Ceiling in Hagia Sophia

Whirling Through Istanbul

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April 29th 2011
I had some complaints over the summer that I never published my Istanbul blog. I apologize - last spring was really busy and very crazy. In short - Istanbul was amazing, and I can't wait to get back to see the millions of tulips, walk through the Grand Bazaar, smell the intoxicating mixture of spices, fruit, and coffee in the Spice Market, and admire the arcitecture ... read more

Middle East » Turkey » Marmara » Istanbul » Sultanahmet

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Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk, or "Father of the Turks." Under his authoritarian leadership, the country adopt... ... read more