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Exotic sights, scents & sounds reign in this fascinating city where Europe & Asia meet. Istanbul has served as a capital for 3 mighty empires which have all left their marks behind converting this metropolis into a mind boggling open air museum. It is Istanbul's endless variety & diversity that fascinates the visitor. The museums, churches, palaces, mosques, bazaars, scenery, the people & vibe make Istanbul 'the city of past, present & future'. Reclining on the European shore of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected through the windows of the Asian shore you may suddenly & profoundly understand why so many centuries ago the settlers chose to build on this remarkable site... |
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Straddling the 32 km (20-mile) Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul (formerly known as Byzantium & then as Constantinople) is frequently described as the crossroads of Europe & Asia. Fought over time & again, the city became the centre of the Roman, Byzantine & Ottoman empires. Its historic heart – Sultanahmet & the bazaar quarter, with its great mosques, opulent palaces & Byzantine ruins – offers a fascinating glimpse into those tumultuous times & makes sightseeing in Istanbul educational as well as visually rewarding. Perhaps more than any other city in the modern world, Istanbul embodies the ideal of unification. Somewhere beneath the magnificent waters of the Bosphorus, Europe & Asia meet, making Istanbul the only major city in the world that links two continents & many cultures & religions. Istanbul is no longer the nation's capital, but is Turkey's economic & cultural powerhouse - a status underlined by its role as a European City of Culture in 2010 & the award of UNESCO World Heritage listing to many of its most important landmarks, which range from stunning Ottoman mosques & Byzantine churches & catacombs to the columns of Hellenistic temples & the remains of massive medieval city walls. But there's more to Istanbul than Byzantine & Ottoman heritage. A fast-growing economy contributed to a flourishing arts & music scene, with a plethora of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants & designer fashion outlets. Todays Istanbul is a city of great colour, life & culture. With a population of over 18 million & the only city in the world to be spread across two continents, Istanbul’s wonderful people are just as much of an attraction as its natural landscape. The charm & character of Istanbul lies in its endless variety & jumble of contradictions. Modern Istanbul exudes trendy bars & nightclubs, western boutiques, office blocks & elegant suburbs. Perhaps more than any other city in the modern world, Istanbul embodies the ideal of unification. Somewhere beneath the magnificent waters of the Bosphorus, Europe & Asia meet, making Istanbul the only major city in the world that links two continents & many cultures & religions. Yet Istanbul is not a city living only on its past. It is a vibrant, modern & future-oriented metropolis. Bazaars & ultra-modern shopping centres & department stores, and stockbrokers, old crumbling buildings & skyscrapers coexist & this amalgam gives the city a multi-faceted outlook & flavour. Istanbul is like an intricately woven carpet, a subtle blend of eastern & western cultures Istanbul receives millions of visitors each year from all corners of the globe. They come to see the architectural marvels of once great churches, mosques & palaces. They come to dine in surprising & eclectic restaurants & cafes, to shop at modern malls & to experience the city’s famed nightlife. They come to marvel at how Istanbul has managed to sustain its rich heritage while moving forward & embracing new forms of architecture, commerce & entertainment. While so much has changed within the city & region, one thing that remains the same is Istanbul’s exotic appeal & reputation as a world class city. Here you will have an adventure, not a mere vacation. |
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Turkey
Attractions |
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Divanyolu Caddesi No:34 Sultanahmet - Istanbul /
TURKEY 34122 |
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Association of Turkish Travel Agencies TURSAB Member No: A1855 |
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