Dynamics – Page 3

Do we need our passport to go to the Asian side of Istanbul from the European side?

August 8, 2022

Istanbul Tour Guide, Ephesus tour guides and Ensar Islamoglu, who is the common thing in both places. Istanbul as well as Ephesus can be shown to tourists by this guide. Istanbul is the only city in the world where two continents, Asia and Europe, collide. Bosphorus – the beauty of Istanbul, is the connecting part between the continents. Get Istanbul daily tour to visit the continents for a day istanbul tour guide.

Istanbul Tour Guide – You don’t need your passport

No, of course you don’t need your passport to get to the other side of Istanbul. You only need to get a ticket for the public ferry, get on it and if it’s not the rush hour, get your seat and stretch out a little while enjoying the gulls squawk. Public ferry is a sort of Bosphorus boat tour but without a guide. A good guide that you can get is Ensar Islamoglu, Istanbul Tour Guide.. It’s useful to know that Ensar is knowledgeable about whole Turkey as well istanbul tour guide.

You can also reach Asia or Europe by car, over the Bosphorus Bridge (or the First Bridge, as it is also known). In October, visitors can take part in the ‘fun run’ and cross the bridge on foot.

Turkish Tea

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August 6, 2022

A sip of tea from tulip shape glass

A visit to Turkey, to Istanbul (for personal Istanbul tours) suggests together with going sightseeing, to get familiar with the local cuisine, local traditions…

Surely, every one of you has, at least once, heard or even tasted Fish and bread, Turkish coffee and Turkish tea. If not, then it is time to do so. Today, wherever you go in Turkey (in every park, village, town square … in any place which offers a good view), you will find many small teahouses or tea gardens. These are not simply places where you can have tea while enjoying the Bosphorus, for example, but they are social clubs where men mainly gather, especially in the evening. There they feel fine to play backgammon customized tour istanbul.

Some of the typical tea gardens in Istanbul are Camlica, on the Asian side, the Pierre Loti cafe in the neighbourhood of Eyup, the tea garden in Uskudar.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2489″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”]

[vc_column_text]Turkish tea is one of the things that symbolizes Turkey and always there to make personal Istanbul tours lovelier and friendlier, still it is relatively young. Some sources mention that Turks traded and consumed tea as soon as 400 B.C., but certain is that tea only became common in Turkey from the 1900s onwards. The first record of using tea as a beverage comes from China dating back to the 10th century BC. But only since 1589, Europeans learnt about tea when a Venetian author credits the lengthy lives of Asians to their tea drinking.

Drinking Turkish tea as healthy as enjoying Istanbul day trips

In 1878 one of the governors in Turkey published a book about tea which described health benefits of drinking tea. At that time the first tea houses opened in Istanbul. Still, coffee remained the hot beverage to be preferred. Then, in 1923 after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the loss of important provinces, coffee became expensive to import and it turned to be luxury. Ataturk then, encouraged drinking tea as an alternative to coffee.[/vc_column_text]

[vc_single_image image=”2490″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]The very first attempt to grow tea on Turkish soil took place in Bursa between 1888 and 1892. It wasn’t a success since this part of the country is ecologically inadequate for growing tea. Later, the Rize province on the East coast of the Black Sea. It was found to have mild climate and fertile soil and there the Turks began to produce their own tea, Rize tea.

First tea plantations started in 1924

The first tea plantations were started in 1924 in Rize, with tea seeds brought from neighbouring Georgia. Rize tea is a form of black tea which produces a ruby red, crystal clear liquid. It is brewed for a long time, at least 15 minutes. For it, two stacked kettles are used – a larger lower one and a smaller top one. Water, preferably spring water, is boiled in the lower kettle, while tea is put in the top kettle. As many teaspoons of tea plus one for the kettle itself are put, as the number of people who are to drink tea is. Then, give it at least fifteen minutes to brew perfectly. And that simple, easy-going drink known as Turkish tea (or cay in Turkish) is ready personal istanbul tours.

Unlike other nations which are famous for drinking tea, tea in Turkey is drank plain, no milk, only a sugar or two (according to one’s taste). Turks use special curved, see-through tea glasses and a small plate underneath for making it easier to carry and serve. Traditional Turkish tea glasses have no handle like a regular Western cup. So you need to hold the glass from the top using your thumb and index finger.

Make a lot of noise

Then, take a spoon, stir your tea and make a lot of noise; hold the tulip-shaped glass cup by the edge because it is very hot. And also because you are going to drink several of these glasses. Afiyet olsun!

‘Turkish tea is peaceful… A glass of tea is offered in all circumstances – when you walk into a shop, office, home. It bestows a gesture of grace. Tea symbolises all that Turkey is…’ Katharine Branning, ‘Turkish tea is a symbol of everything that they seek to give to the world. It’s a gesture of peace. It’s a gesture of friendship.’ Tea is drunk everywhere around Turkey. Even for Ephesus, ask Ephesus guides where you could have a glass of tea.

What are the symbols of Istanbul?

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August 6, 2022

When you ask locals what the symbols of Istanbul are, it’s quite possible they tell you different ones. Because Istanbul has many symbols. It’s a magical city and everything is possible here. The biggest and most significant one of all is the Bosphorus, the beauty of Istanbul, the famously beautiful stretch of water. The Bosphorus, which is a great point for Istanbul Day Trips and private Bosphorus tours, with the Golden Horn (an inlet of the Strait) and Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) at its southern entrance, has a definite personality customized istanbul city tour.

Istanbul Day Trips – Maiden’s Tower, Grand Bazaar

Maiden’s Tower – a place of legends, the Grand Bazaar – maybe the first shopping mall of the world; the Spice Market – the second largest covered market after the Grand Bazaar, the place ‘to spice your life up’; Galata Tower with its breathtaking views of the Bosphorus, the Topkapi Palace, the Marmara Sea, the Golden Horn, the Galata Bridge, the Sultanahmet mosque..

Yes, all the historical sites in Istanbul can be thought of as its symbols. We shouldn’t forget the Dolmabahce Palace, the Hippodrome, the Cistern.. These and many others around Turkey are awaiting you on guided Turkey tours.

Chocolate of Beyoglu

And last but definitely not least are the legendary chocolate of Beyoglu; simit – the king of Istanbul street food, the amazing fish restaurants, the Fish Bread (Balik Ekmek).

Contact me to visit Istanbul and surely you will find your symbols that will remind you of the city on two continents.

A piece of advice for all of you who like travelling. We are all different but the same. All of us or almost all of us need to experience new places, cultures, meet new people, learn new things. There is a beauty exploring places yourself as well as doing it with a guide. Both ways have their pros and cons. There is a place in Turkey, though, Ephesus that is always better to see with a guide. In order to fully enjoy and experience the ancient site, my advice is to do it with tour guide Ephesus istanbul day trips.

Fish Bread

Saksagan

August 5, 2022

Customized Tour Istanbul – Fish in the Bread, what an attractive couple

The attractive couple, Fish and Bread, just like Bosphorus is the symbol of Istanbul. Personal Istanbul tours will introduce you to it.

The fish sandwich – an Istanbul institution. You simply need to go to the Eminonu end of Galata Bridge, then to the side of the bridge where Golden Horn is and then just follow the smell of freshly grilled fish…

For a century, maybe fishermen brought their catch from the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul’s Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn for sale tour guide istanbul.

Istanbullians have always made the most of the city’s seaside position. Walk along the Galata Bridge and you will always see people fishing, no matter what the weather is like. Local people know it and whenever they have the chance, they would enjoy the balik ekmek (fish and bread). For tourists, it is something they must learn and experience, though at first they might find it a bit fishy. After visiting the places of interest in customized tour Istanbul and especially after a Bosphorus boat trip; a fish sandwich is a great hunger reliever. Although Ephesus is on the Aegean coastline, it wasn’t a tradition for people to have such a sandwich. Or maybe they didn’t know about it. Definitely, they knew many other things. Enjoy a walking tour Ephesus to see and learn what they knew.

A grilled fish fillet inserted in a half loaf of bread

Balik ekmek – a grilled fish fillet inserted in a half loaf of bread with some lettuce and onion. A cheap and definitely healthier substitute to fast food customized tour istanbul.

Fish, just like Bosphorus is the symbol of Istanbul and private tour Istanbul. Fishermen, fishing boats, fish and bread are another thing that characterizes this cosmopolitan city.

A few fishermen came to the idea of cooking the fish they had caught. Right then and right on their boats and sell it to the passers-by ready-to-eat. They built grills and fryers on their boats and started feeding Istanbullians. There are many small restaurants that serve not only fish and bread, but fish plates as well. Fishing boats, though, anchored at the pier, add to the itself romantic adventure and experience of eating outside (not in a restaurant) by the sea. But first, you get your balik ekmek off the boat itself as it rocks to the waves in the sea. There are nice nooks with small plastic tables and chairs at the pier, and quick, friendly staff dressed in local outfits.

Dolmus

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August 5, 2022

Customized Istanbul City Tour – Fill it up and go…

It can be really enjoyable to use dolmus for customized tour Istanbul. No privacy and space (sometimes) but definitely fun.

Just like all the rest of the world Istanbul got its share in the economic crisis at its beginning in the 1930s. By that time, people who used taxis to go to work or different places started using the public transport – trams instead, like the poorer people did. In ancient Ephesus, though, people knew no trams, cars or minibuses. Neither did richer people, nor poorer. Today, visitors to Ephesus still walk and they enjoy the informative and amusing stories of guides.

The first minibus driver – the cook Halid.. customized tour istanbul

Halid used to be a cook who changed his occupation with that of a taxi driver. His old profession stayed with him as a nickname, though. For some time, every morning and in the evening, he would take a Jewish citizen of Istanbul from Nisantasi to Eminonu and the same way back. It cost 80 kurus (penny) one way (by that time it was the money enough for 5 breads or a chicken). One day the gentleman said to Halid, ‘Look, young man customized istanbul city tour.

It is getting more difficult every day and I am struggling to pay you 25 lira every month. But I have a solution to that. I found four more people who go to Eminonu as well. You will take us together and we will pay you 100 kurus instead.’ Not only did Halid accept that offer but he also started to take people to different destinations. He would wait till the vehicle got full, then he would take the people to the chosen destination. The name ‘dolmus’ comes from that action. In Turkish ‘dolmus’ means ‘full’.

Dolmus drivers should have been married…

With the introduction of dolmus as a mean of transport, unwritten rules started taking place in Turkey in the 1960s. Drivers should be younger than 25, they shouldn’t be single, etc. The most popular cars among dolmus became the American cars (Chevrolet, Impala, Dodge) because of being spacious and comfortable.

Turkish Bath

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August 5, 2022

Treat your skin with the delights of the oriental spa centre

Tour Guide Istanbul –customized Istanbul city tour and the joy of hamam.

“Whoever goes to the bath on forty consecutive Wednesdays will succeed at anything they do”, an old adage claims. It was believed in the past that hamams not only meant pleasure to the bather, but also brought luck.

It is unthinkable for a visitor in Istanbul to miss out on such an experience as the Turkish bath. Along with its breathtaking scenery and historical significance, Istanbul is lucky to be graced with a large number of historical Turkish baths that date back to the Ottoman Empire customized istanbul city tour.

Like many things in Turkish culture, hamam dates back to the Ottoman Empire. However, when you get a closer look at the history of Turkish baths, you would realize how much they resemble the ‘spreader of warmth’ (as hamam means in Arabic) of their predecessors, Byzantine Greeks and Romans. Also in Ephesus, you can be convinced of the resemblance with Ephesus tours guide.

Turkish baths combine the traditions of Roman and Byzantine

Turkish baths combine the traditions of Roman and Byzantine thermal baths with Central Asian steam bathing and cleansing rituals. With their arrival to Turkey, Muslims brought their own bathing customs. These, inevitably, mingled together and Turkish baths, or hamams were created. They had three basic functions: a place for social gathering; ritual cleansing connected to the Muslim faith (it required spiritual and physical cleansing); and an architectural witness to the sultan’s greatness, power and wealth. The function of private tour Istanbul is to bring joy and entertainment whether taking the visitors of Istanbul to hamam or on a sightseeing tour around the city with Tour Guide Istanbul tour guide istanbul.

Compare to the Greek baths

Compared to the Greek baths, the hamams of Islam are smaller and more modest. It is known that Arabs built versions of Greek-Roman baths which they encountered upon their conquest of Alexandria in 641. It was believed that the heat of the hamam enhanced the fertility. Soon these ‘sweat baths’ or ‘spreader of warmth’ became really important in religious aspect and hamams were built as annex to mosques. As the Islamic faith spread, so did hamams. They were one of the places in Islam that stayed open from early morning till late night and sometimes longer. From the 10th century Turkish kingdoms began to appear in Anatolia in lands which were already in the authority of Byzantine Greeks. That eventually led to the complete conquering of the old empire in the 15th century. The new Ottoman Empire showed its face to the world.

Istiklal Street Beyoglu

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August 4, 2022

The busiest street of Istanbul – Customized Istanbul Tours

A walk on Istiklal Street during customized Istanbul tours, means time spent nicely. Just like to be in Ephesus with Ephesus tour guide, or anywhere in Turkey. Valuable time is guaranteed. Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) is the heart of Beyoglu, the more modern district of Istanbul built during the 19th century.

The city’s most popular strolling, shopping and snacking street. It is now reserved for pedestrians, lined with boutiques, cafes, consulates, restaurants, galleries, cinemas and banks. That means you have many places to see here in your daily Istanbul tour. When 19th-century travellers spoke of Constantinople (Istanbul) as the Paris of the East, they were thinking of the Grande Rue de Pera (Istiklal Caddesi). Also, of its half-European, half-Asian culture. The avenue begins at Taksim Square, the hub of modern Istanbul.

Nostalgic Istiklal Caddesi tramway cars rattle and clank along Istiklal Caddesi from Taksim Square to Tunel Square. Just as they did in the 19th-century heyday of this Europeanized corner of the Ottoman sultan’s domains.

Halfway along the avenue

Halfway along the avenue toward the south west is Galatasaray Square, easily recognizable by the grand gates to Galatasaray Lisesi, the first European-style lycée (high school) erected by the Ottoman government daily istanbul tour.

At the far south western end of Istiklal Caddesi is Tunel Square, site of the upper station of 19th-century Beyoglu’s little two-station underground train, the Tunel, and southern terminus of the nostalgic Istiklal Caddesi tram.

Contact me to join customized Istanbul tours in the daytime for shopping. In the evening for strolling, people-watching, supper in one of the many restaurants. Let`s have a drink in a cafe or bar, and some music in a little nightspot customized istanbul tours.

Divan Yolu

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August 4, 2022

Daily Istanbul Tour – from Mese to Divan Yolu

‘The Road to the Imperial Council’ from Sultanahmet Square to Beyazit Square is an enjoyable Istanbul history lesson during Daily Istanbul Tour and one of the many Turkey sightseeing.

Divan Yolu, the “Road to the Imperial Council,” was once the imperial road from Constantinople to Rome (map). It takes its Turkish name from Ottoman times, when it was in fact the “Road to the Imperial Council” (Divan) in Topkapi Palace.

When it was laid out by Constantine the Great in the early 300s AD; Divan Yolu (dee-vahn yoh-loo) was the Mese. It was the main boulevard leading from the city centre on Seraglio Point to the Golden Gate in the city walls; where it met the road to Rome walking tours istanbul.

Do you know what the name of the main street in Ephesus was? Curetes street. Join Ephesus walking tour and you can walk on it listening to an eloquent guide telling you stories of time long gone.

The beginning point of the Mese was marked by the Milion; a grand monumental structure called a ‘tetrapylon’ (‘four-tower’); four towers at the corners of a square footing, topped by a dome.

The Milion was apparently razed in the 15th century. But remnants of it were discovered in the 1960s. And a short marble shaft was re-erected at the northeastern end of Sultanahmet Square; in the little park above the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici) daily istanbul tour.

Divan Yolu main avenue

Divan Yolu is now the main avenue through historic Old Istanbul; starting at Sultanahmet Square and the Hippodrome and heading westward to Beyazit Square and the Grand Bazaar. The road changes names as it goes, becoming Yeniceriler Caddesi (“Avenue of the Janissaries”) through Beyazit Square. Then Ordu Caddesi (“Army Avenue”) to Aksaray Square. Under different names the road continues out to the city walls, through a gate, and on toward Rome, a thousand miles (1600 km) away.

Istanbul Bazaars

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August 4, 2022

Walking Tours Istanbul – Funny, relaxing and stress-taking

Another pleasant thing to do in Istanbul on Walking Tours Istanbul or sightseeing Turkey is shopping. You need patience, good sense of humour, money and some skills in bargaining

One of my favourite walking tours in Istanbul is from the Grand Bazaar north downhill on Longmarket Street (Uzuncarsi Caddesi) through the Tahtakale district to the Golden Horn and the Spice Market (Misir Carsisi).

Our first stop will be Grand Bazaar. There are more than 4000 shops there. Although you need a couple of days to see everything inside, we will only spare 2 hours to get the taste of it in your private daily shopping tour of Istanbul customized istanbul tours.

While we are leaving the Grand Bazaar we can see Tahtakale (during the week). You can see a busy street full with men with telephones. They buy and sell foreign currency, not little amounts but millions. In their language Yumos (softener) means Euro, Yesil (green) means Dollar, Kralice (queen) – English pound.

You cannot see these in Ephesus but you can experience something different in sightseeing Ephesus. You can use the time machine to take you centuries back and try to imagine how ancient people did shopping and bargained then; how they had fun, where they used to live…

Get into Mahmutpasa

We will get into Mahmutpasa where you can see lots of locals. It is probably the most reasonable place for shopping in Istanbul. You can see suits, dresses, wedding dresses, coats and even one of the most interesting things – costumes of the boys for circumcision walking tours istanbul.

While we are walking down Mahmutpasa woith tour guide Istanbul, you can enjoy the atmosphere or do little bit of shopping.

Right after Mahmutpasa we will get into Spice Market (Misir Carsisi). We call this a sweet stop. In Spice Market we will try lovely Turkish delights and learn about the spices that you can get from there. Spice market is not so big and it can easily get so busy. Bargaining is difficult. Everything has price on it, but you still can try…

Heybeliada

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August 3, 2022

The ‘saddlebag’ that makes a holiday perfect – walking tour Istanbul

Heybeliada, Heybeli ada or simply Heybeli is the greenest and the second biggest island of the Princes’ Islands and it can be part of customized Istanbul tours. It is in the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. Actually, the Princes’ Islands are only an hour away from Istanbul. Heybeliada has always been a favourite summer resort during Byzantine and Ottoman eras. During the different historical periods it had different names.

During Byzantine Period the island was known as Khalkitis or Chalki. Chalki comes from the Greek word chalkos, which means copper. Once upon a time there used to be copper mines which are no more in use nowadays, but they explain the name of the island. Turkish name – Heybeli, means ‘saddlebag’. This time the name is given because of the low place between the hills.

There are nine islands in the Princes’ Islands group and the ferry stops at four of them only. A daily private tour easily can be arranged for Heybeliada or Buyukada city tour istanbul.

The most beautiful and impressive one is Heybeliada. What a release and surprise it is for the visitor when they step on the island and see no car traffic. To prevent the islands from becoming polluted the only motorized vehicles allowed are the ones of service (fire, rubbish, police, ambulance). Transportation is generally provided by traditional horse-drawn phaetons, and the roads on the island were designed for walking and cycling. You can have peaceful and enjoyable Walking Tour Istanbul on the island walking tour istanbul.

Turkish Naval Academy

Turkish Naval Academy, founded in 1773 is situated on the island. And there are two interesting pieces of architecture on the grounds of the school; – one is Kamariotissa (or the Monastery of Virgin Mary) – the only remaining Byzantine church on the island, and more importantly the last church to be built before the conquest of Constantinople and the other one is the grave of Edward Barton, the second English Ambassador sent to Constantinople by Elizabeth I of England. He spent his last days in Heybeli in order to escape the plague raging through the city in 1598.

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