I really love this city. Istanbul, the bridge between Europe and Asia, and Turkey’s largest city, is a truly remarkable place. It is beautiful, vibrant, has some world-class sights, features great food, and is really unique. But there are also some challenges visitors find when exploring here. I’ve now been to Istanbul three times, including…
Few places on Earth are more stark in their contrasts. East meets West. Europe intersects Asia. Islam and secularism coexist side by side. And for tourists, one of the most incredible and dynamic cities has to be taken in turn with a regime that is, here in 2024, not very democratic in tendency nor pro-American.…
And just like that, my time in Scotland is coming to a close and the next and final segment of my 2024 Europe trip is about to begin. When I asked A what she would want this year’s “other” focus area to be (after Scotland), she immediately said Greece. She has never been, and my…
A journey to Istanbul (or beyond in Turkey) is most known for its history, culture, or natural beauty. After all, this is where so many empires have held their seats. But the food here in Istanbul is also worth an exploration. Turkish cuisine may not be the broadest in the world, but over five days…
Istanbul was ConstantinopleNow it's Istanbul, not ConstantinopleBeen a long time gone, ConstantinopleNow it's Turkish delight on a moonlit night Istanbul (Not Constantinople) sung by The Four Lads Yes, the song gets it right. Istanbul was Constantinople. (Before that, it was Byzantium, but that doesn’t make it into the song.) The town of Byzantium was elevated…
Let me start by saying that intra-European flights are among my least favorite ways to travel. I much prefer trains, and tend to plan my trips to have reasonably short distances between stops, ones easily traversed via rail or bus. It’s cheaper and more convenient, liquids are acceptable to bring (as is whatever weight my…
Editor’s note: I spent a couple days in Istanbul a decade or so ago, and will be returning this coming year with TRT writer Dan Warren. This itinerary by our traveling rabbi Sam Spector is a perfect starting point for my trip, and will be for yours as well. For more of Sam’s amazing adventures,…
As the old song says, Istanbul was Constantinople. (It was also Byzantium, but our story begins a couple centuries after this first - and less famous - name change.) Few remnants remain in Turkey's largest city from this earlier period. There are ancient cisterns that helped sustain the city through numerous sieges, and some wall…
Let's start off this way: Turkey is an incredible place. It is amazing. I've been to both Istanbul and Izmir (as a gateway to Ephesus) and read Sam's recent piece about Cappadocia. There is so much history and culture there that one could dedicate an entire website just to Turkey. As a tourist, I have…
Editor's note: Timing is everything. Tomorrow is Turkish date night for A and me, and today we get treated to this incredible look into a cool country by Sam! Check out all his articles by visiting his index. And please, if you like what we do, consider becoming a sponsor through our Patreon page. Over…