Fun things to do in Istanbul

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The Spice Bazaar is one of the oldest bazaars in Istanbul and second in size to the Grand Bazaar. There are 88 booths in an L-shaped building with the main entrance facing the Yeni Mosque with a major facade. It was constructed on the order of Sultan Mehmed IV"s mother Hatice Turhan Sultan, who with other members of Ottoman nobility is buried in an adjacent mausoleum. The initial intent was to sell spices imported from Egypt ( an alternate name is the Egyptian Bazaar ) with rent going to support the adjacent mosque. It was designed by royal court architects and opened in 1660.

Today the visitor is overwhelmed by the intense scent of innumerable spices ground and displayed in the booths. Herbal medicines, nuts especially pistachio, roots, seeds, meats, and dried fruits are also sold here. Some stores specialize in candies. As tourists have discovered the bazaar there are also a few places with clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs. In the narrow crowded streets surrounding the bazaar all varietes of home goods, linens, kitchen utensils, and most everything else are for sale in a hectic noisy environment.

All the candy stores feature lokum, AKA Turkish Delight. Originally made as early as the 15th C, the main ingredients were honey molasses and flour. The candy was created by one Ali Muhiddin Haci Bekir to satisfy grown tired of hard candies. The original name was "rahat lokum" translated as comfortable morsel. Since the 19th C, sugar and starch are the main ingredients with a wide assortment of flavors and sometimes containing varied nuts. Popular flavors included walnut almond chocolate pistachio and almond. Adding rosewater and lemon gives a pink tinge. The family of Haci Bekir still maintain a store in Eminonu selling lokum, although not in the bazaar itself. The result is a soft gelatin-like substance which is a little sticky to the touch. We were unimpressed, didn't much like it, and didn't see anybody else eating it either.

Far better were the dried fruits containing assorted fillings, including fruit and nut colored pastes and some with whole pieces of nuts. Dried dates and apricots were the favored fruits but a wide variety were available. Delicious. We ate so much that a real dinner was out of the question.

We did, however, pass on the Turkish Viagra - advertised on signs with the eye-catching phrase " Do It Six Times In One Night".

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A two year renovation begun in 2003 turned a derelict block in Beyoglu into a street plucked directly from the French Riviera. Cezayir (Algeria) Street was reconstructed by a team of mixed French and Turkish architects building on structures originally designed by Marius Michel in the late 19th C, a Frenchman was also designed the docks at Karakoy and Eminonu. The cobbled streets and numerous stairs were done in the French style with street lighting by 100 year old coal gas steet lamps imported from Paris. The concept was brilliant - restaurants and cafes featuring French cuisine, boutiques and galleries, cosmetics culture and entertainment.

Our visit suggested that today most all the bright pastel buildings with French style awnings and furnishings are restaurants with variable specialties emphasizing classic French cuisine but with plenty of Turkish and other international foods available. Boutiques and galleries were either well hidden or long gone. The 29 houses and 43 businesses comprising Fransiz Sokagi are indeed cute. The pastries and press coffee at the Chez Bore, which styles itself as a steak house, were quite good, being enjoyed by an international clientele, and the ambience peaceful compared to much of Istanbul. Certainly this island of tranquil France is worth consideration when in the region of Istiklal Caddesi for decent French food and pastries, but do not expect a lot of boutiques, art, and culture.

The French Street is difficult to find and totally unsuitable for those with physical challenge. The street itself is quite steep and only open at the top of the hill, not the bottom, so that on leaving one must walk up all the steps more easily negotiated downhill on arrival. No ramps, lots of steps, steep slope. And remember this is still Turkey - our server, who in the best traditions of the Grand Bazaar, had relatives who lived near our home, offered an improptu dissertation on the plight of the Kurds.

DIRECTIONS - At the dogleg of Istiklal Caddesi, walk down a long block at the west aspect of the Galatasarasy school to the first corner, make a left after crossing, and look to the right down the narrow alleys until you see the French district. Signage is nonexistent.
And be prepared for a long walk back uphill to the main street.

It has been build by the architect Sinan 1562 on the Alibey creek in Kemerburgaz.
If you go to Belgrad forests you can see this nice monument from middle age.
It is 36m high and 258m long.It is 2 level.It has 8 part upside 8 larger part downside 8 smaller parted.

Asmalimescit is a very characteristic place which is located among Tunel-Pera-Nevizade district..Very stylish buildings,unique cafes and clubs...a new trend for local people as well..

Burc Beach is located in Kilyos which is 15 km. from city center to the north.It has a sandy golden beach with gigantic waves most of the time..The water is very clean and shallow for a 100 m.The beach is a club owned by alumni Bogazici University and accept guests too. You can enjoy a good crowd of a thousand in the weekends . Admission is around 10 dollars and the bar is very groovy with dj performances as well.

Right next to Burc Beach, you may join a more snobbish crowd in Solar Beach. All guests are wellcomed and the admission is around 15 dollars..

We have a nice ,smooth (temperature between 25-30)summer season starting from late May to the mids of September in Istanbul .

Enjoy!

Don't be alarmed if while walking through the park adjacent to Topkapi Palace if you encounter several men with machine guns. They are part of the Jandarma and are there to keep an eye on the Palace's Premises. They are very friendly and if you try to speak a little Turkish to them it is often very much appreciated. Some do however speak perfect English and are an excellent source of directions.

Located on the Divanyolu in the district to which it has given its name, Çemberlitas, this column was brought to Istanbul from the Temple of Apollo by Constantinus I (B.C. 324-327). The column was topped by a statue of Apollo and, according to pagan tradition, he clasped a javelin in one hand and a cross in the other. The statue was struck by lighting and destroyed, later replaced by a marble cross.
The cross was removed during the Ottoman period but the column was left untouched. Sultan Mustafa II re-enforced the column with iron bands and built the pedestal on which it still stands today.
The 35 meter high column is thought to contain relics belonging to Jesus Christ.

The word Karaköy translated actually means "Dark Town", or "Dark Village", which may make it seem like a place to try to stay away from. Do not fear though, a name sometimes can be misleading! :) The area, located across the Golden Horn from Eminönü and Sultanahmet, is often passed through by people either making their way up to Galata Tower, or arriving/departing from the ferry landing here. But Karaköy also has quite a few additional spots to visit, including the many shops and fish restaurants located near the Golden Horn and Galata Bridge, and the very interesting open market area near Galata Tower. Here locals frequently go to find almost anything for sale, from construction and household supplies, to groceries and toys. It did not seem like a very touristy area, but it's location near the center of Istanbul makes it very accessible to visitors.

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Used to there was French Post office in this street .now there is dutch consulate visa section entrance and Union Church also French St.Louise chapel and GLAVANI apartman.This is the Building of GLAVANI family.Their roots from france and they were a rich banker family during the late Ottoman Era.Now famous Turkish Cinema writer is living in this buildin GIOVANNI SCOGNAMILLO.