. Click to see a larger image.
Sona at the northern end of the Bosporus, looking over the Black Sea. Click to see a larger image.
The Sultans moved to the Dolmabahçe Palace in the late 1800's, from the Topkapi. The palace does not look good inside, lots of gold and money hanging on the walls and staircases and in the harem, but the location, at the southern end of the Bosporus (left), the Sea of Marmara (right) and old Istanbul (out of view, to the right) is stunning. Here, we are in Europe, Asia is behind us. Click to see a larger image.
Dolmabahçe Palace and the Bosporus. Click to see a larger image.
