Strolling in Istanbul

We strolled near our hotel, LARESPARK Hotel, Topçu Caddesi, No.23 Taksim. We enjoyed the hotel (great location, food and clean rooms) and would highly recommend it. The hotel is close to Taksim Square.

 

 

Shopping at Taksim Square

The shops at Taksim Square went on and on. We walked 2 hours and headed back when it didn't seem like there would be an end. Taksim Square is 5 minutes from our TRYP hotel and worth a look.

Spice Bazaar and views of Istanbul Europe over the Bosphorus Bridge

Woke up early and walked in the alleys and streets on the outskirts of  Taksim Square. Everywhere there were owners trying to invite you to their shops or restaurants. We stopped at a breakfast place and had the best pastry ever. It was a flaky dough with salty creamy goat cheese filling in the inside. Fresh out of the oven it was a perfect blend of crispy, hot, creamy, salty and mild.

Next we went over the Bosphorus Bridge and visited a park in Istanbul Asia Minor with an awesome view of Istanbul Europe.

Back to Istanbul Europe, we visited the Spice Bazaar. We were told James Bond's Skyfall shut down the market  for 10 days when they were filming the beginning driving rooftop scene. Outside, you can smell grilled mackerel from boat kitchens. Inside the market had tons of spices, Turkish delights, kitchenware etc for sale. Outside there were cheeses, meat, fishes, olives etc. We explored the bridge near by where people were fishing for fish.  The Bosphorus is full of fishes and jelly fishes depending on which direction the currents were flowing. Stopped to eat mackerel sandwich for 5 TL (about $3Cdn) at one of the restaurants. The smells were awesome since I love grilled mackerel. 

Visited a mosque right next to the Spice Market. Christians, Muslims and Jews lived in harmony for over 1000 years in Turkey and it is evident in Istanbul.