Istanbul 50 Unsung Places – my alternative guidebook to the city
I’m a Sydney, Australia born sociologist, author and travel writer who’s lived on the Asian side of Istanbul for many years. I’m fascinated by the history, social life, religious customs and personal stories to be found in less famous sites around the city and set out to document the places that resonated most. Istanbul 50 Unsung Places is the result.
Who’ll enjoy Istanbul 50 Unsung Places?
Istanbul 50 Unsung Places is aimed at visitors to the city who like to wander the streets with purpose, armed with all the information they need to get to their destination using public transport, know what they’re looking at and why it’s important when they get there, while feeling they’re on a personal journey of discovery.
With this in mind Istanbul 50 Unsung Places includes a comprehensive guide to public transport hubs and the various options (bus, train, tram, ferry etc) on both sides of the city, a section on mosque etiquette and other practical information about restaurants, money and toilets.
Each of the 50 entries of places to visit starts with their title in Turkish (useful when dealing with Istanbul residents outside the tourist areas), their full history and little-known facts about them, transport information, step-by-step directions and other handy tips. With Istanbul 50 Unsung Places visitors can immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, smells and scenery of Istanbul to really be in the moment, because other than needing to screenshot a couple of walking routes in advance, no smart phone with WIFI is required.
This eclectic guide for independent travellers celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Istanbul and allows visitors to travel deeper into the world I now call home.
The person behind Istanbul 50 Unsung Places
As well as writing this alternative guidebook and Inside Out In Istanbul, this website, my byline has appeared in The New York Times, CNN Travel, The Guardian and elsewhere. Istanbul 50 Unsung Places is her first guide book and my published titles are three essay collections, Inside Out In Istanbul, Exploring Turkish Landscapes, Longing for Istanbul and a memoir, Istanbul Dreams.
If you’re looking to discover more of the everyday extraordinary of life in modern Istanbul, buy your copy of Istanbul 50 Unsung Places today. Available direct from me in Istanbul, Mephisto, Minoa and Homer bookshops in Istanbul, as well as K’ai & Vrosi and AnatolianCraft, both on the Asian side of the city.
Iyi geziler!
