/tags/tourism.rss en-us Visiting the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is at the top of the list on most tourist itineraries, coming in a close second maybe only to Hagia Sophia. But while visiting the Turkish capital, you might receive mixed reviews of the legendary Grand Bazaar of Istanbul. Some Turks describe it as being as close to a real Turkish market as McDonald's is to fine dining. But throughout much raving or regretting of this experience, you just have to see this spectacular merchant mini-city with your own eyes. The Grand Bazaar (or “Kapalı Çarşı” in Turkish), means “covered bazaar". It has humble beginnings as a small masonry market enclosure called a “bedesten,” built in 1455 during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Located in the heart of the old city, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar slowly grew as neighbouring shopkeepers attached their shops to the growing covered market: a brilliant idea to secure the market stall and facilitate shopping in any weather, year-round. Turkey’s Grand Bazaar was then further enlarged during the time of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in the early 16th Century, and then was repaired in 1894 after a major earthquake shook the city. Today, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest covered markets in the world, sprawling over 58 covered streets, and boasting over 4,000 shops, two mosques, two hamams, four fountains, and anywhere from one quarter to half a million visitors, daily. Start the day off right, with baklava and kave in the spice market (an adjoining open-air market to the sprawling Grand Bazaar). With a good sugar rush, you can hit the streets and wind your way through board-game alley and bridal boutique heaven. There are so many other markets connecting all around the main Bazaar that even finding one of the Grand Bazaar's 22 front doors, let alone not getting lost inside, can be an adventure. It is quite easy to find a Grand Bazaar map to help you through the maze; but on the other hand, ditching the map (after a quick peruse) can be much more amusing! Once inside, the vaulted arch of the ceiling, in clean white and red tiles, gives it magnificence and a lovely sound. It's a visual feast, with soaps and beads, spices and glass, rolls of fabrics, tons of brass, rugs, and loads of cheap knock-off brand items. It is very similar to most other bazaars in terms of the specific contents; and not just the size. Beyond the shiny wares, there is a hub of trade, of communication between companies and countries; and the Grand Bazaar is still a force in the Turkish economy for import/export business. Part of the attractive mystique of the Grand Bazaar is the idea of the Grand Bazaar itself. It’s not necessarily what's in it, but what it is. Wed, 18 May 2011 23:43:40 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/grand-bazaar-istanbul http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/grand-bazaar-istanbul France’s Loire Valley is a beautiful landscape of historic towns, wineries, and stunning chateaux that recall the days of the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment. The area is known as “the Garden of France,” and considered to be the cradle of the French language. The valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that they say is “an exceptional cultural landscape, of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments - the Châteaux - and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself." And it is all best seen from the seat of a bicycle. The Loire Valley came to life in the 16th Century as several chateaux were built as summer estates for the nobility of France. Now numbering more than 300, some of which are private residences and closed to the public, they attract a different crowd as hundreds of thousands of travelers find themselves exploring the area and enjoying the beautiful estates that line the river and many of its tributaries. One of the more popular ways to do this is by bicycle, as the curious pedal between the various villages and towns through the region to enjoy the palatial homes that now open to the public. The relatively flat terrain of the Loire Valley makes cycling through the area relatively simple and easy; how to pack simply for such a trip will surely be the most difficult task. Many tour companies help coordinate cycling visits to the region, but a new 500 mile (800 km) trail from Orleans to Angers has now further opened the area to the independent traveler wishing to plan their own getaway. Several other trails and roads in the area also make moving from town to town, or rather chateaux to chateaux, an enjoyable adventure that can transport the curious back centuries into France’s history. The architecture and landscaping of the chateaux truly make for an impressive visit as places such as Chenonceau sit atop the river, or the grounds of Chambord cover 13,000 acres with their gardens and vast hunting forests. It’s almost as though, riding up to the gates, the cyclist has ridden up to the home of some fairy tale character like Sleeping Beauty or Snow White. Enjoy what it is today as this wasn’t always the case. The chateaux were looted and abused during the French Revolution and used as military bases during both World War I and II. The pleasant days of relaxation have now returned to the country inns that welcome tourists to the area with a home cooked meal and a local glass of wine to enjoy after a ride to another amazing estate. And that’s how it’s best done since, although the area is only two hours by car from Paris, it’s best to take it slow and savor not just the food and wine, but also the culture and history of an area that was built upon the summer vacations of the nobility. Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:33:48 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/loire-valley http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/loire-valley