Category Archives: istanbul

Travel Poetry – 2

Travel poem number 2 about Istanbul. I depart the shiny new tram taste sage tea hundreds of years in the making consumed near a Muslim graveyard, where I espied silhouettes of crescent moons, stars under pitch black skies. As I dodge mutant dancing zebras, vehicles screech to halt at the light. Garish clothes, piled onContinue reading “Travel Poetry – 2”

A local’s guide to Istanbul’s new cool neighbourhood

In once sleepy Kadıköy-Moda, new nightlife and culture hotspots happily coexist with the district’s established restaurants and cafes

Istanbul’s top 10 historic shopping arcades

Architecture and shopping go hand in hand at these characterful arcades, which also offer a glimpse into the city’s rich past

10 of the best ways to enjoy Istanbul on a budget

The Hagia Sophia, Galatasary FC, Bosphorus views … there are so many ways of exploring Istanbul’s riches while keeping your lira on a leash

Istanbul’s new creative hub retains Ottoman flavour – for now

The Fener-Balat quarter, once the little Greece of Istanbul, is now one of the city’s trendy design districts and regaining the international feel of its past

Snapshots: Istanbul’s impossibly colourful architecture

Over the past year, 32-year-old architect Yener Torun has been seeking out and photographing minimalist buildings around Istanbul. ‘Unfortunately there aren’t a lot of buildings like these in Turkey,’ he says. ‘So I spend most of my spare time finding them – it’s like a treasure hunt.’ He posts his pictures on Instagram, where heContinue reading “Snapshots: Istanbul’s impossibly colourful architecture”

5 Essential Istanbul Experiences

This is a story from my book Travel Tales in Exotic Places like Salford Istanbul has many world-class sights including Haghia Sofia, the Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. But I would recommend finding experiences beyond these places to discover what this city on The Bosphorus is all about. The following places will give anyContinue reading “5 Essential Istanbul Experiences”