Dreaming of Istanbul

Luxury travel company Ker Downey shares the beauty of Turkey’s culturally rich capital.

Written by Ker Downey

Looking for a trip richly layered with the history, culture, archeology, and architecture of multiple major civilizations? Set your sights on Turkey. Because the country has so much to offer, you might want to start with Istanbul.

The only city on Earth located on two continents, Istanbul has been a capital city for 1900 years for various world powers, including the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Each left its mark on the region and the city, providing visitors with a treasure trove to explore.

A walking tour of the Old City area of Sultanahmet is a must. In this one area you will find Haghia Sophia Church, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and Hippodrome.

If you begin at the Topkapi Palace, you will enjoy amazing views from palace, which is located on one of the highest points close to the sea. Topkapi Palace was the primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans for 400 year, beginning in 1465. With four main courts and a harem, the sprawling Topkapi complex was once home to over 4,000 people! It houses the most holy relics of the Muslim world such as the prophet Muhammed’s cloak and sword.

Next, stroll to the Hagia Sophia. Built on the orders of the Emperor Justinian between 532 and 537 A.D., the church is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and even to have changed the history of architecture. The building remained the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. Today, it contains a unique mix of Islamic and Christian elements of worship and a fascinating history.

You’ll want to compare the Hagia Sophia to the Blue Mosque, the national mosque of Turkey. Sultan Ahmed desired to outshine the Hagia Sophia when he commanded its construction. The design of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque is the culmination of two centuries of Ottoman mosque and Byzantine church development. Why are there 16 balconies on the minarets? Sultan Ahmed came to power at the age of 16, ruled the Empire for 16 years, and was the sixteenth Sultan.

Rest from all that walking and indulge in a Turkish bath, called a hamam.  Some of the most famous are Suleymaniye Bath, Cagaloglu Bath and Cemberlitas Bath. Soothing and steeped in history, the baths are a favorite place to relax and unwind. Similar to a sauna, the hamam has a cold section, lukewarm one to get acclimatized in, and the final hot chamber.

Finally, for a taste of pop culture, check out the Sirkeci Train Station, the last stop of the famed Simplon-Orient Express that ran between Paris and Constantinople from 1883 to 1977. This train, featured in many legendary books and films, notably Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, and Ian Fleming’s From Russia with Love, has become a cultural icon of luxury and intrigue.

Ker Downey is an award winning luxury travel company which provides custom designed travel experiences specifically designed for each client’s style and budget. Find out more at http://kerdowney.com.