Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Istanbul. Pretty decent city actually

Istanbul. Massive city. Massive. Thriving, exhilarating, welcoming.

What it is not, is dusty, dirty, dangerous and daunting.

So pack away your pre-conceptions and send them to Cairo while you head for the delights of the city that straddles two continents.*

Having just spent a few days in Turkey’s biggest city of Istanbul, courtesy of Swissotel, I had my own preconceptions blown away.

I expected a sprawling city of busy streets clogged up with sand where tourists are treated like victims, to be parted with their cash by fair means or foul.

In reality, there were clogged-up roads. There is so much traffic in this city it seemed like the entire 12.5million population were trying to get to the same restaurant as me.

But the negative points stop there. Tourists are treated with respect. No areas are no-go to tourists and the history, culture, shopping and leisure trades were fantastic. That’s not to mention the tremendous food.

From the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia to a Bosphorus boat trip and the Istanbul Modern, this place is fantastic destination.

It’s like experiencing the grand scale Cairo without fear for your safety and without pestering from locals.

And here are the pictures:

Garry_cook_istanbul_0011
Garry_cook_istanbul_0059
Garry_cook_istanbul_0375
Garry_cook_istanbul_0411
Garry_cook_istanbul_0413
Garry_cook_istanbul_0410
Garry_cook_istanbul_0999

The Love Town podcast from Istanbul coming soon at www.lovetown.eu A full slideshow will appear at www.gazcook.com shortly which will feature images from the 2011 Istanbul Biennial. 

Swissotel The Bosphorus can be seen here.

*Those two continents in full: Europe and Asia.

 

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