This is Why You Should Travel to ISTANBUL

Exploring the incredible city of Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey.
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Music during the video (in order):
"Turkish Journey 1" by Magnus Ringblom
&
"Scorpion Dance 3" by Hakan Eriksson
&
"Hooked On Blues" by Johan Hynynen
&
"Some Other Place" by South London HiFi
&
"Turkish Journey 2" by Magnus Ringblom
Video created by Gabriel Morris, who is the owner of all video or photo content. Filmed with a GoPro Hero 7 Black: amzn.to/2P6BL1j And a Sony a5100: amzn.to/2D3hpQj
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Laptop computer: amzn.to/2EIQChS
One-person tent: amzn.to/2D4OHCx
Three-person tent: amzn.to/2CIsCZR
Leatherman multi-tool: amzn.to/2CFqJNi
Universal socket adapter: amzn.to/2q9VkLl
Sunglasses: amzn.to/2D56Os8
Money belt: amzn.to/2EM7STs
Sleeping mask: amzn.to/2EL5fkX
Alarm clock: amzn.to/2ELO4j6
Beard trimmer: amzn.to/2EFDwls
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Gabriel is a world traveler and travel writer who has been adventuring around the world off and on since his first trip to Europe in the summer of 1990 when he was 18 years old. He is author of "Gabe's Guide to Budget Travel", "Following My Thumb" and several other books available on Amazon.com and elsewhere.
Thanks a lot for watching and safe journeys!
This Is Why You Should Travel To ISTANBUL

[@samuelj2475]

I once met a woman who had just gone back from a tour all over Europe & asked f she had a favorite country. Her favorite was actually the least European European country: Turkey. :)

[@DieWilWheatonDie]

Least European European country would probably be Cyprus, considering that 100% of it's territory is located in Western Asia/Middle East/Levant and yet it's in EU.

[@travia6688]

Truth KINDNESS FOR GOD'S SAKE TURKEY IS IN ASIA ONLY HALF OF ISTANBUL IS IN EUROPE.I'M TIRED OF PEOPLE THINKING IT'S IN EUROPE, IT'S NOT.

[@DieWilWheatonDie]

@@travia6688 some bad geographical knowledge over here I see. Do you think Istanbul is some sort of border town and right after it ends Greece and Bulgaria begin or something? Besides Istanbul the provinces of Tekirdağ, Edirne, Çanakkale and Kırklareli that consist of dozens of towns and cities are in Europe as well. The population of European side of Turkey alone is around 12 million people, which by itself is more than entire populations of European countries such as Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece, Bulgaria, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Hungary, Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Iceland, Belarus, Moldova, Malta, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Vatican, Andorra and Monaco. Plus strict geographical formalities are not the best thing to consider when defining country's identity - in that case Iceland would be North American, Malta would be African, Cyprus would be Middle Eastern along with Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan and Russia would be Asian.

[@travia6688]

DieWilWheatonDie When you search Turkey on Google it says country in the middle east, so where did you get that from? Also I do know that Istanbul is a city. You didn't get good geography classes did you? And 90% of Turkey is classified as in Asia.

[@DieWilWheatonDie]

A Random Aviator when you Google “Cyprus” it also says “country in the Middle East” despite Cyprus being in the EU. “Middle East” essentially means West Asia, which most of Turkey and entirety of Cyprus belong to, problem is that you said that just half of Istanbul is in Europe while in reality it’s 4 other provinces on top with combined population of Turkey’s European side exceeding that of most European countries in their entirety.

[@IstanbulandFood]

Another good video of Istanbul. Thanks Gabriel!

[@PrimorisOrdo]

I've been all over Europe and after a while, most cities look and feel very much alike. They are just copies of each other. Istanbul is one of those different cities that has its unique atmosphere. The only other place I felt that unique atmosphere was in Italy. Just like Turkish cities, Italian cities are very different than the rest of Europe. Just as Italy; the food, people, climate and sights are great in Istanbul. It is also really cheap in Istanbul right now. If anyone is thinking about visiting, I suggest you to book immediately because their currency won't stay on like this much longer.

[@recarioca]

I'm glad you love Istanbul (as you should), but you've either travelled in a very small area of Europe or have no appreciation for different cultures. Someone who knows Lisbon, London, Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam cannot say "They are just copies of each other" -- that is especially funny considering how Istanbul consciously tried to copy European cities (Beyoglu, for example). Travel more. Read more. Talk less.

[@vineyardst1]

​@@recarioca Istanbul consciously tried to copy Istanbul cities and Beyoglu/Pera is a good example to that. Wow, and you are blaming the other guy for being ignorant. For your information, Pera region was built by Venetians and the Genovese. They started living in the area before the founding of the city of Constantinople and remained as a seperate community. After the fall of Istanbul to the Turks the district maintained its architectural character. In other words, the buildings you see there represent the culture of the original people who civilized the entire Europe teaching them sanitation, bathing, housing, and urban life. One cannot copy from himself. And those copying from the same guy cannot be considered inferior or superior to one another. Keep on traveling.

[@angelg.8462]

I always feel like I'm walking with you in these countries😄when I watch your videos... Thanks for walking around like a local and letting us see everything in these parts of Istanbul. So lovely!💖

[@sbring00able]

Great suff. Looks like the kind of city you could spend some time in and not get bored

[@worldcitizeng6507]

I have been to Istanbul 3 times, 1st & 2nd time as a 9 hours layover with Turkish Airlines, and last summer I spend 23 days all over Turkey, 3 days in Istanbul and still haven't seen everything! Everything is HUGE & full of history!

[@dolorescardenas3853]

What an incredible city to explore! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of another beautiful country. Save travels!

[@A-Michele]

Love hearing the background and history of these countries and cities!

[@kennypcm]

Great video Gabriel! Congratulations! Thanks my friend!

[@Saimkungle]

Great Turkey. Love from India

[@123scotyboy]

Great video gab 👌 it’s definitely on my bucket list looks amazing place ✌️

[@happypenny4433]

Thank you for sharing, Gabe !!

[@mychannel5628]

This was a great video. I never had a huge interest in Turkey until now. Beautiful country

[@trevorrandom]

Loving this trip great intro btw ☺

[@marafarnham595]

Amazing Gabriel! Beautiful! Thank you 😊❤

[@MrTbraida23]

I was just in Istanbul in September 2020. Maybe 1% of the people Gabriel had to navigate. Allowed me to see all the mosques and the Basilica Cistern without waiting.

[@worldcitizeng6507]

Thanks Gabriel, I didn't see this video in the past. I spend my last 3 days in Istanbul at the end of my 23 days epic trip in Turkey last July, it's my 3rd visit to Istanbul, but I still haven't made it to the Galata tower, and the Taksim Sq area, mainly because I wanted to avoid massive crowds. I stayed in the area behind the Hagia Sophia, felt safe because the police were every where, although there were a lot of people but it's much wide open. I could walk over to the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace + the Istanbul Archeological Museum, continue to walked to the ferry (5Euro) to cruise around the Bosporus. My Istanbul must eat is the fish burger sold on the floating traditional boat & the Galata Bridge. I actually walked back to my hostel at the end of the day, no wonder I was exhausted. There are so many places to see that one must plan each day carefully, to know which day the Grand Bazaar , Spice Bazaar, & which museum close. My tour to the Black Sea was cancelled due to weather condition, so this will be my excuse for my 4th Istanbul visit! and I love flying Turkish Airline. I really like that the Blue Mosque provides free long skirts (pre COVID) to slip over your shorts, if tourist forgot the dress code when they tried to visits. My skots was not long enough, so I had to borrow it. I can't help but to compared it to visiting the Royal Palace in Phom Phen ,Cambodia, they forced tourist to buy & wear over size T shirts & baggy pants in order to enter.

[@MastMaulaPuran]

looks amazing. really enjoy watching. thumbs up and have a great week.

[@kitabGo]

This guy deserves 1 million likes for his videos. He is travel show is best and most close to reality and very helpful for budget travelers

[@vic734]

Wicked as always!

[@shankarblogger1455]

Great video gab

[@maguyjoseph6462]

This is a beautiful Country, they have so many dry fruits and so many spices

[@pagla0306]

Lovely video. Istanbul is a fascinating city. We have been there a short visit a few years back. So much to see and enjoy. I need a longer trip to enjoy the culture and diversity of the city.

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Loved it.

[@tomlarsen5451]

Serval music stores , refreshing to see so much speciality shops, that would be fun to find a unique item that isn’t available anywhere else!wow discover culture and unique shops in one ! Nice video thank You!

[@a.b.t.animation8158]

love your videos so much! :))

[@MuDibakar]

You are great traveller sir

[@orcofnbu]

beautiful footage

[@ozcanozan9129]

Great representation

[@bhardwajaseem84]

What a dramatic start to the video..the tower shot and a nice intense Arabic music

[@TUBESPECIFIC1]

Wow! What an exploration of the old world. You are living life doing what you love which is being consumed by a great exploration off the world. I miss having new experiences like this so much having not traveled in 4 years. The Hagia Sofia mosque is far grander than I could had ever imagined. Love it when you ad dramatic music to the scene. I always would walk and go with IPOD playing world music specific to places to dramatize experiences like how they do in the movies. And then pause it when I see action like street musicians on high culture street. That was me humming the tune of Indiana Jones while exploring ancient temples.

[@starchild7152]

Super cool architecture

[@garmah92]

Im here to watch your adventures and click on the ads :)

[@sompornjaisuk7389]

Good video.😊👍

[@littlemohawk13]

Love ur videos 👍🏻

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Cool, thanks a lot.

[@Cleopatra1233]

Wow, full of history !

[@butchieblock9118]

I am so envious of seeing all those local markets. Here in the USA it's very difficult to find places like that. When I lived in England it was not such a challenge but here in the grand old USA, so they say, it is quite a challenge!

[@IdanComments]

It's because you have a culture in which everything should be grand , huge and shiny and also you drive everywhere with cars .

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

it is a challenge, though in some areas less than in others... DC for example has quite a few nice markets in the more culturally diverse areas (though you do have to know them), Berkeley California, Boston and NYC also have proper bazaars in certain neighborhoods, though, their safety & cleanliness leave very much to be desired.

[@TheAdventurousVlogger]

The best travel vlogger on KZbin.....Fact. Hope you are well mate.

[@tinamariefarmer4419]

adore the guitar

[@JesseStLouis]

Awesome video

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Thanks Jesse!

[@prettyg8826]

Woow i will be in turkey soon

[@griffin2263]

love to travel to one day ...maybe on a tour with a guide ..

[@ghtcastagne]

Wow Hagia Sophia looks incredible !!!

[@ericmepho7017]

Love to travel Istanbul

[@imagewire]

Istanbul is a wonderful city. Some of the sidewalk vendors can get pretty aggressive though. Move fast, and don’t make eye contact. Larry Z. Fairfield, California. USA

[@okhanuludag]

this is not usa

[@v4rd4r]

I was born in Istanbul and living here and I'm doing same thing. I don't like them.

[@larryzeigler5535]

@@okhanuludag I'm not sure what your point is. Are you referring to the incredible energy and beauty of Istanbul, or the street vendors.

[@brankamicunovic7309]

Yeah, they might kill you ;-)

[@rajajinnah3478]

Or just wear earphones without any music on and pretend to talk to someone else on phone when someone bothers you

[@sunnybeachwalks4k2022]

Incredible city

[@raycarl8747]

You and Kara and Nate are on similar paths! I enjoy the different documentation styles between the two of you on these unique countries.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Thanks, I've been watching their videos from here as well. They were here way back in August though, they're way behind in posting their videos.

[@Swampzoid]

I like the music you put to your videos. None of that pounding dance music that doesn't go with the scenery that too many bloggers use. Anywayz, I like the footage. It all looks so interesting and beautiful there. But I need no convincing to visit Istanbul. It's a city I've always dreamed of visiting. That lentil soup looked delicious.

[@JB-cd9qz]

I saw a cute tiny cat and it looked ADORABLE 🐱🐈

[@wilfredotorres6628]

Hi Gabriel, The Basilica was simply breathtaking the amount of work and craftsmanship that went into creating that work of art is mind bogging nothing in todays world is built like this anymore because the obvious reason cost and probably lack of resources it's just magnificent. I'm very surprise they allowed any cameras in these locations because of the exposure of light that may cause damage to an aging structure these environments are so fragile and must cost a small fortune to maintain.

[@KawalTV]

Wow....nice👍

[@eggimal]

Our friend's doppler ganger is Gareth Southgate, coach of the english national soccer team.

[@pukalani100]

Nice filming job........

[@samigarira7971]

very good

[@BACKPACKTOPIA]

Your footage from the cistern is so much better than what I got with my GoPro and iphone, way too dark and barely any improvement in post to make it better.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I actually filmed that part of the video with my Sony a5100 for that exact reason. I started filming with the GoPro but I could see it was too dark, so I switched to my other camera.

[@aaronthokchom]

Although the original Byzantine murals had been erased forever, the awesome structure is breathtaking. Thanks.

[@mariats6381]

@ aaron thokchom , they painted the murals with plaster after Agia Sofia was turned in to a mosque .

[@ardaaslan1923]

Aaron it's not true. Most of the mosaics still exist at the upper gallery but in this video we can't see them. They were back at the time were covered with plaster and thanks to archeology today, we have managed to save them. Still renovations are going on to save more of them

[@LeroyTyler]

I'll be there Dec 12th!

[@ibrahimkendirci3268]

i miss Istanbul so much 🤤

[@fuffthebucks7266]

I love the style of the people of Istanbul

[@TheHuski]

Great to see inside "AGIA" Sofia but sad they removed all the relics and mosaics in the Cathedral and left just the walls of a building. It would have been even better.

[@ohlooocha]

great video! kinda sad for the guy selling the tour book, he must get the 'i have google' a lot :) i hope he can expand his offerings or something to get with the times

[@jamesholland615]

Gabriel, I'm having issues with your audio and video out of sink.is this a frame rate my Google chromecast can't interpret? Great videos as always..one of my favorites!!!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Hmmm, not sure what's going on with that, everything looks fine on my end and no one else has complained. It might be an issue with your device trying to play back a video at 1080p and 60fps? I would suggest clicking the little wheel in the lower right corner of the video screen and change the streaming rate to 720p or 480 and see if that helps.

[@serkanmutlu6627]

Love Turkey 🇹🇷

[@ardaardaa9264]

dream city istanbul.so amazing a place..ı love you turkey... ;)

[@nursen2106]

I love it there, although it is a huge city

[@srirambalasubramanian2540]

Awesome video and i enjoyed watching!!. Thanks for taking us to these places ..

[@Saffron.Aerowyn_07]

Hey Gabe...I was wondering if you have been to Poland...from what I've seen, there are quite a few cities that are absolutely stunning & cool...there's even the world's largest castle outside of Gdansk...sure would be cool to see you enjoying Poland's finest destinations...happy travels. 👣

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I haven't been there yet, but I might go on this trip.

[@kolner4429]

You will never again find a City as diverse as Istanbul in the World. If you should find one then share it with us. Thank you and stay Healthy.

[@shinomar]

Interesting city i would love to go there someday.

[@TurkiyeCumhurbaskani]

I'm going to Istanbul in January I will make a video about the modern part of the city which is never shown here in videos. Levent, Maslak, Nisantasi, Bostanci, Sariyer, Bebek etc.. Gorgeous parts that are never shown in the videos.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Awesome, go for it.

[@istanbultraveltr]

Thanks Gabriel! You can take a look at my Istanbul videos.

[@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325]

HEY GABRIEL, WHEN YOU WERE IN THE BASILICA CISTERN I NOTICED SOME CORINTHIAN COLUMNS AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE DORIC AND IONIC COLUMNS BUT I'M NOT SURE BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T FOCUS ON THEM AND YOU WERE MOVING THE CAMERA TOO FAST. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU KNOW IF THEY USED ALL THREE TYPES ? IF SO, WHERE DID THEY GET THEM FROM? THANKS FRIEND.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I didn't learn any more specific details about them, only that the columns came from temples. There's some fascinating info on Wikipedia though: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern

[@JB-cd9qz]

I can't tell if I'm there or not .wait I'm not there I just noticed! It felt like I am here😋

[@violetaaplasca1134]

i was there Turkey nice country

[@user-to8gs6pk3i]

Do you need a solar panel for travel? I can send you one.

[@ggoddkkiller1342]

Some fun facts about Hagia Sophia, when it got converted to a mosque we covered vast majority of Byzantine murals with plaster not because they are Christian symbols rather because they are human figures! It is completely forbidden in Islam that using human figures no matter who they are due it is seen as worshipping other humans rather than God himself!! For example 4 Great Angels around the dome never got covered and countless Muslims prayed under them because Islam also believe same great Angels and they weren't figured as humanoids..

[@TheRoqco]

would be good if you comment your opinion when you visit somewhere. thanks

[@MrPrashanth619]

Happy Diwali Gabriel 🎊 🎉 🎆 🎇🤓

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Thanks, Happy Diwali!

[@samigarira7971]

more video gaberial

[@fernandoisaiasdelima6799]

Very most important work turist city stanbul .

[@elisharaniasuleiman8013]

The Seat of the Throne.

[@shogunchanell5394]

I have a question for you Gabriel. Hpw much money do you make from making youtube videos alone? Is it a profitable way of paying for your travels?Or do you have to compensate with other jobs?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I don't have to work another job at this point, it's paying for my travels. The last time I did any work other than youtube was last year when I washed dishes in Alaska for a month: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5DcfX-bgMtje9k

[@MonkeySpecs301]

hey bro, which microphone are you using?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Just the built-in mic for the GoPro 7. How's it sounding?

[@AmonEKO]

Thank you for showing us like how we are. Not like western media which try to show us as classic middle east countries like Iraq or Syria or Iran..

[@AmonEKO]

@chosenone4447 yes its exactly lile that

[@mabid8809]

@chosenone4447 your talking about Turkey as a whole. But the Asian side of Istanbul is less religious, more modern, newer, cleaner and more Turkish than the European side that is older, dirtier, more religious, full of Syrian refugees, Arab & Western tourists, Gypsies. The Asian side is where the locals usually live, especially the rich & secular ones. The European side is where the hipsters, students, tourists (Arab & Western) and religious Turks & Syrian refugees are.

[@mabid8809]

@chosenone4447 the European side is older and more touristy due to historic sites. Right-wing nationalists (secular not religious) dont like them. Locals dont go to touristic sites like in every city in the world. The nice new development for rich secular Turks are all in the Asian side of Istanbul (places like Kartal...)

[@rhna8298]

Mate Any chance you make a trip to Pakistan?

[@sunnydukare2312]

After georgia I think you will be visit azerbaijan or armenia.

[@ishaqfarooq3624]

Hey visit quetta balochitan

[@smooth2477]

This is one of the most beautiful video I have seen of Istanbul. Thanks

[@suruunconditionalluv3360]

Intro music is good... ❤❤❤

[@PaPitoM]

Bro, you were only at Istiklal Street (Taksim), there are so much nicer places in İstanbul.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Maybe you didn't watch the whole video. I also went to the spice market, the Basilica Cistern and the Hagia Sophia. And I've posted other videos of Istanbul.

[@BartSimpson-jd2vs]

You seem to like Istanbul a lot...

[@theancientsancients1769]

Yes because its historic city of many empires with a soul till this day which is rare in modern big cities

[@masterprophet8378]

That Hagia Sophia is so awesome! Way too much graffitti throughout all of Europe. In somewhat sullies the beauty of Europe. Not sure why the locals don't clean it up.

[@iamfinally]

Gabe can u go to Morocco next?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I really want to see more of Morocco, but not sure I'll make it there this trip.

[@yorukkizigeziyor]

İstanbul ⛵

[@finnagler107]

Seem to remember a few of those interior locations in From Russia with Love. Bond steals something from embassy and escapes through Basilica Cistern.

[@jussim.konttinen4981]

Skyfall opening sequence

[@andreimihaesi]

lol at 18:20 some dudes shouting in Romanian. Tour guide most likely.

[@johnnywalker4074]

Best location ever... Konstantinopel 🇹🇷🤘

[@cantaner1164]

come again

[@MrDubEdition]

How much would you say you’ve spent while travelling to over 50 countries?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I really haven't a clue. Three decades of traveling and I only keep track of what's left in my bank account, not how much I spent. But I would bet I've spent less than an average person spends each year living in the US, probably way below average.

[@MrDubEdition]

Appreciate the response!

[@rahul90481]

Hi

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Hello.

[@MajidSarv]

What is the music track name?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Music info is listed in the description below the video.