I want to start talking about my small trip to Istanbul. I wanted to go to this city alone. Maybe it's scary or boring to go alone, but for me the huge plus of this trip is that you do not need to discuss plans with anyone.
After overlooking the maps and advice of experienced travelers, I wrote myself several routes.
I share the routes and impressions.
On the first day I did not want to go far, nor did I set a goal for a thorough examination. The first day is rather an easy acquaintance with the atmosphere of the city and orientation on the terrain. Therefore, I arranged myself a simple walk to the places near the hotel. I chose the hotel next to the Gulhane Park. It is very close to the main square, to the embankment and to the Egyptian bazaar.
But in the morning I went on my first route:
Egyptian Bazaar, Eminony Mosque, embankment, Suleymaniye Mosque, University, Grand Bazaar.
At once I will say that I did not have enough strength for the Grand Bazaar, and I simply did not find the university, I later found it, but on another day. Therefore, if you are somewhere on the forums of travelers to seek one-day routes through Istanbul, and any other city, immediately divide the route into two parts.
The Egyptian bazaar is a very picturesque place, but contrary to reviews it is really expensive. In general, there is nothing to buy there, since everything is sold as well in all shops on the streets. I went there for the local color: to walk around, see, taste goodies. Sweets are offered to try by everybody, so after passing the whole Egyptian bazaar you can eat rahat lukum for the rest of your life, well, or at least for a week. The bazaar continues in all adjacent lanes, but there is not so intresting.
At the time of my stay in Istanbul, the Eminony mosque was under reconstruction and all in the woods.
The quay of the golden horn will amaze any traveler not so much with its views, as an unforgettable atmosphere. The aromas of fried chestnuts and corn compete for the right to be the main smell of this city. The barkers at the entrance to the restaurants vying their menu. It smells of food and something sweet. Everything smells sweet here: shops, people and the air itself. Directly on the waterfront, the sweet smell disappears and is replaced by a complete mixture of aromas: dampness, fish, bagels and fried chestnuts in a duet with corn. having seen enough the ships swaying on the waves, I went up to the mosque Suleymaniye.
Going not at all long, but very steeply upwards over completely empty, not counting a meeting with a couple of cats, alleys. I even thought at some point that I was not going there at all, but the card could not lie. The Suleymaniye Mosque is simply huge and incredibly beautiful.
By the way, in my opinion this is one of the best sites for admiring the sunset in Istanbul.