Istanbul escapades

My dream trip to Istanbul materialized and I still get goose bumps thinking about it – the brilliant exterior of historical sites, mesmerizing mosque domes, narrow alleys of Sultanahmet district, Boshporous boat ride, Turkish delights and coffee, and exotic Turkish kebabs.

The attachment, with the narrow and clean alleys of Sultanahmet, which leads to all major historical sites of Istanbul, is blissful.

I spent an entire day in the old city of the district and visited almost all the major historical sites such as Sultan Ahmet Mosque, popularly known as Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, and Topkaki Palace.

The Blue Mosque, an art of Ottoman architect constructed during 1603-17 A.D, its falling domes, and blue interior tiles are breathtaking sights. You have to see it to believe that such a beautiful piece of architecture still exists in the world. The early morning prayer at the mosque was the sound I woke up to every single day I was there. A quick stroll around the Hagia Sophia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hippodrome of Constantinople, Topkaki Palace and Taksim Square were also places that I felt I could look at for hours.

There are numerous historical sites that carry architectural significance in Istanbul apart from the ones that I managed to visit. Istanbul, which severed as the capital city of Turkey during the Roman Empire, is the world's only city that extends into more than one continent – Europe and Asia. The Boshporous boat ride is a smart idea if someone is traveling for a short time and wants to see both European and Asian sides of Istanbul.

In all my travels, I have never seen any other place that is more gorgeous, calm, and mesmerizing than Istanbul. The tiny details of the blissful city are etched in my mind forever. Traveling alone has never felt this good before. And I'm glad I mustered the courage to go to Istanbul despite the political havoc it seems to be currently embroiled in.

I tried to see as much of Istanbul as possible during my two-day stay there. In hindsight, I regret not planning a longer trip so that I would have been able to explore the city more. I will definitely be going back one day to enjoy all the wonders it has to offer. After experiencing the city, I truly believe everyone should go to Istanbul at least once in their lifetime. And if you can manage a couple of trips to fully experience the fascinating place, nothing like it.

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