Turkey—Where East Meets West and History Meets Contemporary

Just an hour and a half boat ride from Istanbul, tourists can enjoy the laid-back atmosphere in Buyukada, the largest island among the 9 Princes’ Islands southeast of Istanbul. The scenery and residential architecture in this island bring its visitors back to the Byzantine and Ottoman era when members of the royalty were exiled into this place. Only service vehicles are allowed to operate in this island so tourists explore its grandeur by foot, horse riding, or biking.

 

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Back to Istanbul, we have never seen anything magnanimous as the Galata Tower that dates back in year 507. Tourists visit the Galata Tower to see a panoramic view of the entire city while sipping Turkish coffee on the top floor café.

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For  souvenir buying, tourists flock to Grand Bazaar, home of more than 4000 shops, in the district of Beyazit.

 

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And of course, our travel wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a Catholic Church. Here at St. Anthony de Padua along Beyoglu Istiklal Caddesi, we attended the Easter Sunday service and met some of our kabayans.

 

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