The New Istanbul: "If things were dusty 30 years ago, they are certainly glitzy now."

One of the days we took the ferry up the Bosporus to see the tulips at Emirgan Park. We were told tulips are not as good as previous years, but there were certainly very, very many. After a brief visit to the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, we took the bus to Taksim Square, and walked back to Saltanhamet. We had the same walk 30 years ago, but hardly anything is recognizable today. If things were dusty 30 years ago, they are certainly glitzy now.

As usual, our day starts with breakfast on the 6th floor.


Below are views from the ferry.














And we arrive at the Emirgan Ferry Dock after 45 minutes or so.


From the ferry dock it's a short walk to the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, located in the former residence of the Sabanci family










Tulip Festival - Emirgan Park. Not only are there tulips, but also many locals enjoying the nice weather + tulips.


















We rode the bus from Emirgan Park to Taksim Square where we found a bench with a great view of the Taksim Mosque and ate our lunch.


Then walked mostly downhill to Galata on Istiklal Avenue, checking out the architecture, and then across the bridge to Sualtahameth.


This is the Çiçek Pasajı (Flower Passage) arcade. Elegant.




The Art Nouveau Mısır Apartmanı (Egypt Apartment)


The Church of St. Anthony of Padua.




This is the ceiling of the very POSH Kubbeli Lounge in the Pera Palace Hotel. High tea is 80 USD per person. I was a little bit surprised they let us in just to look around - no tea for us. ;-)


The Art Nouveau Casa Botter, complete with Art Nouveau "heads".




Istiklal Avenue ends in Galata and we walked by the iconic Galata Tower. And down the photogenic Kamondo Stairs.




And across the legendary, vibrant Galata Bridge.