Charming and captivating Moda
You will find Moda, a charming neighborhood surrounded by the Sea of Marmara, in Kadıköy district. Moda’s small streets will seduce you with culture, colors, the aromas of delicacies, and authentic Istanbul life. Eventually, you’ll be enchanted by the stunning views and beauty of the Sea of Marmara’s coastal landscapes. What more could you wish for?
Road trip from Istanbul to the turquoise Aegean coast
What if you combined the grandeur of history with the beauty of seaside landscapes on your journey? We drove from Istanbul along the small coastal roads of Turkey’s western coast towards the south, admiring the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, and I highly recommend this combination – a city and beach vacation all in one.
Sakıp Sabancı Museum – an enchanting experience with its versatility
Calling the Sakıp Sabancı Museum just a museum gives a far too narrow picture of this unique place. First of all, in its artistry, versatility and beauty, this museum is a place that will leave a lasting impression on your heart. Secondly, the museum’s deep and open-minded vision is great – and the execution really exudes the winds of future development. Thirdly, here you will once again be enchanted by the nature of Istanbul.
Bosphorus Cruise – experience the most beautiful Istanbul
If you only have the chance to explore one place during your visit, I definitely recommend this one: go cruising on the waves of the Bosphorus. The Bosphorus is the pearl of Istanbul, or rather the soul of the whole city, without which the magic of Istanbul would perhaps disappear completely. Every time I return to Istanbul, the most important thing for me is still to go first to breathe the turquoise winds of the Bosphorus.
Restaurant Villa Bosphorus – a visual feast with delicacies of the sea
When you fancy the most delicious food, the best service, the most beautiful restaurant and the most charming view, head to the Asian side of Istanbul in Beylerbeyi to Restaurant Villa Bosphorus.
The sandy beaches of Istanbul
I am often asked: “where can you swim in Istanbul?” This is a complicated question, to which you will probably get a different answer from every Istanbulite. In this post, I will try my best to gather basic information about Istanbul’s beaches, so that you can choose the beach that is right for you. And now we are talking specifically about sandy beaches suitable for swimming.
“When he chose me” at Happy Moon’s Cafe
This is the story of a touching encounter with a street cat at one of our favorite restaurants, Happy Moon’s Cafe in Fenerbahçe, on the Asian side of Istanbul. Our cat friend melted our hearts and chose my son as his new home with self-evident certainty.
Princes´ Islands (Adalar) – part 2: Büyükada
Since the pictures speak more than a thousand words, in this post I will tell mainly through photos about the largest and most famous of the Princes´ Islands, Büyükada. You’ll also experience a little bit of history as you will see a short video taken of a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride (Phaeton) with views of the nature and sea. Horses were swapped for environmentally friendly electric vehicles in 2020.
Princes´ Islands (Adalar) – part 1
The Princes´ Islands (Adalar) are like a special treasure of Istanbul. They are a scenic and peaceful retreat in the Marmara Sea, just a short ferry ride from the mainland. During the summer months, Princes´ Islands are a popular destination for a trip among tourists and Istanbulites alike. Whilst on the islands you can easily leave the chaos of Istanbul behind and enjoy the stunning seascapes in the middle of nature. So now, come with me on a ferry trip to the Marmara Sea and the Princes’ Islands!
Istanbul guide for beginners
When we plan a trip, we hope to find as much information as possible about our destination – preferably even as easily as possible. As the information is often fragmented, I have compiled in this post both important general information about Istanbul as well as a variety of tips for your visit. In this post you will also find practical information about everyday life for your trip, for example, tips for the ways to commute in Istanbul. And please remember, I will publish new stories about the oriental wonders of dazzling Istanbul on my blog every month.