Founder of Fest Travel, Faruk Pekin is the godfather of all travel guides and has been pounding the streets of Istanbul, showing tourists and Istanbullites alike the never-ending beauty of this magnificent ancient city, for many years. We asked him to tell us about his Istanbul…
Which parts of Istanbul still hold most of their historical charm?
Sarayburnu, the landwalls area between Edirnekapı-Ayvansaray and Balat.
What is the most-asked question about Istanbul?
How old Istanbul truly is.
Where do you go to immerse yourself in Istanbul’s history?
The Archeological Museum, but I wish I had gone to the Yenikapı Excavation Site, as its finds are kept there in a living museum.
How would you describe the taste of Istanbul?
Womanly… and a little spicy.
From history, who would be your ambassador for Istanbul?
Evliya Çelebi (Ottoman traveller), or Çelik Gülersoy (writer & poet).
Can you pick a film that best embodies all the aesthetics of the Istanbul of your childhood?
Tintin and the Golden Fleece.
Do you have a favorite soundtrack to Istanbul?
The soundtrack from the film Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul, (Fatih Akın, 2005).
Where do you go to relax near Istanbul?
Hacıllı, Ballı Kayalar (near Ağva).
Where do you take your visiting friends in Istanbul first?
The Archeological Museum, Topkapı Palace and Hagia Sophia.
Where do you go to get away from city life?
Çeşme, Boyalık.
Fest Travel was established over 30 years ago and offers unique tours of Istanbul, Turkey, and further afield, carefully created by experienced and knowledgeable guides. www.festtravel.com
This article was first published in the January-February 2015 issue of The Guide Istanbul magazine.
kaynak: http://www.theguideistanbul.com/article/my-istanbul-faruk-pekin
