Top 5 things to do in cartagena colombia

Cartagena is one of Colombia’s most visited cities. Located on the Caribbean coast, this city is filled with history. From the rich African roots to sunken ships filled with gold and pirates, Cartagena has it all. Now that Colombia is on the path of reopening up in October, this city should definitely be on your list. This post will give you more reasons to visit this beautiful part of Colombia. This is the list of the top 5 things to do in Cartagena Colombia.

1) The Food and Food tours 

If you never tried Colombian food, you are missing out. Similar to Cuban and the Spanish Caribbean cuisines. It’s a mixture of Spanish, African, and Amerindian. Every bite you take is a blast of flavor. Cartagena is the center of this rich mixture and you have to experience it. The city is famous for its local food. Cartagena has many of the best restaurants in all of Colombia. There are many food tours that take you to some of the best restaurants in the city. The restaurants here fit every budget. There is freshly squeezed juice that seems to be on every corner. If you like street food and have made it in front of you, there are many options to chose from. Food and tours should definitely be on your list of things to do in Cartagena Colombia.

2) Learn about the local Culture 

Cartagena is home to a rich mixture of cultures. African women dressed in brightly colored clothes are the international symbol of Cartagena. They are hard to miss when you are here because they are selling fruits. With a bright smile on their faces, these women come every day from a village an hour away. The village is called San Basilio de Palenque and is a UNESCO site. Known as the first freed slave settlement in the Americas and you just have to see. When you go, it makes you feel like you are on another continent but are still in Colombia. They even speak Spanish creole. Not to be confused with Lucumí of Cuba and Dominican Republic. So, the Spanish creole spoken is unique to the world and can only be found here. Learning this is one of the top things to do in Cartagena Colombia because it is unique.

3) Music and Dancing

Yes, visiting Colombia is not right without Salsa. Even though Salsa was created in Cuba/Puerto Rico, it is still an important part of the local culture. It is big because of the mixture here is similar to the Caribbean. The Salsa clubs in Cartagena are legendary because of all the epic dancing that goes on here. So, imagine you were walking in the streets of Cartagena. You will hear all types of music blasting and you will get the ants in your pants syndrome. There are other types of music that you will hear here and some will make you think you are on another continent. There are many tour companies that take you through the streets of Caratenga and where you learn about champeta also bambuco. They teach you how to dance these local rhythms. So, you go back home with something to brag about.

4) Learn about the history 

The history of Cartagena is amazing and you can take tours to learn about it. From sunken ship filled with gold to forts that kept Francis Drake bay, it’s calling for you and your pirate fantasies come to life. So, picture your favorite pirate movie and imagine you being a place where tons of battles happened. Yes, that is Cartagena for you but there still a lot more history. This city was also once the biggest slave port in the Americans and there are tours you can take to see the steps of the slaves. So, you can see the routes of the slaves and walk in the steps of the ancestors of the Afro-Colombians. Also, there are sunken ships off the coast of Cartagena that you go find and explore. Good luck, bring back the money that you found because the government will probably want some.

5) Visit the beaches 

Going to Cartagena and you not visiting the beaches will be a big loss because of the beaches here are some of the best in Colombia. So, just picture that you are in an air bnb apartment or hotel room overlooking the ocean and waking up to that view. Yeah, that will definitely be a vacation that was worth you taking a plane for hours because having views like these will cost an arm and a leg in other parts of the world. There are many beaches to chose from while you are here and enjoying your time. However, for those who really love beaches and the sea. You have to take a boat to Tierra Bomba or the Rosario Islands, Playa Blanca, and/or Isla Grande.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe and travel safe everyone! Much love!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

If you want videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
My underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Some links for each hope you all enjoy! Here are links to hotels and other deals. Hotels, make sure to click here. Apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here and villas click here. ALso bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

Arriving in Thailand

After my layover in Wuhan, I was on the plane to go somewhere so foreign to me. I have never been to a Buddhist majority country. Growing up, I never knew anyone who was Buddhist. Although, there were a few Buddhist temples where I lived. No one I met was Buddhist. I learned about this religion through Japanese cartoons and comic books. Needless to say, I was excited to learn about Thailand’s culture. I was told by friends, the Buddhist temples in Thailand are hard to match elsewhere. I’m sure out of my comfort zone.

A shrine at the Bangkok airport photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Once I arrived at the airport, you are greeted with signs saying that Thailand is the land of smiles. Never associated Thailand and smiles before reading that statement. Actually, never thought much about Thailand before this. I finally got to the immigration line at the airport. It was long and somewhat chaotic. Although, there was still an order. However, a group of kids dressed as monks kept cutting everybody. They would find spots in the line to wander and pretend they were there the whole time. Me being aware of my surroundings, I picked up on it quickly. One even cut the people in front of me. I noticed that people were somewhat aware but for some reason, everybody was just ignoring it. So, I didn’t make a big deal out of it. It might have been a cultural norm and I didn’t want to be that “guy.”

Statue to scare off evil spirits photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

About an hour past, it was finally my turn to speak with the immigration officer. Did the normal routine, gave my passport and etc. What struck me odd was the big smile the officer gave me, when he handed me back my passport. Maybe it was the sign that I read before. Yet, I don’t remember any immigration officer giving me such a big smile. I would get the normal fake smile, the stone face, or the nod, and the officer saying, “sir.” Maybe this country is the land of smiles.

Past the line, I was now in Thailand. What really stood out to me were the statues. I learned they scare off evil spirits. Yet, I can just picture my super Christian grandma freaking out thinking the statue is some kind of a demon.

Beautiful grass photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

I was out of the airport. Took a train to get to my air bnb apartment. After unpacking and taking a long needed shower, it was time to explore. Not trying to get too lost, I only explore what was around me. It was actually not too far from downtown. Only four stops away from the center of the city. To my surprise, Thailand is very developed. I was not expecting such a beautiful skyline that can rivalry majority of the cities in the USA. Even the metro is pretty advance.

The 7/11

Yeah, this was the weird part. I went to get some water at a 7/11. Thailand was hot even during December. I got out and started walking a few blocks. When another 7/11 showed up. I found it weird but didn’t think much of it. Until walked about a block, when I saw another one. It was three 7/11s within 4 blocks from each other. I guess the Thai people really love 7/11.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe and travel safe everyone! Much love!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

5 best things to do in new zealand

New Zealand the country south of the Downunder. This country’s beauty is hard to match elsewhere. Known worldwide for its breathtaking landscape. Home to the hobbit town and many scenes of the lord of the rings movies. Every turn in New Zealand’s countryside will make you want to stay forever. There are a lot of things to do in this majestic country. I will focus on the top 5 must-do attractions in New Zealand. So, these are the 5 best things to do in New Zeland.

1)Vist the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers

New Zeland has many Glaciers. Being so close to the South Pole there are many choices of glaciers to see. However, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers are unique to the world. They are among one of the most accessible glaciers in the world. These glaciers’ terminal faces are lower than other glaciers around the world. A lot of tourists take helicopter rides arranged by the local airlines to see the top of these glaciers. You can also explore the base of the glaciers. There are many ice caves to walk around in. Similar to my time in Iceland, New Zealand has similar activities. Get lost in the cold icy lands while seeing the beautiful west coast of the south island. These Glaciers are on the South Island. Most of the international airports are near Auckland and North Island. However, there are several international airports on the South Island. Might cost you an arm and a leg, if you book a direct flight to the South Island. Best to book an international flight to the North Island from and buy a separate domestic flight to South Island. These glaciers are definitely worth the trip.

2) See the Southern Lights

Although, not as famous as the Northern Lights. The Southern Lights are just as beautiful. New Zealand’s location, makes it one of the best places to see them. You can travel to South Island and see the Southern Lights very clearly. With South Island not having much light pollution, you won’t have issues looking up at the night sky.  The best time to see them is from March to September. This is something that should be on your bucket list.

3) Visit Hobbiton 

Hobbiton has become a major tourist attraction in New Zealand. The famous movie set is actually on a family-run farm on North Island. They have fully guided walking tours. There are over 40 hobbit holes that spread about 12 acres. Even if you are not a fan of the movies, it’s still a beautiful site to visit. There are many breathtaking views that would make you feel like you are in another century. Many lords of the ring fans will feel like they are apart of the movies. It’s truly a must-see when in New Zealand.

4) Hike the southern alps

New Zealand is World known for its natural beauty. New Zealand is definitely a country to go to if you like hiking. There are tons of places to go hiking. The southern alps are one of them. Located on the South Island, it’s hard to miss them. There are many hiking tours that are open year-round. See the beauty of New Zealand from the peaks of the mountains.

5) Overnight Kiwi spotting tours

Going to New Zealand and not seeing Kiwi will be difficult. Since kiwis are everywhere here. However, I will now be talking about the bird and not the people. The kiwi bird is New Zealand’s mascot. These birds actually look like the kiwi fruit. There are serval tours for bird watchers. The best ones are the ones at night. Just off the west coast of North Island, there is a place called Kapiti Island. Kapiti Island is a bird and nature sanctuary. Free of predators and pests, you get to see the kiwi roam without a worry in the world. Truly worth seeing when you are on your trip to the country of kiwis.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe everyone! Wash your hands! Much Love!Thank you so much for your support!!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links

Off to Thailand…Hopefully: Red Flags On the Journey to The East

Winter was here in NYC. The cold breeze with the white snow looked like a scene out of any of the Home Alone movies. I was sitting in my office desk hoping to be elsewhere. Thinking of all the warm climates that New York City did not offer. Eventually, I got a notification for tickets that the price had dropped. It was for a flight from NYC to Bangkok priced at 450. I just had to buy the tickets for a return in mid-December. Nobody knew was brewing around the same time in that part of the world. Hard to believe, it would cause so many deaths.

Snow On a New York Winter Day

Of course, I jumped on that deal. I was off to Thailand at the end of November. Well, I wished things were that easy. Sadly, nothing is very that easy. Looking at my passport, I realized it would expire in March 2020. That meant, most countries wouldn’t allow me in because I’m high risk of missing my return flight. The flight was just a week away. There was no time to spare. Or, so I thought.

Paying extra to get my passport renewed photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Started applying for a new passport at the nearby FedEx store. In case something were to happen, I can always get the overnight option. It’s funny looking back, there were so many obstacles thrown at me. Maybe that was a sign that I shouldn’t have gone. However, me being stubborn I ignored all these signs and pushed through.

This trip was going to be epic. One week in Thailand and then, a few days in Malaysia. Hopefully, I can squeeze Cambodia as well. Gave Fedex the most valuable item to a traveler, their passport. Did all the paperwork. It was time to wait. Three days passed by, my flight was in 4 days. I decided to randomly check my passport status. Logged into the website and I saw the process on hold, reason: missing paperwork. I started to freak out a little. Had to find the solution quickly or I won’t be able to go to Asia. I remember I did all the paperwork right, one of the FedEx employees even double-checked it. It was weird that I could be missing a few pages. This was another sign that I probably shouldn’t have gone on this trip. Ignoring the sign, paid for the overnight service to make sure I could get the passport in time.

Flying to Asia photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Friday came, my flight was tomorrow and the new passport arrived. I was super happy and excited. Had to do last-minute packing because I wasn’t 100 percent sure that I was going to be able to travel. Packed like a wild person. After a few hours, I was ready.

It was Saturday, the time of my flight arrived. Got on the plane, looking at the plane tickets. I noticed that I never actually flown on China Southern Airlines. Nor have I heard of a place called Wuhan, China. Had to google the city before the plane took off. Found out it was the third-largest city in China. Looks like I will have a good time exploring Wuhan. Glad I had the chance to be there twice. It was time for take-off and I was off to a journey to the east that the world will never forget.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe everyone! Wash your hands! Much Love!Thank you so much for your support!!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

More countries are opening up!! The world is slowly going back to normal!

Great news to travelers and the world!! As the world is slowly going back to normal. More countries are opening up to Americans. This means Canada, the Uk, and the Eu are now having more countries accept their tourists as well. Although, I’m still a little salty about my trip to Finland being canceled(EU make Americans travel again!). ps,I’m not trying to get political here. I’m just poking fun at the real reason why the Europe union doesn’t want Americans in their borders. Hint: Cheetos

It’s has been hard for all of us this year. A lot of us have lost our jobs, love ones, and/or homes. These times have been hard to keep positive. Having what you love the most, taking away from you has felt like we lost the ability to move around with freedom. The fact that more countries are now allowing Americans to travel into their borders has brought light into a dark room. It shows we are heading in the right direction.

Make sure to keep a positive mindset in these times. Even though we are heading back to the norm. The virus is still out there. Remember to wash your hands and wear a face mask when you travel.

These are the countries allowing Americans: Albania, Aruba, Armenia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodian, Croatia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, UAE, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, French Polynesia, Ghana, Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Maldives, Malta, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, South Korea, St. Barts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Tanzania, Turks and Caicos, The UK, Mexico, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Zambia.

Keep in mind, most of the countries have restrictions. You need to show you have tested negative on covid.

That is a lot of countries compared to a few months ago when it was only 14 countries. I don’t recommend traveling internationally until they have a vaccine. One that works and doesn’t cause harmful side effects. I’m really happy the travel industry is on the revival. I haven’t set foot on a plane since I came back from Wuhan in December. Still hard to believe I was there during the time when outbreaks just started. What is crazier is that I have tested negative for the Antibodies. Meaning I never got the virus, truly lucky.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe everyone! Wash your hands! Much Love! Sorry for not posting last week. I needed the time to sleep and relax. I wasn’t trying to burn out. Thank you so much for your support!!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

London left me with a good impression

My last day in London has finally come. With a bit of sadness, I got up and started packing. I had about 7 hours before my flight. So, I had to explore a little bit more. This time I didn’t have a plan. I just wanted to wander about.

Manson House Place in London photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

With my small suitcase, I got on the tube and stopped at a random station. It was near downtown and close to the London Bridge. This was on the Mansion House Place. Walking around felt so unreal. I know I have done this many times. Yet, I started thinking deeper on this very topic while wandering around. As I walked reality hit me.  The thought of waking up in one country than falling asleep in another that is across an ocean is amazing. We usually take this for granted. However, humanity has gone far. A trip from New York City to London would take months before airplanes. Writing this now that we are in a pandemic, my thoughts that day have a bigger impact looking back. Humanity even in dark times always finds a way to adapt and improve. It would be interesting how the future of travel will look like in 50 years. Will a flight from New York to Sydney take 5 hours by then?  Will we be able to travel to Mars and other planets? All this thinking and being lost in my head was suddenly put to a stop. A few drops of rain brought me back into the present. However, it’s crazy we still don’t have a direct commercial flight to Sydney from New York City.

Piccadilly Circus, London’s “Times Square” photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

Got back on the tube and got off at the Piccadilly Circus. I was told by a friend to visit here. It wasn’t on my list of tourist attractions to see. However, the stop on the tube showed up and I got off. The reason why I wasn’t too excited to visit this landmark was the comparison to Times Square.  I didn’t really want to see anything that reminds me of being back home. Yet, there I was. Seeing London’s “Times Square.” It was very small to it’s New York’s Counterpart. Also, there was a lot more traffic. Similar to when Times Square allowed cars to pass by. Now, you can only pass by on foot. Still felt very commercial-like. I wonder how much it would cost to put an ad up there.

The grey clouds of London photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

The clouds started to darken up. I know this happens all the time. Rain is unavoidable here.  Yet, it was like the city of London felt the same about me leaving. London is really beautiful in a sophisticated way. Everything started to get grey and gloomy. Sadly, I can see why the U.K has a big problem with Suicide. It’s actually the biggest cause of death to Men under 45. This constant grey sky can really affect the mood of the locals. I’m glad the Usa has options in what type of weather you would like to live in. Sometimes you can take your own country for granted.

London eye on a cloudly day photo courtesy of Hugo Morel

On one of the stops I got off, a giant Ferris wheel was out in the distances. I made it my mission to see this Ferris wheel up close. Started asking the underground station workers how to reach this unmistakable landmark. Learned from the workers that this Ferris wheel is nicknamed The Eye Of London. After a quick tube ride and about a 15-minute walk, I was there. Being in front of this landmark, reminded me of my fear of heights. Still, the sight was beautiful. Only I wish I had more time to see it at night. Regardless, this trip to London was amazing and I can’t wait to go back.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe everyone! Wash your hands! Much Love! Sorry for not posting last week. I needed the time to sleep and relax. I wasn’t trying to burn out. Thank you so much for your support!!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

 

 

Top 10 things to do in Istanbul

Istanbul, Turkey has always been a city I wanted to visit. It’s been on my bucket list for a long time. Ironically, every time I want to visit, events out of my control prevent me. This is to show you all why Istanbul should be on your list. Or at least, it will give you a reason to revisit this historical city.

So here are the top 10 things to do in Istanbul!

1) Visit The Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii) And Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

hagia-sophia-1932558_1920.jpg

Probably one of the most famous things to do in Istanbul. The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque are world-known landmarks. The history behind these buildings is so rich. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was once the largest church in the eastern Roman Empire. Built by the Roman emperor Justinian the Great, The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque has been a staple center in the city’s history. From the Romans to when the Ottomans took over, The Hagia Sophia has stood beautifully. It was converted to a mosque in 1453 by the ottomans. In 1935, Hagia Sophia was turned into a Museum to becoming a mosque again this year in 2020. Have a walk in history, where Islam and Christianity are deeply rooted in one building.

blue-mosque-1851032_1920

Now the Blue mosque should not be ignored. It was built by Sultan Ahmet I to reassert Ottoman power. The beauty of the Blue is hard to match. Not too far from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it is a must-have when visiting Istanbul. Be in awe with the blue tiles and architecture.

2) Have a taste of Two Continents 

Where East meets West. Have a taste of Asia and Europe while drinking some Turkish Coffee.  From what friends have told me, Turkey is surprising European. Most expected it to be more Middle Eastern or Arab. However, they learned it is a mixture of the two continents. Anywhere where cultures blend, the food tends to be amazing. Turkey definitely proves that statement right. I have eaten Turkish food in New York City. Yet, all my friends that have been to Turkey have told me there is a difference. It’s like having Italian food in Italy vs pizza hut. There is just no comparison. Try Etli ekmek, a Turkish pizza-like dish with a beer. Yes, a beer in a Muslim majority country. There are tons of bars in Istanbul. You can have Shish Kebab with middle eastern spices that can match anything in the Arab world. If you want something more European,  Çiğ köfte which is the Turkish version of steak tartare. Turkey has a mixture of two beautiful continents and shows it in its cuisine. A Food tour is definitely one of the things to do in Istanbul.

3) Explore the less touristic neighborhood of Ortaköy

ortakoy-mosque-820108__340

Ortaköy is a neighborhood in Istanbul that is not easy to get to. Unless you know about this area. You have to take a bus or a ferry from the Kabatas tram stop. At night you can have to use a taxi to get in or out of this area. Might be difficult to find this neighborhood. However, it is worth the trouble.  During the day, you get breathtaking views of the Bosphorus bridge while sipping some Turkish coffee. At night time, this the club hub. You get a beautiful view of the bridge at night while hearing music blasting from the nightclubs. If you do end up going here, you need to know this. It is somewhat becoming the “hipster and yuppie” area. So, everything will become more expensive as time goes on.

4) Cross the Bosphorus bridge

The bridge that connects two continents together. Its beauty is breathtaking and will leave you in awe. Sadly, you are not allowed to walk across the bridge anymore. You have to drive or take a cruise. Yet, that shouldn’t stop you from seeing this bridge in person. You literally will be in another continent once you cross it. This is definitely should be on your list of things to do in Istanbul.

5) Visit the many museums of Instanbul  

Instanbul is blessed to be a city with so much history. Everywhere you turn there is 1000’s of years worth of history just waiting to be found. You can stop by the Topkapi Palace Museum (Topkapi Sarayi Müzesi). It was once the home of the Ottoman Sultans. With only about 11 dollars, you get to see how the Sultans lived.  Also, stop by the Istanbul Archaeological Museums. It has many artifacts like Islamic coins and a tomb that dates back to the 1st century. It is truly worth the trip if you are into history.

6) Visit the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici)

 If you are in Istanbul, you have to visit this landmark. The Basilica Cistern is Istanbul’s largest surviving Byzantine cistern. For those who don’t know, a cistern is a place where rainwater is collected. This Cistern once supplied water to the Great Palace of Constantinople. The Great Place was once the home of many emperors for 100’s of years.  There are statues of Medusa’s Head lurking about. I’m sure it must be a creepy place to visit at night. Imagine walking through here at midnight on Halloween. Tours can be very expensive. Make sure to watch out for the prices. It can range from 40 dollars to about 600!

7) Stop By the Dolmabahçe Palace

dolmabahce-palace-2394619_1920.jpg

Near the Bosphorus Bridge, stands this beautiful building. Its mixtures of styles are the ultimate symbol of Istanbul’s history.  It was built in the 1800s, for the last Ottman sultan. The building’s architecture is mixed with Arab and European designs. The tickets lines are long here and the ticketing offices close early. So, it is best to visit earlier in the day.

8) Check out the Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)

To get a breathtaking view of the city, you must stop by the Galata Tower. It was once a jail. However, it was restored in the 1960s. They added an observation deck making this tower a tourist hot stop. There is also a nightclub and restaurant at the top of the tower. In case you haven’t noticed, Istanbul has a strong nightlife. If you are into those types of things.

9) Take a stroll at the Grand Bazaar (Kapaliçarsi)

grand-bazaar-istanbul-1.jpg

Visiting Istanbul will not be complete if you do not stop by the Grand Bazaar. Get a feel of the Middle East while walking through the many shops of the Grand Bazaar. I have been to a few Bazaars throughout my trips. It is always filled with life and energy. Kind of reminds me of the wall street movies. From carpets to random artifacts, you can find almost anything here. From what friends and many other people say, this Bazaar is not pushy like the ones in the Middle East. In my past trips, one of the workers would follow you for a bit telling you all the deals. Here in Instanbul, that is not the case. The merchants are friendly. However, don’t let that fool you. They still want to get as much money from your pockets as they can. So, be prepared to bargain if you want to buy something. There also two Turkish bathhouses located here. Truly worth the trip!

10) Take a Coffee and Tea Tour 

Turkish coffee is known throughout the world. If you are a coffee person, it would be a shame not to go on a coffee-sipping tour. There are many tour companies that take you to the best coffee shops in Istanbul. You can learn to make Turkish coffee! It is definitely worth the tour fee. A lot of coffee tour companies also offer tea tours. For those who don’t know,  Turkish tea is pretty good. They add sugar to it. It’s similar to the teas of North Africa. Hint, they were once a part of the Ottoman Empire. Taking a Coffee and Tea tour is should be on your list of things to do in Istanbul.

Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe everyone! Wash your hands! Much Love!

Check out our eBook “How to Travel for Dirt Cheap” by Hugo Morel for ways to make your dreams of traveling come true without breaking the bank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M848M47?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420&fbclid=IwAR0_mRF-eE9tODIshljVr7CQ8h6vKT6hHn_8gZfJ94DySY1ylPO2Itu2Qe

For videos about cultures of the world and to see our travels, subscribe to our youtube channel!
For my underwater photos, I use the gopro hero 7 white.
We have partnered up with booking.com and working on TripAdvisor. Here are some links for each hope you all enjoy!Here are links to hotels and other deals.For Hotels, make sure to click here. For apartments make sure to click here. For Resorts click here. For villas click here. For bed and breakfast and for Guest houses, make sure to click the links.

Powered by WordPress.com.

Up ↑