Lamartine is describing the city, which embraces two continents with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe.

Istanbul is the only city in the world which embraces two continents, one arm reaching out into Asia, the other into Europe.

Istanbul, which was known as capital of the capital cities, and created huge peace geographies with reigning to first Roma and then Eastern Roman (Byzantium) Empire and continents, and was the capital city of Ottoman Empire, is going to a modern future with preserving magnificence of history with proud. Variety in Istanbul is really charming the visitors. It is serving infinite nuances with its museums, churches, palaces, mosques, bazaar places and natural beauties. When you lean against backside at the coast of the strait, you feel Istanbul as "center of the world" and understand why people select this extraordinary place centuries before with watching the reflection of the red at sun set from the houses at the coast.

Most beautiful monuments of the city are in the peninsula between Goldern Horn - Marmara Sea - Ramparts. Silhouette of mosques exceeding 500, rising at the hills of the city, creates a magnificent atmosphere. One feels himself / herself nearly in a dream between past and today! You should see Sultanahmet Mosque, which is also named as "Blue Mosque" due to its blue tiles, used in its decoration, and which become the symbol of Istanbul with its six minarets. Famous Hagia Sophia Museum, which is constructed as a church during Emperor Justinien, is at the opposite of it; this architectural master of art structure is adorned with excellent mosaic panels, describing Jesus Christ, Mother Mary and emperors.

Süleymaniye Mosque, which is watching these two monuments on another hill, is the peek point of Ottoman architectural art. It is constructed by Mimar Sinan due to the request of Magnificent Süleyman.

On a finger of land at the confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara stands the Topkapi Palace, in which the sultans and their court lived and governed the empire for 400 years. You can see Chinese porcelain collection, golden adorned and jewelry decorated thrones, sultan costumes, jewelries remembering the tales, rare manuscript books, and harem halls which draw attention for centuries in Topkapı.

There are Byzantine Period famous Hippodrome, where cart races are performed, and three obelisks from that period in the middle of the hippodrome between Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Mosque.
Yerebatan Palace is one of the most important water cisterns, constructed during Byzantine period. Kariye Museum, which is deemed as one of the most beautiful Byzantine era pieces of art, is preserving its mosaic and frisks adorned original décor. Another place you should see in Istanbul is also Eyüp Mosque. Here serves an infinite lively ambient with pigeon noises to the moral pleasure searchers with visiting Eyüp Sultan.

Istanbul is a city where historical structures are met with modern ones, and become new, and while Kapalı bazaar is insisting on holding the signs of dreamy days of history with its labirent like structure, at the same time serves the new products of the modern world; impressive jewelry, copper objects, carpets, various leather and suet clothing... Once you have drawn by its attraction, you can travel for hours in this bazaar without resting.

A ship voyage in the Strait, will be one of your unforgettable memories. Calm and unique residences, enumerated at both coasts of the strait and where separate love tales are reflected to waters from each of them, 20th century constructed luxury villas, Dolmabahçe, Göksu and Beylerbeyi Palaces, Rumeli and Anadolu Ramparts, remains of fishermen villages, restaurants, tea gardens, parks, night clubs can charm you. Maybe you can write your historical memories while sipping your tea at a tea garden at calm coasts of Marmara after having a swim at wild beaches of Black Sea during the same day.

In addition to its unique history and cultural history as well as numerous attractions modern hotels, rare restaurants, night clubs, cabarets, historical bazaars and shops are making Istanbul a fully adequate place for conferences and congresses.

Major Sights:


• Topkapi Palace
• Ayasofya (St. Sophia) Museum
• Sultanahmet Mosque (The Blue Mosque)
• Tthe Underground Cistern
• The Grand Bazaar, and many other palaces, mosques and museums.

Tours and Excursions:


• The Treasures of Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar (half day).

Two continents (half/full day):


• Cross the Bosphorus, visit Camlica hill and the pine forests on the Asian side Beylerbeyi Palace, return to the European side by bus via the Bosphorus Bridge.

Highlights of Istanbul (half/full day):


• Suleymaniye Mosque, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, St. Sophia, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar.

Istanbul by night:


• Turkish cuisine dinner, floor-show and belly dancing.

Access:


• Air: Istanbul International Ataturk Airport, 20 km from the city centre.
• Road: Direct bus connections from all parts of Turkey.
• Rail: Connections to European capitals as well as to Ankara, Izmir and East Anatolian cities.
• Sea: Connections to European ports and a port of call for Mediterranean cruises.

SITES OF INTEREST: Silivri, Kumburgaz, Bosphorus, Kumkoy (Kilyos), Shile, Prince Islands, Belgrad Forest, Abrahan Pasha Grove, Emirgan Grove, Yildiz Park, Camlica Hill and Gulhane Park, Tuzla mineral springs, Istanbul city walls, Bozdogan (Valens), aquaduct, Binbirdirek and Yerebatan Cicterns, Ayasofya, Aya Irini, former church Bodrum, Fenari Isa, Fethiye, Imrahor, Kalenderhane, Kariye, Yeni Imaret and Zeyrek mosques, Bukoleon and Tekfur Palaces, Cemberlitash, Dikilitash, Yilanli Sutun, Kiztashi, Maiden Tower, Galata Tower, Fatih, Bayezid, Sultan Selim, Haseki Hurrem Sultan, Suleymaniye, Sokullu Mehmed Pasha, Kilic Ali Pasha, Yeni mosque, Semsi Pasha, Sultan Ahmed, Koprulu Mehmed Pasha, Corlulu Ali Pasha, Amcazade Huseyin Pasha, Laleli and Damat Ibrahim Pasha mosque complexes, Rustem Pasha and Gazanfer Aga old theological schools (medrese) Anadolu and Rumeli Fortresses, Maglova Arch, Ahmed III and German Fountains, Topkapi, Dolmabahce, Beylerbeyi, Ciragan and Yildiz Palaces, Shale, Malta and Cadir Pavillions, Aynalikavak, Kucuksu (Goksu), Tophane and Ihlamur mansions, Eyub Sultan, Firuz Aga, Sinan Pasha, Nuriosmaniye, Beylerbeyi, Selimiye, Musretiye, Dolmabahce, Ortakoy, Pertevniyan Valide Sultan and Cerrah Pasha mosques, Covered Bazaar, Egyptian Bazaar, Simkeshhane, Buyuk Valide, Balkapani, Vezir, Cebeci and Cuhaci Inns, Silivri, Buyukcekmece, Kucukcekmece, Cobanceshme, Haramidere and Bostanci bridges, Dolmabahce Clock Tower, Koprulu, Suleymaniye, Nuruosmaniye and Municipality Libraries, Istanbul Archeology, Istanbul Topkapi Palace, Istanbul Turkish and Islamic Works, Ottoman Classical (Divan) Literature, Istanbul Art and Sculpture, Arasta Mozaic, Ayasofya, Yerebatan Palace, Turkish Caligraphic Arts, Military, Navy Tanzimat, Ashihan (Edebiyat-i Cedide) and Shishli Ataturk Museums.