Türkiye Gallery
Rendez-vous Istanbul
Fun facts for trivia night:
Remember that banger that came out in 1953:
-----Istanbul was Constantinople
-----Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople
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Well, in 1930, the government did rename the capital city to Istanbul.
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Then in 2022, the government changed the name of the country to Türkiye.
So, we gather here today, to relive a wonderful vacation in Istanbul. Not Constantinople.
The feeling, the rhythm, the story lived between two continents. As a, avid traveler, this vacation explored what makes Istanbul unique: a cultural heart where history and modern life exits in beautiful contrast.
Jump to the chapters: Hotel - Street Photography - Shopping - The Mosques - Dolmabahce Palace - Basilica Cistern - Heading Home
Boutique Hotel: Adahan DeCamondo Pera, Autograph. Collection
As one of the best boutique hotels in Istanbul for culture lovers, Adahan DeCamondo Pera, Autograph Collection offers a refined backdrop for living just the way I like it: gently, intentionally, and embracing beauty without rush.
It’s a stylish historic hotel where soft-life meets soulful travel, wrapped in timeless elegance. Nestled in the heart of Istanbul’s city center, this heritage hotel becomes a sanctuary for a jet-setting millennial; inviting slow mornings and thoughtful pauses. It's also highly photogenic!
The Streets of Istanbul
I love graffiti! Here are some of the highlights while exploring the graffiti covered streets of Karaköy. Then, visit the famous rainbow stairs, and the umbrella street. Enjoy!
"Shut up and Take my Money!" - Emi
Spices, scarves, purses, and jewelry. Yes! 10 of each please!
The Mosques
We go inside Süleymaniye Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (AKA the Sultan Ahmed Mosque), and the Basilica Cistern.
It's truly enchanting! Bathed in natural light, the dome of the Süleymaniye Mosque rises as a quiet sanctuary in the heart of Istanbul.
Here, we focus on quiet reflection, revealing how stillness can be found even within a timeless city, and how quiet moments in Istanbul become gentle guides back to oneself. A place where architecture and soul exist in harmony.
Hagia Sophia means “Holy Wisdom” in Greek and it is GRAND! It was my favorite mosque from the three visited.
Beneath the grand dome and mosaics inside Hagia Sophia, echoes of devotion and history invite moments of awe and introspection. This is where to explore mindful travel in sacred places and the timeless spiritual beauty woven into every detail. This mosque is a must!
Standing proudly in the heart of Istanbul, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, famously known as the Blue Mosque, is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. Inside, the mosque is a mesmerizing display of sacred Ottoman architecture, with soaring domes and walls adorned in vibrant blue Iznik tiles that surely glow in the sunlight.
Bask in its grandeur!
Dolmabahce Palace
Set in front of the shimmering shores of the Bosphorus, Dolmabahce Palace is a symbol of opulence, elegance, and Istanbul's rich cultural heritage.
Cautionary tale, leave ample time to visit. This place is massive!
Basilica Cistern
Hidden beneath the busy streets lies one of the city's most atmospheric wonders, the Basilica Cistern. This an ancient Byzantine architecture presents dramatic light, shadows, and peculiar art and statues. I did my best to capture its moody interior.
Heading home with new memories
And so, I say goodbye for now. I return home with a heart full of memories and a suitcase bearing the evidence of the journey.
Just between us, I've found a smoother way to travel, lighter, freer, through Fly à la MODE, where passionate travelers move without the burden of baggage. Consider it an invitation to travel unencumbered.
