Amazing Tour: Goodbye Istanbul

Goodbye Cappadocia, Amazing Tour 04, organized by Travellive magazine and sponsored by Nokia and Turkish Airlines, has come to its final leg. This emotional journey took 20 members through some of Turkey's most famous and unique locations, culminating in Istanbul, the city with the most historical and cultural landmarks in the country.

Istanbul - Tradition and Modernity

Spanning two continents and between two seas, Istanbul is a city of past empires. Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Galata Tower are just some of the many historical landmarks scattered throughout the city. Sip a cup of Turkish tea as you travel between Europe and Asia on a ferry, gazing at the palaces, castles, and modern museums, and history comes alive again.

Istanbul is the heart of the country, with a Muslim population of 98%. Interestingly, it's a place where the Blue Mosque even has LCD screens flashing the time in Paris and Tokyo. It perfectly reflects modernity and its connection to globalization.

Visiting Istanbul is like living in a book.

Following the personal pages of the Amazing Tour members, it seems everyone shares the same feeling about Istanbul. Here, each person feels "smaller" and can fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere and culture of the city they've heard and read so much about in books. Seeing it firsthand and being immersed in the atmosphere of the country that is "the end of the legendary Silk Road" has perhaps never been so special.

Hopping onto vintage city trams, savoring Turkish ice cream, or strolling through the winding alleys of the Grand Bazaar admiring the exquisite handicrafts, everyone felt like a child living in a movie. Little did they know, this was truly a "dream come true."

"Stepping into this city steeped in history and culture, it's truly difficult to take photos because you're overwhelmed by the magnificent structures. Everywhere you look, you're reminded of scenes from movies you've seen, paintings you've encountered. Just try searching online and you'll find countless stories and films set in Istanbul or Constantinople," shared travel blogger Hoang Le Giang.

And if you think magic carpets only exist in cartoons, think again. Unique, handcrafted, and high-quality textiles are abundant at Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, and visitors can stop to enjoy a flying carpet show at one of the more than 4,000 stalls. The bazaar is one of the largest, oldest, and most vibrant markets in the world, where the tour group was able to walk through 61 streets, browsing everything from glittering jewelry to exquisitely stitched leather shoes.

Strolling through Balat's old town, riding the century-old train in Taksim Square, enjoying Mado ice cream, sipping Turkish apple tea, or eating kebabs at Galata Tower 652... these are just some of the countless experiences this city has to offer. The entire group truly witnessed the vibrant atmosphere of this culturally rich city. From the people and scenery to the food, everything harmonized in a surprisingly ancient setting!

To broaden their horizons further, the Amazing Tour group also experienced a boat trip across the Bosphorus Strait, which divides the Asian and European continents, and a walk across the Bosphorus Bridge, connecting the two continents, to find the feeling of walking between the present and the past. Truly unforgettable experiences!

The ship sounded its horn and slowly glided out to sea amidst the thick fog that enveloped the vast ocean. According to research, the Bosphorus Strait is the only bridge connecting the Black Sea to the outside world, crossing the Marmara Sea, the world's smallest body of water. There's also a theory that this is where the biblical great flood occurred, causing water from the Mediterranean Sea to flow into the Black Sea. Scientists have found that the seabeds of these two regions differ by thousands of meters, suggesting a sudden fault line coinciding with the biblical doomsday. This is why the experience of sailing through the strait is so special.

"Through each era, more and more cultures have been added, even a fragment of ruins can leave later generations in awe and admiration. Yet, everything integrates rather than dissolves; each part is a magnificent piece of the puzzle, making Istanbul today a perfect and captivating picture," photographer Ngo Tran Hai An shared on his personal page.

GOODBYE Turkey

Every journey must come to an end, every party must end. Twenty members, twenty unique personalities, met and came to understand each other during a 10-day trip to Türkiye. Strangers became familiar faces, initial awkwardness turned into close friendships. Perhaps each trip isn't just about the destinations, the breathtaking scenery, or the culture; sometimes it's simply about meeting, getting to know, and connecting with new people along the way. Smiles, glances, and heartfelt conversations will forever remain in the hearts of those who were a part of "Türkiye - A Legend Come True."

Goodbye and see you again on new roads, with new people in the future!

AMAZING TOUR 04

Amazing Tour 04, themed “Türkiye – A Legend Come True,” was initiated by Travellive magazine and sponsored by Nokia and Turkish Airlines. Beginning in 2013, Travellive launched the Amazing Tour program and collaborated with national tourism boards to promote destinations such as “Busan - Ulsan - Jeju, South Korea,” “Sabah – Land of Wind,” and “Manila and Cebu, Philippines.”

This trip will take 20 members through the ancient town of Antalya, the ruined city of Termesso, the ancient village of Sille, overnight stays in cave hotels in Cappadocia, the Underground Cistern, cruises on the Bosphorus Strait, admire blooming tulips, and stroll through the world-famous Grand Bazaar…

Find out and follow information about the trip to Türkiye on our fanpage:Amazing Tour

Following the conclusion of Amazing Tour 4, there will be an exhibition on Turkish tourism information from May 3rd to 5th at Saigon Center (Ho Chi Minh City) and the release of a travel photo book about the "land of magic carpets".

PV