Have you ever desire to discover one of the most Beautiful, Romantic and Spectacular cities in the world? This is a city where travelling from the European continent to the Asian land takes only few minutes, a place with such a rich and fascinating history that you will find yourself surrounded by amazing architectural wonders. Here the past meets the present in a marvellous melange, the people are hospitable, the food delicious and the weather fabulous.
WELCOME TO ISTANBUL!
The former capital of three major empires, Roman, Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire, is a superb mix of historical and modern places. Palaces, Mosques, Bazaar and monuments fill the city next to ultra-modern hotels and shopping centres.
After years of invasions and imperialism, the famous and admire Mustafa Kemal Ataturk took power and declared the Republic of Turkey in 1923.
Since then many effort have been made to modernize the city and today, more than ever, you can feel the effervescence at every corner of the streets.
Istanbul is the 2010 European Capital of Culture and many event will happen in the city.
Everything is going fast and Istanbul is definitely on the tracks to the future. Brilliantly the city keeps its charm and the olden times are never too far.
The Old Istanbul is an incredible picture of the past; situated in the Sultanahmet area on the European side it offers a multitude of places to visit.
Here is the site of the legendary Topkapi Palace. Built around 1453 by Mehmet the Conqueror the palace remains the Ottoman Sultans residence for 400 years.
Twenty-six of the thirty-six Sultans lived and governed here until the 19th century.
The Topkapi Palace became a museum in 1924 and is now considered as one of the most important of the Islamic art.
The glorious Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia, Sancta Sophia) is one of the most beautiful and immense religious monuments. First built under Constantine the Great, the church burnt in 404, in 537 the Emperor Justinian chose Isidore de Millet and Arthemius de Tralles to be the architects of the new Sancta Sophia. The church remains the centre of the Christian life until the Turks conquered Istanbul in 1453. At that time Sultan Mehmet II turned the church into a mosque, it is in 1935 that Aya Sofya became a museum. The gallery have the relics of magnificent Byzantine mosaics.
Opposite Aya Sofya the impressive Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici), this massive reservoir built in 532 is made of 336 columns supporting a massive roof of stones. Some of the columns are remarkable, try to find the picturesque Medusa sculpted on one of them.
Not far stands the Blue Mosque, the 17th century mosque with walls covers by blue and green brilliant Iznit tiles and its 260 windows. Achieved in 1616 by the architect, Mehmet Aga, it is the only mosque in Turkey with 6 minarets.
After visiting all those incredible sites it is time for us to relax around a Turkish coffee and go for shopping, and trust me there is no best place than the Grand Bazaar!
Unbelievable cover market! The grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is just mind-blowing! 31.000 square meters of galleries, 4000 shops, 61 streets, 2 mosques, and many more.
Here you can buy hand made carpets, jewellery, leather goods, books, food, etc... and remember use your bargaining skills. The market is so big that you may get lost. Known as a tourist place, you will realise that a lot of Turkish people comes and shops here. The market is open daily from 9am to 7pm,except on Sundays.
On your way to the Galata Bridge make a full stop at the colourful Spice Bazaar, cross the bridge and you wil arrive in Beyolu the modern quarter of Istanbul.
Go on top of the 68 metres Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi) to take a look at the 360c panoramic view over Istanbul.
In the area is the thrilling Istiklal Caddesi, walk along the shops, banks, bars and restaurants of that modern area, jump into the tramway, and stop into the Cicek Pasaji to share a meal with locals.
Surrounded by water, Istanbul offers a splendid landscape, from the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge to the Bosphorus Bridge you can admire the infamous Bosphorus Channel running between Asia and Europe. The Golden Horn (Halic) separates the Western side into two while the Sea of Marmara offers many delightful Yachting options.
