A High-Energy City
This city is exhilarating! There are people everywhere with so many alleyways to walk down and foods to try.

Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque
We started our adventure by getting our Istanbulkart public transit cards and heading to the Fatih neighbourhood where the Hagia Sofia is. From obelisks brought here from Egypt in ancient times to the soaring domes of the Blue Mosque, Istanbul has an incredible history. Inside the mosques, you won't find human or saintly images - instead there are intricate patterns covering the walls and ceilings that inspired so much of the art in this area. Hagia Sofia, once the largest church in the world for 500 years, was unfortunately covered in scaffolding during our visit, but it was still pretty amazing to see.

The Bazaars
Next up, were the markets in the area. The Grand Bazaar was massive with a maze of crowded hallways filled with shops overflowing with goods, and ceilings that seemed to stretch forever. Walking from there to the Spice Market was its own adventure, with tourist shops, local restaurants, and many cat-themed items along the way (more on Istanbul's cat culture later). The Spice Market itself was a sensory overload: colors, aromas, and flavours everywhere. I tried a date stuffed with pistachio, walnut, and carrot - it was delicious.

Our Neighbourhood of Cihangir
Evenings in our neighborhood of Cihangir were cozy and delicious. We found a restaurant serving tender chicken shish that we went back to several times.

The Asian Side of Istanbul
We boarded the public ferry across the Bosphorus Straight. In minutes, we crossed continents from Europe to Asia. On the Asian side, we explored the Moda, Kadikoy, and Uskudar, neighbourhoods filled with cafes, shops, and more evidence of Istanbul's famous cat culture. Cats are beloved all over Istanbul, and are fed and cared for by locals and businesses alike.

We stumbled upon a sweet spread compared to Kinder Bueno - rich, chocolatey, and perfect on bread. If you like Nutella, this spread will is for you!

Walls of Istanbul
Back on the European side, we kept exploring. Coffee shops perched on steep streets welcomed us with warm bread and dips. Then came one of the most awe-inspiring sights: the Walls of Istanbul. Built by Emperor Constantine, these fortifications are over 1,500 years old. Standing there, Chris imagined invaders with giant ladders and siege towers trying to breach the city. Today, they're quiet, beautiful, and a hidden gem.

Balat
We also visited the cute neighbourhood of Balat, with its cafes and little shops. Kiremet Street is also there, famous for its colourful houses painted in purples, blues, pinks, yellows, and oranges.

Fish Bread
We tried "fish bread" by the water. Fish bread is a grilled fish fillet on a freshly baked bun.

Vibrant City
Everywhere we went, Istanbul felt busy, vibrant, and full of energy. Tourists checked out the sites, locals shopped and also fished in the Bosphorus Straight, cruise ships docked nearby, and the streets never seemed to slow down.