3dolab
By Emma Levine
In Summer 1989, I traveled to Istanbul for the first time as a student. Strolling around Seraglio Point toward Galata Bridge, I breathed in deeply, turned to my traveling companion, and declared: "I think I'm in love" -- with this magnificent city. Some two decades later, after dozens of journeys, and a period of living here, I feel exactly the same way.
Whether you're in Istanbul on your first visit or your fifth, carve out some time to savor these unforgettable experiences.
Photo Caption: A view of the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey.
You could attempt the hearty walk uphill through Eyup's cemetery, but sometimes the cable-car ride is the most dramatic way to approach the hilltop.
Photo Caption: The view from Pierre Loti Kahvesi in Istanbul, Turkey
Sarayburnu (Seraglio Point) is where the Marmara Sea meets the Bosphorus. Stroll around and watch the fishermen.
Photo Caption: Seraglio Point (Sarayburnu) in Istanbul, Turkey.
Enjoy Kumpir (filled baked potato) followed by a waffle stuffed with fresh fruit and chocolate sauce at Ortaköy's waterfront on a summer's night. A calorie-counter's or cholesterol-carer's nightmare. Pure bliss.
Photo Caption: Toppings for kumpir (filled baked potato) on the Ortakoy waterfront in Istanbul, Turkey.
Circle the viewing gallery at Galata Tower a dozen times for another memorable view. Get an eyeful of those rooftops!
Photo Caption: A view from the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey
Levant is Istanbul's nearest thing to a scene from New York. Istanbul isn't all mosques and palaces!
Photo Caption: The skyscrapers in the Levant section of Istanbul, Turkey
Osmanoglu in Misir Çarsisi may turn you into a pistachio snob; nowhere else in the world seems to have the same crisp, salty, concentrated flavor as Turkish pistachios, especially those from the city of Gaziantep. While at the market, plan to load up with the best black olives.
Photo Caption: Misir Carsisi (the Egyptian Bazaar) in Istanbul, Turkey
Sip coffee at Kafe Ara surrounded by the photographs by Istanbulís Ara Güler. A real "café society" feel, with the great photographer himself popping in most lunchtimes.
Photo Caption: Kafe Ara in Istanbul, Turkey
Dodge the pigeons while climbing the stairs to Yeni Camii, one of the best spots to admire the Golden Horn and Galata Bridge.
Photo Caption: The Yeni Camii in Istanbul, Turkey.
Santralistanbul is one of the city's newest art spaces. This old Ottoman power station has the height for mammoth sculptures and installations, a great location to see what today's Turkish artists have to offer.
Photo Caption: Ilhan Koman's sculpture at Santralistanbul in Istanbul, Turkey
Hear the sounds emerge from the music shops, everything from electric guitars and drum kits to traditional instruments like saz and ney on Galip Dede Caddesi.
Photo Caption: Musical instruments in a music shop on Galip Dede Caddesi in Istanbul, Turkey
Around Beyazit, it seems that every backstreet has hammering emerging from the busy workshops.
Photo Caption: The Old Book Bazaar near Beyazit in Istanbul, Turkey.
At least in mammoth Süleymaniye Camii mosque it's possible to get a semblance of peace -- and Sinan's ceilings are certainly something.
Photo Caption: The domed ceiling at Suleymaniye Camii in Istanbul, Turkey.
Scramble the walls at Rumeli Hisari among wild flowers growing out of the towers, with a Bosphorus backdrop.
Photo Caption: The Rumeli Hisari Fortress in Istanbul, Turkey
Cheer Besiktas scoring the winning goal. Need I say more?
Photo Caption: Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey
In Summer 1989, I traveled to Istanbul for the first time as a student. Strolling around Seraglio Point toward Galata Bridge, I breathed in deeply, turned to my traveling companion, and declared: "I think I'm in love" -- with this magnificent city. Some two decades later, after dozens of journeys, and a period of living here, I feel exactly the same way.
Whether you're in Istanbul on your first visit or your fifth, carve out some time to savor these unforgettable experiences.
Photo Caption: A view of the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo Caption: The view from Pierre Loti Kahvesi in Istanbul, Turkey
Photo Caption: Seraglio Point (Sarayburnu) in Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo Caption: Toppings for kumpir (filled baked potato) on the Ortakoy waterfront in Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo Caption: A view from the Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey
Photo Caption: The skyscrapers in the Levant section of Istanbul, Turkey
Photo Caption: Misir Carsisi (the Egyptian Bazaar) in Istanbul, Turkey
Photo Caption: Kafe Ara in Istanbul, Turkey
Photo Caption: The Yeni Camii in Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo Caption: Ilhan Koman's sculpture at Santralistanbul in Istanbul, Turkey
Photo Caption: Musical instruments in a music shop on Galip Dede Caddesi in Istanbul, Turkey
Photo Caption: The Old Book Bazaar near Beyazit in Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo Caption: The domed ceiling at Suleymaniye Camii in Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo Caption: The Rumeli Hisari Fortress in Istanbul, Turkey
Photo Caption: Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey