Istanbul is a major city in Turkey straddling Asia and Europe that reflects influences of the many empire's world famous history and culture, stunning scenery and a plethora of aspects. The most glorious architectural heritage of the Byzantine Empire is the Hagia Sophia which is referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World.The museums, churches, palaces, grand mosques, bazaars and sites of natural beauty are countless places that fascinates its visitors. The Topkapi Palace is where the Prophet Muhammed's Harka-i Saadet and Sancak are kept in their golden chests.
Cruise the Bosphorus for unique views of Istanbul and marvel at the city’s traditional architecture and modern suspension bridge linking Europe with Asia at the Bogazici Bridge. Admire the former church and mosque of the Hagia Sophia, mesmerizing view of the Bosphorus Strait, see the site of Bzyantine sports at the Roman Hippodrome, explore the alleys of the Grand Bazzar, and much more. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahçe Palace, Topkapi Palace, Galata Tower and Maiden's Tower are few must visit places when you are looking for holidays to Istanbul.
ISTANBUL INFORMATION
Currency
Turkish Lira
Language
Turkish
Time Zone
GMT+02.00
Avg. Flight Time
4 hours
Peak Travel
May-October
Price of a pint
£2.00
MORE ABOUT ISTANBUL
Visit To Gran Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops on a total area of 30,700 m, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. In 2014, it was listed No.1 among the world's most-visited tourist attractions with 91,250,000 annual visitors. The Grand Bazar at Istanbul is often regarded as one of the first shopping malls of the world.
We enter the gate and walk down the hall of one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. You can find here more than 3000 shops. The main hall is wide, the ceiling is beautifully decorated by yellow color with ornaments. Tourists from all over the world buy here various souvenirs like magnets, ceramics, soaps, leather products, lamps, spices and so on.
Turkish Delight
Turkish delight or lokum is a family of confections based on a gel of starch and sugar. Premium varieties consist largely of chopped dates, pistachios, and hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel; traditional varieties are often flavored with rosewater, mastic, Bergamot orange, or lemon.
The confection is often packaged and eaten in small cubes dusted with icing sugar, copra, or powdered cream of tartar, to prevent clinging. Other common flavors include cinnamon and mint. In the production process, soapwort may be used as an emulsifying additive.The origin of the confection is not well established, but it is known to have been produced in Turkey as early as the late 1700s, hence its name.
Getting Scrubbed In A Hamam
A Turkish bath or hamam is similar to a Scandinavian sauna but is closer to a Roman bath. locations the hamam is a warmed seating area where visitors can relax between uses of the steam rooms or saunaThere is nothing better to rejuvenate your body than getting scrubbed in a hamam. First relax in a steamy room laying on hot marble, listening to the echoes of running water. Then a brisk soapy body scrub, followed by a sultan’s massage until your skin is smooth and soft. There are several hammams available in the city. Among the oldest are the (recently renovated) Ayasofya Hürrem Sultan Hammam located at the first is right on Sultan Ahmet Square.
Pamukkale
Pamukkale is around two hours away from Istanbul including a plane journey and overland transfer.
Without a doubt one of the country’s most popular attractions, Pamukkale is a series of startlingly white thermal pool terraces cascading onto one another in the gorgeous flats of Turkey’s southwest. It’s also the site of the Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis, which has been incredibly well-preserved and adds to the entire surreal experience.
The dramatic landscape is most definitely worth the trip, offering endless opportunities to relax, snap incredible pictures, and explore one of the most unique places in the world.
