Enchanting Türkiye: A 7-Day Odyssey for Families Amidst Ancient Wonders
Turkiye, where the tapestry of history unfolds amidst vibrant bazaars, turquoise coasts, and otherworldly landscapes, a 7-day journey awaits adventurous families. As the sun sets over Istanbul, casting its golden glow upon minarets and ancient structures, the promise of an unforgettable exploration begins. From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the azure shores of Fethiye and the magical landscapes of Cappadocia, this itinerary unveils the perfect blend of culture, relaxation, and awe-inspiring wonders for families seeking a memorable escape. Days 1-3: Istanbul – Where East Meets West Day 1 Blue Mosque First, start off at the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque). Entrance is free. Both men and women are allowed to visit and explore the Blue Mosque. There are separate prayer areas for men and women. Visitors are required to dress modestly. For women, this typically involves covering their hair with a scarf and wearing clothing that covers their shoulders and knees. Scarves are provided at the entrance. Commissioned by Sultan Ahmed I and designed by architect Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa, construction began in 1609 and was completed in 1616. The mosque’s construction aimed to display the wealth and power of the Ottoman Empire during a period of both economic prosperity and military expansion. The mosque stirred controversy when it was built with six minarets, a number only surpassed by the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. This led to criticism, as it was perceived as an attempt to rival the holiest mosque in Islam. To resolve the issue, Sultan Ahmed I sent a gift of a seventh minaret to Mecca, thus easing tensions. If someone wanted to send me a minaret, I would not refuse. Please send me one. Aya Sofia Next, pay a visit to Aya Sofia (Hagia Sophia), right across from the Blue Mosque. It’s a monumental testament to Istanbul’s rich and diverse history. Once a church, later a mosque, then a museum, and finally a mosque again, its colossal dome and intricate mosaics are a mesmerizing blend of Byzantine and Ottoman influences. The highlight of this most holy site was the second floor, with all the Christian mosaics and stunning views. Sadly, the second floor is now closed to the public. Initially commissioned by Emperor Justinian I of the Byzantine Empire and completed in 537 AD. Designed by architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, it was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years. In 1453, the Ottoman Empire, under Sultan Mehmed II, conquered Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) and converted Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Minarets were added, and its Christian iconography was covered or removed. Many pieces were uncovered at a later date. Ice Cream Love it or hate it, it’s an experience getting an ice cream in Istanbul. Definitely something for the kids, not for impatient adults. https://youtu.be/Hsn5DKGCAlA Don’t Forget your daily ice cream! Day 2 Archaeological Museums Start at the Istanbul Archaeological Museums (The Main Archeological Museum; Museum of the Ancient Orient; and the Museum of Islamic Art): Tucked away from the bustling streets, the Archaeological Museums offer a deep dive into Turkey’s historical treasure troves. From ancient artifacts to mesmerizing sculptures, each piece tells a story of civilizations long gone. It’s a quiet refuge where the whispers of the past beckon you to unravel the mysteries within. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=/i4pNle_TQgQ Here are five noteworthy artifacts that have garnered significant attention from the main Archeological Museum: Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great: This sarcophagus, dating back to the 4th century BC, is one of the museum’s most famous pieces. Although it’s not proven to be the final resting place of Alexander the Great, its intricate carvings depict scenes from the life of Alexander and showcase exceptional Hellenistic artistry. The Alexander Sarcophagus. This sarcophagus, discovered in the Royal Necropolis of Sidon (modern-day Lebanon), is celebrated for its intricate relief sculptures. Depicting scenes from the life of Alexander the Great, it stands as an exceptional example of ancient Greek artistry and storytelling on a monumental scale. The Tiled Kiosk: The Tiled Kiosk, also known as the “Museum of Islamic Art” within the complex, is a structure with impressive tiled decoration from the 15th century Ottoman period. The exquisite Iznik tiles showcase intricate geometric patterns and floral designs, highlighting the sophistication of Ottoman tilework. The Istanbul Mummy: Known as one of the museum’s intriguing exhibits, the Istanbul Mummy is the preserved body of a woman from the Roman period. The mummy provides insights into ancient burial practices and offers a tangible connection to the people of the past. The Siloam Inscription: This ancient Hebrew inscription, dating back to the 8th century BC, was discovered in Jerusalem. The inscription describes the construction of a tunnel to bring water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam and is a crucial historical document related to water engineering in ancient times. Basilica Cistern Next, descend into the mystical depths of the Basilica Cistern, where ancient columns rise from still waters, and the soft glow of lights reflects off the rippling surface. It’s a cinematic setting that feels straight out of a Dan Brown novel (maybe because it was in a movie from a Dan Brown novel) —a secret underworld beneath the bustling city where history and mystery intertwine. The Basilica Cistern, also known as Yerebatan Sarnıcı in Turkish, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. It was constructed in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. The cistern is supported by 336 columns, most of which were recycled from earlier structures and showcase various architectural styles. Among these columns, two are particularly famous—the Medusa heads. The Cistern featured prominently in the movies From Russia with Love, starring Sean Connery, and Inferno, starring Tom Hanks. Whirling Dervish This can be a pretty magical experience if you have the time. Some restaurants will have free shows, like the one we caught here. https://youtu.be/r8pESHNsRbg Take in a Whirling Dervish Show Day 3 Topkapi Palace First, start at Topkapi Palace, with
Top Ten Reasons to Take Your Kids Camping
Top Ten Reasons to Take Your Kids Camping The List 1. Because my threat that a bear might come and eat them in the middle of the night if they don’t keep quiet and go to sleep is actually a possibility now. And if a bear ate them, that would mean I am not a liar, which is important in raising kids that I want to respect me. 2. Because if a child screams in the middle of the woods, does anyone hear it? 3. To show them stars really do exist. Late at night, when we sit and look up at the nighttime sky, we even assign names to the bigger stars we see. Names like: Khloe, Kim, Kylie, Kourtney, Kendall, and Kris. 4. So they get their daily fiber in the form of tree bark. 5. Because the woods are like one big, amazing bar. A bar I can take my kids to and don’t have to drive home from. 6. For the fact that fresh air and a strong smell of pine overpowers just about any smell that can come from my child. 7. Since if I’m forced to wake up to the sound of a baby crying, I want everyone within earshot to wake up too. 8. Because burning diapers in a campfire is good for the environment, right? Mmmm, for some reason I just got hungry… 9. Because I will go insane if I spend one more minute locked up with my kids in the house. And, yes, my wife locks us in the house while she is away. I don’t think it’s right. I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t even think it’s legal. But she does it. And I am powerless to stop her. 10. I just want other parents to think I’m a good parent. Impressed yet?
Winter in Europe…With a Baby
Winter in Europe…With a baby! Settling on Europe One of your jobs as a parent is to keep your kids alive. In fact, that might be your main/only job. So, when you plan a big trip with a one-year-old, your first child, you shoot for a safe destination. And, as much as I love third world countries for the crazy stories, nursing my child back to recovery with a nasty bout of malaria seemed like a story I didn’t want to tell. So the search for our next trip was on. We had simple criteria. We needed somewhere that had: first world amenities; a good police force; working roads; few airborne diseases; no large predators roaming the savannah; no towns controlled by drug lords; little to no corruption; a modicum of respect for women; and the ability to tolerate Americans. Having not found any such place, we settled on Europe. Two things you should know about me – I love deals and I hate crowds. That’s the reason I haven’t spent much time in Europe in summer. So I told my wife that if we went to Europe, it’d have to be in the winter. No tourists – only off-season prices. Being the Southern California boy that I am, I expect good weather year round. Here in San Diego, we only have one season, officially called “Summerspring-ish.” I’d been to Europe in the winter before, and I left feeling like Paris and Amsterdam in December were the two coldest places on earth. Still, Prague, Vienna, and Budapest sounded pleasant in February. Right? “Ok,” we thought, “let’s do it.” The Actual Traveling Portion When we boarded the redeye from Los Angeles to London – en route to Prague, we figured we had everything perfectly planned. We timed the flight exactly with our daughter’s bedtime. She’d sleep the entire flight. We’d all wake up very much rested in a foreign country across the Atlantic. What could go wrong? The passengers boarded the brand new 747 on a flight was 40% full at best. Perfect conditions. No one in the row in front of us, no one in the row next to us, only one person in the row behind us (a large, gruff-looking Brit). The flight took off and everything seemed fine. Our daughter was awake but, again, fine. Glasses of wine were served. Lights went off. I viewed the onboard entertainment (we rarely watch movies, so this was my chance, I thought). There were five movies I wanted to see (five!) – all on a brand new monitor. There were plush, brand new seats. Ten hours of bliss awaited me. But then things changed. They changed a lot, and badly. Almost immediately our daughter was inconsolable. She squirmed out of my arms. I paused my movie. She screamed. I set my wine down. She kicked the glass of wine over onto my pants. I moved seats. She screamed some more. I moved to the back of the plane. She kept screaming. I wanted to scream (On a related note, have you ever wanted to punt another human being out of a plane before? I’m not saying I wanted to punt my child. This is just a hypothetical question. Ok, fine, ignore that question). My wife and I passed our daughter back and forth for the next nine hours. No movies were watched, no alcohol was consumed, no sleep was had. We deplaned in London, bleary-eyed, exhausted. The gruff-looking Brit seated behind us thanked us for the good behavior of our daughter. “Oh, yeah. Sure. She’s always this good,” I replied. He had no clue, and we were off to a terrible start. Reaching our Destination only to be Cold and Jet-lagged When we reached Prague, it was late at night. Snow blanketed the ground. We had an Airbnb booked near the heart of the city. Our daughter had, by this time, now been asleep for a few hours. We were cold and happy to get to our lodging for the night. Just then and there Europe hit us. My wife lived in Europe for a year when she was in college, and we both have spent a lot of time in the mountains in winter. Yet, why were we so unprepared for the cold weather? I personally believe winter is colder in Europe – less insulation, less heating apparatuses. We knew Europe was like this. Yet, when we reached our apartment and couldn’t turn the heat high enough, we were dismayed. We filled up the bathtub for the three of us. The water temperature never rose above tepid. Welcome to Europe. Welcome to winter. Well, at least we could sleep. We hopped into bed and got a solid three hours before our daughter was wide-awake, ready to start the day, ready to play. I’ve never been jet lagged before. I’ve always had a system in place to defeat jet lag. My system was this – no matter what, when I reached my destination, I would sleep for as long as it took to get back on track. For example, if I got to a destination at 4pm, even if it was 8am my time back home, I would try to sleep until 6am the next day, local time. Sure it was a waste of time. But I was NEVER, EVER jet lagged. Ever. My system is impossible to implement with a young child. We all gave up on sleep at 2am. Lights were turned on. Books and toys were brought out. Snacks were opened. We, the adults, were delirious. 7am came quickly. Just sleep. Please. We did have a nice morning, though. It’s not often I get to see the sunrise. However, to be honest, I didn’t see it rise in the haze of winter. I did get to see the darkness fade into light, and that was enough I suppose. After a few hours, our daughter crashed for her evening slumber at 10am. We were faced with a quandary,