Cooling down

Cisterna Basilica, Istanbul

When it’s hot in Istanbul, Turkey there aren’t too many places to go to. The Yerebatan Sarnıcı or Basilica Cistern is one of those. Located close to the Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque the sunken palace offers a good refreshment. It dates back to the year 532 and the pillars of the cistern are today illuminated in different colours reflecting on the water.

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The Blue Mosque

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

The Sultan Ahmet Camii (“Blue mosque”) of Istanbul, Turkey is located directly opposite to the Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet. It received its inofficial name because of the blue tiles on the interior walls. It was built from 1609 on and stil serves as a mosque. If you compare it directly to the more famous Hagia Sophia you will find that it is much more beautiful – from the outside (with plenty of minarets) and inside. It looks like a mystic castle.

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Following İstiklal Caddesi up to Taksim

İstiklal Caddesi, Istanbul

When visiting Istanbul, Turkey there is no way around to visit one of the main squares, the Taksim. It was once a main water hub which the name refers to. And if you go there you can use the main shopping street – İstiklal Caddesi. Numerous shops add up from Galata to Taksim. If you start at Galata bridge (Galata Köprüsü) you can simply walk up the hill towards the Galata tower and you can’t miss the main street.

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Views from Galata

Galata kulesi, Istanbul

The Galata kulesi (Galata tower) is a beautiful watchtower in Istanbul, Turkey located in the city quarter of Beyoğlu, directly on the hill close to the Galata bridge (Galata Köprüsü). It is named after the place it is built on, a part of Istanbul known for its bars and music venues. From there you’ll have wonderful views on the Golden horn (Haliç), the Bosphorus and the touristic Sultanahmet.

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Turkish bazaar

Kapalı Çarşı, Istanbul

The Kapalı Çarşı in Istanbul, Turkey is better known as the Grand Bazaar – a vast roofed market with many legends surrounding it. You can easily get lost in the long narrow streets with mostly cheap goods. It consists of 61 covered streets with around 3000 shops and it has been built from the year 1455 on in the district of Fatih.

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Atatürk International Airport (IST)

I visited the Atatürk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey several times – mostly to catch a connecting flight. It isn’t a pretty airport, but an important hub and the biggest airport in Turkey. It is the home base of one of my favorite airlines – Turkish – and moves 20 million passengers a year. But in fact its days are already counted: a new airport is being build right now and will be opened in 2017.

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Deck 5

Deck 5, Berlin

In need for some relaxation, sun and a good drink? To get away from the big city and to gain the feeling of being far away on vacation you can get on top of the multi-storey car park of Schönhauser Allee Arcaden. There you can put your feet into sand, find the perfect sunlounger and enjoy some cocktails and light snacks.

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