Morini Cafe at Beymen in Istanbul

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6Qa3ykIQw2EvXa9Xx2rA37uL8YfnEejPpavtbAYzzmei7EBQU6utpOdJH_0kzYBQv4qaH5YKe2kjH2WyfAZLSDFQxXvamd5lCUSqKQd9mN8VrFX6Bv61RwshorlrXZ1V1upAn5pyov8Z/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6Qa3ykIQw2EvXa9Xx2rA37uL8YfnEejPpavtbAYzzmei7EBQU6utpOdJH_0kzYBQv4qaH5YKe2kjH2WyfAZLSDFQxXvamd5lCUSqKQd9mN8VrFX6Bv61RwshorlrXZ1V1upAn5pyov8Z/s1600/photo.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><a href="https://www.beymen.com/">Beymen</a> Department Store in Istanbul is like the synthesis of Barney's in New York.  Although they don't carry everything online, their stores carry all the exclusive and kind of hip brands that you can ever think of.  The Beymen located in the newly opened Zorlu Center also offers a gorgeous Cafe/Restaurant, <a href="http://istanbulmorini.com/index.php">Morini</a> that is beautiful decorated with blue and white tiles, black and white mosaic floors, mirrored bar shelves and fresh and beautiful flowers.  Istanbul Interior Design is influenced by the City's unique location, between Europe and Asia, whilst being more European in design.  It takes its beautiful and unique style from its rich past of grandeur and splendor.  Everywhere you go you may find cozy and chic cafes decorated in different styles but always stylish.  Since I never feel ashamed to take pictures, regardless of where I am, I took some pictures of <a href="http://istanbulmorini.com/index.php">Morini Cafe</a>.  It's better to do something even when it's not too cool than regretting not doing it later. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFqTbL5rdmXelyKSab4ZKXvd5NIivT8T4UXJH_I7RLFg_w2e3LLZzuH_ssIjig_YBRmpJ7n0Iyx6jifCp0mf1uXde1rxH8yNs8BAaDbhUj1WEeOVeDr_H-lxJT4j5NFJ3pxFIufhJFekj/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFqTbL5rdmXelyKSab4ZKXvd5NIivT8T4UXJH_I7RLFg_w2e3LLZzuH_ssIjig_YBRmpJ7n0Iyx6jifCp0mf1uXde1rxH8yNs8BAaDbhUj1WEeOVeDr_H-lxJT4j5NFJ3pxFIufhJFekj/s1600/photo+3.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlPz4dXNaQJ1LbEm7DIystkwH5IbOHKOufnmQNVG-RzYmVoXfL0VDz4jhk_kKcjGgWfpR0ddWNt6s-P2OGXEOHB3t17-7tGWAc1NgUszOTxPO9DXkl-chJdHQ8RlLSE8H9gjN1W74ky2O/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlPz4dXNaQJ1LbEm7DIystkwH5IbOHKOufnmQNVG-RzYmVoXfL0VDz4jhk_kKcjGgWfpR0ddWNt6s-P2OGXEOHB3t17-7tGWAc1NgUszOTxPO9DXkl-chJdHQ8RlLSE8H9gjN1W74ky2O/s1600/photo+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfaNjU6BY1sIl7YWrYbKrsWkpfz7JmhdXcmszZrhmxNc_-wvLfnn7V6Ro4Mr0wa2IBKnjhM1FJ2_Vw4bCbrLQM3MUlEcO8TFEld37pXTIUQX6qSa9jPOPfOHdiQD99vSlAUx_3YSWNhyp/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfaNjU6BY1sIl7YWrYbKrsWkpfz7JmhdXcmszZrhmxNc_-wvLfnn7V6Ro4Mr0wa2IBKnjhM1FJ2_Vw4bCbrLQM3MUlEcO8TFEld37pXTIUQX6qSa9jPOPfOHdiQD99vSlAUx_3YSWNhyp/s1600/photo+1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU0qPLh2ZpsftwVChSzMTw-Naxpf2v3lzuXd8L2DVvZcbvcoDn-t8fX6XpdBSmfrIosDXMxzu6bCbF0kxWu_Ee6Y2HYsII278wLZKnwAMftVB2e7wUMYuPj_8Etmgmdm2LKPsvUA786kI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU0qPLh2ZpsftwVChSzMTw-Naxpf2v3lzuXd8L2DVvZcbvcoDn-t8fX6XpdBSmfrIosDXMxzu6bCbF0kxWu_Ee6Y2HYsII278wLZKnwAMftVB2e7wUMYuPj_8Etmgmdm2LKPsvUA786kI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;">All photos by me</div></div>

Morini Cafe at Beymen in Istanbul

Beymen  Department Store in Istanbul is like the synthesis of Barney's in New York.  Although they don't carry everything online, th...

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La Petite Maison Opened in Nisantasi neighborhood of Istanbul

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHy5Di1bvPxgH75XGVeSmyA3aHbk8yvSPRYO1ckaZAlmhmSyueVncwkQg6QW-z3DxdDWzem0GyWDQfFDjsvpa60qGDDACtW6qNmBU_gSwbHsyLwr1B28j-sLB8Q7CqSW6HOBDhldA6-UXq/s1600/la+patite+maison+istanbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHy5Di1bvPxgH75XGVeSmyA3aHbk8yvSPRYO1ckaZAlmhmSyueVncwkQg6QW-z3DxdDWzem0GyWDQfFDjsvpa60qGDDACtW6qNmBU_gSwbHsyLwr1B28j-sLB8Q7CqSW6HOBDhldA6-UXq/s1600/la+patite+maison+istanbul.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>New York has 5th, Zurich has Bahnhofstrasse, and Istanbul has its Nisantasi neighborhood, a very fashionable area with an impressive number of Designer Stores, hip restaurants, cafes and <a href="http://www.bellevivir.com/2012/04/international-boutique-hotel-29-house.html">exclusive hotels</a>.  Among the many designers shops, most of them second outposts in the City, is Chanel, Prada, Lanvin and Christian Louboutin.  Walking around the neighborhood today I came across the new <a href="http://lpmlondon.co.uk/">La Petite Maison</a> that had just opened up one week ago.  The French Mediterranean restaurant which originated in Nice, France is now owned by a London Company.  It has other locations in London, Dubai, and now in Istanbul.  The quaint restaurant with an outdoor terrace is located in The Park Hyatt where the interior design is the beautiful work of the Architecture Interior firm Sagrada and lighting designer <a href="http://www.atelierthierrydreyfus.fr/">Thierry Dreyfus</a>.  We had a great lunch at the outdoor terrace which has an aura of "jardin a la Francaise" where I took a few pictures until you visit Istanbul one day. :) Enjoy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1potkhLrArDc3r60I5PXNJxSDA3laHbxL-iWnV-RZbDPz0arTDu1YY_MwnwSpkikwspwPwDFwHbrubGwes3mJL9jA8_Krb5CUI2wX5nQoQFJzYLsLaFlqPn8daOCluOC1GmrAekEVLeZ/s1600/la+petite+maison+restaurant+pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1potkhLrArDc3r60I5PXNJxSDA3laHbxL-iWnV-RZbDPz0arTDu1YY_MwnwSpkikwspwPwDFwHbrubGwes3mJL9jA8_Krb5CUI2wX5nQoQFJzYLsLaFlqPn8daOCluOC1GmrAekEVLeZ/s1600/la+petite+maison+restaurant+pictures.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgwlxSl6RogAyLJuEo1UQ-9KMsBSekMxB1hr0T91yapQJW7LQc6cB3NXhUJyv29Tf7pm-C42AWj0jGs403HdQ_JwBem-pbiO1zHo4ZqznnR4cK8gLT3CT6PrkHMp5OSb7igFD_Ha9Dz6b/s1600/la+petite+maison+in+istanbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgwlxSl6RogAyLJuEo1UQ-9KMsBSekMxB1hr0T91yapQJW7LQc6cB3NXhUJyv29Tf7pm-C42AWj0jGs403HdQ_JwBem-pbiO1zHo4ZqznnR4cK8gLT3CT6PrkHMp5OSb7igFD_Ha9Dz6b/s1600/la+petite+maison+in+istanbul.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEioiVdldUtX2u3D19KSTpxzRhIMeng4u54nnq08ykm1tZYI2gj2CRm7clAJfFDDnjww5PdIp2TFBUlVQpU8IPmDF5tJAjpddQ36_IyIzdzklxSQ3lVCYoCW_yv3ocKTpzImbeI7KiXs0j/s1600/la+petite+maison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEioiVdldUtX2u3D19KSTpxzRhIMeng4u54nnq08ykm1tZYI2gj2CRm7clAJfFDDnjww5PdIp2TFBUlVQpU8IPmDF5tJAjpddQ36_IyIzdzklxSQ3lVCYoCW_yv3ocKTpzImbeI7KiXs0j/s1600/la+petite+maison.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81a7WKQYEPX_U5LYOJn7O7KCVPQBPpelRq1RGEsMR3KGrLOD6KEwiVcys6T4FiLiciDMwfBK2kqPSqvZGkYJw2hKjEJKun4c7FwUbZY8Jwz4-thyphenhyphen_blvGTCBuZZfAZp51fTMb7PqlUzTD/s1600/la+petite+maison+restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81a7WKQYEPX_U5LYOJn7O7KCVPQBPpelRq1RGEsMR3KGrLOD6KEwiVcys6T4FiLiciDMwfBK2kqPSqvZGkYJw2hKjEJKun4c7FwUbZY8Jwz4-thyphenhyphen_blvGTCBuZZfAZp51fTMb7PqlUzTD/s1600/la+petite+maison+restaurant.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;">Photos by me.  Bellow images from Google Images</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgyIkvIn0lFHJOdlJIPVwbp77H8Ieo4PG-rUoxWLDxvm9XxupsLKay54t4Y0KvQl8GskeaaSK2A0T_VsqjBTVKTlhU8-C0erbYHlJ0mwO3tL6dCYQFcAJamwdVGn8nGpmAOjwptiAjrSX/s1600/ISTANBUL---CHANEL---02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgyIkvIn0lFHJOdlJIPVwbp77H8Ieo4PG-rUoxWLDxvm9XxupsLKay54t4Y0KvQl8GskeaaSK2A0T_VsqjBTVKTlhU8-C0erbYHlJ0mwO3tL6dCYQFcAJamwdVGn8nGpmAOjwptiAjrSX/s1600/ISTANBUL---CHANEL---02.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AwvJSLwVWcgiz6XMFPOsr1oloHvw_CKxloexfzo3vspjTQ9Wq3xMlpni5dpPO9rbZR_XWycv5UOd978zgxnDyLWNAJ_2Z16HW7C37mdY58XV2Fwj7DZzXKrsDKaKo-Q4ivZ2cA_xUMS6/s1600/louis+vuiton+nisantasi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AwvJSLwVWcgiz6XMFPOsr1oloHvw_CKxloexfzo3vspjTQ9Wq3xMlpni5dpPO9rbZR_XWycv5UOd978zgxnDyLWNAJ_2Z16HW7C37mdY58XV2Fwj7DZzXKrsDKaKo-Q4ivZ2cA_xUMS6/s1600/louis+vuiton+nisantasi.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfG4SE9I-AMRYpRFHnhg8Xr-jwiD5RRdEpQXD12FmMwp8Tk3qUSsYStAll7xfPo5BvCnSC3QBV5695vFxirOCj4K0C9bUpaEvtG1nG24V8yv8fM08wN1WpZ2aypqhHxa37Ngqi8BYUL38/s1600/nisantasi-streetlife.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfG4SE9I-AMRYpRFHnhg8Xr-jwiD5RRdEpQXD12FmMwp8Tk3qUSsYStAll7xfPo5BvCnSC3QBV5695vFxirOCj4K0C9bUpaEvtG1nG24V8yv8fM08wN1WpZ2aypqhHxa37Ngqi8BYUL38/s1600/nisantasi-streetlife.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdD-nZILNF5ZULNUQGK5xgyrt924rYkqwGyn3WcwmQHDvz335xvQTEchZwgXfVjae4zmvs3SZiwrqVbZMK8dQFPJH5Tc7cKnBdDkNLrsCnpHF0VVUMr2pNVecLtj4cPmhAslbV9xUCxRHl/s1600/nisantasi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdD-nZILNF5ZULNUQGK5xgyrt924rYkqwGyn3WcwmQHDvz335xvQTEchZwgXfVjae4zmvs3SZiwrqVbZMK8dQFPJH5Tc7cKnBdDkNLrsCnpHF0VVUMr2pNVecLtj4cPmhAslbV9xUCxRHl/s1600/nisantasi.jpg" width="500" /></a></div></div>

La Petite Maison Opened in Nisantasi neighborhood of Istanbul

New York has 5th, Zurich has Bahnhofstrasse, and Istanbul has its Nisantasi neighborhood, a very fashionable area with an impressive number ...

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Karakoy Rooms Hotel in Istanbul

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PK1QQgsN3faryWqfidXe2t3eBSdu6FPWBvtcq7M_v95BYxFB1HxJPkt-aUcHLkDTYe1qrwlvpMt-R4Y42NZC_sGre2J9aRhgnQMsm_c3M07sHExWLZw-pcyXVZOKAo6B3R-yO1SlVruE/s1600/Hotel-tour-Karako%CC%88y-Rooms-%E4%BC%8A%E6%96%AF%E5%9D%A6%E5%B8%83%E5%B0%94Run-Architects-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PK1QQgsN3faryWqfidXe2t3eBSdu6FPWBvtcq7M_v95BYxFB1HxJPkt-aUcHLkDTYe1qrwlvpMt-R4Y42NZC_sGre2J9aRhgnQMsm_c3M07sHExWLZw-pcyXVZOKAo6B3R-yO1SlVruE/s640/Hotel-tour-Karako%CC%88y-Rooms-%E4%BC%8A%E6%96%AF%E5%9D%A6%E5%B8%83%E5%B0%94Run-Architects-5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">When I went to Istanbul back in 2010 one of the things I most admired was the mix of beautiful antique and modern architecture and most of all the modernity of its people.  I was surprised at how rare was to come across with someone with conservative world view.  On the contrary the people were extremely open minded and very Westernised.  I loved it and it breaks my heart to see what some smart people need to go through to defend their country’s identity, freedom and democracy. I hope everything gets back to normal soon and Turkey continues on its road to what every country is supposed to have: fundamental freedoms.</div>These beautiful images belong to <a href="http://karakoyrooms.com/home.htm" target="_blank">Karakoy Rooms</a> a hotel overlooking the bosphorous, I know a dream, eh? and if my in-laws didn't have an apartment in Istanbul this is where I would stay.  Enjoy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDjNJ8wfR6yVTnFqtH3TMdHGM-CqqE3G48_xaf-yX4bdAd7A7Qj52l39n-OwHcpCiOTLACYK9p96BfLQ-69yrkCPaDhRu6e9XPNHnIGmWp5WB8ABOv5FEahPA-DjAPQ16wJAbYk2BhyphenhyphenQa/s1600/karakoyrooms4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDjNJ8wfR6yVTnFqtH3TMdHGM-CqqE3G48_xaf-yX4bdAd7A7Qj52l39n-OwHcpCiOTLACYK9p96BfLQ-69yrkCPaDhRu6e9XPNHnIGmWp5WB8ABOv5FEahPA-DjAPQ16wJAbYk2BhyphenhyphenQa/s400/karakoyrooms4.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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Karakoy Rooms Hotel in Istanbul

When I went to Istanbul back in 2010 one of the things I most admired was the mix of beautiful antique and modern architecture and most of a...

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While in Turkey

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErPd0t1QT9hD9xHefwdo1KvO2jZZXjifbl3RdmhgN2bnFMqKblWGH2johDypcH7yvZXo2SZRq2aeoCz0UX9U7VPHj_HRNyE8VaqWVtvrZiAKGWrSdS1su3x8a6HtqwYBWd8vPHXCl7Ss/s1600/DSC00915.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523908244831549778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErPd0t1QT9hD9xHefwdo1KvO2jZZXjifbl3RdmhgN2bnFMqKblWGH2johDypcH7yvZXo2SZRq2aeoCz0UX9U7VPHj_HRNyE8VaqWVtvrZiAKGWrSdS1su3x8a6HtqwYBWd8vPHXCl7Ss/s400/DSC00915.JPG" style="height: 602px; width: 461px;" /></a></div>I wanted to share with you some images of my trip to Turkey.  Istanbul treated me with a lot of what I love the most: a mixture of old and new, innovation and tradition and I couldn't be happier to absorb it all in. On the first day, our discoveries of Istanbul started at the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, more famously known as the Blue Mosque (first 3 pictures). The neighborhood, also called Sultan Ahmet, is situated on cobble-stoned sloped streets were you can also spot the Golden Horn part of the Bosphorus. It's a non-ending contemplation of beauty.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9kidcHfceB1Y2v7dq9SowJBVBLFJIxDGt3FgAMknGG7cB-5kZOu9jEsyTUI25B7PrN_R4Gk6PpmPW0c37dUjB_eAvVbBA5h0F50o7ahequS_vBE1ohXVwpjVSsxTMThPbRDSPaxNsiM/s1600/DSC00900.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523908241485909666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg9kidcHfceB1Y2v7dq9SowJBVBLFJIxDGt3FgAMknGG7cB-5kZOu9jEsyTUI25B7PrN_R4Gk6PpmPW0c37dUjB_eAvVbBA5h0F50o7ahequS_vBE1ohXVwpjVSsxTMThPbRDSPaxNsiM/s400/DSC00900.JPG" style="height: 354px; width: 462px;" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiJfVTIgt_jxdG6PAMwHkWEFv5XwmdR1NNVXSjfao5oiZu6O6G9jfeozILxUebPO5JBTB9jakFi84BnwHap-RmPYxxfJxNwNbuXBOtKBa4YEDGC3AoXfvPDcp3LDN9paNx8fcwddq6q0/s1600/DSC00929.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523910083852045602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiJfVTIgt_jxdG6PAMwHkWEFv5XwmdR1NNVXSjfao5oiZu6O6G9jfeozILxUebPO5JBTB9jakFi84BnwHap-RmPYxxfJxNwNbuXBOtKBa4YEDGC3AoXfvPDcp3LDN9paNx8fcwddq6q0/s400/DSC00929.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 569px; width: 428px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix9MYAPR2IV-SHnwJLuhn5rWQEqql_DBMMvWK4EeObOmhI5n761DXel8DWT_0gi-MvInrl8YCsPtD4kRBfgXOeT8mwcrEjwdJKsnco-RjQqD8B2IhZ3guta0Zi-NvuyBgKlylE0VjlO0/s1600/DSC00962.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528612737301889650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix9MYAPR2IV-SHnwJLuhn5rWQEqql_DBMMvWK4EeObOmhI5n761DXel8DWT_0gi-MvInrl8YCsPtD4kRBfgXOeT8mwcrEjwdJKsnco-RjQqD8B2IhZ3guta0Zi-NvuyBgKlylE0VjlO0/s400/DSC00962.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 323px; width: 432px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> Above, Hagia Sophia's opulent Byzantine architecture where Islamic influences meet the original Church with Christian-depicted golden mosaics. Surrounding the center of the structure is a loggia supported by magnificent marble pilasters and arched yellow and gray geometric design mosaic ceiling.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Below are images of the Topkapi Palace which is located on one of the highest points of Istanbul's shoreline overlooking the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. The palace, today a museum, is divided in many courtyards and buildings among which you can see a mixture of Asian, Middle Eastern, and Eclectic Europeanized architecture.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wv8KJB9rxbaM2MU2X9Ph3WWBqjmC0tEMGQJWCekQZqL6eX3FnGcD2vDHrxK0eoYxpIyoIfjstV0VyMokPZLdqZZ5xj8oqkFEwX8tbRQhtZDxIc-_8Ml9cpy8erN0BMrpJ6ieZqTXHkw/s1600/DSC01074.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528627268985889346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wv8KJB9rxbaM2MU2X9Ph3WWBqjmC0tEMGQJWCekQZqL6eX3FnGcD2vDHrxK0eoYxpIyoIfjstV0VyMokPZLdqZZ5xj8oqkFEwX8tbRQhtZDxIc-_8Ml9cpy8erN0BMrpJ6ieZqTXHkw/s400/DSC01074.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 360px; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8xCSix2Z67sf_0dxCLlTYzNvUZGsy2hb7_LliV8qzWZ_cDGfUGvQePypSm-B7n-0VTwi80MlYFr-Q_fCG1vWw5hpAt1l4AdlW_Xr7cr0S5oKWTi4LF5sjICsoQApO7BCRdv4_xiTrpo/s1600/DSC01049.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528627260853031394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8xCSix2Z67sf_0dxCLlTYzNvUZGsy2hb7_LliV8qzWZ_cDGfUGvQePypSm-B7n-0VTwi80MlYFr-Q_fCG1vWw5hpAt1l4AdlW_Xr7cr0S5oKWTi4LF5sjICsoQApO7BCRdv4_xiTrpo/s400/DSC01049.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 360px; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4a8W4O6ldvY4PAxTTPK07oxv4GS5e3GBvXTv0xJ_4zdHxdX58COJ_-kven19CdD1di81XwxLX1WiYCVP1y_g4KJPvw8QKaURfJ-1TZoMBJZsV68Wn-V96gM2bajkgQklfLZjiQlzHrk/s1600/DSC01010.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528626164796486402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4a8W4O6ldvY4PAxTTPK07oxv4GS5e3GBvXTv0xJ_4zdHxdX58COJ_-kven19CdD1di81XwxLX1WiYCVP1y_g4KJPvw8QKaURfJ-1TZoMBJZsV68Wn-V96gM2bajkgQklfLZjiQlzHrk/s400/DSC01010.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 360px; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><div class="thumbcaption">Porch of Imperial Divan at the Topkapi Palace.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdTKoeS1ZyMLIrFEUX9HAevn7Ffo_aNuRVv89umoULiUitzSCeGNvSZMk2v_vDoyd4TjbqCz0H4u2cicQaZz30hQ13v_kJw282-ZVW7Nhr7YZi41hIKLshGDB8SXGyi-LSqJp8rKh9u4/s1600/DSC01007.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528625141379595426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdTKoeS1ZyMLIrFEUX9HAevn7Ffo_aNuRVv89umoULiUitzSCeGNvSZMk2v_vDoyd4TjbqCz0H4u2cicQaZz30hQ13v_kJw282-ZVW7Nhr7YZi41hIKLshGDB8SXGyi-LSqJp8rKh9u4/s400/DSC01007.JPG" width="460" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBU5Q91lBmufQLGABD48ALgv1aCwQUxR3wbsagoGlWxxUZq5nKIqTY2XYQDwg5fZYQhN5mlO3Y6YHoJzWGZ3J2T5u0C7pJlYycNMJZcfvJUsxaD8iYlD6_NfMg-zqkRAmW1oOfKrzdik/s1600/DSC01001.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528625136524430482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBU5Q91lBmufQLGABD48ALgv1aCwQUxR3wbsagoGlWxxUZq5nKIqTY2XYQDwg5fZYQhN5mlO3Y6YHoJzWGZ3J2T5u0C7pJlYycNMJZcfvJUsxaD8iYlD6_NfMg-zqkRAmW1oOfKrzdik/s400/DSC01001.JPG" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qm8qjMXwQv07czi1IG2nmH0Qcamd04wxHbA8R-7SWQ_0vve_9T_lFXZjlfZ6ZB2wiCNHU8l_HzMqTbvOa_XTz2-IH-uIR7Nv5AWxwnlMe0zTw7UBqRipLh1XGHRfrt7VVAyAGscorx8/s1600/DSC01071.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528614166127659234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qm8qjMXwQv07czi1IG2nmH0Qcamd04wxHbA8R-7SWQ_0vve_9T_lFXZjlfZ6ZB2wiCNHU8l_HzMqTbvOa_XTz2-IH-uIR7Nv5AWxwnlMe0zTw7UBqRipLh1XGHRfrt7VVAyAGscorx8/s400/DSC01071.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 355px; width: 464px;" /></a><br /><br /><center> Above, Grand Kiosk constructed in an eclectic europeanized style.</center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnK89gYqerTyQiaploXSM-MDbnjio_Br0HvHchGu_ud7afVMyrZKOePv1JQ-hDFzaDJGoNA_APrNz0UWRfzGJvtFgLm2gQXDcahKZ1g6k0Sr5Z9NKLb-jXANoByho2PSz1UO_pkSlfic/s1600/DSC01019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528614150967550722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnK89gYqerTyQiaploXSM-MDbnjio_Br0HvHchGu_ud7afVMyrZKOePv1JQ-hDFzaDJGoNA_APrNz0UWRfzGJvtFgLm2gQXDcahKZ1g6k0Sr5Z9NKLb-jXANoByho2PSz1UO_pkSlfic/s400/DSC01019.JPG" width="460" /></a></div><center> A tromp-l'oeil on one of the doors that lead to the inside of the Imperial Divan.</center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HGqA0AmJbs6Po7VcTzoq1OX_Q3iyj8GtOxzLv9s1FvORtXV0uUogDwiyY8Q4MeRvNFrYwAAZvRlY-FZ4XjrWE5Nh5nAwDDOXdmqr54RhXz3PE1MbVMh_TyZPIe0i4ifZYerzz3j6opQ/s1600/DSC01109.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528615575273536642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HGqA0AmJbs6Po7VcTzoq1OX_Q3iyj8GtOxzLv9s1FvORtXV0uUogDwiyY8Q4MeRvNFrYwAAZvRlY-FZ4XjrWE5Nh5nAwDDOXdmqr54RhXz3PE1MbVMh_TyZPIe0i4ifZYerzz3j6opQ/s400/DSC01109.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 351px; width: 462px;" /></a><br />Above, Ciragan Palace where my lucky husband had his High School graduation ball.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtroscYJRDklK9ioCHRf9sKw28usQvnLm8fkB5AEJskJu_Gi7SqXjVmCxJqXB200FPeeGH7BgwTwo9cctq49XLQHsNHb-mkadIndI8ZYrSEZ_yjcqgRamdTCJjPQTcknF3gP1oQyICgtE/s1600/DSC01105.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528796538953190642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtroscYJRDklK9ioCHRf9sKw28usQvnLm8fkB5AEJskJu_Gi7SqXjVmCxJqXB200FPeeGH7BgwTwo9cctq49XLQHsNHb-mkadIndI8ZYrSEZ_yjcqgRamdTCJjPQTcknF3gP1oQyICgtE/s400/DSC01105.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 360px; width: 460px;" /></a><br />The Gates of The Dolmabasce Palace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxOv1m4x9Uqdc_n4Om47Pi8XFuXvG_fkmz-eqnmNIyvLNIbQU3bMjpmSFdYjxnNfbWuDPoLpkYyJjmNU1SpWixQZOFYDzp9Nfe5UurjBJ3CsqnXYbeJpxkB2rWfBN7ZskHPYllT4L1EE/s1600/DSC00971.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528615563146632402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxOv1m4x9Uqdc_n4Om47Pi8XFuXvG_fkmz-eqnmNIyvLNIbQU3bMjpmSFdYjxnNfbWuDPoLpkYyJjmNU1SpWixQZOFYDzp9Nfe5UurjBJ3CsqnXYbeJpxkB2rWfBN7ZskHPYllT4L1EE/s400/DSC00971.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 615px; width: 469px;" /></a><br />A view of Sultan Amet neighborhood.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq1mTJMJl7BOstfWT77aK0B2DUmIURsloxt3OjH3CGxrwhRaGo0tFD6gjH14Iv7dEonCeK5zbdqK1suhVOSjVI_pMpYAxZCGEr4qC8evP-eoiDhfe9ui6mPSIvgo7blNRngZGKNpseuA/s1600/DSC01079.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="620" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528796527124123714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq1mTJMJl7BOstfWT77aK0B2DUmIURsloxt3OjH3CGxrwhRaGo0tFD6gjH14Iv7dEonCeK5zbdqK1suhVOSjVI_pMpYAxZCGEr4qC8evP-eoiDhfe9ui6mPSIvgo7blNRngZGKNpseuA/s400/DSC01079.JPG" width="460" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After 5 hours of absorbing the awe-inspiring beauty of Topkapi Palace we headed to Ortakoy neighborhood which means <span style="font-style: italic;">middle town</span>. There, the girls and I went into a small store specializing in hats, while the boys went to look for a restaurant. While trying on almost all the hats in this small open shop which is surrounded only by old buildings and with the calling for prayer as our background I couldn't help but feel as if we were the main characters in a James Bond movie.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Below, pictures of the beautiful interior of The House Cafe.</div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4bmvkz9A0N8-TFJZE1zDwyY7x-Yg1cYi3pB9uiyny3vjK0_Kg0f-t8dudjBJRShNJILaOEfLcW4FnNzpwVkToaBeeoSkzM04yN-v8bgZwhkLeBdUojgzH6AZ8-CEU_IEOqdUVC37Ii8/s1600/DSC01134.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528617797760476162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4bmvkz9A0N8-TFJZE1zDwyY7x-Yg1cYi3pB9uiyny3vjK0_Kg0f-t8dudjBJRShNJILaOEfLcW4FnNzpwVkToaBeeoSkzM04yN-v8bgZwhkLeBdUojgzH6AZ8-CEU_IEOqdUVC37Ii8/s400/DSC01134.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkrJ9fQHwgDH-EZXi-7fw7MipIr8RdN2B3VICQe0y_jijvTe28oqOt6I5hce62DDIRqnJeahiZVyQvu04ygqnXoQQr0AnILwMVwZkZZRlKVbPOclBJOSPsBRvxycvveCgw3k_9YpMBq0/s1600/DSC01129.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528617804591874306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkrJ9fQHwgDH-EZXi-7fw7MipIr8RdN2B3VICQe0y_jijvTe28oqOt6I5hce62DDIRqnJeahiZVyQvu04ygqnXoQQr0AnILwMVwZkZZRlKVbPOclBJOSPsBRvxycvveCgw3k_9YpMBq0/s400/DSC01129.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnV-DHe29aLP_97E03Bv-07BajKZfL8qzWmDDgRUsIRLEdnj-J6n14AjdHLA9Zdm4NNqZ9MvEQWR9f6rVcWzIxcxx0AI5RvX-Ul6u5YmD1C1OywJaUZlxZ3D2PZ5ArFF7O0THu1pMaTA/s1600/DSC01128.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528619194661618082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnV-DHe29aLP_97E03Bv-07BajKZfL8qzWmDDgRUsIRLEdnj-J6n14AjdHLA9Zdm4NNqZ9MvEQWR9f6rVcWzIxcxx0AI5RvX-Ul6u5YmD1C1OywJaUZlxZ3D2PZ5ArFF7O0THu1pMaTA/s400/DSC01128.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; height: 360px; width: 460px;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKD1oWETx3Gux7Hwndn2wklhEF5wtx2aemEV2ehExv3sEybTm8D3ZtugXiGjpPlpuSv66V-LpwpFUqwmZkf7H7xa1qKX5OQQQCVuxoLEmPw2JNSNMOEhcNT-8kkyVVWqP7HgdL05-Fz0/s1600/DSC01142.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528619202370689874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKD1oWETx3Gux7Hwndn2wklhEF5wtx2aemEV2ehExv3sEybTm8D3ZtugXiGjpPlpuSv66V-LpwpFUqwmZkf7H7xa1qKX5OQQQCVuxoLEmPw2JNSNMOEhcNT-8kkyVVWqP7HgdL05-Fz0/s400/DSC01142.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />A view of the Ortakoy Mosque from our table.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All images are property of and taken exclusive by Bellevivir.<br /><br /><a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com.br/2010/08/deja-vu.html" target="_blank">Munich Review</a><br /><a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com.br/2011/09/when-traveling-dress-accordingly.html" target="_blank">When traveling dress accordingly:  The Hamptons</a></div></div></div>

While in Turkey

  I wanted to share with you some images of my trip to Turkey.  Istanbul treated me with a lot of what I love the most: a mixture of o...

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