![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_8991.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_5990.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9019.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Our visit to T\u00fcrkiye coincided with a pivotal moment in T\u00fcrkiye’s contemporary political landscape\u2014the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on the day we arrived. The arrest ignited widespread protests throughout the city. News outlets buzzed with reports of Imamoglu’s detention on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group\u2014allegations many believed to be politically motivated. Some subway stops and other public transportation was disrupted, but we luckily booked a private transfer to our Airbnb and had no delays.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6024.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9009.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9064.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tOur Airbnb in T\u00fcrkiye is just south of Taksim Square. It is a comfortable two-bedroom place close to many restaurants and tourist attractions. There is a cafe near our Airbnb called Mundo Novo. It is designed like a prison. Visitors sit in cells while enjoying coffee and pastries, and you get cat visits. Our Airbnb was close to Istiklal Caddesi, a famous shopping street in Istanbul.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-27-143738.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_8996.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9065.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9051.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6103.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9030.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9048.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9023.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9063.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tThe food in T\u00fcrkiye is great. There is a vegan restaurant around the corner from our Airbnb called Vegan Istanbul, and many other restaurants have vegan options. It is easier to find vegan food in non-vegan restaurants in T\u00fcrkiye than in the United States.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9003.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9005.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6079.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6107.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6125.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6383.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6127.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6135.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6376.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6378.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6412.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6428.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6443.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6448.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6539.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tOur first order of business was finding Invisalign for Henry. The day after we arrived, we had two orthodontist appointments. We found a great orthodontist, and Henry is on his way to a new smile.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_8998.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
We spent a few days discovering Istanbul’s landmarks. The public transportation system is expansive and easy to navigate. The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, known to tourists as the Blue Mosque, is a working mosque. Tourists are welcome to visit in between prayer times. It is a beautiful mosque with over 250 stained glass windows.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9089.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6286.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6273.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6280.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nAnother highlight was our visit to the Basilica Cistern, an ancient subterranean wonder with 336 marble columns reflecting in the still, shallow water. The cistern’s history as a Byzantine water reservoir showcased the city’s ability to repurpose and preserve its heritage through the ages.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6311.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9102.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9093.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9099.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6342.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9106.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9107.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nWe also walked to Galata Towner, through Gulhane Park, past Hagia Sophia, and through the Grand Bazaar. The Grand Bazaar is not that exciting for us because it is mostly designer clothing, rugs, and jewelry and we do not need or want any of those things.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6240.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9083.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9119.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9092.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6410.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6366.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nWe spent a day exploring the Asia side of Istanbul. We saw impressive street art and enjoyed walking the streets and browsing the shops. Michael and Henry took a nap in the Turkish equivalent of Target, and they both got pajama pants.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9132.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9123.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9124.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9125.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6466.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9138.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_9121.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_6100.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/IMG_6499.jpg\")
<\/p>\n