By: Dr Taghreed Arafa
When the longing for sounds and colors arises, and passion drives us to seek knowledge and discovery, we pack our bags and embark on a journey across this vast and wondrous planet. We contemplate, learn, and liberate ourselves from the shackles of the familiar, allowing the world to unveil its secrets and investigating the traces of civilizations. We pause at every marvelous and inspiring wonder to ponder the essence of the past and its enchantment. Istanbul, once Byzantium, then Constantinople, the Gateway to Happiness, celebrates nature’s bounty in a journey through time.
Located in the Marmara region of northwest Turkey, Istanbul is bordered by the Black Sea to the north and the Sea of Marmara to the south, with Tekirdağ Province to the west and Sakarya and Kocaeli Provinces to the east.
The visit on the first day included numerous destinations and places, aiming to explore Turkey’s most significant historical and touristic landmarks, with a special focus on experiencing Turkish cuisine. Turkish cuisine, with its rich history influenced over time by Kurdish, Persian, Indian, Arab, and Armenian cooking, reflects the Ottoman Empire’s reign over vast territories across the Eastern Mediterranean region for about 500 years. The journey on the first day included visits to some of the most important archaeological and touristic sites, such as the Hagia Sophia Museum and Mosque.
Hagia Sophia, or Ayasofya in Turkish, can be considered one of the most visited tourist attractions in Istanbul. It was a church and a mosque in the past and has been hailed as one of the greatest architectural works in the world. Converted into a museum, it presents 1500 years of Christian and Islamic history side by side, once a grand cathedral in Constantinople and later an imperial mosque during the Ottoman Empire. Today, it serves as a unique museum for the world, featuring state-of-the-art display technologies in each room, making you feel like you are living through history, moment by moment.
Adjacent to the Hagia Sophia Museum is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque. It contains many stories and is an imperial mosque located in the Sultanahmet area. It is considered a masterpiece of architecture, blending architectural and decorative elements. It was situated in the Hippodrome, an area of the city known for chariot races in ancient times, and was the site of many celebrations throughout history.
Istanbul boasts a rich history, having been the capital of several states and empires throughout its long history, including the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. The city has been called by many names throughout history, including Byzantium, Constantinople, and Islambol, and its current name, Istanbul.
One of the city’s distinctive landmarks is the Bosphorus Bridge, officially known as the Martyrs’ Bridge, one of the three suspension bridges in Istanbul, Turkey, spanning the Bosphorus Strait and connecting Europe to Asia. The bridge, supported by gravity on steel towers and inclined hangers, offers breathtaking views of palaces and iconic buildings throughout the journey. It’s a journey that allows you to discover the city from a unique perspective.
By organizing a boat tour through the Bosphorus Strait, we were able to witness many tourist attractions, enjoying a meal in one of the elegant restaurants featuring beautiful Turkish decor. After indulging in kebabs for lunch, it was essential to sip Turkish coffee and tea on the boat amidst the enjoyable atmosphere and the sunset, accompanied by listening to some of Turkey’s most famous songs. Among the most beautiful sights during the trip were the palaces and distinctive buildings throughout the journey, offering a unique opportunity to discover the city from a different perspective.
