Finally, spring has settled into the city landscape of bustling Istanbul.
Trees are blossoming here.
Colorful tulips are blooming just about everywhere in Istanbul. You'll find them planted in the median of busy roadways, next to sidewalks, in planters and just about anyplace that has a patch of dirt. 11.5 million bulbs were planted in the city, according to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
It was a long winter here in Turkey so I think people are doubly happy to see spring arrive.
It was a long winter here in Turkey so I think people are doubly happy to see spring arrive.
This weekend on the 15th, the7th International Lale Festival officially kicks off in Emirgan Park at the Beyaz K�sk. I probably will trek out to the park next week to avoid the heavy weekend traffic.
In the meantime, hubby and I took advantage of the warm weather on Sunday and strolled through the Ihlamur Kasri (Pavilion of the Linden Tree), dating back to the early 1700s, in Besiktas. I wanted to photograph the tulip trees in the park before the rain destroyed these pretty pink blossoms this week.
It's hard to believe the Ihlamur Kasri wascompletely covered in snow in January. Now, the park is full of Turkish families and young couples enjoying the springtime weather and taking photos, like myself, of the flowers.
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| The park in Besiktas looks so different when it's not covered in snow! |
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| There are several blooming forsynthia trees as well in the park. |
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| A different perspective of a single red tulip in the park. |
This lovely park may be small, but I think it's worth exploring if you happen to be in Besiktas, and especially if you stop by the Saturday pazarnear the Migros around the corner.
Also worth noting is the park serves a hot Turkish breakfast buffet on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 9:30 a.m. The cost is 20 TL, if I understood the lady correctly when I asked in Turkish.
I'm happy to enjoy a bit of green space close to home in Istanbul.
For more details on the Tulip Festival, please click here to see what's happening in Istanbul this weekend.