As a student in high school, I wished to encounter Constantinople, the ancient capital of the Roman & Ottoman empires.

But until I took the walking tour of Istanbul & the guide narrated the history & how Constantinople became the Crown Jewel of Asia – Istanbul, all I had in my mind was to check out the Blue Mosque & take a customary selfie! In addition to spanning two continents, this city has a unique appeal. Cultural diversity abounds here.

Although diverse cultures exist in many cities worldwide, in Istanbul you see an amalgamation of Eastern & European traditions. The streets are filled with people in Western clothes & traditional Hijabs. What stands out the most, though, are the locals who are extremely warm & friendly & most of them understand English. After spending 48 hours in Istanbul, I was ready to declare the city the party capital of Asia! There is no better way to start exploring Istanbul than jumping straight into its historic centre – The Galata Bridge – that spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. I had booked a 4 hour walking tour with a local guide, who I bumped onto Instagram for this evening. Phew …I felt relieved to have my friend with me that evening, as I was astounded looking at the crowd when we reached there. While I planned this trip to Turkey for 16 days with a bunch of Solo Travellers, who were due to join a day later, I was looking forward to experiencing how the 1st evening in Istanbul turned out to be. The walking tour started with us heading to the public ferry to the Asian side, Kadıköy. The ferry connects the Bosphorus Strait at the point where the strait meets the Sea of Marmara, the waters of the Golden Horn the “Old Istanbul” (ancient Constantinople). Istanbul’s historic centre is geographically separated from the rest of the city by this estuary inlet, which forms a horn-shaped harbour that has protected Greek/Roman and Ottoman trade ships throughout history. I would be delighted if Miss Manisha (My History Teacher) was able to read about my newly acquired knowledge of Ottoman history. As the ferry started sailing, we went past the Galata Bridge. It has 2 levels connecting Karakoy district with Sultanahmet- the old town district. At the upper level of the bridge, you will find locals fishing from the bridge on the sidewalks. The lower level of the bridge has a line of restaurants & cafes with a stunning view of the Bosphorus Strait. It took almost 25 minutes to get to the other side crossing a short stretch of the Marmara Sea. We set out to explore the most popular neighbourhood of the Asian side where many locals meet, shop, & hang out. The Asian side is a good example of how nostalgia & modernity can co-exist. Our guide had a special liking for the Asian side – ‘You will see the real local life here” – he said. Street art has its own raw & gritty appeal, as you will discover while walking around Istanbul. We explored the side streets to check out the graffiti. There were so many pictures to take & I hoped that my battery would last forever! We went full circle & came right back to the Pier before sunset. 

The sunset view of the Marmara Sea was amazing. The local musicians set up a live band & & street performers were entertaining the crowd. Explored Kadıköy’s vibrant market, indulged in Turkish cuisine with mezze and çay. Mezze included souvlaki, halloumi, pastrami, sarma, tarama, and artichoke salad. Guide suggested trying local dishes, cautioning about excessive Raki. Enjoyed a safe night, took the last ferry back. Excitement for the last leg of our 16-day trip to Turkey. Explored iconic Hagia Sophia turned mosque and museum, fascinated by its history since AD 537. Partnered with Travel LYKKE, our 15th day in Istanbul was a blend of tourist attractions and local experiences, making it a romantic and mesmerizing end to our journey. 

Explored Istanbul’s Old Town – Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, & Grand Bazaar. Grand Bazaar, a 500-year-old shopping haven, offers a maze of 4000+ shops. Spice Bazaar, with local flavors, has spices, teas, and Turkish delights. Mahmutpasa Bazaar is a must for Turkish towels. Enjoyed a Bosphorus Cruise with dinner, live music, and stunning views. Explored multicultural neighborhoods and had a traditional Turkish breakfast at Çerkezköy Delicatessen Restaurant.

But then there was also Karakoi Gulluoglu next door. We were told that they have the best Baklavas on earth. How could I miss that !! & after eating there, I can confidently say that they were, indeed, the best in the world! For people who don’t know about Baklavas, it’s a layered crispy pastry on the outside & filled with pistachio & chopped nuts, & sweetened with syrup or honey. They say, if it’s fresh it will make a crunchy sound when you bite in. Now this one was truly an explosion of flavours in my mouth. We had a long day ahead & miles to cover …so calories didn’t bother me ..for once. There were lines of cafes but for now, my tummy was full & so was my heart. Istanbul has thousands of mosques, hundreds of active churches & even twenty-odd active synagogues. It boasts a strong affiliation with Islam along with an understanding & tolerance of the Western European culture. & that’s what makes it popular among tourists. Our last supper in Istanbul & had a memorable time before we headed back to the hotel as our pick-up van was waiting to drop us at the airport. When you’re travelling, every moment is cherishable. There is tremendous openness to everything, including human connections. There’s an understanding that the moments & experiences that make them are ever-fleeting. The freedom & confidence you experience while travelling becomes addictive. & after a while, it spills onto every aspect of life. Once you are home, the eagerness for new experiences & the ability to laugh at misadventures becomes second nature. Istanbul gave me memories of a lifetime & also gave me friends who became family for those 3 days. My 48 hours in Istanbul were nothing short of a romantic affair, filled with vibrant colours, local warmth, traditional foods & a rich cultural heritage that will live on in my memory forever. I look forward to my next adventure!

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Blog post written by: Mohana