I was hoping to do a really fun post with really fun pictures on my trip to Istanbul last week. Unfortunately, my view for most of the week was of the inside of a conference room, so…not much to look at.  Thankfully I have been to Istanbul before and will be going back next year for our conference, so I wasn’t too disappointed.  That being said, I did walk around one night for a couple of hours, just in the area around my hotel, so here is the little I have to share.

View from dinner at the Hamdi Restaurant

My dinner at Karakoy Lokantasi. And yes, you just eat the whole thing – head to tail, bones and all.

View from our hotel — the Gradiva Hotel.

Walking around the area — pedestrian street

Happened to walk by this beautiful church so I stopped in to check it out — Sent Antuan Kilisesi

Sent Antuan Kilisesi

Turkish towels – my favorite!!

I wasn’t looking for anything like this but ended up falling in love with this Suzani tapestry so I came home with it too! Currently at the foot of our bed.

Istanbul is such an INCREDIBLE city — such a unique combination of old and new, east and west, continents merging…so much going on.  Excited for my trip back next year — I’ll definitely be bringing Michael and the little one!