Awesome Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul

Taksim Square, Istanbul

Istanbul – it is one seriously awesome city. A perfect destination for students.

We’ve been in town here for a few days now, visiting Bogazici University and some other organisations, as well as getting in a bit of sneaky down-time to scope out some of the incredible sights that this place serves up. If you’re coming here on one of AIM Overseas’ academic short courses you are in for the adventure of a lifetime!

Istanbul = a unique, perfect place to study and embrace history and culture.

So let’s talk a little bit more about it.

First Impressions

I didn’t really know what to expect when I touched down, but the thing that really blew me away the most was the sheer diversity of Istanbul. It is truly wonderful.  

You’ll see every colour, shape and type of people here – blond with blue eyes, Asiatic, Mediterranean or Arabic – and they’re all Turkish. The people are wonderfully welcoming and accommodating.

The city is a blend of east and west, new and old. You’ll see stunning Romanesque buildings beside rundown, communist-looking pre-fab concrete architecture. Stunning Islamic mosques sit beside boulevards that you could find anywhere in Europe. Cobbled streets lead to nooks and crannies packed with small bars and restaurants. It’s a city of surprises, secret little corners and, unforgettably, stunning views.

Stunning Views

Ferries cross the Bosphorous - viewed from Topkapi Palace

Located on the Bosphorous (the waterway that joins the Mediterranean to the Black Sea), Istanbul is loaded full of incredible views.

The city is divided into east (the ‘Asian side’) and west (the ‘European side’) and it clings to hills that slope down to the magnificent turquoise waters of the Bosphorous. As you walk, bus or tram around the various areas of the city you catch glimpses of the water all over the place…it’s truly lovely!

You could sit for hours watching the ferries, tankers and other craft cruising up and down under the blazing blue sky.

One of the highlights of the stay was walking from Bebek (which is near both Bogazici University and the accommodation that AIM Overseas uses) back towards the centre of Istanbul. The walk hugs the edge of the Bosphorous and passes through some great places to eat, some pretty parks, and offers stunning views that rival the best waterway views in Europe: think lots of trees, palaces, crazy millionaire yachts and boats and even a man-made island devoted to bars and restaurants.

Food and Culture

Food and culture? Istanbul is loaded with both.

Let's start with culture.

The Blue Mosque at Sultanahmet

 Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the strategic value of the waterway that it encloses, Istanbul is a city with an ancient history full of sultans and conquests.

We visited the most famous monuments and you’re not going to be disappointed!!!

Amongst Istanbul’s treasures are some of the true wonders of the world (and our programs will explore many of these places as part of the culture day tours that are included).

Aya Sofra: Your breathe will be stolen as you walk into this incredible former church and mosque, now a museum. Its interior rivals any religious building in Europe.

The Blue Mosque: You will feel peace inside the calm interior of the mosque – being there in January, away from the hordes of tourists, will be a big plus.

Topkapi Palace – Perched above the Bosphorous, the sprawling magnificence that is Topkapi offers priceless views and limitless insight on the history of Istanbul. 

The Grand Bazaar – Words fail to capture the intrigue of the sensation of walking the Grand Bazaar – it’s enormous and so clean and organised compared to the bazaars of North Africa…not that the haggling is any less ferocious! You will go crazy buying souvenirs here!

The Spice Bazaar – even the locals shop here, and it’s the place for buying Turkisk Delight and sampling local cheeses and spices.

           

Food-wise, Istanbul is just fabulous.

The aptly-named Spice Bazaar

Red-blooded carnivores will adore the unrestricted access to tasty and cheap, cheap, CHEAP kebab. It’s absolutely everywhere and is very fine indeed.

Connoisseurs of desserts and sweet foods will appreciate the Turks’ love of arguably the day’s most important meal – think baklava, quality chocolate, Turkish Delight and you’ll get an idea of what I mean. We ate at a fantastic dessert-only restaurant on Straselviler Cd (the main ‘strip’ that runs from Taksim Square to the Bosphorous) and were in 7^th heaven. You should also also try the regional ice cream delicacy – I’ll post a video of it that will make you crack up laughing!

Vegetarians should usually be able to get around – there are brilliant veggie dishes based on tomato or eggplant. One of these, pureed smoked eggplant, is now on my list of ‘foods I would eat for a year on a desert island’…yes, it is that good!!!!

Shopping

Straselviler Cd is a cobbled street running from Taksim Square that rivals any shopping strip in Europe. We ate here on a Wednesday night and it was packed to the rafters – tens of thousands of Turks and tourists out to eat, drink, shop and party the night away. A must-see experience!

Entry to the Grand Bazaar

Turkish towels at the Grand Bazaar

Rob’s ‘Travel Difficulty’ Rating

5/10.

The incredible view from Bogazici University

Yes, there’s the foreign language aspect, public transport to master, the occasional tout and a new currency to get used to, but even with those with little travel experience will find Turkey a pretty easy place to settle into.

People are friendly and accommodating, finding an English speaker is easy (or bumbling through in English isn’t badly received), the public transport is intuitive and predictable and, most of all, you’ll never be short of something to do here!

It is easier to adapt to than many places in ‘western’ Europe.

As a place for students I would rank Istanbul a 9/10: there’s diversity, culture, history, amazing food, great shopping, monuments and fantastic travel opportunities. And it’s all at an affordable (sometimes even cheap) price.

Do not miss out on your chance to study in Turkey.

September 2012: AIM Overseas currently runs a program on Political Change in the Middle East: Can Turkey Play a Role?

It is hosted at Bogazici University, arguably Turkey’s finest university. The program next runs in January 2013 (check our website for all the details). 

Aya Sofra viewed from outside

Inside Aya Sofra