Tag: Byzantium

My wife persuaded me to go to a Hammam with her for a treatment. A Hammam is a  traditional Turkish bath and involves a sauna, lying on a hot stone, and getting some type of massage treatment. It was some experience, one I am glad to have done, especially in a country like Turkey which… Continue reading I went to a Hammam for a Turkish bath

One of the striking things that hits you as you walk around Istanbul is the number of traders and small shops you will encounter. There appears to be a disproportionately large number of small shops and traders selling just about anything. Maybe they are all scratching out a living. Obviously some are more successful than… Continue reading Istanbul-a city of traders?

We went on a walking tour of Istanbul yesterday and it was, as expected, fascinating. The history of Istanbul, Constantinople, Byzantium is fascinating and our tour guide was genuinely knowledgeable about the history involving the Romans, Greeks and Ottoman Empire eventually leading to the formation of the Republic of Turkey. We visited the Blue Mosque,… Continue reading Walking tour of Istanbul 

I am writing this blog post from a hotel bedroom in the Galata area of Istanbul. We are here for a few days leading up to the June bank holiday weekend and I am looking forward to seeing the sights of this famous city, known historically as Byzantium, Constantinople, and now Istanbul. The Galata area,… Continue reading Istanbul trip, May 2023