Topkapi Palace located in Istanbul, was the headquar­ters for the Ottamen Empire for more then 400 years. Today it is a museum. When we went it cost 20 Turkish Lira per person, and if we wanted to go into the Harem it would cost an addi­tional 15 Turkish Lira per person. The ticket for entering [...]

Hi Mom! Yes, we are indeed still alive and safe. This morning we will be catch­ing a Turkish minibus, or dolmus (pro­nounced dol-mush), to a place called Bergama, near the ancient site of Pergamon. There are some impress­ive archae­olo­gical remains there we’re looking forward to. We left Istanbul a few days ago and have already moved [...]

Which one should we go to? This one costs double the price, so is it better, or is it just more because it is phys­ic­ally one of the oldest Turkish baths? There are so many ques­tions when it comes to Turkish baths, or Hamams, for us Canadians who are very used to wearing lots and [...]

Below the streets of Istanbul, beside the famous mosque Aya Sophia, is an under­ground tank, called the Basilica Cistern or the Turkish name, “Yerebatan Sarnici”  meaning “Underground Palace”. It was con­struc­ted in the 6^th century during the reign of Emperor Justinianus. The cistern is sup­por­ted by 336, 9-meter tall marble columns. Istanbul used the cistern [...]