EXPLORE EURASIA ~ ISTANBUL, TURKEY FOR 4 DAYS

I had no plans of going anywhere this year, however I felt that I need to breath a different air, and it was timely when a colleague shared to me a good travel package, took the opportunity, hence this short trip to Istanbul, Turkey. It's a much needed and well deserved break, the last time I went out of UAE was July 2013, and it was not really a vacation to take a break and relax, but had to deal with some family matter.

Before I share the places I have visited in Turkey, let me give you an idea how much was spent on this 4days-3nights trip. Cost is applicable only if you are U.A.E. based individual.

Aed 1,500.00 - airticket, hotel and aiport transportation

Aed 750.00 - 3 full days tour

Aed 600.00 - food and souvenirs

Aed 2,850.00 - Total

There you have how much to prepare just in case you have plans to go to Istanbul, Turkey, of course if you are a budget traveler. But if you have the liberty to splurge then its a different story.

I purchased the travel promo from Holiday Factory. You may want to check their site from time to time for good deals. Clik Here!!

The flight was via Fly Dubai. It was my first time. Despite of the slight delay from both out and in bound flights, all in all it was a fine journey. FYI: There's no free flight meal and entertainment so you may want to bring your own food and save movies in your tab, that is if you dont want to spend a dime on the plane. Flight duration was approx 4hours.

We stayed in Kecik Hotel. For my review please Click Here!

DAY 1 - June 5, 2014

We arrived in Sabiha Gokcen International Istanbul Airport. Travel time from the airport to our hotel was approx 1hour. Aiport transfer was inclusive in the travel package so we did not have to worry on how to get to the hotel. Just have to wait for other travellers who flew in a different flight and arrived later than us. We got to the hotel around 6pm. We rested a bit, feshen up and went out to walk around the area and had our dinner. Turkey has a long day light.

Dinner at around 7pm.

Dinner with travel companions.

View from our hotel room at almost 10pm

Turkish tea, I had 2 glasses with little sugar

One of the many Mosques In Istanbul

One of the old structures in Istanbul

Along the street

I am a sucker for landscape photography

There's just so much going on this photo. Can you see the Airplane?

DAY 2 - June 6, 2014

First day of our paid 3 full day tour. Bosphuros Tour.

We cruised along Bosphuros strait, passing through Bosphuros bridge which is the first bridge in Istanbul built in 1973 that connects two continents, Asia and Europe. The experience was one for the books, being able to see two continents at a time.

Then we went up to Camlica Hill, highest point of Istanbul where you will have a paronamic view of the entire city including Bosphorus. Unfortunately, it was raining hard, we were not able to appreciate this part of the tour as we've lost the chance to have a panoramic view of the entire Istanbul city.

After an hour or so, we cruised again through Bosphuros strait back to the Europe side. Then off we head to Dolmabahce Palace, located on the European coastline of Bosphuros strait, the most expensive palace ever built as per our tour guide. Picture taking was not allowed inside the palace. if you want to know more deets about Dolmabahce, Click Here!

Last stop was the Leather Fashion show, as Turkey being one of the productive countries in this market.

The following are photos of the coastline of Bosphuros Strait, both Asia and Europe side.

Below are photos taken outside Dolmabahce Palace.

DAY 3 - June 7, 2014

Second day of our paid 3 day tour. Tour around City Center.

Istanbul is one of the cities rich in culture and history. You may click names/places for more details/infos regarding the history of significant landmarks in the city.

First stop, Hippodrome of Constantinople. Today it is a square named Sultanahmet Meydanı (Sultan Ahmet Square), with a few fragments of the original structure surviving. In this square could be seen two Obelisks, Walled Obelisk and Obelisk of Theodosius.

Obelisk of Theodosius

Hippodrome of Constantinople

After half an hour, we went to the Blue Mosque. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque is a historic mosque in Istanbul and popularly know as the Blue Mosque for the blue tiles adorning its interior.

We did not stay long inside the Mosque, it was a bit crowded. After an hour time spent on the que going inside the mosque, covering our hair and legs, and checking the interior of the mosque we moved on to the next destination.

Next stop was Hagia Sophia, today it is a museum. Before it was a Greek church and later became a mosque. For more story about Hagia Sophia, click here.

Last palace to visit during the tour was Topkapi Palace. I was not able to get nice shots as my phone went dead. Yes I am just using my Samsung Note II. I promise my self next time I travel I will have a nice camera.

The city tour ended with the obligatory Grand Bazaar visit.

The Grand Bazaar

DAY 4 - July 8, 2014

Third and last day of our paid 3 day tour. Princess Island Tour.

The Prince Islands is an archipelago off the coast of Istanbul, in the sea of Marmara. Consists of 4 islands, the largest one is Buyukada, which means "Big Island", and it was where we hopped off. The island has big and beautiful houses, some situated on the hill part of the island, overlooking the sea. Motorized vehicles are forbidden in the island, except for service vehicle. The island can be explored by foot, bicycle and horse-drawn carriages. It was said that a lot of famous Turkish people lived in this island.

The boat ride from City Center to and from Princess Islands was approx four hours.