The Blonde Abroad

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Istanbul in a Day

Istanbul in a Day with Walks of Turkey

With less than 2 days to spend in Istanbul, I felt overwhelmed with what to put on my itinerary. There’s so much to see and do in the city and I wanted to see it all. So with careful planning and lots of walking (I’m talking OVER 13 miles), I managed to see all the highlights of Istanbul in just one day.

Here are some of the highlights from Istanbul in a day!

Solo Female Traveling in Istanbul

The Blue Mosque

One of the most famous and iconic destinations for tourists in Istanbul is commonly referred to as the Blue Mosque. It was built in 1616 and there are over 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles!

Turkish Lamp Market in Istanbul

The Grand Bazaar

One of my favorite stops was the Grand Bazaar. It is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world – built in 1461, stretching 61 streets and consisting of over 3,000 shops!

Overlook of Istanbul

Istanbul by Rooftop

The best way to see Istanbul is from a rooftop and there is no shortage of epic opportunities in the city. Most rooftop locations are safely guarded by locals, so it was an amazing experience to have one all to myself.

Chandeliers in Istanbul

Hagia Sofia

Hagia Sophia has been standing for more than 1400 years. It served as an Orthodox Cathedral until 1453 until Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II (who conquered Istanbul) converted it into a mosque.

During the conversion, the Sultan covered the religious symbols rather than removing them, so today visitors can witness a unique monument that straddles time and religion.

Turkish Coffee Stand

Turkish Coffee Stop

A trip to Istanbul wouldn’t be complete a pit stop for a cup of Turkish coffee. Turkish coffee is the rocket fuel of caffeinated concoctions. It’s a bit thicker in consistency than espresso and has a distinct flavor of cardamom.

The grounds left after drinking Turkish coffee can also be used for fortune-telling!

 

Be sure to read my The Solo Female Traveler’s Guide to Istanbul for more tips and recommendations! And if you’re looking to visit Istanbul, be sure to check out my guide on The Best Time to Travel to Turkey!

 

Shop My Favorite Istanbul Outfit Inspiration!

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    1. ebru

      Hi Kiki , one thing wrong that İstanbul is not meant to categorized in Middle East , fyi, and thanks for visiting our city , comeback to see the other marvellous places soon, thanks and have a nice life honey 😉 Ebru

      June 11, 2019 at 6:21 am · Reply
      • The Blonde Abroad

        Hi Ebru! Thank you for the tip—I actually decided to put it both in Europe and the Middle East for user sake as many people view it as an in-between kind of country. Wanted to make sure it could be found either way! 🙂

        June 11, 2019 at 10:33 pm · Reply
    2. rick

      Hey Ebru,has Erdogan allowed Americans back in?

      June 12, 2019 at 11:16 am · Reply
      • ebru

        ask him if you want old looser 😉

        June 13, 2019 at 12:09 am · Reply

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    Pinching myself ❄️
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    Did anyone else catch the dusting of snow in the Cotswolds?! I couldn’t believe my eyes!

    We had a week of perfect sunny weather with only one afternoon of rain (also so unexpected for November!) and, on my last morning in Bibury, I woke up to this incredible scene!
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    #cotswolds #winter #snow #fairytale

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    Pinching myself ❄️ ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Did anyone else catch the dusting of snow in the Cotswolds?! I couldn’t believe my eyes! We had a week of perfect sunny weather with only one afternoon of rain (also so unexpected for November!) and, on my last morning in Bibury, I woke up to this incredible scene! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #cotswolds #winter #snow #fairytale

    Welcome to day 8 and the finale of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series autumn 🍂🍁 🚗

    Be sure to save this post for all the best Boston has to offer!
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    After a leisurely breakfast and 2 hour drive from @trappfamilylodge, we concluded our 10-day road trip with a couple of days in the historic town of Boston—staying at the @fsboston!

    This hotel treats kids like royalty, with lots of luxury for adults too (full review coming soon)!

    If you find yourself visiting Boston in the Fall with a little one, here are some must-sees:

    - @bostonducktours
    - @museumofscience
    - @campstores x Bluey (ending soon)
    - Public Garden
    - Beacon Hill
    - Tadpole Playground
    - @bplboston
    - Childrens Wharf Harborwalk
    - @bostonteapartyships
    - @rosekennedygreenway
    - Commonwealth Avenue Mall
    - Esplanade Playground
    - Charles River Esplanade

    And for the foodies, you know I got you covered!

    - @tattebakery
    - @saltiegirl
    - @faneuilhallmarketplace
    - @maproom_lounge
    - @bovasbakery
    - @bostonpublicmarket
    - @parishcafe
    - Quincy Market
    - Legal Sea Foods - Burlington Mall

    After traveling around New Hampshire and Vermont, it was nice to get a glimpse of this bustling and historic city.

    If you’ve made it this far, thanks for joining us on our epic autumn road trip! Be sure to follow along for more adventures! There’s plenty of tips and tricks to come this Fall season!
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    @meetbostonusa @visitma
    #visitmassachusetts #boston #newengland #fallroadtrip

    593 17
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    Welcome to day 8 and the finale of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series autumn 🍂🍁 🚗 Be sure to save this post for all the best Boston has to offer! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• After a leisurely breakfast and 2 hour drive from @trappfamilylodge, we concluded our 10-day road trip with a couple of days in the historic town of Boston—staying at the @fsboston! This hotel treats kids like royalty, with lots of luxury for adults too (full review coming soon)! If you find yourself visiting Boston in the Fall with a little one, here are some must-sees: - @bostonducktours - @museumofscience - @campstores x Bluey (ending soon) - Public Garden - Beacon Hill - Tadpole Playground - @bplboston - Childrens Wharf Harborwalk - @bostonteapartyships - @rosekennedygreenway - Commonwealth Avenue Mall - Esplanade Playground - Charles River Esplanade And for the foodies, you know I got you covered! - @tattebakery - @saltiegirl - @faneuilhallmarketplace - @maproom_lounge - @bovasbakery - @bostonpublicmarket - @parishcafe - Quincy Market - Legal Sea Foods - Burlington Mall After traveling around New Hampshire and Vermont, it was nice to get a glimpse of this bustling and historic city. If you’ve made it this far, thanks for joining us on our epic autumn road trip! Be sure to follow along for more adventures! There’s plenty of tips and tricks to come this Fall season! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @meetbostonusa @visitma #visitmassachusetts #boston #newengland #fallroadtrip

    🎶 The hills are alive with the sound of music 🎶
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    Love the Sound of Music? What if I told you that you can visit the real Von Trapp family’s lodge from the famed musical starring Julie Andrews in the quiet town of Stowe, Vermont?

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    Helpful Tip: Get started on the drive as easy as possible. Traffic is notorious during foliage season so we hit the road at 7am and had it to ourselves!

    We then spent the entire day exploring nature trails and hanging with animals at @trappfamilylodge, an Austrian-inspired mountain lodge with 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Stowe.

    The Von Trapps, made famous from the movie The Sound of Music, fled Austria during WWII and ultimately landed in Stowe, VT where their hospitality lives on today. Did you know the Sound of Music is one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time??

    Had we had a little more time, we also would have added:

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    🍻 @alch3mistb33r
    ☕️ @blackcapvermont
    🥞 @butlers_pantry_stowe

    We did manage to catch a glimpse of the famed Stowe Community Church from afar, but any closer meant fighting traffic and huge crowds.

    Come back for day 8 and the final video of the series as we explore the beautiful and family-friendly parts of Boston!
    ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    @vermonttourism @visitnew_england
    #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

    732 11
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    🎶 The hills are alive with the sound of music 🎶 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Love the Sound of Music? What if I told you that you can visit the real Von Trapp family’s lodge from the famed musical starring Julie Andrews in the quiet town of Stowe, Vermont? Day 7 of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) started the day by driving through Smuggler’s Notch—it’s a short and super windy drive through a mountain pass that’s seriously beautiful. Helpful Tip: Get started on the drive as easy as possible. Traffic is notorious during foliage season so we hit the road at 7am and had it to ourselves! We then spent the entire day exploring nature trails and hanging with animals at @trappfamilylodge, an Austrian-inspired mountain lodge with 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Stowe. The Von Trapps, made famous from the movie The Sound of Music, fled Austria during WWII and ultimately landed in Stowe, VT where their hospitality lives on today. Did you know the Sound of Music is one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time?? Had we had a little more time, we also would have added: 🥾 Moss Glen Falls ⛪️ Stowe Community Church 🍻 @alch3mistb33r ☕️ @blackcapvermont 🥞 @butlers_pantry_stowe We did manage to catch a glimpse of the famed Stowe Community Church from afar, but any closer meant fighting traffic and huge crowds. Come back for day 8 and the final video of the series as we explore the beautiful and family-friendly parts of Boston! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @vermonttourism @visitnew_england #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

    Arguably the MOST “autumnal” day of the trip: 🍎 🍂 🍩
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    Welcome back to my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series! We’re over halfway through our road trip on Day 6 and this was the perfect day of all things autumn.

    After a slow morning leaving @woodstock.inn, we were on our way to the famous town of Stowe, Vermont!

    I had originally created a jam-packed itinerary, but traveling with a toddler can definitely call for some readjusting and going with the flow. We made 2 of the stops I had planned:

    🍎🌳 Hunger Mountain Orchard
    🍎🍩 @coldhollowcidermillvt

    If we had a little more time, a lot of people add the 🍦 @benandjerrys factory tour on this day.

    We ended our day by checking into the @trappfamilylodge —owned by the real family from the Sound of Music where we enjoyed the lodge and property before dinner and bedtime.

    Be sure to come back for Day 7 with more on this amazing property and all the furry friends that live here!
    •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
    @vermonttourism @visitnew_england
    #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

    576 22
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    Arguably the MOST “autumnal” day of the trip: 🍎 🍂 🍩 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Welcome back to my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series! We’re over halfway through our road trip on Day 6 and this was the perfect day of all things autumn. After a slow morning leaving @woodstock.inn, we were on our way to the famous town of Stowe, Vermont! I had originally created a jam-packed itinerary, but traveling with a toddler can definitely call for some readjusting and going with the flow. We made 2 of the stops I had planned: 🍎🌳 Hunger Mountain Orchard 🍎🍩 @coldhollowcidermillvt If we had a little more time, a lot of people add the 🍦 @benandjerrys factory tour on this day. We ended our day by checking into the @trappfamilylodge —owned by the real family from the Sound of Music where we enjoyed the lodge and property before dinner and bedtime. Be sure to come back for Day 7 with more on this amazing property and all the furry friends that live here! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @vermonttourism @visitnew_england #vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

    Fall fashion is my favorite! What about you? 🍁
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    My recent trip to New England was the perfect opportunity to pack my @meet.nex bags with some cute new styles perfect for any trip!

    Nex luggage is super high-quality and will hold up on any adventure. Their Million Mile Care program is also one-of-a-kind. You can trade in your used luggage towards credit for new luggage!

    I get so much use out of the Nex crossbody and backpack in Lanikai Amber—they’re my go-to for camera gear and toddler essentials. And you can style them with just about every outfit!
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    Click my link in bio for my luggage and favorite fall styles! #ad

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    Fall fashion is my favorite! What about you? 🍁 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• My recent trip to New England was the perfect opportunity to pack my @meet.nex bags with some cute new styles perfect for any trip! Nex luggage is super high-quality and will hold up on any adventure. Their Million Mile Care program is also one-of-a-kind. You can trade in your used luggage towards credit for new luggage! I get so much use out of the Nex crossbody and backpack in Lanikai Amber—they’re my go-to for camera gear and toddler essentials. And you can style them with just about every outfit! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Click my link in bio for my luggage and favorite fall styles! #ad
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