Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), also known as or Leander’s Tower, is an Istanbul landmark of many legends and mysteries. The tower sits on a small island just off the shore of Üsküdar on the Asian side of the Bosporus. It has unique views of Istanbul due to its excellent position.
Selimiye is a neighborhood in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul. It’s full of military buildings, universities and schools, and hospitals.
Kadıköy is a neighborhood of the eponymous district on the Asian side of Istanbul. It surrounds one of the city’s busiest transportation hubs.
Moda is a pleasant neighborhood in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul. It’s located just south of the center of Kadıköy.
One of my favorite places to visit in Istanbul is the Church of St. George (Aya Yorgi in Turkish). It’s located on Büyükada, the largest of the Princes’ Islands. It’s a peaceful place at the top of the highest hill on the island. It isn’t usually a priority for tourists, but it’s a unique place to visit.
The biggest of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands is Büyükada, which literally translates to “Big Island”. It’s the most frequently visited of the islands and probably has the most attractions.
Martin and Gönül invited me to join them at the 2012 WTA Championships in Istanbul. This would be the very first tennis event that I would attend in person. It took place at the Sinan Erdem Dome (Sinan Erdem Spor Salonu) in the district of Bakırköy. We were only able to attend the first day of matches due to work commitments.
Garipçe is a small, isolated fishing village on the shores of the Bosporus. It’s located in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul and has about 600 residents. Famous for its Turkish breakfasts and fish restaurants, Garipçe makes a great day trip from the city center for those who want to get away from the chaos of Istanbul.
The smallest of the Princes’ Islands in Istanbul is Kınalıada. It also happens to be the first stop on the ferries, and one of the quieter and less visited islands.