IVCEPTION

A Walk in Istanbul – Part 2

Amidst the whole madness going on in the world right now, I am reminiscing of my times in Istanbul and thinking of what landmarks and attractions I should feature in my next post about the city. I have thought of some more recommendations to list, taking into consideration that summer is just a few months away.

If you haven’t read my previous blog post about Istanbul, make sure to click on the link below to check it out:

A Walk in Istanbul – Part 1

The Golden Horn (Haliç)

The Golden Horn or Haliç is a sight with historical significance and the primary inlet of the Bosphorus. Its name originates from the aerial view of the inlet resembling the shape of a horn.

In order to get to the hill that overlooks the Horn, you will have to make your way to the TELEFERIK PIERLOTTI Station. If you are departing from the district of Eminönü, bus number 99 will take you there in no time. I would highly recommend purchasing an Istanbulkart for public transportation in Istanbul. It costs between 6-7 TL, depending on whether you buy it from a machine or a kiosk. You can always check your balance and deposit more money into your card if needed.

Once you’re at the TELEFERIK PIERLOTTI Station you need to get on the Teleferik which is a small lift with cable cars that will take you up the hill and to a terrace where you can enjoy the amazing view and perhaps try Turkish tea and a börek from the Pierre Loti cafe watching the sunset as Istanbul starts to light up full of life.

Galata Tower

There isn’t a book, travel blog, or article dedicated to Istanbul that fails to mention the impressive Galata Kulesi and its beauty. The Galata Tower is a medieval cone-capped tower that offers a panoramic view of Istanbul and is located north of the Golden Horn’s junction with the Bosphorus.

The tower is said to have been the tallest building in Constantinople when it was built in 1348. There are two elevators that carry visitors to the upper levels where they can enjoy a cup of coffee or a nice meal at the restaurant, gazing at Istanbul and the Bosphorus.

Bosphorus Cruise

This has to be one of my most memorable experiences from Istanbul, although it’s extremely hard to pick a favorite. In my opinion, it is best to look up online the different cruises that are available so that you can choose the one that suits you best. There are tours that offer fancy meals and entertainment, some go all the way to the Black sea and back. The one that I have been on is the TurYol Bosphorus cruise that leaves from Eminönü, takes you to the second bridge, and back for around 90 minutes.

The prices for the TurYol tour are 12 TL for adults and 6 TL for children (under 12). There are cruise ships departing every hour and if you can I’d recommend going on it twice – once during the day and once at night (make sure you wear something warm for the night tour as it gets quite windy).

The Princes’ Islands

The Princes’ Islands, also known as Adalar, is an archipelago of islands off the coast of Istanbul. The archipelago consists of four larger islands (Büyükada, Heybeliada, Burgazada, and Kınalıada) and five smaller ones. During the siege of Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, the islands were taken over by the Ottomans and were a place where Byzantine royalties and Ottoman sultans were exiled which gave them the name ‘Princes’ Islands’.

The islands are a popular and touristy spot during the summer so my suggestion would be visiting them on a weekday rather than a weekend unless you are planning on staying over at a hotel for a longer period of time. If you are traveling from the European coast of Istanbul you can access the four main islands by getting on a ferry from Kabataş. If you are located on the Asian side of the megapolis, you can get a ferry to the islands from Kadıköy and Bostancı (both neighborhoods are facing the sea of Marmara).

I visited Büyükada (the largest island of the archipelago) during the summer and I was amazed by the beautiful architecture and the view it had to offer. The only transportation available on the island are bikes and carriages (fayton) and their prices vary depending on the island you are at.

If you are planning on visiting Büyükada, you should definitely make your way to the highest hill on the island. Not only does it offer a stunning landscape of Istanbul and the rest of the islands but it is also where the Greek Orthodox Monastery Aya Yorgi (Saint George) is situated.

Other interesting places on the island are the wooden building of the Prinkipo Greek Orphanage and the house of the Soviet revolutionary Leon Trotsky.

Venezia Mega Outlet

I am usually not interested in the shopping aspect of tourism but Istanbul offers something for everyone. What intrigued me about Venezia Mega Outlet was its construction and the canals going around the shopping center, imitating the ones in Venice. The mall is open from 10AM – 10PM and if you want to immerse yourself into the Venetian atmosphere you can enjoy a gondola ride (although the view from the boat is not nearly as nice as the one in Venice).

Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium

If you are out and about in Istanbul on a hot/rainy day, the Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium is a great way to escape the heat/rain and learn more about the ‘rainforest, flooded forest, and tropical seas zones‘.

The aquarium is located in the mall Forum İstanbul and has the longest ocean tunnel in Europe (83m). Sea Life Istanbul offers a variety of tickets that combine multiple tourist attractions in one, however, the standard ticket for the aquarium is between 55-69 TL.

Whether you’d prefer walking around the megapolis, enjoying its beautiful scenery on a cruise ship, or exploring the shopping districts of the city, Istanbul is able to offer just about anything to everybody.

As a great French revolutionary once said:

If the Earth were a single state, Constantinople would be its capital.
~ Napoleon Bonaparte

A Walk in Istanbul – Part 1

Whether you have visited Turkey before or not, we can all agree that Istanbul is a whole different world – organized chaos as some people might suggest. I’ve had the opportunity to visit the city multiple times throughout the years and I have never left disappointed by the places that I saw, the people that I met and the food that I tried. You simply cannot experience Istanbul in 5 days, it’s impossible – you would need a time machine. Here are some of my top spots in Istanbul that are definitely worth seeing.

Sultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square, also known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, is located in very close proximity to the Blue Mosque. In the past during the ruling of Constantine I, the square was used for horse racing which is one of the reasons why it is referred to as ‘hippodrome’. The image shown above is the Obelisk of Thutmose III, which was bought from Egypt in 390 by Theodosius the Great. What is interesting about it apart from its architecture and size is that it is one of the oldest traces of ancient civilizations found in Istanbul. Close to the obelisk are also the Serpent Column, the Walled Obelisk, the Forum of Constantine, as well as the German Fountain.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque (The Blue Mosque)

The Blue Mosque was built in the 17th century during Sultan Ahmed I’s ruling and its name originates from the blue tiles used for its decoration. The massive mosque has 6 minarets and its main purpose was to surpass the size and beauty of Hagia Sophia (the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal cathedral, which was turned into a mosque and is currently a museum).

The Blue Mosque is open not only for men but for women as well and I would definitely recommend going inside and checking it out in order to immerse yourselves into the culture of Turkey and the historical Ottoman Empire.

Hagia Sophia Mosque

For decades Hagia Sophia has been one of the biggest churches around the world. It was built in 532 by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I and is currently a museum. In 1453 the city fell under the Ottoman rule and the church was turned into a mosque with 4 minarets. Later on in 1934, Kemal Atatürk makes the decision to declare the Hagia Sophia Church as a museum and since then it is visited by millions of tourists every year.

Yerebatan Sarnıcı

Built by Justinian I, the Basilica Cistern served as an underground water reservoir and is one of the most ancient buildings in Istanbul. It is famous for its marble columns, the Crying Column and the Medusa Head statue (one of the three Gorgons).

If you are a fan of Dan Brown’s books you probably know that the Basilica Cistern was one of the locations featured in the Inferno book and later on in the movie, starring Tom Hanks (Robert Langdon). The cistern appears even more magical and mysterious in real life – I strongly recommend seeing it.

Kapalı Çarşı

Kapalı Çarşı is one of the biggest and oldest covered markets in Turkey. You can find all sorts of things from belts and bags, to tea and spices and if you are good at bargaining you might leave the market with some great purchases. Overall, it is definitely worth visiting because of its covered streets and beautiful shops.

Topkapı Palace

For approximately 400 years, Topkapı Palace served as the main residence and an administrative headquarter of the Ottoman sultans. The palace is currently a museum and consists of many different buildings and 4 courtyards. What is interesting to see is the harem courtyard with its walls made out of glass.

The museum is open every day between 09:00 – 17:00 except for Tuesdays so do keep that in mind if you plan on adding it to your list.

Bulgarian St. Stephen Church

St. Stephen is a Bulgarian Orthodox church built towards the end of the 19th century and renovated in 2018. It is famous for its iron elements and is one of the few iron churches in the world that have survived over time. The church belongs to the Bulgarian minority in the city and in its yard is the grave of Ilarion Makariopolski, a Bulgarian cleric and one of the leaders of the struggle for an autonomous church.

With its small size and architecture in a neo-Gothic style, St. Stephen Church is certainly a site worth stopping by even if you’re not religious.

Dolmabahçe Palace

Dolmabahçe Palace was built in the 19th century by Abdülmecid I and contains elements from the Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles, combined with traditional Ottoman architecture. The inside of the palace is decorated with crystals, beautiful chandeliers and lots of gold. It is extremely luxurious and modern for its time and some of its most beautiful rooms are the Blue Hall, the Pink Hall, and Atatürk’s room.

Istanbul Sapphire

Istanbul Sapphire is the 4th tallest skyscraper in Turkey and rises 54 floors above ground level. The building consists of 174 apartments, a shopping center, a golf court, a fitness center and a spa place with a pool. On the last floor of the skyscraper, there is a panoramic site with a restaurant and a 4D cinema. I was truly mesmerized by the view and I have to admit that this was one of the most beautiful man-made scapes that I have witnessed so far.

As I mentioned before, a week is truly not enough to experience the beauty of Istanbul. For that reason I have decided to dedicate a couple of articles on my time in the city, introducing different sights each time and sharing my thoughts and feelings about them.

If you enjoyed this blog post make sure you check out Part 2!

Your Guide To Toronto

4 words to describe my experience: out of this world. Tall buildings. Busy streets. Beautiful attractions. Multicultural environment. Delicious food. Snow. Lots of snow. Did I mention that Toronto is out of this world?!

Here’s how I spent my week in Toronto, as well as some suggestions on what you should visit and where you could eat.

Ripley’s Aquarium

Whether you are an expert on marine species or you’re like me and you call those blue fishes Dory because that’s as close as you’re going to get to actually naming them, Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto is a fantastic attraction and definitely worth seeing. Apart from being family-friendly, it’s a good escape from a cold December day and exhibits thousands of exotic sea and freshwater specimens.

The price of the entry ticket for this attraction is between 33-39 CA$ for adults but I would highly recommend purchasing a Toronto CityPASS (valid for 9 consecutive days) which includes the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Casa Loma, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and Toronto Zoo or Ontario Science Centre.

14 minutes away from the Aquarium there is a place with delicious Japanese food and a lovely atmosphere. The restaurant is called Sansotei Ramen and its address is 115 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 0K2, Canada.

It was my first and certainly not my last time trying ramen. I absolutely loved it!

CN Tower

Standing at 553.33m high, the CN Tower offers a breathtaking view of the city. The standard ticket (which is also featured in the CityPASS) includes the LookOut Level and the world-famous Glass Floor. For an additional $15, you can go all the way up to the SkyPod, which is the third observation level.

If you are into photography or want to take some pictures for the gram, my advice is to visit the attraction during the day since the projectors from the tower and the lights inside the building allow light to pass through the glass and make the process of taking pictures a lot more difficult. You could also go into the building before sunset, that way you can catch a glimpse of what Toronto looks like both during the day and at night.

Nathan Philips Square

I can’t think of anything more Canadian than ice skating in front of a huge 3D Toronto sign. The square is really beautiful and looks even more magical at night when the letters of the sign are lit up. There are food trucks everywhere with sweet, salty and savory foods from all around the world – you name it, they have it.

Near the square, there is a shopping center on James St where you can get fast food, as well as stores with all sorts of souvenirs from Canada.

If you find yourself in that area between morning and noon and you fancy having brunch, you should definitely go to Eggspectation on Albert St. The exact address is 483 Bay St, Toronto, ON M5G 2C9, Canada. They offer American style lunch and dinner, and their breakfast is mainly egg-focused as you can tell by the name of the chain restaurant.

It was definitely the most delicious breakfast I’ve had in a minute. They have vegetarian options too!

Chinatown

The whole area consists of small independent shops and lots of food places. It is interesting to walk around that part of the city as it almost feels like you’re somewhere in East Asia. You can purchase souvenirs from there too and they are less expensive than the ones in Downtown Toronto.

If you love bubble tea like me, then Answer Tea (439 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 2G6, Canada) is the place for you.

What is special about it is that the Chinese chain is known for its bubble tea with printable cheese mousse. All you need to do is scan a barcode, upload a picture of your choice and there you have it – bubble tea with delicious mousse on top in the form of you and a loved one. I was amazed and pleasantly surprised by how good it tasted.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Now if I have to be completely honest, I did not know anything about hockey. But how can I go to Canada and not immerse myself fully in Canadian culture? After all, hockey is a huge part of it.

In the hockey museum, you can find exhibitions of jerseys, professional equipment, masks, and trophies. They even had a section with jerseys of international sports stars. To my surprise, Bulgaria was included too. More specifically, I saw the jersey of Zlatko Zinoviev who won a gold medal at the 1998 World Championship in South Africa. I felt so proud of his achievement and did not miss out on the opportunity to take a picture of his belonging and brag about it online.

Near the museum, as well as everywhere around the city, there are Tim Hortons fast-food restaurants. If you get the chance, you should try their donuts.

I recommend getting the Maple dip donut, the Boston cream one and the Hockey Hall of Fame special donut. Don’t make me choose a favorite! I can’t!

Gooderham Building

With its unusual and unique architecture, the Gooderham Building, also called the Flatiron Building, is certainly a sight to see. It reminded me of the Flatiron Building in New York City that I’ve seen on travel blogs and on Instagram posts.

Close to the Gooderham Building you can find Berczy park with its art installations and the famous Dog Fountain. Unfortunately, the fountain does not function during winter time but it is still worth seeing.

St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market is the perfect place for lunch after a long walk around that area. There are food stands offering burgers, pastries, seafood, sausages, pizza, etc. I recommend trying the sandwiches at the Carousel Bakery, which has options for meat lovers as well as for vegetarians.

There are also souvenir shops where you can buy baseball caps and knitted winter hats with the Canadian maple leaf on them. I bought two!

Distillery District

Although I had read about the Distillery District area, I was pleasantly surprised by the presence of a Christmas Market on its territory. If you know me, you probably know that Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year and I am crazy about anything related to it.

Food, food, more food and Christmassy drinks with alcohol. At the Toronto Christmas Market, there were Christmas decorations for sale, stores where you could purchase gifts, food and drink stands, and a small Ferris wheel. If you haven’t tried the famous Canadian poutine, there are several stands in the Distillery District that offer it and it tastes amazing.

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum, located near Queen’s Park, is one of the biggest museums in North America and the largest in Canada. It features exhibits dedicated to art, world culture and civilizations, and natural history.

Due to the size of the museum, my advice would be to make notes of the places you plan on visiting in Toronto and to allocate a good amount of time to this attraction and its many exhibitions.

P.S. Don’t forget that it is featured in the Toronto CityPass and always check the opening times!

Niagara Falls

Don’t miss out on spending a day at Niagara Falls and seeing the world wonder with your own eyes. The best way to get to the attraction is to purchase tickets online from MegaBus. You can get from point A to point B for around $20, which makes it approximately $40 both ways.

The coach leaves from Toronto Bus Terminal on Bay St and takes you to Niagara Falls Bus Terminal on Erie Ave. You then have the option to walk to the attraction for around 40-50 minutes or take an Uber/Taxi, which is much quicker and not that expensive.

The waterfall itself is massive and I must admit that the Canadian side of it looks much more fascinating than the American one, partly because of its greater size. A couple of minutes away from the waterfall, there is a big amusement park with lots to do. If you want to see the Niagara Falls from above, I recommend getting on the Sky Wheel, which is a tall Ferris wheel that gives you a view of the city as well as the Canadian and American side of the waterfall.

Although I have visited countries in Western Europe many times before, North America is nothing like that. As soon as I stepped on Canadian ground I could tell that I was in a different continent – amazing new architecture, excellent customer service, diversity and food from all around the world.

It’s true! Canadians are the nicest people you’re going to meet.

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Jordan

Jordan – mindblowing architechture, ancient civilizations and breathtaking views just a plane ticket away from you. Never in a million years did I think that I would one day end up in Jordan and fall in love with the country completely. My experiences in Aqaba, Wadi Musa, Petra and Wadi Rum left me in awe and made me question why I hadn’t visited those places earlier. But enough of me blabbing about how special this country is to me…

Here are 5 reasons why Jordan should be next on your travel bucket list.

1. Jordan is one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the Arab world

Yeah, you read that correctly. Geographically speaking, the territory of Jordan is bordered by Syria, Israel, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Despite its location and according to Gallup, Jordan is ranked as one of the safest places in the Arab world, turning it into an ideal tourist destination with lots of attractions. My only advice would be to travel with a trusted agency or hire a tour guide to make the most of your experience and learn as much as possible about the historical and cultural heritage of the country.

2. The Jordanian weather

If you are like me and you currently live in a place where sunshine is considered rare, then Jordan is the perfect choice for you. Bear in mind that tourism in the country is most popular between March – May and September – early November. This is due to the fact that summers can be extremely hot in certain areas and there is a sharp decrease in temperatures during winter, especially in the capital city Amman. So what better way to escape reality than to treat yourself with a memorable trip to Jordan during spring or autumn?

P.S. Don’t let the word ‘desert’ fool you. If you plan on spending a night in the desert, make sure you bring some warm clothes with you, since it gets quite chilly once the sun sets.

3. The beauty of Jordan

Red Sea, Aqaba
Petra, Jordan
Petra, Jordan
Donkeys in Petra
Wadi Rum Desert
Wadi Musa at night

It is impossible to see every aspect of Jordan within a short period of time, however, spending between 6-7 days would give you a good grasp of what the country has to offer. Starting from Aqaba and the many beaches and beach resorts along the Red Sea shore, heading North and going past the Wadi Rum desert, making a stop at Wadi Musa and Petra, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, continuing your journey towards the healing waters of the Dead Sea, and all the way to Amman’s ancient ruins.

Sadly, I was unable to visit Amman and the Dead Sea, but that counts as a good enough reason to go back to Jordan, right?

4. Entertainment

Jordan has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment. For those of you that prefer swimming and diving, a yacht trip to the coral reefs of the Red Sea would seem like heaven to you. Sunbathing in November, snorkeling, diving with professional equipment – you can have it all. Make sure not to open your mouth while swimming or you will be surprised – the water is very salty!

If you want an authentic Jordanian experience, then you can spend a night or two at the tourist camps in the Wadi Rum desert. The owners of the camps offer safari with jeeps and if you manage to organize a big enough group, they can arrange a 1h camel ride into the desert, led by local Bedouins.

5. The Food

For the food addicts like me, who are open to trying new things, you’re going to love the food in Jordan. From shawarma, mansaf, and fish to falafel, hummus, and kunafa – the choice is yours. Don’t forget to taste Bedouin tea and coffee, if you get the chance, and I would certainly recommend buying a freshly squeezed pomegranate juice from the person with the food cart down the street from your hotel. You will not be disappointed.

So there you have it! Jordan in a few sentences and around a dozen photographs. Although I’ve tried my best to capture the highlights of my trip, none of this can compare to the real experiences you’re going to have if you decide to see for yourself. Until then, I would be more than happy to answer any questions that may arise or give more information about things that I’ve mentioned that interest you.