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!
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| 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?
11 comments:
all of these photos are just gorgeous! glad you got to go back to turkey!
Fabulous, fabulous photos!! Of course your photo is my favorite!:) Ozlem x
Thanks Joyce! So am I! A quick trip but so worth it!
Ahh...thanks Ozlem! That's so sweet of you. Stay tuned for lale photos part 2 on Thursday. :-)
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?
Evet! Çok pahalı! The grand piano was a new addition this year....a bit unnecessary, but overall the flowers do look lovely!
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)
Spring's beauty is always appreciated! :-)
Just gorgeous! A spring visit to Istanbul is definitely in my future!
Is there any tulips on june bcs im planning to visit istanbul this june :D
@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. :)
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