Istanbul lies half in Asia and half in Europe. The blending of east and west is everywhere…and I loved it. The vibe of the city was fast-paced but not entirely crazy. The food was delicious but the way it was experienced felt different. Meals were long with many dishes all served in what felt like a random order. It made the time together even more special than the food. I had dreamed for a long time of visiting and would love to spend a good bit more time in Istanbul.
Walking through the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia helps you to feel that east vs. west vibe. The story behind the Hagia and its history as a church, museum, and mosque is worth a read before going to visit. While I find that visiting churches when traveling can take away from the cultural aspect of travel, these two buildings are both stunning and highlight the culture that makes Istanbul what it is.
We had seen an episode of Chef’s Table on Netflix featuring Ciya Sofrasi and saved it on a google map. When looking for a place to eat we’re reminded and remembered how intriguing it was. We let the chef pick all of our dishes and there was so much love put into them—a fun and delicious al fresco meal.
Turkish breakfasts are great! Small dishes sunny side up eggs and their own little pans. Cheese, jam, bread, olives, and capped off with Turkish tea. Turkish coffee was another experience I very much enjoyed. As an espresso drinker adjusting to the intensity was not a problem. Turkish coffee, however, is made by leaving the grounds in the coffee and letting the settle to the bottom of the cup. So enjoying the last sip is a skill that must be learned.
We stayed at the funky W Istanbul and they took great care of us! Cool hotel in a great location. The staff was young and outside the traditional mold of hotel workers and they delivered top-notch service.
Our trip in Istanbul ended with our boarding the Azamara Pursuit <see post> for a cruise that we expected to go into the Black Sea. Due to the war in Ukraine, it skipped the planned stops in Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. While disappointed we have a reason to go back and found the replacement stops in Turkey to be a lot of fun and we needed the ride to Rome!