THEODOSIUS CISTERN - 6

FATIH, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

This cistern is one of the best works that show how water civilization was developed in these lands before the Byzantine and Ottoman periods and how it was protected and enriched as technically and architecturally by the Ottoman Empire.

– Realm of History

THEODOSIUS CISTERN - 5

FATIH, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Spread across an area of 148 feet by 82 feet (around 45 meters by 25 meters).

The ancient cistern features a roof that is supported by 32 marble columns, each measuring over 30 feet (or 9 meters) in height.

– Realm of History

THEODOSIUS CISTERN - 4

FATIH, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Built by Roman Emperor Theodosius II between circa 428 AD and 443 AD, the Theodosius Cistern was used to store water from the Valens Aqueduct, which was the chief water-supplying system of the Eastern Roman capital of Constantinople. 

During Theodosius’ reign, the aqueduct was redistributed from its original supply to the Nymphaeum, the Baths of Zeuxippus and the Great Palace of Constantinople. 

This, in turn, involved the construction of the Theodosius Cistern. 

– Realm of History

THEODOSIUS CISTERN - 3

FATIH, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Iranian artist Ahmet Nejat presented an exhibition titled “Hiç Hali” (meaning “state of nothingness”) inside the cistern. 

The show included a golden globe with the inscription “Aşk ve Hiç” (Love and None) as well as a sound design created with the poems of Rumi.

– Realm of History

THEODOSIUS CISTERN - 2

FATIH, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Istanbul regains an important and 1,600-year-old construction which is being opened to service with a solemn, rare and modest presentation today. 

We are starting to live the Istanbul, which we cannot apprehend when we read, today. Therefore, Istanbul begins to show itself. 

It is decorated with important works which carry the traces of old civilizations and beauties again.

– Realm of History

HOTEL ARCADIA BLUE

WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE ROOMS IN SULTANAMET, ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Hotel Arcadia Blue Istanbul, recently renovated, re-opened its doors in May 2013.

Its current architecture is very modernistic and elegantly lean, where Norm Architects with their contemporary style, gracefully established a relationship with the Sultanahmet 4-star hotels area, where the hotel is located.

Namely a district, where the historical texture of İstanbul is the most intensive.

For guests who manage to withdraw themselves from the comfort of our hotel in Sultanahmet, there are an infinite number of historical artifacts and museums in just a few minutes' walk.

The hotel's prevailing view of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea, fascinates the guests in the restaurant and on the terrace, as well as in the rooms.

Our rooms for disabled are fully adapted to wheelchair height, so that light switches, remote controls, wardrobe shelves and everything in the bathroom can be easily reached, and well equipped for wheelchair access.

http://www.hotelarcadiablue.com/en

THE TURKISH FLAG IS OMNIPRESENT IN ISTANBUL

We visited not long after the attempted coup.

It seemed like huge white on red Turkish flags were mandatory adornments on half the buildings -- public and private.

The crescent and star are taken from the Ottoman flag.

SULTANAHMET SQUARE AT NIGHT

HISTORIC PENINSULA

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

THE DUYAR FAMILY: A COMMITMENT TO HOSPITALITY

AT THE DERSAADET HOTEL ISTANBUL AND ITS SISTER PROPERTY

I have yet to meet Deniz Duyar, but we already are friends.

Despite the difficulties experience in Turkey on July 15, he soon emailed me to assure me that I would be safe in Istanbul during my upcoming visit to its incomparable museums, landmarks, streets, culture, food, history, bazaars and much more.

But what we really e-chatted about was good local food, away from the tourist traps.

I thought he might follow up with a bulleted list of restaurant names, addresses and types of food.

What he sent was a yet-to-be-published soulful narratives of some of his favorite haunts and why.

What a great response to a first-time visitor.

I will be staying at his family's Hotel Niles.

But I might spend a few days at the Ottoman mansion sister property, the Dersaadet -- shown above in its architectural splendor and below with its rooftop garden showing of unmatched views of the Sea or Marmara.

http://www.dersaadethotel.com/index.htm

TURKEY TRAVEL PLANNER

EXPERT ADVICE, WRITTEN BEAUTIFULLY ON AN ENCHANTING WEBSITE

My travel writing friend and colleague Tom Brosnahan has created the most delightful site.

It may not be as flashy and graphically-oriented as some sites, but TurkeyTravelPlanner.com
delivers pure steak -- when other sights barely deliver the sizzle.

Tom has been to Turkey so many times, he should be able to run for office.

His expertise on Istanbul alone is worthy of Hall of Fame honors as an informative sharer of practical information.

Before the events of July 15, I began planning a trip to Istanbul.

There is no shortage of online information about the historic and fabled city.

Read Orhan Pamuk's autobiographical book on his beloved city and you will want to book the next flight on Turkish Airlines.

I research and write about travel all the time, so I think I'm a pretty good finder of facts and hidden secrets.

Let's just say, I barely knew the European side of the Bosphorus from the Asian, nor the Sea of Marmara from the Golden Horn...until I stumbled upon Tom's site.

I'll write more in the coming days.

But I truly don't have words grand enough to endorse this site.

It has the basics, it has the quirky, it has the practical.

Links are logical and allow you to expand from the basics on the Hamam (Turkish Bath) to learning the lowdown on the famous, most expensive, most beautifully-designed and most inexpensive local facilities.

I quite possibly could have, even after my savvy research, been staying on a noisy street, surrounded by tourists and paying $150 per night more for a relatively cookie cutter lodging.

Through Tom's site, I found a place that is well-located, in more authentic surroundings, operated by a family legendary for hospitality expertise and booking for a nightly price that will just about pay for my airfare in savings vs. staying at a chain hotel.

TurkeyTravelPlanner.com has this kind of in-depth information on the entire nation, not just Istanbul.

Even if you have no immediate plans to see the great mosques, museums, vistas and people...Tom's site will over some of the most-entertaining armchair travel you've ever found yourself lost (that's a good thing) in.

click to visit the Istanbul section of Turkey Travel Planner

WHY I LOVE TO STAY IN FAMILY-OWNED HOTELS

THE TRUE MEANING OF PERSONAL SERVICE

This is a picture of the Hotel Niles in Istanbul.

It's in the old city, a less than 5 minute's walk from the Grand Bazaar.

It has a rooftop terrace with views of the Marmara Sea.

It is the darling of Frommers, Fodors, Trip Advisor and other world-leading publications and online guides.

It is easy to see why.

I recently booked my maiden voyage to Turkey.

Business will take me to Istanbul, but I don't want to stay in a chain business hotel.

After seeing the rave reviews, I reached out to the Hotel Niles.

I used the much-dreaded "info@" email.

I say this because when I ask a unique question via the "info@" email to property flagged by a giant chain, I probably get zero response about 25% of the time, an auto generated equally worthless blanket response about 25% and a far to vague, laundry list of bulletted FAQ-style answers in the remaining 50% of responses.

Hotel Niles is different.

In fewer than 24 hours, on a weekend, less than a week after a tragic and jolting incident at Ataturk International Airport, I got a detailed response from info@hotelniles.com

A Mr. Kemal Çelik addressed my specific concerns about my first full day falling on a national holiday and how that might impact public transit, bazaar and museum opening hours, etc.

This was not a standard "can I check in early" or "can you make sure some extra pillows are in the room" question.

And it received a signed, far above standard chain property response.

I look forward to making Hotel Niles my home away from home.

I hope my readers do the same.

We must reward family businesses that deliver outstanding personal service. 

http://www.hotelniles.com 

 (rooftop terrace at Hotel Niles, on the European side of Istanbul)