Rooftop terraces are tops in Istanbul

After a flight of just less than four hours we were delivered to Istanbul, that exciting city straddling east and west that we last visited in 2011.  We love Istanbul, and again, we prefer to stay in Sultanahmet - the historic old part of European Istanbul.  Within easy walking distance of so much of Istanbul's epic past - the Blue Mosque, the New Mosque, and my favourite Hagia Sophia - Sultanahmet is a jumble of cobbled alleyways and old wooden traditional Ottoman-style houses that were once workers cottages and are now family homes, shops and guest houses.  Most of these old buildings are only two or three stories, many have rooftop terraces and restaurants and it's here that the best views of the sea, the Bosphorus, the minarets and the mosques can be seen.  It is also on these terraces that the mesmerising call to prayer seems to trip and echo from the minarets over the rooftops.  It's complete surround-sound!

We've swapped 45C in Dubai with 25C in Istanbul, it's sunny and bright and we spent the morning at Hagia Sophia. It is my favourite mosque in all Istanbul, and the opportunity to revisit was exciting.  Skip the queues and crowds by being there ready for when the gates open at 9.00am sharp.  That this magnificent building has been a Byzantine church, an Ottoman mosque and now a museum is stunning.  There are Christian mosiacs that remain among icons of Islamic faith.  It's dignified and exceptionally beautiful.

The blue, blue Bosphorus. Europe on the left, Asia on the right.

The Galata bridge looking to new Istanbul, and the Galata Tower.

Looking up, inside the breath-taking Ayasofya

The glorious domes, frescoes, mosiacs,
calligraphy and the Emperor's Door.

11C Byzantine mosiac

From the Empress's Lodge, looking down
and very happy to be back at Hagia Sophia.

The 'floating' chandeliers and shards of light
streaming from the dome.

Ayasofaya all her glory

Every other restaurant/cafe has

a rooftop terrace

The rooftop of our inn in Sultanahmet was
no exception.  The view, the sounds were
beautiful.

We swapped 45C in Dubai for 25C

in Istanbul. On the rooftop its warm

and beautiful.

Rooftop terraces are almost eye-level

with the minarets

This rooftop terrace overlooks the

beautiful Little Hagia Sofia - 

Kucuk Ayasofya Camii (which is as

worth a visit as Ayasofya itself).

Most people know that I love a farmers

market, and on our wanderings around Istanbul

found this delightful one.

Locals catching up at the markets,

just like we do every Saturday morning

at home.

Mulberries and white mulberries, for just 2TL
you can buy a small packet.  Delicious and juicy.

Fresh grape vine leaves for making Turkish dolma.

Dried figs, also juicy and delicious.

2011 - our visit to this mysterious and beautiful city