Istanbul: Day One

What a wonderful start to our Turkish adventure! We were not sure what our hotel in the old part of town would look like but we are absolutely in love with Center Hill Hotel. It was just refurbished and we are the first people ever to stay in our room!

We also love the restaurant downstairs! Yay for Turkish beer! 

We then walked around the old part of town and saw from the outside Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque. We will return tomorrow! 

We then went to the ancient cistern for a tour. I remember watching From Russia With Love as a kid and James Bond in the cistern was a favorite scene. 

The boys loved finding the two Medusa heads! 

It was a totally awesome visit! 

We then walked around Aya Sofia and went into the area with the Sultans graves. We loved the doors and the tile work (which is reproduction, original stolen by the French and now residing in the Louvre). 

To finish the day we had a drink in a rooftop restaurant overlooking the Blue Mosque and the Bosporus!