Day 7 - September 10, 2023 Istanbul Day 2

The second day in Istanbul is dedicated only to Topkapi Palace. We break down the tents at the campsite because we want to drive a little further in the evening. The journey to the city center follows yesterday's pattern. We arrive at the palace around midday. Entry costs a hefty 40 euros. There is an audio guide, but it's not much use. We get to know the Ottoman culture, have great views over the Bosphorus and visit the harem. A few years after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, construction of the 70-hectare palace city began. The Topkapi Palace became a sultan's palace in 1540 with the entry of Süleyman the Magnificent. Tired but deeply impressed, we leave the site at 7 p.m. and drive to our car. After shopping at Carrefour, we take the van through the middle of Istanbul and cross the Bosphorus on an impressive bridge. Bye Istanbul, it was very nice. Long may your treasures be spared from an earthquake. We drive about 200 km to Sakarya and sleep in a parking lot next to a mosque.