Douglas Easton Travel Blog - Douglas Easton Travel

April 08, 2009

Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey is a remarkable country, bustling with energy, overflowing with history and generously endowed with culture and beauty. Though its capital is Ankara, a city located in the center of the country, the heart of the nation is Istanbul. It is by any standard one of the great crossroads of civilization.

Straddling both the European and Asian continents, Istanbul traces its history back thousands of years. A parade of conquerors have left their imprints on this amazing city divided by the Bosphorus, the vital shipping lane which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, which in turn leads to the Mediterranean. Everywhere one sees evidence of past glories manifested in Istanbul's art, architecture and monuments.

We've spent the better part of this week touring Istanbul's magnificent buildings (the Blue Mosque, the Church of St. Sophia, the Goleta Tower, the Topkapi Palace, etc.); meeting the locals at the Grand Bazaar; sampling scrumptious Turkish cuisine; marveling at the city's inherent beauty; and walking all over in order to get to know it better.

Istanbul's marriage of East and West in easy to see. As one strolls along the main avenue of fashionable Begolyu, past the chic patrons in trendy boutiques and elegant cafes, one has the impression of being in Europe. Yet, by simply turning the corner, one is instantly transported to Asia, squeezing along narrow passageways filled with aromatic spices, drinking in the sounds of Turkish music and the sight of traditionally-dressed grannies.

We're visiting Turkey at an interesting time, when its geopolitcal importance is increasing. This week, President Obama visited Istanbul and met with top officials. His visit was received as an important fence-medning gesture after eight years of horrific US relations with the Islamic world.

Tomorrow, we're headed for Kusadasi. There, we'll begin our second week in Turkey, covering much of the its southwest coast. We'll meet our local guide in Izmir before embarking on a nine-day driving tour through some of the most beautiful seaside towns in the region, including Bodrum, Kalkan and Olimpos. We'll also inspect some important archaeological wonders, such as Ephesus, one of the most impressive ruins in the world, and Pamukkale, with its stupendous travertine terraces.

Past Travel Blogs: