Istanbul is a city that has wooed writers of crime, travel, history, classics and romance for centuries, wearing audaciously on its sleeve an unexplained air of mystery and orientalism — and providing the backdrop for books, movies and artistic creations.
Turkey
Why Sumela Monastery is Trabzon’s hidden gem
The frescoes in Sumela Monastery are beautiful and it is a wonder how, all those years ago, monks found paint that lasted centuries of snow, wind and rain.
Turkey redefines kebabs, coffee and ayran
I have a few personal Turkish favourites (I will throw in baklava though I don’t fancy sweet) that are strictly “meat based” – Adana kebabs top the list.
Room No. 411, Pera Palace | Istanbul’s mystery hub
In the year 1926, the Queen of Crime vanished for a few weeks and is believed to have come to Istanbul and stayed at Pera Palace (Jumeirah) Hotel and there after written her most successful novel Murder On Orient Express.
The magnificent Cathedral of St George Istanbul
The Cathedral of St George itself is not very big and dates back to 1836. It is a part of the Greek Patriarchate compound and located in the Fener area of Istanbul.
Gallipoli and Troy | My two-day trip into Turkey’s past
In the recent past, Troy came to limelight when Brad Pitt donned the Achilles garb in the movie of the same name!