My father lived in Turkey for many years. He always spoke so highly of the people there and how he enjoyed living there. He brought us up on Mediterranean foods and teaching us about Turkey. He has passed now but I wish to one day visit the country he loved so much!
Yes I could not resist as I went to Turkey two times. I love the hospitable people and the ancient country. The food was fabulous. The great Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar must go to see these !!! Enjoy!!
saday saday Calm down, son. If thy potential guest wants to come our home, then he shall come. If thy brain is not ok with it, then you shall stay silent.
Visited over 40 countries and over 1,000 cities and towns and this was one of my favourites. It’s unusual for me to leave a city after 4 days wanting more. Will revisit I’m certain
@@ThePerpetualStudentbecause it is a historical place . Everywhere in Istanbul where you step in has a own history. You feel soul of the ancients in this country
@@jackjack3138 yes you can visit but with one thing to know. First, Hagia Sofia was a church during the Byzantines, then an Ottoman Mosque, and a museum following modern Turkey's establishment. Now, it became a mosque again so the mosaics are covered up. That's what happened.
istanbul is one of the most fascinating and vibrating cities/places I've ever been! I will definitely go back there because I miss it so much! The atmosphere, the people, the smell and simply everything you can sense is unique and special, which can only be felt in this city.
Did you ever go back? I am visiting right now and it really is an amazing city. Some locals have complained to me that the government does very little to support the rest of Turkey and puts everything into Istanbul
love turkey .me being a kazakh dont look similar to turkish people but remember since olden times we are turks and shares the same origin .we have rode together in our magnificent hordes from the altai to everypart of the known world .always be proud to be a turk.long live turan
We were in Istanbul in 2008 and absolutelly loved it. I will admit that we were a little apprehensive. But it turned out to be one of the most amazing places we have ever visited. Had an incredible private guide who was a history professor. She was with us and one other couple for three days. It became an amazing lesson in history for us all. Highly recomnmended.
I was able to celebrate my 50th birthday in Istanbul with my family earlier this summer. It was the trip of a lifetime! I wish I had gone sooner, but I think I wouldn't have appreciated it as much if I did. Watching this video and reflecting on all the history and cultural convergence stirs a lot of emotions that are hard to articulate. The portion of this video starting at 23:05 absolutely moves me to tears. Each night, I did what Rick suggests: walk the length of Istiklal Caddesi and watch the people. The vibe is unique to Istanbul and I'm so thankful I got to experience it. Istanbul truly is a crossroads of humanity! Sending much love from the U.S.A.
I just got back from a vacation in Istanbul. Beautiful city, amazing sites, lots of fun, very affordable, and friendly and welcoming to Americans. Everyone should visit someday
I hope you enjoy your trip,it is a beatiful place :D But you russians (assuming you are one,since you are from moscow) like south turkey/Antalya more than Istanbul,since all the tourists are russian at there haha :D
The Ottomans' greatest success = they made Istanbul the capital city of the world: beautiful, rich, breath-taking, overwhleming, crowded yet peaceful, and mystic where the material and the soul meet. Love you Istanbul. Love from Algeria ♥♥♥.
nik, its called turkish history because well, its the name of the country, but if you specify it it has greek, byzantine, roman and ottoman history, this is coming from a turk btw, love to greece, very nice country!
Istanbul a trip I enjoyed in the 1970s a city of heat joy entertaining religious place lots and wonderful waterfront views.A great place to visit.Ann Deakin 16 th March 2021
I travelled to Turkey in 2000 and still remember this special atmosphere of warmth and hospitality. I enjoyed my stay in Istanbul, I miss so much how people just enjoy life, there is no rush. I stayed next to the Blue Mosque and Saint Sophia Church. Every morning, the locals would take out their tables and the air would be filled with apple tea and Turkish coffee aromas.
I live in Istanbul since birth. Even though we have lots of struggles currently but when you take a tour of the old town you feel amazing for living here. It is indeed magical.
leo Karim Hallak insanlariniz iyiler ben tanistim arjantillilerle mexicoda cancun ve miami de tanistim guzel insanlarsiniz selamlar sizlere arkadaslar.
iam a Turkic-Afghan. planning to goto Istanbul for Studing. wow after watching this video my interest to visit and live in this amazing city is doubled.thanks for amazing video. also turkey is a very perfect image of a moderate and beautiful Islamic country which every one falls in love with it.
I've been to Istanbul over 5 years ago and probably one of my favorite cities in the world. Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and Gulhane Park are all next to each other. There are other mosques like Sulemainye, Ayup Sultan (the Pierre Lotti Cable ride is located here too) and Rustem Pasha (this mosque is hidden close to the Spice Market and New Mosque). The Golden Horn is good where we started our Bosphorus Cruise and seen the main Bridge, and on one side there is Rumeli Fortress. We went to the Asian side of Istanbul and up to Camlica Hill to view the Europe side of Istanbul. We went to the fish restaurant underneath the Galata Bridge as well. Went up Galata Tower to view the main sites, Golden Horn and Bosphorus Strait. The Grand Bazaar is must-do place to buy some good stuff and has nice cafes. And yes we went around and inside Dolmabahce Palace too. Went to Taksim Square too. The food in Istanbul is fabolous
Have visited Istanbul twice, it;s a fabulous city for so many reasons to visit.Fantastic history ,archeology, culture, food ,spice market & the Grand Bazaar which your video covers well.The Topkapi Palace & harem is mind blowing & out of this world.Sadly you missed out on a visit to the underground water reservoirs which are centuries old & still in use today.Oh yes and a turkish shave in one the many barbers shops.
Victor Hunt hi. I'm going to visit Istanbul for the second time ( the first was summer last year). and I think it may be a little boring . so I mighy end up with nothing worth the trouble. I'm thinking of going to Izmir or antalya. was your second visit to Istanbul boring. did you ran out of interesting stuff to do ?
amine benhabib Don't just go to Sultanahmet and Hagia Sophia again, visit Çorlulu Ali Paşa Medresesi. Take a look at Haydarpaşa Train Station at Kadıköy, which Hitler worked at.
My goodness! Hello, Merheba, Thanks so much for this lovely video! 🙏❤ I'm falling in love with Turkey more and more everyday. I can't believe I never visited this beautiful country before. I'm from Iran, but moved to Canada 22 years ago. Lately I started learning turkish and the feeling of going to Turkey is growing more and more everyday in my heart. The feeling is so strong that I feel like I want to live there. Some day soon! Thank you! Sağ olun! Kolay galsin! 🙏🙏☺❤❤❤
finally a documentary showing istanbul as it is. Not only zooming on head-scarved people. like trying to engineer the image of our country, abroad. For decades that was done by western documentary directors. Finally there are open eyed western media coming to our land. finally we can understand each other. thank you Rick Steves.
i was born and raised in istanbul. my family has been living in this city for centuries. i sometimes forget how beautiful it is and this is a nice reminder.
really want to see this beautifull city, beautiful people and delicious food. can't wait any more. Istanbul i am comming very soon inshaAllah. love turkay from pakistan😍😘🇹🇷 🇵🇰
And prior to Constantinople, the city was called Byzantium. The founder of the city was, reportedly, a man named King Byzas, who in 658 BCE came from Megara (Greece) with settlers from his own town, supplemented with people from Corinth, Argos, and Boeotia.
This gentleman i.e. Rick Steves, has been discovering numerous countries since many decades, I discovered him by chance -- just a few weeks ago. I love to watch all his travel stories. It's really a blessing. I have been a mariner for 14 years. Many of his travelogues remind of my own voyages.
+Qaisar Hassan Yes--he promotes understanding/appreciation among world cultures with his specials---we need more of that in the face of so much ignorance.
Original vlogger 'Rick Steves', number 1 and is still the best vlogger in 2023. His videos are just so relaxing and enjoyable to watch, although this one was done eight years ago.
I imagine myself siting at a restaurant with a terrace view of the Bosphorus, evening time of course and a nice warm summer breeze, enjoying fabulous Turkish cuisine and wine with friends.... This city and it's location truly seems out of this world.
The most beautiful city in the world has also proved that multiculturalism CAN exist if the natives are civilised as the peopple of Istambul are. I m greek and thus my statement holds special value considering that we re supposed to be enemies! I love the Turks and their history and their family values and their generous hospitality and their sense of humour...
Thank you for your kind comment @Humblysoftlygently Pax Profunda🌷 Positive experiences are the heart of happiness🤗 We visited some of the breathtaking 🏝Greek Islands with my husband and it was just magic!💫 Amazing nature, unforgettable beaches and lovely people. We've never met a Greek who wasn't helpful, generous and kind. Not even once. I don't care what the politicians are up to but I refuse to feel any kind of prejudice, aversion, hostility, or hatred towards 🇬🇷 "our neighbors" in Greece. The most sociable, talkative and lovely people you'll ever met. Go and see for yourself! 😊👍
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO MR.RICK STEVES. FOR SHOWING US WONDER CITIES OF THE WORLD.WE ENJOYED THE TOUR TO ISTANBUL,YOUR COMMENTS,OUT DOOR SHOOTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY IS JUST SUPERB.CONGRATULATION RICK.
I enjoyed this. I am just a country boy in America and I love the USA but it's so fun to see these great places like Istanbul, would I be welcome there if I wanted to just go visit for a week.
Been there last dec, it was my solo trip and insyaAllah will revisit turkiye this coming june. Allahu, im really in love with this country. Love from Malaysia😄
I’ve been to Istanbul recently and loved it very much, the food, the people, the weather, OMG 😯 all are wonderful !!! 💖 Hope to Visit again very soon, I missed you Istanbul, yes I did 😌
Sorry but I dont thınk we're brothers. Any kınd of ıslamıc people wont be able to be brothers wıth us. Maybe you guys thınk that ıstanbul ıs generally ıslamıc but seacıtıes are not lıke that. Btw we dont lıke ıstanbul so much. There are modern sıdes of ıstanbul too but not ın thıs vıdeo. So there ıs a really european and modern partf of Turkey ın seacıtıes and I thınk we - western part - are not brothers wıth you guys.
I went to Turkey during February last year winter, and had a wonderful time there. I will come again to Istanbul this upcoming end of June, to have a feel of Istanbul during Ramadan season, performing tarawih prayer at Blue Mosque :) Great video Mr Steves !
Spent a semester abroad in Istanbul. I didn't know what to expect, just went there and see what happens. Best decision of my life and best time of my life so far.
One of the fair documentary about Istanbul. As a Turkish who has been all around the world I can say the biggest advantage of Istanbul apart from its great history, its friendly young and dynamic population who is keeping city alive 7/24. Also there are not banns in city life, that you can do whatever you want in city if you don't disturb another person. For this reason it is very different than many other European cities where strict rules bothering people. Also its cosmopolit population gives advantage. For people all around of the world to feel like home. Finally we can absolutly agree that Napoleon Bonaparte said ''If the Earth was a single state, Istanbul would be its capital''
Will visit Istanbul next month. Excited but nervous. I'll try to go thru Rick's recommendations except the bath ;-) Do you think I can get by with only English? Do random young people in Istanbul speak a little English? Do I need to worry about crime, especially after dark? (I'm a male solo backpacker staying between Taksim Sq and Old City).
mhtinla you will not have problem to communicate. Crime is not higher than average of european capitals. You have to be carefull for the tricking at the bills for this reason you always check what you will pay at the end ask your hotel reception about the prices generally before you go out. People and city dinamic and friendly but also tiring so you relax and don't try to go everywhere you read because it is not a small city...
***** And I am fed up to play the role that everything is perfect. There are realities every city have good and bad parts; For example in Barcelona you have to keep your wallet somewhere safe and in Istanbul you have to check what you will pay at the end specially if you are tourist. Maybe It could sounds chauvinistic to you however in my opinion Istanbul is one of the most beautiful city. Of course this changes according to people but also I have never heart from a foreigner inverse. You are right in all cities driver or shopkeeper can defraud you but I will be realistic Istanbul is in the first rankings. If you are a real inhabitant you have to be familiar additional at the bills which you have not eat or drink. And I can say some there are many cities much more expensive than Istanbul but at least you know what you will pat at starting.
***** You is right. I am also grown up in istanbul and I can see the difference in bad way. Specially I agree in architecturel change is terrible. I also agree with you that city full of immigrants nowadays however I have to say istanbul still safer than many cities conaidering ita population. On the other hand Istanbul never become totally a european city it includes Little from Europe little from M.E little from Africa and this is not simething bad inverse the value it has to be kept. But immigration is a common problem so can't be discussed only over istanbul in Amsterdam, Athens, London whereever you go you will see it the same.
Istanbul is beginning to rise and take its rightful place amongst the worlds greatest cities!! I hope one day to make it to Istanbul, and while the Blue and Ortakoy Mosque will be my number one priorities, visiting all the new bridges across the Bosphorus Straight are must sees!!!
I am Greek, and visited Constantinople, now Istambul. It is indeed beautiful. Yet, I am still sad over the fact that Hagia Sophia was a mosque. Was not the Blue Mosque enough? But still, the city was beautiful. I know I should not cry because it is over, but smile because it happened and because, it still exists
As a foodie Istanbul is a heaven to me. I really love Turkish food and I’ve been to a lot of Turkish restaurants outside Turkey but it’s completely different from what I had in Istanbul
We went to Turkey this summer. Is most amazing incredible country I've ever been to. I cannot wait to go back next year and visit the places such as Cappadocia that we couldn't make this year. Just awesome.
I would love to visit all the palaces there.. I am curious to know more about turkey. Its an osm place & specially the old palaces... Its nyc to see the culture centuries back.. I am planning to go in 2015 in sha allah :)
Heading to Istanbul this September' which will be my 7th trip to this wonderful city. I have been to other countries but after my first visit to Turkey, I knew that I wouldn't be visiting any other country ever again. Each time I visit Istanbul, I discover something new about this timeless city. Hopefully, the worst of COVID-19 will be over with by the time I arrive. And unfortunately, futbol (soccer) season will be over with by the time I arrive. Nothing more fun than going to a Turkish (Galatasaray) futbol match!
