Winter Istanbul: different, beautiful, noisy
Byzantium, New Rome, Constantinople, Istanbul – this city had many names and history dates back several hundred years.
The city lies at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, between the traditional East and the modern West.
Ksenia F., a traveler from Yekaterinburg, spent several unforgettable winter days in Istanbul and shared her impressions with the personalguide portal.
Why was it chosen for the holiday? Istanbul?
I was planning a different trip initially. I wanted Istanbul-Tunisia. I found the best tickets to Istanbul, and then I found out that Tunisia quarantines a special hotel for a week. So I decided to spend my vacation in Istanbul. Especially since I dreamed of going there.
What surprised or surprised you in the city?
I read a lot about it, looked on social media about the city, planned the route, all the way down to the menu I wanted to try.
This is not the first time I have traveled, so I have learned not to expect much, then I get much more impressions and do not get disappointed.
I liked a lot here, the first two days I looked around, wandered the streets. But then I got used to it. Too different, beautiful, noisy.
I really liked the traffic junction), I did not experience any difficulties to get to any place.
Top 3 or Top 5 of your Istanbul: What should you see or do in this city?
You know, all those top 3s for Instagram beggars. When you're in town for the first time, you try to see what's advertised the most. And then you start thinking about where else you want to go.
Of course, I was delighted with Hagia Sophia. I have never felt such feelings inside, my emotions are full. I loved Dolmabahce Palace and Topkapi Palace. Chalmyja Mosque is the largest mosque in the world. And otherwise, I just went and watched everything, felt very comfortable in this city.
I think if I had been there 5 or 10 times, I probably would have said what I like best.
There was only one disappointment, I decided to try the advertised balyk ekmek from Mario with the program "Eagle and Tails", - he is well very public, there are places much more beautiful and tastier, I did not like there.
What is different from Istanbul resort Turkey?
Istanbul is a tourist city, but it is not a resort. It's like comparing. Peter. and Sochi.
Cities are designed for something else. In Istanbul, you can see Turkish culture, history, taste local cuisine, where locals eat.
At the resorts everything is made for tourists. They even speak Russian. Here no one pays attention to you, you just merge with the flow of people.
How does travel in pandemic mode go? How is it different from traveling in normal, precocious times?
I don't know the difference before the covid and after, well, maybe there are fewer tourists. But all Turks wear masks, follow the rules, in museums and mosques with this strictly. And that's good.
Who vacations in Istanbul? What countries do you think are the most tourists from?
Istanbul has long been a crossroads of countries, an intercontinental city, an airport through which millions of people fly daily from all over the world.
Tourists here come from many different countries.
Tourists say that Istanbul replaced Europe with the Russians during the pandemic era? Do you agree with that statement?
To be honest, I find it difficult to answer that question. It was my first time there. But certainly not the last.
Interview conducted by personalguide
Photo: from the personal archive of Xenia F.
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