 Istanbul
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Istanbul,the only city which combines Asia and Europe continents,attracts visitors with its historical background and cultural riches.
ISTANBUL the junction point between Asia and Europe.
Bhosphorus’s skyline studded with domes and minarets, Istanbul is one of the truly great romantic cities which provides the link between Europe and Asia. Its history tracks back from Byzantium to Constantinople to its place at the head of the Ottoman Empire. Today it is Turkey's cultural centre.
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In this sprawling, continent-spanning city you can tramp the streets where crusaders and janissaries once marched; admire mosques that are the most sublime architectural expressions of Islamic piety; peer into the sultan's harem; and hunt for bargains in the Kapali Çarşi (Grand Bazaar).
Side by side with Old Istanbul you'll find hip bars and clubs, flashy executives, malls and haute cuisine. And then there is a rich arts culture - opera, music, cinema .A city which never sleeps and a big metropolitan.
Whatever your interest - architecture, art, nightlife, cuisine, history, religion, shopping - Istanbul has more than enough of it, at prices which are among the lowest in Europe.
SOME OF THE FAMOUS LANDMARKS OF ISTANBUL
Yerebatan Sarayi (Cistern Basilica) Byzantine cistern from the 6th century built by Justinian I., supported by 336 various type of columns. There are also two Medusa friezes brought from the Temple of Apollo in Didyma . Its dimensions are 140x70x9 meters. The Basilica now houses a cafeteria and hosts musical and theatrical performances and a Biannual. Open daily between 09:00-18:30
Aya Sofya (Haghia Sophia) The ancient Byzantine church, built between 532-537 AD after the Nika Riot, was later converted to a mosque with the addition of minarets in mid-15th century. It has a remarkable 56m high immense dome .Aya Sofia is used as a museum today in which you can see both Christian and Islamic art. The good examples of the Byzantine mosaics can be seen in the museum. For about 1000 years this was the largest church in the world, and glory of the Byzantine Empire. Open daily between 09:30-16:30 except Mondays.
Kapalicarsi (Grand Bazaar) Built in the 15th century as a complex of 3,000 , The Bazaar's fine shops and exotic atmosphere, mingling the ancient and new, make it a "must-see" in Istanbul. It's divided into many sections such as leather, rugs, souvenirs, copper, antiques, textile etc. There are 18 gates and 60 streets inside. Open everyday except Sundays and Public Holidays.
Dolmabahce Palace was built in 1853 to replace the Topkapi Palace which was pulled down for the purpose. It housed Sultans and their families before the Republic, and it was then used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk during his visits to Istanbul. Atatürk died here on the 10th of November, 1938. The palace now serves as a museum
Galata Kulesi (Galata Tower) A
55 meter tower providing a panoramic view of the old town, Galata Kulesi was built by the Genoese as part of the wall surrounding their district of Galata directly opposite Byzantium (Constantinopolis). It was used for the surveillance of the Harbor in the Golden Horn. After the conquest of Constantinople by Mehmet II it served to detect fires in the city. The tower now houses a restaurant and a night club.
Kiz Kulesi (Leander's Tower - Maiden Tower)
A 12th century stone tower erected on a rock at the entrance of the Bosphorus by Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnenos. This tower, which has served as a prison and a lighthouse, became the source of many legends in ancient days. It's now open to the public as a cafeteria & an elegant restaurant reached by shuttle boats from the shore
Anadoluhisari (Anatolian Fortress) A
14th century relic of the Ottoman's first attempt to conquer Istanbul, Anatolia Fortress is located on the Asian shore at the narrowest point of the Bosphorus. Sultan Yildirim Bayezit built this fortress in 1393 on the ruins of a Byzantine temple dedicated to Zeus.
Rumelihisari (Rumeli Fortress)
Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror built Rumeli Fortress is directly opposite to Anadoluhisari in 1452 in preparation for the final attack on Constantinople (Istanbul), which led to the downfall of the Byzantine Empire. Today, the fortress hosts many concerts and dramatic performances in its amphitheatre usually during the summer months. The fort is open to the public as a museum as well (except on Mondays).
Sultanahmet (The Blue Mosque) This 17th century mosque, near Haghia Sophia, is famous for the beautiful blue tile work ornamenting its walls. Its surrounding six slim minarets distinguish it from other mosques which normally have two or four minarets. It was built by architect Mehmet Aga by the order of Sultan Ahmed I as a complex in seven years and became the most important mosque of the city, in Sultanahmet square.
Suleymaniye Mosque(the Magnificent)
This outstanding piece of architecture was built in the 16th century by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificient. Standing on a hilltop of the ancient city over the Golden Horn, it is the largest mosque of Istanbul with four minarets. The tombs of the Sultan, his wife Hürrem and Mimar Sinan are found within its compounds.
TTA, ISTANBUL TOUR PROGRAMME
DAY 1:
Arrive in Istanbul .
You will be welcomed at Istanbul Airport by our representative who will take you to your 3 or 4 star hotel
At noon ,pick up from your hotel by your guide for the first day tour. ‘Ottoman Wonders’ and visit the Topkapi Palace, Süleymaniye Mosque and the Golden Horn.In the evening you will be returned to your hotel.
DAY 2:
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and taken on the full day tour starting with a cruise down the Bosphorus and a trip to the Ethnological Museum.In the afternon you will go on to Beylerbeyi to see the Sultan’s summer palace. Return in the evening to your hotel
DAY 3:
Pick up from your hotel in the morning for the ‘Imperial Tour’. You will visit St. Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar.
Return to your hotel. The rest of the day you have free to spend as you wish.
Transfer to the airport for departure.
INCLUDES:Transfers,guide,2 overnight half board accommadation,entrance fees,first day dinner,second day breakfast,lunch,dinner,third day breakfast.
Please contact TTA for detailed information and prices or for a tailor made holiday in Istanbul
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Places Which You Must See
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