There are a few things that bring me pure happiness: the first warm day in spring, free dessert, and exploring a new city. After moving to Manhattan for college, spending the semester in London, and travelling as much as I can possibly afford, I like to think I’ve gotten pretty good at city-exploring–I’ve managed to read maps in Dutch, navigate the Berlin metro, and effectively nurse my blisters after walking all around Paris.
In short, I’m happy to say I’ve done a lot of exploring.
But nothing, thusfar, has compared to Istanbul.
For most of us, a casual trip to Turkey is out of the question; but if you can, by some trust-fund, “I’m in the neighborhood” excuse, or lucky chance…visit. Seriously.
The city itself is a bustling hub of old and new, water and city, spices, shopping, food, music, and architecture. At the risk of turning a vibrant and lived-in city into a cliche (I just erased the sentence “the Muslim call to prayer colors the city soundscape…” because it’s clear that my writing is ineffectual in describing the beauty and nuance of Istanbul), I’ll keep the general description to a minimum and give you some practical travel tips.
Where to Stay:
http://www.chambersoftheboheme.com
Chambers of the Boheme is a centrally located, clean, and relatively inexpensive hostel; between the friendly staff, the free (actually delicious) breakfast, and the well-kept bedrooms, I’d reccomend it to any money-conscious traveller.
How to Get There:
Havas busses run frequently from both Istanbul airports (one is on the European side of the city while the other is on the Asian side) to Taksim, a central location with lots of easily-accessible public transportation.
What to Do and See:
Hagia Sophia–a church-turned-mosque from the fourth century. The price of entry is steep (20 Lira) but the well-preserved mosaics along with the grandeur of the structure itself are worth it!
The Blue Mosque–a mosque just minutes away from Hagia Sophia. Because it’s still in use, there’s no entry fee. Bring a scarf to wear as a head covering if you can!
Dolmabahce Palace–located directly on the shore of the Bosphorus, the palace views are amazing both indoors and out. Normally 20 Lira, entry for students (with a valid international student ID) is only 1 Lira.
The Grand Bazaar–one of the largest and oldest shopping opportunities in the world, the bazaar holds more than 4,000 vendors…go with cash!
The Spice Bazaar–the one-stop-shop for some of the world’s best tea, honey, baklava, and Turkish Delight.
A Turkish Bath–you can’t miss the Turkish hybrid of a bath, massage, and spa. If you can, budget at least 2 hours to sit, relax, and soak up the steam.
Taksim–a bustling area with lots to explore. Off of the main (overcrowded) streets are smaller, winding roads and alleyways with authentic shops, restaurants, and cafes…don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path!
In general:
Enjoy the fact that the dollar is doing better than the Lira; be an adventurous eater; apparently don’t drink the tap water? (although our group did and we never had any problems…); take a ferry; meander; and enjoy!