22 January,2010 11:45 AM IST | | Avantika Patil
Actress Anjori Alagh loves to travel. Goa and Kanpur are her favourite Indian destinations, while Egypt and Japan are high on her list for foreign holidays. Anjori, who loves well-planned travels, now wants to explore China, Greece and Russia. But till she gets those holidays organized, she relives her recent Istanbul vacation for CS:
Cultural treasure
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I had a fantastic time in Istanbul. The mixture of the Islamic and European culture is amazing. It's an important metropolis famous for its historic monuments and magnificent scenic beauty. Honestly, I don't think five days are enough to get the full measure of Istanbul. I would want to spend two weeks there. See the museums, the mosques and just absorb the life in its vibrant streets. People are so friendly and outgoing; they value their history and culture, but are progressive at the same time. Istanbul has fantastic food -- from roadside shawarmas to Michelin star restaurants like Ulus 29. The nightlife too is outstanding.
Active sights
If you ever visit Istanbul, don't miss The Blue Mosque. It is the only mosque that I have actually seen from the inside and it is stunning. Little did I realise that you needed to cover your legs and shoulders. I had to hire clothes and was wrapped in two pieces of blue fabric, which looked hilarious.
Other must see is the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the F1 race track, The Grand Bazaar and Ishtaqail Street. I went for my first Formula 1 Grand Prix in Istanbul. It was so exhilarating! The cars were so fast and the sound was deafening. By the time the race ended, I thought I was going to be deaf.
Shopping at the Grand Bazaar is an insane experience. While you sit to bargain for ceramics, the vendors start bargaining for you! If you agree to marry them, you will definitely get what you want at an extremely low price!
Eye candy
It's an absolutely mesmerising city. The scenic beauty around the Bosphorus river is stunning. Taking a boat ride and dinning on the Bosphorus is the most beautiful experience ever. But beauty isn't just restricted to the scenery. Even the skyline of the city appears serene, majestic and beautiful from every direction. You will come across typical old Turkish homes, impressive palaces, mosques, fortresses and contemporary residences lined along the shores of the Bosphorus. And, there are woods adorning the hills behind its shores.
