so...i will start with myself...ISTANBUL is my favorite city, I lived there for two years and i will never forget that place.i have life long memories from there..the best part of my life....i cant wait for the summer as i will go there again..to bad only for like two weeks...
:thumbsup:
I probably can't think objectively but Istanbul is the best city i have ever been in. I have been in Libya among with plenty of European cities and no matter how neutral i try to be, Istanbul is far more fascinating than any of cities i have ever seen.
A quote from New York Times:
"Napoleon said that if the world were a single state then its capital would be Constantinople. Even today, amid the traffic-choked streets of modern Istanbul, among the high-rises, the steep alleys and the glowing ancient churches and mosques, you can still feel exactly what he meant."
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/16/travel/16iht-tristan.3171190.html
Even if you put away all the history and multicultural face of Istanbul, still this city is absolutely unique because of its "natural beauty". You know, there are plenty of natural things which can make a city more beautiful. A river in middle of the city or a lake makes it look better, but how about a "SEA" in the middle of a city? Now this is a thing that you can't find everywhere...
And since i feel like advertising, i will just finish with one more suggestion. If you ever decide to visit Istanbul, try to attend a Besiktas game in Inönü Stadium as well. It's not football-related. I suggest it to you because in Inönü Stadium (Besiktas home ground)
you can see the Bosphorus whenever you are bored of the game, which is pretty exciting. I don't think you will be bored because of Besiktas fans though!
The building you see on the seaside is Dolmabahce Palace, the place Atatürk died.
PS: If any of you plans an Istanbul/Inönü Stadium visit, i will do my best to help you.
Damn i miss Turkey.