Turkey Trip Review: Istanbul, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Bosphorus, Ephesus, House of Mary, Basilica of Saint John, Boat Ride

We enjoyed seeing the sites of Istanbul and learning about the history of the sites. Particularly the Blue Mosque (even though it was covered in scaffolding due to restoration)  and the Hagia Sophia. The boat ride on the Bosphorus was fun and offered a different perspective on the city. It was also fun to ride on the city tram and then later to stroll down one of the main streets. This was we were given different perspectives of the city. And one of the most interesting part of Istanbul was the Twirling Dervish performance. We all felt peaceful and more self aware after the performance.
We also were impressed with Ephesus. The scope of the area was overwhelming. Our guide was able to add many historical facts to the sites and help us to understand how the different buildings and areas were used. The House of Mary was a spiritual site, and our guide allowed us as much time as we needed to absorb the sacred feel of the site. We also visited the Basilica of Saint John and learned much about the site and its importance. Again, our guide added to the experience with her knowledge.