Istanbul

Our trip begins

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December 26th 2011
Our first day in Istanbul was quiet. We arrived in the morning after a 10 hour flight and since our room wasn't ready, we decided to take a walk and explore the area. We are staying minutes away from Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque. John and I walked over to the plaza where these two impressive buildings stand, almost side by side. You can stand in the middle of the plaza, sip freshly squeezed p ... 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