5 exceptional experiences to take away from your cruise to Istanbul
Constantinople, Byzantion and Carihrad. These are the names behind which Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is hidden. It spans two peninsulas and is the only city in the world that spans two continents - Asia and Europe. The two worlds and the city's shores are separated by the 120-metre-deep and 31.5-kilometre-long Bosphorus Strait. It has made Istanbul one of the most important transport and trade crossroads. It has brought prosperity, a piece of history and an atmosphere that you can feel first-hand on a cruise to Istanbul. What can you experience if you visit the city by boat?
1. Soak up the atmosphere with miles in your legs
Istanbul is not a developing city, but a modern city with a very good infrastructure. Thanks to the metro and tram network, you can "get around" its most spectacular sights with minimum effort. However, that would be a huge sin. You have to experience Istanbul, you have to pedal it.
After all, what will you get from the amazing view from the Galata Bridge if you fly over it in an air-conditioned tram?
When walking, you will literally feel the atmosphere of the city where the whole Czech Republic and Slovakia together "live" (Istanbul has more than 15 million inhabitants). You will experience the amazing chaos and huge contrasts of a city that flows on every meter. Vendors, food stalls, bustling traffic and laid-back fishermen - this is Istanbul at its best.
2. Admire thousands of years of history
Very few cities in the world boast such a rich history as Istanbul. Its origins date back hundreds of years to BC. The city was the cradle of civilisations and, thanks to its location between Europe and Asia, an age-old crossroads of trade routes. The world was often ruled from it by one of the mighty empires, whether the Ottoman or the Eastern Roman (later Byzantine) Empire;
One of Istanbul's most important monuments, Hagia Sophia, dates back to her time. Built during the reign of Emperor Justinian, it was the largest cathedral in the world for a thousand years. Later it was given four minarets and became the mosque it is today. It is decorated with magnificent interiors with various Christian and Islamic motifs. If you want to see them, you have to arm yourself with a good dose of patience, they are in great demand.
The Blue Mosque, a temple almost 1300 years younger, is also popular. It is associated with controversy and a wave of resentment. The building was expensive, and it was given the same number of minarets as the most important Muslim mosque in Mecca, which eventually had to add one minaret. But the impressive structure succeeded, an ornament both outside and inside, where you can marvel at the more than 20,000 handmade blue ceramic tiles. The interior is said to have been renovated, so its beauty may not be in your imagination.
However, this is unavoidable at the Hippodrome, the construction of which was started in 203 by Septimus Severus. For more than 1000 years it was the centre of Byzantine social and sporting life. Up to 100,000 spectators could watch chariot races, athletic competitions and public ceremonies here. With the exception of a few obelisks, however, virtually no trace of it remains. Fortunately, Topkapi Palace, the most typical and representative remnant of the Ottoman Empire, did not suffer a similar fate. The magnificent royal residence was the true pride of the sultanate with all the grandeur and cruelty of the regime.
3. Offer yourself with fragrant specialties
Alcohol isn't much of a thing in Istanbul (only secretly in our ploskis), but it can please your taste buds in other ways. Authentic Turkish cuisine awaits you at every corner. The smell of kebabs - grilled or spit-roasted meat in a pita pancake with delicious dressing - will hit your nose in the streets. And just in your hand (and then in your hip) is the still warm and crispy börek, a dough filled with all sorts of ingredients like meat, cheese or spinach. The sweet spot is a tasty baklava - a dessert of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey or lokum;
Fragrant jelly sweets date back to the late 18th century and today come in dozens of different flavours. Unflavoured pistachio jelly is traditionally one of the most popular, but rosewater, lemon, bergamot (citrus) and mint candies are also popular.
If you need to recharge your batteries or are simply a foodie, succumb to the delicious Turkish coffee. For centuries, it has been prepared in a special vessel called a jazva. It is said to be black as hell, strong as death and sweet as love;
Drinking it is a firmly rooted tradition in Turkey and has a place in many rituals. For example, it is used to test the future groom. They put salt in his coffee instead of sugar, and if he is able to finish a cup of coffee without moving an eyebrow, it proves that he has a calm and good nature.
4. Try the art of bargaining in bazaars
When you say Istanbul, almost everyone immediately thinks of a bazaar. True to its name - The Big One - it reflects the size of the city. The Grand Bazaar covers an area of 45 hectares, occupied by 12 main buildings with 22 gates. One of the largest indoor market complexes in the world, it has over 4,000 shops, as well as warehouses, currency exchange offices, banks, a mosque, a post office, a police station and a health centre. So you won't miss the big bazaar in the Fatih district, but the hardest part is finding your way out in the maze of streets;
I guess some of the 20 thousand or so people who work here will be happy to help you. Even more likely, they will enthusiastically "haggle" with you about the prices of oriental carpets, antiques, clothing, gold, silver, diamonds or jewellery, leather, sweets, spices and much more.
A visit to the Grand Bazaar, where around 250,000 to 400,000 people head every day, is not just about shopping, it is a trip to learn about Turkish culture and a piece of history. After all, one of the oldest marketplaces in the world was built by Sultan Mehmed II. Conqueror back in 1455. Originally two stone buildings, the merchants who made money for the Hagia Sophia Mosque sold their wares. In the 16th century, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman I the Magnificent, the entire market complex was greatly expanded;
But remember, although it is spectacular, the Grand Bazaar is not the only one in Istanbul. You can also take a peek at the place where Egyptians once sold spices and herbs, the Egyptian Bazaar in the Eminönü district. Originally built of wood in the 17th century, the specialty of the building is spices, dried fruits, nuts, teas and oils.
5. Enjoy the moment when Istanbul plunges into darkness
Istanbul is not always one of the ports where a ship docks for only 4 hours and then sails off to other destinations. Sometimes you are lucky enough to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and a cocktail in the Turkish capital. Thanks to the later sailing, you will also discover a completely different Istanbul at night. And it has its own charm. The minaret towers glow in the dark, as do the boats bobbing in the Bosphorus Strait. More than one will set sail in the evening to show you Istanbul's beautifully lit skyline.
Sultanahmet, the square that is home to the city's iconic landmarks, is also magically lit. Topkapi Palace and other buildings and streets also glow, creating a captivating scenery that is amazing for night photography. Especially charming at night is the Galata Tower, which offers panoramic views of Istanbul until late. You can also enjoy it from several rooftop bars and restaurants.
After a busy day of exploring, do you have no energy left for an evening of fun? Don't despair. The sun setting over the oriental jewel and the lights of the city at night will be visible from the deck of the ship. This is one of the most magical moments you can experience on a cruise to Istanbul;
JANA KRISTEKOVÁ, Riviera Tour Delegate
