In this episode: Flying chefs at Turkish Airlines, the food scene in Istanbul, what to see in Turkey, plus reader comments. Recorded 4/15/22 in Istanbul
We stayed in the Old City in an ancient building turned cute small hotel. Our room window “framed” the Hagia Sophia, it was a magical view! In the evening the sea gull (white birds so I’m guessing) circled the Minarets like a beautiful giant crown. And then right before dawn we woke up to the
Muezzin Calling the faithful to prayer and waking the entire city….
Our visit to Istanbul was an unexpected Turkish delete, had never been on any wish list and we are so grateful for the 5 days spent with these wonderful people!
Getting lost in the Grand Bazaar is a chuckle to last a lifetime ;)
I had the joy to have an opportunity to work and live in Istanbul beginning back in 1994. I was part of a team designing and building TATILYA Park the largest indoor amusement park in Europe. The park opened in 1996 It had all kinds of rides that were under my responsibility. Those were good days of Turkish Government. I got to do a lot of lessons regarding food. In those days there were Meat Restaurants and Seafood restaurants and never the 2 would meet-in a single restaurant. I had an opportunity to take my wife for the grand opening of the park. She fell in love with the Blue Fish and the Pit Roasted Lamb. My wife told me that if I drove back home in California she would walk. I had a little Fiat Sedan for my travels. Yes I drove in Turkey. Istanbul was noisy aromatic and happy and is held deep in my heart.
Regarding food, we had great food on Turkish Air. One of my fondest memories of Istambul food is the figs stuffed with dark chocolate that the hotel left on the pillow every night. Pure heaven.
Fantastic food, welcoming people. Turkish delights so good. Had a shave at a barber and my never felt better. Turkish coffee is great. The Spice Bazaar, excellent, could smell spices a block away.
In 2015 our cruise ship docked overnight in Istanbul. We toured & went out on our own & had a great time. I was I little sad at all the stray dogs. Loved the Turkish delight though, all of it!
Oh, what did I miss!!! I’ve been so busy packing for our trip to Istanbul first of May and navigating through the maze of Covid regulations that I didn’t pay attention to my emails for the last week. So, I really couldn’t let this go without commenting. Phew! I was born in Istanbul one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world. I lived there until my family and I immigrated to US in the seventies. My American born husband fell in love with Turkish food and the people the first time we visited Turkey together and has not recovered since. I wished I had known you were going in order to recommend a restaurant that’s been there for ages, has the most amazing food, incredible service and ambiance. It looks like a palace and when you are there you feel like royalty, literally! Anyway, I will toast to you from there. Cheers!
We stayed in the Old City in an ancient building turned cute small hotel. Our room window “framed” the Hagia Sophia, it was a magical view! In the evening the sea gull (white birds so I’m guessing) circled the Minarets like a beautiful giant crown. And then right before dawn we woke up to the
Muezzin Calling the faithful to prayer and waking the entire city….
Our visit to Istanbul was an unexpected Turkish delete, had never been on any wish list and we are so grateful for the 5 days spent with these wonderful people!
Getting lost in the Grand Bazaar is a chuckle to last a lifetime ;)
Glad you enjoyed your visit!
In 2013 we flew in Turkish Airlines from Ankara to Istanbul. During the short flight we were served a full lunch. It was unexpected and good.
I had the joy to have an opportunity to work and live in Istanbul beginning back in 1994. I was part of a team designing and building TATILYA Park the largest indoor amusement park in Europe. The park opened in 1996 It had all kinds of rides that were under my responsibility. Those were good days of Turkish Government. I got to do a lot of lessons regarding food. In those days there were Meat Restaurants and Seafood restaurants and never the 2 would meet-in a single restaurant. I had an opportunity to take my wife for the grand opening of the park. She fell in love with the Blue Fish and the Pit Roasted Lamb. My wife told me that if I drove back home in California she would walk. I had a little Fiat Sedan for my travels. Yes I drove in Turkey. Istanbul was noisy aromatic and happy and is held deep in my heart.
Regarding food, we had great food on Turkish Air. One of my fondest memories of Istambul food is the figs stuffed with dark chocolate that the hotel left on the pillow every night. Pure heaven.
Fantastic food, welcoming people. Turkish delights so good. Had a shave at a barber and my never felt better. Turkish coffee is great. The Spice Bazaar, excellent, could smell spices a block away.
In 2015 our cruise ship docked overnight in Istanbul. We toured & went out on our own & had a great time. I was I little sad at all the stray dogs. Loved the Turkish delight though, all of it!
Oh, what did I miss!!! I’ve been so busy packing for our trip to Istanbul first of May and navigating through the maze of Covid regulations that I didn’t pay attention to my emails for the last week. So, I really couldn’t let this go without commenting. Phew! I was born in Istanbul one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world. I lived there until my family and I immigrated to US in the seventies. My American born husband fell in love with Turkish food and the people the first time we visited Turkey together and has not recovered since. I wished I had known you were going in order to recommend a restaurant that’s been there for ages, has the most amazing food, incredible service and ambiance. It looks like a palace and when you are there you feel like royalty, literally! Anyway, I will toast to you from there. Cheers!