I found The Only City Where You Eat Breakfast In Europe And Stroll For A Lunch In Asia @TourTribes

I found The Only City Where You Eat Breakfast In Europe And Stroll For A Lunch In Asia @TourTribes

Imagine a city where two continents meet, not just geographically, but culturally, spiritually, and historically. A place that has served as the beating heart of three mighty empires, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Welcome to Istanbul, a city older than London, more diverse than New York, and as captivating as Paris, with the chaos of Cairo thrown in. Here, ancient mosques stand across from vibrant nightclubs, while fairies glide between Europe and Asia as seagulls chase simmit through the salty, Bosphorous air. It’s a city where people pray five times a day and yet sip homemade alcohol in secret, where the call to prayer echoes through the streets, but football and fashion rule everyday life. You’ll find sprawling parks in the middle of a mega city of 15 million and locals who will smile at your camera and hand you a cup of tea. But don’t be fooled. Istanbul is also wrestling with a refugee crisis, soaring inflation, and deep cultural contradictions. As Napoleon once said, “If the world were a single country, Istanbul would be its capital. So, what’s it really like to live here? Stay tuned because this is Istanbul like you’ve never seen it before. But before we dive in, don’t forget to join the tour tribes family. Hit that subscribe button and turn on notifications so you never miss out on our eyeopening content. Istanbul’s unique distinction has given the city a remarkably diverse and multi-layered cultural heritage. Istanbul was reestablished by Constantine the Great, known historically as Emperor Constantine in 330 AD with the intention to boost its population and its significance. It is noted that between 324 and 326 AD, he significantly increased the population of Istanbul from about 1,500 to 50,000 people in just 2 years. This was accomplished by transferring people from various parts of the world to the city. This rapid population growth was part of his efforts to establish Istanbul as a new imperial capital which played a crucial role in the development and prominence of the city. Today Istanbul has a population of about 15 million people. For 1900 years Istanbul has been a hub of diverse cultures and religions. much longer than cities like New York or London, which became multicultural much more recently. One interesting fact about Istanbul is that it is a very green city and not nearly as polluted as one might expect. Despite having over 15 million people, the streets are wide and there are a lot of trees and beautiful parks. In fact, Istanbul’s level of greenery and lower pollution levels are comparable to those of other large cities like London, Paris, and Madrid, despite Istanbul having a considerably larger population. Moreover, Istanbul airport, which hosted around 80.1 million passengers in 2024, is one of the world’s busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic. For comparison, the busiest airport in the world is the Hartzfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in the United States, which hosted 108.1 million passengers in 2024. Geographically, Istanbul is quite impressive with the Bosphorus Strait connecting the Black Sea to the Mara. There are also small islands near the coast of Istanbul, perfect for weekend visits. The public transportation system is comprehensive with a rapidly expanding metro, buses, minibuses, and taxi vans. If you have an Istanbul card, you can access all these transportation options in Istanbul, including feries. The ferry travel in Istanbul not only serves as a means of transportation, but also provides a touristic atmosphere. Some people don’t sit in their seats during ferry trips. Instead, they watch the birds flying in the air and the sea, and they even throw simmit, a Turkish bread, to them. This way, Istanbul residents relieve stress and fill their lungs with fresh air. Istanbul is like living in Paris and Cairo at the same time with the best and worst of both Western and Middle Eastern cultures. Napoleon once said, “If the world was one country, Istanbul would be its capital.” There are bars and nightclubs in abundance and people dress and behave like westerners for the most part. Men are obsessed with football and women with shopping. Women may not be as liberated as in the West, but more so than in most parts of the Middle East. Dating is perfectly normal. At the same time, you have the mosques and the calls to prayer five times a day. Istanbul is fairly safe. even safer to walk around at night compared to most western cities as there are fewer people causing trouble and looking for a punchup. However, it can be risky for women to walk around on their own, particularly in terms of handbag snatching, which is common. But generally, it’s easy to forget that you’re in a foreign country after spending some time here. It’s important to note that Istanbul’s population does not comprise of Turks only. The city is now saturated with foreign immigrants surpassing its capacity as a city. Many Turks hope to see more tourists rather than more foreign settlers. For instance, if you travel from the European side to the Asian side, you will better understand how many people with Middle Eastern origins Istanbul accommodates. This is evident not only from their physical appearance but also from their broken Turkish. Turkish people although not patient in traffic are patient in their way of life. They are persistent and hardworking with many running their own businesses. Despite economic challenges, many Turks wake up early each morning, open their shops, and work hard to sell their products. While most shops in Istanbul are related to food and beverages, there are also many gift shops, carpet stores, and clothing shops. However, like many places around the world, most shops in Istanbul are closed on Sundays, and the narrow streets are usually empty. Due to the high cost of petrol and traffic problems in Istanbul, people typically commute to work using the metro and municipal buses. Moreover, cars in Turkey are quite expensive compared to other parts of Europe. For instance, while in Europe you can buy a new luxury car for $50,000, in Turkey a similar car starts from at least $100,000. When purchasing a car in Turkey, you must also pay taxes equal to the value of the car. Turks have another characteristic that you can clearly observe in Istanbul. Out of every 10 adults you stop on the street, eight of them probably smoke. In Turkey and Istanbul, people sometimes start smoking before the age of 18 and find it difficult to quit smoking until old age. But one of the great things about them is that Turks are characteristically adaptable people. If you are a foreigner, Turks generally do not interfere with your lifestyle in Istanbul. However, there are certain values that they are sensitive about and you must absolutely respect them. One of these values is respect for Islam and Muslims. If you come to this country from abroad and show disrespect for their values, you probably won’t stay there too long. Therefore, you must be considerate towards Islam. For instance, while Turkey as a whole is not overly religious, the population is strongly connected to their faith. About 99% of the country’s population identifies as Muslim. In Turkey, people have a deep admiration for their historical leaders such as Fati Sultan MeT and the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kimal Ataturk. They show great respect for these figures and for Ataturk in particular who is considered the founder of the current republic. In fact, it is illegal to insult Ataturk’s legacy and doing so can lead to serious consequences regardless of your age. This is why you will see many statues of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk in Turkey and behaving disrespectfully around these status can result in arrest. This deep respect and admiration for national heroes and founders is not unique to Turkey. Of course, many countries have similar attitudes towards their most influential historical figures. However, the extent to which it is codified into law in Turkey with the potential for serious legal consequences for any perceived disrespect is quite remarkable. Turks are deeply religious and patriotic. If you adhere to their customs, you will be warmly welcomed. On the other hand, in Turkey and especially in Istanbul, there is always admiration for a rich and luxurious lifestyle. Brands are highly valued here. The desire for a luxurious lifestyle and the ability to show off wealth is a significant aspect of Turkish society from a young age. People here admire the lives of the wealthy, including their high-end fashion brands, luxurious cars, and opulent homes. The status and prestige linked to being able to afford and display these symbols of wealth are greatly valued in Turkish culture. When it comes to drinking, the government discourages alcohol consumption by imposing high taxes on alcoholic beverages, making them very expensive. This policy aims to reduce alcohol use among the public. As a result, many people cannot afford to buy alcohol. However, although Islam forbids drinking alcohol, it is quite common in Turkey, especially in the more secular western and coastal regions. Those who are addicted sometimes resort to making their own homemade drinks to continue their habit. Now, let’s talk about food. Istanbul offers a wide range of tastes from all over Turkey. The culinary traditions inherited from the Ottoman Empire have given the Turks a strong sense of their own cuisine. This cross-pollination led to the development of iconic food like kebabs, dolma, baklava and Turkish coffee. So they don’t need to look elsewhere for inspiration. Those who visit Istanbul to try Turkish dishes are never disappointed as Turkish cuisines are consistently ranked among the world’s best. For instance, it is common for people to enjoy a lavish spreadstyle breakfast at restaurants on weekends. A large table is filled with a variety of foods and they spend a good part of their day enjoying a leisurely breakfast with their loved ones. But Istanbul is not only about food. It’s also home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world. If there’s one thing that draws tourists the most to Istanbul, it’s undoubtedly Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Once a museum, Haga Sophia has in recent years been reopened as a mosque. While the Blue Mosque stands as a grand structure with six elegant minoretses. These two landmarks are situated facing each other and the space between them has been converted into a square called Sultan Ahmed Square which is a mustsee for tourists in Istanbul. This area is well-maintained and clean reflecting the Turkish desire to present their most valuable areas in the best possible way to visitors from outside. In Istanbul, one thing is common for everyone. People are very friendly to foreigners and even smile when they see a camera. They enjoy helping you, chatting with you, and learning where you’re from. Almost every shop has someone drinking tea outside, and offering you tea makes them happy. However, if you are a refugee from places like Syria, Afghanistan, or Pakistan, they might not show similar attitudes towards you. As reported in the news, many Turks express their dissatisfaction with the large number of refugees currently in the country. Istanbul is one of the leading cities in this regard and the shopkeepers there can no longer tolerate more refugees. Many of these refugees receive support from the state, but some also compete with locals for jobs by working for lower wages. This has led to disturbances in public order in certain areas and frequent problems in landlord tenant situations. Istanbul and Turkey in general are shouldering a significant part of the world’s refugee crisis. As a result, the people of Istanbul can be prejudiced and unwelcoming towards those who are not tourists and have refugee status. This situation has been ongoing for the past 14 years and there are currently no concrete plans for the permanent return of these refugees. Moreover, Turkey is facing a significant inflation problem with the prices of products increasing by more than 100% yearly. Salary increases, if any, are far below the rate of inflation leading to heightened stress levels among the people. Shop owners struggle to keep up with high rents and taxes while consumers face challenges in accessing products. The current minimum wage in Turkey is around $630 per month, making it one of the lowest in the world as salaries in Turkey rarely outpace inflation. People’s purchasing power remains stagnant or declines. Given that half of the population works for minimum wage, many people in this city find it challenging to make ends meet. Istanbul is more than a city. It’s a living story, a place where empires rose and fell, where cultures collided, and where every corner whispers history while life races on. From the call to prayer echoing over the Bosphorus to the laughter in tea houses and the chaos of bizaars, Istanbul never stops moving, never stops mesmerizing. And no matter how many times you come here, it will always have something new to show you. And that is it for today, guys. If you found today’s video interesting, don’t hesitate to hit the like button and subscribe to Tour Tribes for more insightful contents.

🌍✨ **Istanbul – The City Where East Meets West** ✨🌍

Imagine a city that has been the beating heart of the **Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires**… A city older than London, more diverse than New York, and as enchanting as Paris. Welcome to **Istanbul** — where history, culture, and modern life collide in the most breathtaking way.

From the **Hagia Sophia** and **Blue Mosque**, to the **Bosphorus ferries**, buzzing bazaars, and the chaos of Istanbul’s 15 million residents — this is a city like no other. It’s a place where you can sip Turkish tea in the morning, dance in nightclubs at night, and hear the call to prayer echoing through the streets.

But beyond the postcard views, Istanbul faces real struggles — from **inflation** and **refugee challenges**, to the cultural tug-of-war between tradition and modernity. This video dives deep into **the real Istanbul — like you’ve never seen it before.**

✈️ Whether you’re planning to visit, fascinated by history, or simply love exploring the world through documentaries, this is your ultimate guide to Istanbul’s **beauty, contradictions, and soul.**

📌 Don’t forget to **subscribe to Tour Tribes** for more eye-opening stories from around the world!

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