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Honestly WTF

Istanbul

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I’ve just spent the last five days in Istanbul where I marveled at the architectural wonder that is the Hagia Sophia, was humbled by the beauty of The Blue Mosque, haggled for jewelry and Iznik ceramics at The Grand Bazaar, had my fortune read from the grounds leftover from my Turkish coffee, shopped for exotic spices and sweets at The Spice Bazaar, sipped cocktails on the Bosphorus, ordered tea 100 times a day, absorbed thousands of years of rich history, and officially fell in love with one of my new favorite cities in the entire world. Now I’m heading south to the Turkish Turquoise Coast along the Mediterranean Sea!

(all images by HonestlyWTF)

75 Comments

  2. Serberry    October 14, 2011

    Ah getting goose bumps from seeing these pictures. I am in love with Istanbul i’ve been there a few times and there is still so much to see! Enjoy Turkey!

  3. Nikki    October 14, 2011

    I’ve always wanted to visit Istanbul — a lot of the architecture is very reminiscant of what I saw when I lived in Southern Spain. Absolutely breathtaking! Enjoy the rest of your trip — can’t wait to see more photos!

    http://www.cositabella.com

  4. Liz    October 14, 2011

    looks fantastic! If you get a chance get a ‘gulet’ along the coast (i think that’s what they’re called). We went on one for a week travelling down the coast. Its just a small boat with about 15 people, we slept on the deck at night, all our meals were cooked for us and the food was simple but amazing. During the day we would pull up at secluded spots and you could go swimming right off the side of the boat, the water was so clear you could see the bottom. One of the best things I’ve ever done!

  5. Rochelle    October 14, 2011

    I’ve always wanted to visit Istanbul. Hope you had an amazing time. Please post more pictures. :) Have a great day. Rochelle.

  7. Cupid    October 14, 2011

    While searching on the web, I’ve found your blog which is really nice! and it is such a good coincidence that you are in Istanbul, here in my town haha! Kisses :)

  9. Nomadic D    October 14, 2011

    So glad you’re enjoying Turkey! I always get so excited when people go there and fall in love. All my extended family is in Istanbul so I get to go there minimum once a year and I just love it! And how about those turkish breakfasts, huh? Enjoy the beaches now!

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

  11. Zahara Rose    October 14, 2011

    WOW! looks wonderful! i’ve always wanted to visit turkey, just haven’t gotten myself there, yet.
    have an amazing time!

    xx
    Z

  18. Elizabeth    October 14, 2011

    Istanbul has been on my list to visit for a while! Thank you for the pictures! They are wonderful!!

  26. Hits And Fits    October 14, 2011

    Oh my goodness, these photos are incredible! Thank you for sharing. It’s nice to get a glimpse of Istanbul that’s not filled with typical touristy photographs. Now I’m even more excited – we’re planning on visiting Istanbul in Spring 2012!

    - Ava

  28. Lourdes    October 14, 2011

    I was just there (in May)! Turkey is so beautiful!! Have fun on the rest of your trip!

  30. zeynep    October 14, 2011

    looks like you had a good guide since you’ve been to kale for breakfast:)

  35. Katherine    October 14, 2011

    Istanbul’s great! East meets West. Definitely one of the most underrated places… everyone should visit Turkey, not just for the sites but for the amazing people. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

  36. Ashlie    October 14, 2011

    I lived in Istanbul for a while and these photos make me so homesick for my favorite city! Especially the kahvaltı and çay in the mornings. Mmm…

  40. Zaina    October 15, 2011

    OMG! I was there earlier this year!! Turkey is awesome, i loved it! Thanks for refreshing my memories. teshekur ederim ;)

  41. Yildiz    October 15, 2011

    Been a Turk luv the way you captured the all the best things we have to offer :)
    please do visit us for the newest Turkish fashion trends @ JAPON STYLE

  44. nazli    October 15, 2011

    Can’t believe you were here!! So glad that you love istanbul, I wish I had known that you were coming to Istanbul! Hope you’ll have fun in the south. xx

    kurnazli.com

  47. Nat    October 15, 2011

    Dear Erica and Abe, Come home soon. I miss you, :) Nat
    ps: is that Abe pointing at Asia across the Bosphorus?

  48. Ceecee    October 15, 2011

    I was there 40 years ago. The Pudding Shop was where all the long hairs gathered. We went to the oldest bath house in town and a naked woman took control of my body, sloughing off dead skin with a mitt made of goat’s hair. I still have one mitt left. I travelled back to NYC carrying a beautiful vase, that I still have and use often. Months later I was working in a bank and a young woman I had met in Istanbul came up to my counter, and we laughed, sharing the feeling of being so lucky to have had such an adventure as Istanbul in 1971.

  52. Morgan    October 16, 2011

    I LOVE Hagia Sophia. It was one of my favorite locations I studied in college. The architecture and the culture and feeling behind it is all just beautiful and so incredibly moving. I am so glad you enjoyed your trip. The jewelry from this time period really inspired me to create my own jewelry business before I came to law school too. But that is on hold. I love your blog! Good luck!

  55. Stephanie    October 16, 2011

    I love stalking you guys especially when you travel, you take incredible pictures! I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip, can’t wait to see more!

    Steph / absolutely-fuzzy.com

  56. caits    October 17, 2011

    ahh i went to turkey earlier this year and istanbul is amazing! i cannot get over it! such a wonderful place. this post makes me want to go back sooo much.

  58. asong    October 17, 2011

    i am in love with these photographs… the texture and intricacy is so inspiring…. turkey is amazing! thank you thank you

  59. Jan w.    October 17, 2011

    What lovely colors and contrasts. You’ve convinced me that this is the place to visit. Thanks!

  60. alicia    October 17, 2011

    Hello! Looks like an amazing trip. I absolutely adore Istanbul and Turkey in general – more people should visit! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures.

  63. Laura    October 18, 2011

    Oh I adore Istanbul! I went there for about the same length of time a couple of winters ago. It was just amazing. I smiled seeing this as I have nearly identical photos! Oh to be back
    xxx

  64. Ebru    October 18, 2011

    I have been following your Istanbul pics on Instagram and love the fact that you love my city. I love it too – hence my blog, which I have to admit I have ignored over the oh-so-beautiful summer months, but I will be writing again soon. Thanks for all the beautiful pics…Best, Ebru from http://www.istan-cool.com

  65. Ayca    October 18, 2011

    Perfect pictures! I’m glad I’m living in this city :) You’ve been lucky to have nice weather. Now it’s windy, rainy and cold :(

  66. lauren    October 19, 2011

    AMAZING!!

    thank you for sharing these photos
    Istanbul is a magical place
    I went to Turkey when I was a teenager – and it has stayed with me ever since
    I loved it and hope some day to go back!
    It was nice to return, if only in my mind, through your photos.
    thank you

    xo-L
    http://www.thesphinxandthemilkyway.com

  67. Onur    October 20, 2011

    All of you have to see Bosphorus and Topkapi and of course İstanbul for once.We are living İstanbul for 24 Hours.Come and enjoy…

  68. cherie    October 23, 2011

    are there any travel groups that travel to istanbul? it looks absolutely gorgeous, and I would love to go, but not by myself!

  69. Erica    October 25, 2011

    thanks guys, Istanbul was so magical – I can’t wait to go back! And @zeynep, that is indeed Kale Cafe – I’m obsessed – it was one of my favorites, I went back twice! xx

  72. D    November 7, 2011

    you picked a good time to visit turkey! did you get to see pammukuale?? that was super wonderful…and saffronbolu where saffron originated…and i have to agree istanbul is an amazing city! =)

  74. Dekor    March 8, 2013

    I would like to thank you as someone living in Turkey. Sharing has been an incredibly beautiful.

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