Vision – Page 3 – Tour Hints

Fish Bread

August 6, 2022

Customized Tour Istanbul – Fish in the Bread, what an attractive couple

The attractive couple, Fish and Bread, just like Bosphorus is the symbol of Istanbul. Personal Istanbul tours will introduce you to it.

The fish sandwich – an Istanbul institution. You simply need to go to the Eminonu end of Galata Bridge, then to the side of the bridge where Golden Horn is and then just follow the smell of freshly grilled fish…

For a century, maybe fishermen brought their catch from the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul’s Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn for sale tour guide istanbul.

Istanbullians have always made the most of the city’s seaside position. Walk along the Galata Bridge and you will always see people fishing, no matter what the weather is like. Local people know it and whenever they have the chance, they would enjoy the balik ekmek (fish and bread). For tourists, it is something they must learn and experience, though at first they might find it a bit fishy. After visiting the places of interest in customized tour Istanbul and especially after a Bosphorus boat trip; a fish sandwich is a great hunger reliever. Although Ephesus is on the Aegean coastline, it wasn’t a tradition for people to have such a sandwich. Or maybe they didn’t know about it. Definitely, they knew many other things. Enjoy a walking tour Ephesus to see and learn what they knew.

A grilled fish fillet inserted in a half loaf of bread

Balik ekmek – a grilled fish fillet inserted in a half loaf of bread with some lettuce and onion. A cheap and definitely healthier substitute to fast food customized tour istanbul.

Fish, just like Bosphorus is the symbol of Istanbul and private tour Istanbul. Fishermen, fishing boats, fish and bread are another thing that characterizes this cosmopolitan city.

A few fishermen came to the idea of cooking the fish they had caught. Right then and right on their boats and sell it to the passers-by ready-to-eat. They built grills and fryers on their boats and started feeding Istanbullians. There are many small restaurants that serve not only fish and bread, but fish plates as well. Fishing boats, though, anchored at the pier, add to the itself romantic adventure and experience of eating outside (not in a restaurant) by the sea. But first, you get your balik ekmek off the boat itself as it rocks to the waves in the sea. There are nice nooks with small plastic tables and chairs at the pier, and quick, friendly staff dressed in local outfits.

Dolmus

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August 6, 2022

Customized Istanbul City Tour – Fill it up and go…

It can be really enjoyable to use dolmus for customized tour Istanbul. No privacy and space (sometimes) but definitely fun.

Just like all the rest of the world Istanbul got its share in the economic crisis at its beginning in the 1930s. By that time, people who used taxis to go to work or different places started using the public transport – trams instead, like the poorer people did. In ancient Ephesus, though, people knew no trams, cars or minibuses. Neither did richer people, nor poorer. Today, visitors to Ephesus still walk and they enjoy the informative and amusing stories of guides.

The first minibus driver – the cook Halid.. customized tour istanbul

Halid used to be a cook who changed his occupation with that of a taxi driver. His old profession stayed with him as a nickname, though. For some time, every morning and in the evening, he would take a Jewish citizen of Istanbul from Nisantasi to Eminonu and the same way back. It cost 80 kurus (penny) one way (by that time it was the money enough for 5 breads or a chicken). One day the gentleman said to Halid, ‘Look, young man customized istanbul city tour.

It is getting more difficult every day and I am struggling to pay you 25 lira every month. But I have a solution to that. I found four more people who go to Eminonu as well. You will take us together and we will pay you 100 kurus instead.’ Not only did Halid accept that offer but he also started to take people to different destinations. He would wait till the vehicle got full, then he would take the people to the chosen destination. The name ‘dolmus’ comes from that action. In Turkish ‘dolmus’ means ‘full’.

Dolmus drivers should have been married…

With the introduction of dolmus as a mean of transport, unwritten rules started taking place in Turkey in the 1960s. Drivers should be younger than 25, they shouldn’t be single, etc. The most popular cars among dolmus became the American cars (Chevrolet, Impala, Dodge) because of being spacious and comfortable.

Turkish Bath

Saksagana

August 6, 2022

Treat your skin with the delights of the oriental spa centre

Tour Guide Istanbul –customized Istanbul city tour and the joy of hamam.

“Whoever goes to the bath on forty consecutive Wednesdays will succeed at anything they do”, an old adage claims. It was believed in the past that hamams not only meant pleasure to the bather, but also brought luck.

It is unthinkable for a visitor in Istanbul to miss out on such an experience as the Turkish bath. Along with its breathtaking scenery and historical significance, Istanbul is lucky to be graced with a large number of historical Turkish baths that date back to the Ottoman Empire customized istanbul city tour.

Like many things in Turkish culture, hamam dates back to the Ottoman Empire. However, when you get a closer look at the history of Turkish baths, you would realize how much they resemble the ‘spreader of warmth’ (as hamam means in Arabic) of their predecessors, Byzantine Greeks and Romans. Also in Ephesus, you can be convinced of the resemblance with Ephesus tours guide.

Turkish baths combine the traditions of Roman and Byzantine

Turkish baths combine the traditions of Roman and Byzantine thermal baths with Central Asian steam bathing and cleansing rituals. With their arrival to Turkey, Muslims brought their own bathing customs. These, inevitably, mingled together and Turkish baths, or hamams were created. They had three basic functions: a place for social gathering; ritual cleansing connected to the Muslim faith (it required spiritual and physical cleansing); and an architectural witness to the sultan’s greatness, power and wealth. The function of private tour Istanbul is to bring joy and entertainment whether taking the visitors of Istanbul to hamam or on a sightseeing tour around the city with Tour Guide Istanbul tour guide istanbul.

Compare to the Greek baths

Compared to the Greek baths, the hamams of Islam are smaller and more modest. It is known that Arabs built versions of Greek-Roman baths which they encountered upon their conquest of Alexandria in 641. It was believed that the heat of the hamam enhanced the fertility. Soon these ‘sweat baths’ or ‘spreader of warmth’ became really important in religious aspect and hamams were built as annex to mosques. As the Islamic faith spread, so did hamams. They were one of the places in Islam that stayed open from early morning till late night and sometimes longer. From the 10th century Turkish kingdoms began to appear in Anatolia in lands which were already in the authority of Byzantine Greeks. That eventually led to the complete conquering of the old empire in the 15th century. The new Ottoman Empire showed its face to the world.

Istiklal Street Beyoglu

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August 5, 2022

The busiest street of Istanbul – Customized Istanbul Tours

A walk on Istiklal Street during customized Istanbul tours, means time spent nicely. Just like to be in Ephesus with Ephesus tour guide, or anywhere in Turkey. Valuable time is guaranteed. Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) is the heart of Beyoglu, the more modern district of Istanbul built during the 19th century.

The city’s most popular strolling, shopping and snacking street. It is now reserved for pedestrians, lined with boutiques, cafes, consulates, restaurants, galleries, cinemas and banks. That means you have many places to see here in your daily Istanbul tour. When 19th-century travellers spoke of Constantinople (Istanbul) as the Paris of the East, they were thinking of the Grande Rue de Pera (Istiklal Caddesi). Also, of its half-European, half-Asian culture. The avenue begins at Taksim Square, the hub of modern Istanbul.

Nostalgic Istiklal Caddesi tramway cars rattle and clank along Istiklal Caddesi from Taksim Square to Tunel Square. Just as they did in the 19th-century heyday of this Europeanized corner of the Ottoman sultan’s domains.

Halfway along the avenue

Halfway along the avenue toward the south west is Galatasaray Square, easily recognizable by the grand gates to Galatasaray Lisesi, the first European-style lycée (high school) erected by the Ottoman government daily istanbul tour.

At the far south western end of Istiklal Caddesi is Tunel Square, site of the upper station of 19th-century Beyoglu’s little two-station underground train, the Tunel, and southern terminus of the nostalgic Istiklal Caddesi tram.

Contact me to join customized Istanbul tours in the daytime for shopping. In the evening for strolling, people-watching, supper in one of the many restaurants. Let`s have a drink in a cafe or bar, and some music in a little nightspot customized istanbul tours.

Divan Yolu

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August 5, 2022

Daily Istanbul Tour – from Mese to Divan Yolu

‘The Road to the Imperial Council’ from Sultanahmet Square to Beyazit Square is an enjoyable Istanbul history lesson during Daily Istanbul Tour and one of the many Turkey sightseeing.

Divan Yolu, the “Road to the Imperial Council,” was once the imperial road from Constantinople to Rome (map). It takes its Turkish name from Ottoman times, when it was in fact the “Road to the Imperial Council” (Divan) in Topkapi Palace.

When it was laid out by Constantine the Great in the early 300s AD; Divan Yolu (dee-vahn yoh-loo) was the Mese. It was the main boulevard leading from the city centre on Seraglio Point to the Golden Gate in the city walls; where it met the road to Rome walking tours istanbul.

Do you know what the name of the main street in Ephesus was? Curetes street. Join Ephesus walking tour and you can walk on it listening to an eloquent guide telling you stories of time long gone.

The beginning point of the Mese was marked by the Milion; a grand monumental structure called a ‘tetrapylon’ (‘four-tower’); four towers at the corners of a square footing, topped by a dome.

The Milion was apparently razed in the 15th century. But remnants of it were discovered in the 1960s. And a short marble shaft was re-erected at the northeastern end of Sultanahmet Square; in the little park above the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici) daily istanbul tour.

Divan Yolu main avenue

Divan Yolu is now the main avenue through historic Old Istanbul; starting at Sultanahmet Square and the Hippodrome and heading westward to Beyazit Square and the Grand Bazaar. The road changes names as it goes, becoming Yeniceriler Caddesi (“Avenue of the Janissaries”) through Beyazit Square. Then Ordu Caddesi (“Army Avenue”) to Aksaray Square. Under different names the road continues out to the city walls, through a gate, and on toward Rome, a thousand miles (1600 km) away.

Istanbul Bazaars

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August 5, 2022

Walking Tours Istanbul – Funny, relaxing and stress-taking

Another pleasant thing to do in Istanbul on Walking Tours Istanbul or sightseeing Turkey is shopping. You need patience, good sense of humour, money and some skills in bargaining

One of my favourite walking tours in Istanbul is from the Grand Bazaar north downhill on Longmarket Street (Uzuncarsi Caddesi) through the Tahtakale district to the Golden Horn and the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi).

Our first stop will be Grand Bazaar. There are more than 4000 shops there. Although you need a couple of days to see everything inside, we will only spare 2 hours to get the taste of it in your private daily shopping tour of Istanbul customized istanbul tours.

While we are leaving the Grand Bazaar we can see Tahtakale (during the week). You can see a busy street full with men with telephones. They buy and sell foreign currency, not little amounts but millions. In their language Yumos (softener) means Euro, Yesil (green) means Dollar, Kralice (queen) – English pound.

You cannot see these in Ephesus but you can experience something different in sightseeing Ephesus. You can use the time machine to take you centuries back and try to imagine how ancient people did shopping and bargained then; how they had fun, where they used to live…

Get into Mahmutpasa

We will get into Mahmutpasa where you can see lots of locals. It is probably the most reasonable place for shopping in Istanbul. You can see suits, dresses, wedding dresses, coats and even one of the most interesting things – costumes of the boys for circumcision walking tours istanbul.

While we are walking down Mahmutpasa woith tour guide Istanbul, you can enjoy the atmosphere or do little bit of shopping.

Right after Mahmutpasa we will get into Spice Market (Misir Carsisi). We call this a sweet stop. In Spice Market we will try lovely Turkish delights and learn about the spices that you can get from there. Spice market is not so big and it can easily get so busy. Bargaining is difficult. Everything has price on it, but you still can try…

Heybeliada

Saksagana

August 5, 2022

The ‘saddlebag’ that makes a holiday perfect – walking tour Istanbul

Heybeliada, Heybeli ada or simply Heybeli is the greenest and the second biggest island of the Princes’ Islands and it can be part of customized Istanbul tours. It is in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. Actually, the Princes’ Islands are only an hour away from Istanbul. Heybeliada has always been a favourite summer resort during Byzantine and Ottoman eras. During the different historical periods it had different names.

During Byzantine Period the island was known as Khalkitis or Chalki. Chalki comes from the Greek word chalkos, which means copper. Once upon a time there used to be copper mines which are no more in use nowadays, but they explain the name of the island. Turkish name – Heybeli, means ‘saddlebag’. This time the name is given because of the low place between the hills.

There are nine islands in the Princes’ Islands group and the ferry stops at four of them only. A daily private tour easily can be arranged for Heybeliada or Buyukada city tour istanbul.

The most beautiful and impressive one is Heybeliada. What a release and surprise it is for the visitor when they step on the island and see no car traffic. To prevent the islands from becoming polluted the only motorized vehicles allowed are the ones of service (fire, rubbish, police, ambulance). Transportation is generally provided by traditional horse-drawn phaetons, and the roads on the island were designed for walking and cycling. You can have peaceful and enjoyable Walking Tour Istanbul on the island walking tour istanbul.

Turkish Naval Academy

Turkish Naval Academy, founded in 1773 is situated on the island. And there are two interesting pieces of architecture on the grounds of the school; – one is Kamariotissa (or the Monastery of Virgin Mary) – the only remaining Byzantine church on the island, and more importantly the last church to be built before the conquest of Constantinople and the other one is the grave of Edward Barton, the second English Ambassador sent to Constantinople by Elizabeth I of England. He spent his last days in Heybeli in order to escape the plague raging through the city in 1598.

Topkapi Palace

Saksagana

August 5, 2022

Private tours Istanbul have a bag full of stories; Once upon a time, there were many characteristic sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Each one of them with their own story. There was a former concubine who managed to become the powerful consort of Suleyman the Magnificent – the beautiful Roxelana. Also, many other girls slaves taught the arts of make-up, dress, music, dancing, reading and writing, etc. to become part of the Harem later; janissaries; a palette of sad, mad, bad, happy stories… All of these have the name with two words only – Topkapi Palace!

Mehmet II conquered the city

2140 years after the foundation of today’s Istanbul, a young sultan at the age of twenty-three – Mehmet II conquered the city. Named ‘the Conqueror’, due to his victory, 9 years after it, Sultan Mehmet started building his palace over the ruins of Constantinople’s Acropolis. The result was Topkapi Palace. Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror especially chose the place. He started to call himself, ‘I am the Sultan of the lands and the seas.’ This is the point in private tours Istanbul that you are closest to two continents and to seas walking tour istanbul.

It occupies one of the seven hills of Istanbul overlooking the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. There is a good view of the Bosphorus from many points of the palace. Topkapi Palace was certainly quite different from the European palaces. This is because of its ”irregular, asymmetric, non-axial, and unmonumental proportions”. It also differed a lot from the oriental or Islamic traditions in the art of palace building. In fact, Topkapi was a sui generis microcosm, a paradise on earth or ‘The Palace of Felicity’. Make sure you don’t miss it! But also make sure you have enough time to see most of it if not all on private tours Istanbul private tours istanbul.

Establishing the basic layout of the palace

Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror was the one who established the basic layout of the palace. According to an account of a contemporary historian, the sultan also “… took care to summon the very best workmen from everywhere – masons and stone cutters and carpenters … For he was constructing great edifices which were to be worth seeing and should in every respect vie with the greatest and best of the past. For this reason he needed to give them the most careful oversight as to workmen and materials of many kinds and the best quality, and he also was concerned with the very many and great expenses and outlays.”

Istanbul in city tour

Saksagana

August 5, 2022

Istanbul in city tour

Istanbul is one although with many different faces. Because of that, probably, I really like the comparison between this cosmopolitan city and the dragon. Dragons are legendary, mythical creatures who can fly, fight, guard people and protect heaven… Don’t you recognize Istanbul here? It’s legendary and mythical, powerful, with many heads and capable of reviving. Just like a dragon. Interestingly, unlike this ancient beast, Istanbul is not a frightening place. On the contrary, it’s a place that makes you curious, excited and ready to learn and enjoy.

City tour Istanbul following the footsteps of …

During our city tour Istanbul we will follow the footsteps of Constantine the Great, Justinian the First, Theodora. Who else? Definitely, Suleyman the Magnificent or Murad IV. Or we can simply talk about the riot of Nike. Whatever footsteps our tour follows, there is a promise for a knowledgeable and fun day private tours istanbul.

Constantine the Great, after whom Constantinople was named. Or Suleyman the Magnificent, the ‘Kanuni’, who ruled for 46 years and doubled the territory of the Ottoman Empire.

North of Taksim Square is the place people know as New Istanbul. This is the place people started to inhabit in the last years of the Ottoman Empire and early Turkish Republic. This district in Istanbul has neighbourhoods like Elmadag, Nisantasi, Kurtulus and Sisli, which are worth visiting for good food or drink.

So you are welcome to have fun in the city tour Istanbul.

Interesting stories and city tour Istanbul

In the beginning it was Byzantium… However, if we go further back in time, we will find the small fishing village Lygos. It was settled on the European side of today’s Istanbul. Then, around 700 BC colonists from Megara in Greece, founded the city of Chalcedon on the European shore of the Bosphorus. And here comes Byzantium – the next name of the settlement city tour istanbul.

Byzantium, comes after a Megarean colonist, Byzas, who established his new colony. There is a legend that says that Byzas was the son of Poseidon and a nymph, daughter of Zeus and Io. Before he was leaving Greece, he asked the oracle at Delphi where he should establish his new colony. The answer he got was enigmatic – ‘Opposite the blind’.

While he was sailing up the Bosphorus, he remembered the words of the oracle as he noticed the colony on the Asian shore at Chalcedon. Then on the European shore he saw the small fishing village of Lygos. It was built on a magnificent and easily fortified natural harbour of the Golden Horn. Thinking, as legend has it, that the settlers of Chalcedon must have been blind to disregard such a good and strategic position, Byzas and his fellows settled their new town there and named it after its founder Byzas, Byzantium.

Christian Heritage

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August 3, 2022

After Turks conquered Istanbul, still Christianity was the first religion there. Monuments of Christianity can be seen in Istanbul on Istanbul private guided tours and around Turkey in general. Particularly Ephesus played a vital role in the spread of the religion. It was one of the seven churches of Asia, the site of several 5-th century Christian Councils . We are not sure if Constantine the Great was a Christian or not but he is the one who thought that Christianity can be the saviour of the Roman Empire. He decided to accept the Christianity as a religion but he also knew it was not easy to do that in Rome. He was looking for a new capital when he came down to Byzantion (today’s Istanbul or Constantinople) where he settled his new Rome. Istanbul or Constantinople is the city where Christianity was promoted as the official religion of Rome. You can sense the Christian heritage of Istanbul not only with the buildings but also with the way Constantine the Great thought of and acted. His idea of a new capital and new religion of Rome. It can be felt among St.Sophia, Chora Church Museum and Greek Orthodox Patriarchate istanbul private guided tours.

Head of Orthodox Church

Istanbul is still the centre and the head of Orthodox Church. Although there are more than 90 Orthodox churches up and running, the population of Orthodox is a little bit more than 5000. In Istanbul there are also 30 Catholic Churches. St. Anthony of Padua Church is the main one.

Turkey, Anatolia had always been given the label of cradle of Christianity. It is the birthplace of many Christian Apostles and Saints. Istanbul private guided tours have the knowledge. And they will to take you around Istanbul and introduce you to the monuments of Christianity city tours istanbul.

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