I recently returned
from Istanbul and was blown away. I had always dreamed of
visiting this enchanted city and it truly lived up to all of my expectations. The city
boasts history, culture, cuisine and some of the kindest most genuine people I
have ever met.
While I visited many of the
must-see sites including Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and
the Blue Mosque, it’s not surprise to those who know me
that the highlight for me was a visit to the Spice Bazaar.
This bazaar is
the home to both locals and tourists who are in search of spices,
dried herbs, nuts, teas, dried fruits and plenty of souvenirs. I walked away with three
types of tea and spices that will last me for many
meals to come. I have already enjoyed a number of new recipes and flavors thanks
to my various purchases!
Fun
facts about this beautiful city:
-Istanbul is the only city in
the world that straddles two continents: Asia and Europe.
-Tulips, the symbol of Holland,
originated in Istanbul and were sent from Istanbul to Netherlands.
-The Grand Bazaar is the largest
covered bazaar in the world, with over 3.000 shops
-Istanbul was the European
Cultural Capital City in 2010, but has never hosted the Olympics.
Istanbul is a fabulous city to
visit on its own, in combination with a full land tour of Turkey, or pre/post
cruise. Please contact me at jessica@mccabeworldcom for more details.
