Who doesn’t speak turkish will find every morning the same, waken up by the religious sound of the public prayer, around five thirty. But I am sure for muslims, every morning has a different meaning and purpose based on it. I find it so fascinating that an entire city has these common holy moments throughout the day. I wish I could understand them. The first morning I woke up with it I felt I was at the very border of the west and east, what excited me indeed and at the same time gave me a sense of estrangement.
Sultanahmet: a jump in the richness and splendor of the past emperor. Topkapi Palace Museum introduces the visitor in the intimate life of the royal family, while walking in the beautiful gardens and rooms.
Blue Mosque: by covering the head, wearing a foulard over the legs, and putting the shoes off, the queue proceeds pretty quickly and soon the colorful patterns and the smell of old carpets gets over the rational mind. Although I am not a religious person, I adore the atmosphere of religious places where masses let personal problems and thoughts slip out of their head to flow into a joint silence.
Basilica Cistern: columns that fall into water, silence, low lights, a plunged temple. Breathtaking.
Galata Bridge and a ferry tour in the Bosphorus: stunning view of the water stripe that still divides East and West. Departures from the central ferry terminal at the Galata Bridge, possible stops on the European and Asians sides.
Pierre Loti Café: where you can see in its full magnificence the union of Asia and Europe, while tasting a warm tea on a big terrace.
Sesame Rings: together with pomegranate juice and chestnuts, sesame rings are the most loved street snacks. A very traditional bakery is http://www.simitfirini.net/.
Yeni Camii: Beautiful Mosque in front of the Galata Bridge. I like rituals such as cleaning feet as to remove the impurity of the chaotic human streets before entering God’s house.
Modern turkish cuisine and amazing red wine: I didn’t expect such a refined and flavorful cuisine until I have tried this small restaurant where spices, meat and pastes melt into a delicious experience, soaked by red wine from three different grapes cultivated in the region of Antiochia. http://www.antiochiaconcept.com/en/antiochia-istanbul.php
Tea: it’s more than a beverage, it is so deep-rooted in the society as a mean of energy, conversation, relaxation.
Beyoglu: almost gentrified, still keeps its beauty and character with its narrow streets going up and downhill, cats everywhere, antique boutiques, old hammams. Rivers of men and women walk on the Istikal Street at any time of the day and night, going from Taksim Square the to the Galata tower. Some hours at the Buyuk Turkish Bath are a true experience of body treatment, with old ladies using all their strength to scrub and massage your body and then washing your hair so gently as just your grandmother would do.
The Gran Bazaar: any kind of spice, antiques, dried fruit. And lots of tourists. 
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