Istanbul and Beyond

Amber

May 8

Here are a few highlights from my recent visit to Turkey, a paradise for anyone who loves color and pattern. Our adventure began with a trip to the Hagia Sophia, the medieval mosaics and Islamic calligraphy are incredible. The blend of Christian and Islamic symbols showed the rich history of this building.

We spent a day at the Topkapi Palace, the grand residence of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. After 6 hours we ran out of energy, the vastness of the palace could easily demand a longer exploration. The vibrant colour combinations and intricate, floor-to-ceiling patterned tiles were particularly inspiring—I left with at least a hundred photos of decorated domed ceilings.

We also managed a brief stop at the Istanbul Modern, where I encountered some fantastic – new to me- artists. This visit was an uplifting glimpse into Istanbul's contemporary art scene .

After our stay in Istanbul, we travelled to Cappadocia, a region famed for its unique landscapes and hot-air balloon flights. Floating among about 150 other balloons, we watched the sunrise, a truly spectacular sight viewed from the air or the ground. The surreal experience made it hard to believe I was awake. A sudden change in wind direction during our landing led us unexpectedly into a builder's yard—but that's a story for another day.