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What you need to know about Istanbul

Turkey, a country home to unique cultural diversities lying in both Asia and Europe. It has long acted as a bridge between those two continents throughout history. But we can’t really talk about Turkey without mentioning Istanbul. Istanbul is its largest city lying in both Europe and Asia. It is considered as its historical heart and also the heart of its economy and culture. It lies in both Europe and Asia and, in this article, we are going to discuss some of its most interesting places and facts. As the Grand Bazaar, Sultanahmet Mosque, languages spoken in Turkey and Istanbul.

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque

Did you know that about 99% of Turks are Muslims? Islam is the largest religion is Turkey and it contains some of the most beautiful mosques in the world. There are about 82,693 there and one of the most well known is the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. It is also known as the blue Mosque, and is located in Istanbul. It was built during the rule of Ahmed I. and is praised for its interior and exterior design. Its interior walls are adorned by hand-painted blue titles. And the mosque is bathed in blue at night as its five main domes, six minarets and eight secondary domes are framed by light.

The Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the oldest and largest markets in the world. It is often considered as one of the first shopping malls in the world. In addition, it dates back to the 14th century and has more than 4000 stores, and 61 covered streets. It was listed as number 1 in regard to being the world’s most-visited tourist attractions in 2014 with 91,250,000 yearly visitors. The bazaar was built after the acquisition of Constantinople by the ottoman during 1455/56. It was considered as a part of a larger initiative stimulating Istanbul’s economic prosperity.

Languages Spoken

It is known that Turkish is the main spoken language in Turkey. But, did you know that there are more than 30 other ethnic languages spoken there? These languages include Arabic, Kurmanji, Zazaki, and more. Some etthnic languages have very few speakers such as Balkan, Armenian, Turkish dialects, Bosnian, Georgian, Albanian and Circassian languages. Despite this variety, the Turkish language remains the most widely spoken. As it is the official and educational language. In addition, Arabic is also used as an elective language in the Turkish curriculum. The Zazaki language is spoken by about 1 million speakers across Turkey as well.

Overall, Istanbul is considered one of the most beautiful places to visit, ever. It has everything you need from culture to beaches and more. You would be baffled by the amounts of aromas, languages, colors and more.

7 places to Visit.

Do you dream of fresh air, cool sights, adventure, and more? Do you want to have a life changing experience? Here are our top 7 places in Switzerland, that will make all of that possible.

Appenzell

Appenzell in Switzerland is everyone’s cup of tea. It has everything you can dream of from the alpine clothing, towering mountains, wonderful buildings to colorful wildflowers. You would certainly also enjoy exploring the Alps of Appenzell if you love hiking with peaks like Mt. Säntis.

Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen will blow your mind with its beauty. It is not any normal swiss village, it is an entire valley located in the Alps. It will sweep you off your feet with its Towering snow-capped peaks, high-altitude waterfalls and rough valley sides.

Wengen

If you want to unplug and relax, you should visit Wengen. It is a charming village in the Bernese Alps. And there, you will find all the facilities that you could dream of, with mind blowing beautiful scenery in one place. As the great scenery of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains in addition to the Jungfrau ski region. The village is car-free, where you can enjoy the Jungfrau region. Moreover, you can go there by the cogwheel train from Lauterbrunnen.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is considered to be one of Switzerland’s best ski resorts. So, if you are into skiing and snowboarding, it is the right place for you. You can also enjoy its beautiful nature in summer as well as. You can take a walk in the village and admire its wooden chalets. Their roofs are edged and you will find amazing colourful pots by their windows. Everything is there from cafes, hotels, clothing, adventure stores to souvenir and watch shops. Not to forget its beautiful alpine flower pastures as well.

Lake Oeschinen

You don’t want to miss Lake Oeschinen. It is a little heaven, located in the Bernese Oberland near Kandersteg and surrounded by the peaks of Bluemlisalp and Doldenhorn. Its turquoise water is crystal clear. Imagine taking a dip in such a lake surrounded by all those mountains. Also, since 2007, it has been recognised as a part of Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn UNESCO World Heritage site.

Geneva

Of course we are going to mention the amazing Geneva. It is widely believed that it has the energy of a big city with the tranquility of a small town. Its Old Town is considered as a historical jewel with medieval charm. You can take a cable car at Saleve getaway to the top of the mountain and enjoy the mind blowing scenery from above. Or, you can rent a battle board in the amazing Lake of Geneva which has the snow-covered Alps backdropping it. In winter, you can go hiking, paragliding, mountain biking or cross-country skiing. In addition, if you are into art you should visit the Quartier des Bains which has a number of art galleries and exhibitions. The Quartier des Bains is considered as the European platform of modern art. And certainly you have to visit the water jet which has a huge jet of water soaring straight up from the lake surface in a 145-meter plume and is considered a symbol of Geneva.

You also have to try Jungfraujoch, which is Europe’s highest train station. There, you will enjoy the snow and play in it, visit the Aletsch Glacier and you will get to stand on one of the most easily accessible, highest places in Europe.

Overall, Switzerland is an amazing country full of spectacular places that will meet your expectations in every which way. If you want to hear about other travelling destinations, click here.

Travelling Destinations

When it comes to travelling, choosing the best predestination can be a challenge. When choosing, one must take into consideration the different culture, sights, food, and accommodation options. Therefore, Italy is considered one of the best travelling destinations that a person can choose.

According to the U.S. News, Italy is considered to be one of the best travelling destinations. For instance, Florence in Italy is the cradle of the Renaissance. It is a place to feast on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine. It enchants travelers with its romantic, and utterly irresistible Italian charm. Moreover, the best way for a person to indulge in this city’s atmosphere is by wandering along its cobblestone streets. Also, one can take a short uphill walk to Piazzale Michelangelo, visit the grandiose Duomo, or visit the iconic Ponte Vecchio Bridge. The possibilities to have a great time there is endless. Furthermore, the Amalfi Coast in Italy is considered as an outstanding example of a Mediterranean landscape by UNESCO. It is one of Italy’s most memorable destinations, where mountains plunge into the sea in a nail-biting vertical scene of precipitous crags, cliff-clinging abodes and verdant woodland. Moreover, it is regarded as a destination for both adventure travelers and relaxation seekers. On one hand, the 13 cliffside towns that comprise this region offer picturesque hiking trails and several beaches to explore. On the other hand, there are exquisite luxury hotels sharing real estate with colorful residence framed by greenery and imposing cliffs cascading down to the cobalt Mediterranean Sea. Also, travelers will enjoy exquisite Italian fare and fresh seafood whenever they go.

Thus, Italy is considered one of the best travelling destinations as it contains all the aspects that captivates travelers.