| The
One Thing You Don't Want to Miss |
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| Journey to Istanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood to
experience the astounding Ayasofya (also know as the Church of Holy
Wisdom or the Hagia Sophia), an incredible example of Byzantine
architecture. The original cathedral was completed in A.D. 537,
using columns and marble from other temples around the empire.
Earthquakes, crusaders and successive rulers have all left their
mark on the Ayasofya. The original mosaics, which were once
plastered over, have been gloriously restored. Simply put, this is a
sight you will always remember. |
| Other
Fun Things to Do |
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Equally affecting is the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii),
a grand, bulbous monument to Islam. With 260 stained glass
windows, six minarets and liberal use of decorative tile,
the Blue Mosque is an amazing visual adventure. |
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Take a tour of Dolmabahçe Palace and see how the sultans
of the Ottoman Empire lived. |
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| Get
a Taste of Local Flavor |
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| For an appetizer, don't miss out on barbunya
pilaki, roasted baby eggplant topped with garlic, tomatoes and
olive oil-fried onions. There are many types of kebabs (meaning
roasted) to sample. The well-known shish kebab simply consists of
chunks of roasted lamb. Fresh fish is typically served grilled and
topped with olive oil and lemon. Popular desserts include baklava
and puddings made from yogurt and eggs. And don't forget to try
Turkish Delight, or lokum, a candy that's been around for
about five hundred years, made from starch and sugar, often flavored
with lemon or rosewater. |
| Shopping
for Bargains |
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| Turkey's leather goods are some of the
best in Europe. You can purchase customized leather items for far
less money here than at home. Carpet shops are abundant, so make
sure you shop around. You may find the best prices outside of
Istanbul. Visit the Grand Bazaar, with its thousands of shops,
selling everything from brass, copper and jewelry to textiles,
leather, carpets, and more. Prices are generally flexible, so be
ready to bargain. |
| Local
Currency |
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| The Lira (TRL) is the official currency
of Turkey. Banks and exchange offices are generally open only on
weekdays - you may find it hard to convert your traveler's checks on
weekends. ATMs are common in Turkish cities, towns and resorts, and
many of them connect to worldwide networks such as Cirrus® or Plus®
and to credit cards. |
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