My dear friend, I am delighted to share our recent travel experience to Istanbul. My girlfriend Sara and I both love to travel, and Istanbul has always been on our bucket list. We finally made our dream come true and traveled to Istanbul together.
Our flight to Istanbul was smooth, and we arrived at Istanbul Ataturk Airport in the afternoon. We took a taxi from the airport to our hotel, but unfortunately, we had a bad experience with the driver. He tried to rip us off and overcharge us for the ride. We later realized that this was a common occurrence in Istanbul, and we had to be careful with the local taxis.
We decided to use public transportation for the rest of our trip, and it was a great decision. Istanbul has an excellent public transportation system, including trams, buses, and trains, which is very affordable and convenient. We bought an Istanbulkart, a rechargeable card that we could use on all modes of transportation, and it saved us a lot of money.
We spent the first day exploring the city and visited some of the top attractions, such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar. The architecture of these ancient buildings was breathtaking, and we were amazed by the rich history and culture of Istanbul.
One of the highlights of our trip was shopping at Istiklal Street, which is a vibrant and bustling shopping district in Istanbul. We loved the variety of shops and the atmosphere of the street, and we found some amazing souvenirs to bring back home. We also tried some local delicacies, including Turkish delight and baklava, which were delicious. We couldn’t resist the temptation to have Turkish coffee, which was an incredible experience.
Another great experience was dining around Taksim Square. We tried different restaurants, and the food was always fresh and delicious. We particularly loved the desserts, especially the traditional Turkish dessert called kunefe, which was simply divine.
The vintage trams at Taksim Square were another highlight of our trip. We loved the nostalgic feeling of riding on the trams, which have been operating since the early 1900s. The trams run along Istiklal Street and are a great way to explore the area.
Overall, our trip to Istanbul was unforgettable, despite the bad experience we had with the taxi driver. We highly recommend Istanbul to anyone who loves culture, history, and delicious food. We advise travelers to be cautious with local taxis and to use public transportation instead. The Istanbulkart is an excellent option and can be purchased at most metro stations. Finally, don’t miss out on the traditional desserts, especially the kunefe!
