The Big Picture of Istanbul

 Our hotel room has a beautiful 10th floor view of the Bosphorus and a window seat to sit upon and enjoy.

The bridge across the Bosphorus is lit in purple at night

The Bosphorus or Bosporus, also known as the Istanbul Strait, is a strait that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia

Istanbul (and Turkey) lie on both sides of the strait

Leaving the hotel we went to the 205 ft. stone Galata Tower (tallest structure below) for more great views.

The Galata Tower sits on a hill in the New District of Istanbul 

From the 8th floor we had wonderful 360 degree views of the city.

Looking south, the Mosque of Suleyman the Great catches the eye with it's four minarets

Closer view

The view toward the Suleyman Mosque looks across the Golden Horn.

The Golden Horn is an inlet of the Bosphorus that forms the natural harbor that has sheltered Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and other ships for thousands of years.

Look at the Bosphorus Strait map again (above). The two tiny lines are bridges across the Golden Horn. The peninsula formed south of the Golden Horn is where the Old City originated. 

Our stroll took us across the Golden Horn on the Galata bridge. 

Crossing the Galata Bridge is a feast of eye candy. Toms of people, stunning views and gulls screaming and circling overhead.

The mosque on the far left is the New Mosque.

Close-up view of the colorful boats.

Once you reach the other side you are in the Old City and it time to eat! We found a wonderful restaurant on the third floor of a harbor-side building.

The smoking balcony had wonderful views.

Looking back across the Golden Horn, and the Galata bridge and the tower where we started.

The New Mosque

Coming down from high perches, we walked along the streets...

Spring has sprung

The grass has ris

I wonder  where

The flowers is...

HERE!

Little white blossoms peppered this tree

This tree also had delicate white blossoms. Apples were tied on it, perhaps to encourage the tree to grow apples rather than...say, apricots

Whatever the reason, it was lost in translation! 

 The gentleman on the cell phone wrangled us (we were willing) into his restaurant. His wife is from Columbus, Ohio

We finished out walking tour, returned to the hotel and noticed that there was salsa dancing in the hotel (that's our guess).

Dance Alert, Tom and Roxanne!!!

Also advertised was Easter brunch this Sunday.

Happy Easter!