Tuesday, April 8, 2014

It seemed only fitting that we returned to Istanbul to see the Turkish lale (tulip) blooming this spring.

Last year, we left Istanbul at the beginning of lale season when we moved to Warsaw. We spent our second to last day of residency enjoying the tulips at Emirgan Korusu. This year, we ended up returning almost exactly a year later to see the tulips again. I’ve vowed to make this annual trip every spring to Istanbul!
A field of yellow tulips blooming in front of one the pavilions in Emirgan Park. 
During late March and the month of April, Istanbul transforms into a kaleidoscope of colors thanks to the 20 million tulips that were planted this year in gardens, parks and squares all around the city. This year, the ninth International Istanbul Tulip Festival continues through April 30 and costs a total of 5 million Turkish Liras. The tulips are grown by villagers in the Central Anatolian province of Konya as well as Silivri, Çatalca, Şile (located near Istanbul), Pamukova and Geyve. 
Spring has always been my favorite season no matter where we have lived, but Lale Zamanı (Tulip Time) holds a special place in my heart. Istanbul simply bursts with bright blooms throughout the city, but especially at Emirgan Korusu.

This trip, my husband and I took our visiting American friends to see the park for themselves. Jason jokingly asked if I had enough tulip pictures from the previous years, and I replied, never!
A rare photo of hubby and I actually together at Emirgan Park in Istanbul.
The three guys were good sports as I literally took another 100 photos of the tulips. I simply couldn’t resist. I wanted to capture all those memories and beautiful blooms in a photograph or two.

If you love spring flowers, I bet you couldn’t resist either!

Which photo is your favorite one?

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11 comments:

jaz@octoberfarm said...

all of these photos are just gorgeous! glad you got to go back to turkey!

Ozlem's Turkish Table said...

Fabulous, fabulous photos!! Of course your photo is my favorite!:) Ozlem x

Joy said...

Thanks Joyce! So am I! A quick trip but so worth it!

Joy said...

Ahh...thanks Ozlem! That's so sweet of you. Stay tuned for lale photos part 2 on Thursday. :-)

Micheal said...

Wow - Never realized that was the cost for the festival. Is that a piano with tulips on the top and a water display flowing down the side?

Joy said...

Evet! Çok pahalı! The grand piano was a new addition this year....a bit unnecessary, but overall the flowers do look lovely!

BacktoBodrum said...

I still haven't seen the tulips in Istanbul but even we had a small show here in Bodrum this year (very small but appreciated)

Joy said...

Spring's beauty is always appreciated! :-)

Heather | Ferreting Out the Fun said...

Just gorgeous! A spring visit to Istanbul is definitely in my future!

hana said...

Is there any tulips on june bcs im planning to visit istanbul this june :D

Joy said...

@Hanna, actually no, the tulips are usually finished by end of April. But the Turkish parks are usually replanted with other lovely spring/summer flowers. You'll find more than enough to enjoy in Istanbul. :)