Turkey / Istanbul Hotels

İstanbul is a magnificent city situated at the "meeting of continents"in Türkiye. That is, İstanbul has an only one mile wide strait that separates Asian and European Continents. All major capitals of Europe have a river flowing in the middle of them, Paris has the Seine, London has the Thames, and İstanbul has the Sea of Marmara doing the same. You can pass from one side to the other in just a few minutes by either one of the two bridges "pearls around the neck of İstanbul" or take a ferry ride in the "white brides of İstanbul", both adding to the already spectacular scenery of the city.

The main focus of attention, the seven hilled old city is at the south of European side, separated by the old city walls and "Golden Horn" -very narrow inlands extension of the Marmara Sea. This old city had been the capital of Eastern Roman aka Byzantine Empire for a thousand years, until the conquest by Ottoman Turks in 1453, an event that marks the end of Middle Ages. For another 470 years until the Turkish Revolution, this city had been the capital of Ottoman Empire. Both of these great empires left unbelievable quality and quantity of monuments scattered throughout the city. The top of each of those hills were crowned by obelisks in Byzantine period and by classic mosques in Ottoman Period. The latter add an unbelievable skyline to the old city. The conception of "mosque" is a dome and a few minarets in İstanbul, thanks to the works of the famous Turkish architect "Mimar Sinan" and the influence of glorious Hagia Sophia, that was built at the height of Byzantine Empire in sixth century and survived to this date. This concept has marveled at this city, from tiny examples to glorious imperial monuments like the Blue Mosque and Süleymaniye.

The most interesting fact about İstanbul is that it has always been a multi-cultural capital. This city is probably the only example in which a mosque, a synagogue and a church so near to each other live in harmony, some even share a common wall! Apart from the most obvious religious monuments scattered all around the city, There are Palaces finished with unique decorations and motifs both inside and outside, each featuring distinct architectural qualities of their periods, there are baths and fountains in every square, there are hundreds of years old examples of civilian architecture from old wooden houses to multi-story European style apartments. Every narrow street has at least a bunch of these.

It is a pleasure to watch this city. And the number of vantage spots is surprisingly high. You have to decide whether watching the city from the strait is more enjoyable than watching the strait from the hills. When you are enjoying the scenery from the strait, you'll notice in the instant why we are making a big deal out of historic monuments. Possibly the best of all vantage points is the 360 degrees of panoramic scenery offered by the Galata Tower, right across the old city.

Everything has a both modern and a traditional approach in this dynamic city. This metropol has a lot more to offer to the tourist. Out of the old city, university students flock the ultra-modern shopping centers whereas the quaint little "tea gardens" are for the family outings. You can sit at one of those by the seaside and enjoy the scenery while sipping the flavors of Turkish tea or the strong Turkish Coffee. You can go a bit more "local" and try the "nargile" aka hookah water pipe. The nightlife has two faces too, either you can explore the olden style "meyhane" culture, very similar to British pubs, with "Rakı" instead of ale; or the modern bars and nightclubs in the more European influenced districts of Beyoğlu and Taksim. The cuisine doesn't need much explanation either, from vegetable dishes to meat, everything has rich traditional spices and methods of cooking. Number of items displayed at the traditional shopping centers will astonish you. The Grand Bazaar is a hundreds of years old colossal structure formed by literally building roofs over the alleys of a huge district. And finally, if you want an escape from the buzzing metropolis, you will find refuge in the surrounding forests of İstanbul that occupy almost %50 of the metropolitant area or Prince Islands that are just a thirty minute boat ride away.

Don't forget to try the Turkish Hamams (baths), eat lokum, and visit the great museums of this cultural capital. İstanbul offers a dreamy vacation. One thing it lacks, is the good quality beaches and that can be solved by a trip to the southern shores of Türkiye. And here's an insider tip for you, visit İstanbul at the last two weeks of April when tulip festival is held and all the city is dressed in tulips of wonderful colors. It is a sensational sight. The weather also, is at its best in that time, t-shirts without sweating.