Overview

Irresistible Istanbul

It has the distinction of being the only city to be spread across two great continents, it is chaotic, confused, muddled and splitting at its seams, it has been coveted by everyone down the centuries, it is a layering of civilization on civilization; an empire built upon another empire. It is the glorious Istanbul – the one city that straddles Asia and Europe with aplomb and the one city that is on the top of most tourists’ wish list.

Istanbul is an irresistible city. It pulls tourists like a magnet to its opulent culture and traditions; to the legacy of its 2,500 years of history and to its maddening ocean of humanity speaking in a hundred languages. Once known as Constantinople, Istanbul was the capital of the Byzantine and then the Ottoman Empire and has for centuries been a bustling and cosmopolitan crucible of cultures on the Bosphorus.

 

The marks of its history are most evident in the Old City, known as Old Stamboul or Sultanahmet. This historic peninsula on the Bosphorus is home to ancient Roman hippodromes, peristyles, and aqueducts, the greatest excesses of the Byzantine Empire and the mystique and power of the Ottoman Empire. Across the Golden Horn is the modern heart of the city, heir to the future of the country, pulsating and throbbing like a living being; just like any other metropolis in the world. It may not be the political epicenter of the country, but is for sure Turkey’s ambassador of art, entertainment, music, and education.

As the undisputed cultural, economic, and historical capital of Turkey, Istanbul has enough monuments and attractions (as well as enticing restaurants and shops) to keep you busy for days. The Byzantine-built Aya Sofya and the Ottoman-era Blue Mosque (pic above) and Topkapi Palace are within walking distance of each other, while other historic mosques and churches are sprinkled throughout the city. Wonderful museums, covering the spectrum from archaeology to modern art, are also here. The sprawling Grand Bazaar is the shopper’s paradise as are the trendy new boutiques. Foodies can go berserk with the city’s top-notch restaurants, from simple kebab joints to swank rooftop restaurants and laidback fish restaurants along the shores of the Bosphorus strait….there is everything in this compact world that makes it a distraction hard to resist for a tourist who wants to be surprised.

 

The Story of Istanbul

Map of Istanbul by Piri Reis, 1525

What is now called Asian Istanbul was probably inhabited by people as early as 3000 BC. However, it was left to Greek colonists led by King Byzas to establish the colony of Byzantium, the Greek name for a city on the Bosphorus, in the 7th century. Byzas chose the spot after consulting an oracle of Delphi and gave his name to the city: Byzantium.

 

Emperor Justinian I

In the early 100's BC, Byzantium became part of the Roman Empire and in 306 AD, Emperor Constantine the Great made Byzantium capital of the entire Roman Empire. From that point on, the city was known as Constantinople. AD 400 was turbulent times for the empire, as the Barbarians conquered the Western Roman Empire while the Eastern, also called the Byzantine Empire, kept Constantinople as its capital. In 532 during the reign of Justinian I, antigovernment riots destroyed the city. The subsequent rebuilding of the city saw the construction of landmarks such as Hagia Sophia. This was the time when the Byzantine Empire was at its height.

 

Mehmet II Storms into Constantinople

However, the very attributes that made Istanbul so desirable were also the reason it had to face waves upon waves of attacks in next several hundred years, from Persians, Arabs, nomadic peoples, and members of the Fourth Crusade. This constant battling took its toll on Constantiople, as it was then known and the Ottoman Turks lead by Sultan Mehmet II conquered Constantinople in 1453. Renamed Istanbul, it became the third and last capital of the Ottoman Empire and the epicenter for military campaigns that helped expand the Ottoman Empire.

By the mid 1500's, Istanbul, with a population of almost half a million, was a major cultural, political, and commercial center. Ottoman rule continued until it was defeated in WWI and Istanbul was occupied by the allies. When the Republic of Turkey was born in 1923 after the War of Independence, Kemal Ataturk moved the capital to the city of Ankara. The move, however, did not rust Istanbul’s claim to being one of the most coveted cities in the world and it continued to expand dramatically.

Today Istanbul attracts immigrants, businesses and tourists to its many interesting museums, castles, palaces, mosques, churches, and historic hammams.

The best season in Istanbul

Istanbul on the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus is a temptation hard to resist for tourists from any walk of life. although, following the “Do it when you can” adage, most tourists visit Istanbul at all times of the year, the best time to be in the city of Minarets is perhaps during Spring and Autumn. This would roughly be from April to June and from September to October, when the weather is usually mild and the humidity is bearable. The crowds are thinner than during the summer months and it isn’t too difficult to find good places to stay.

The winter months from November to February are the ones you want to avoid. This is the time when the city sees the ‘dogs – and – cats’ type of rains and the maximum humidity that makes you keep wiping your forehead – not much fun!

How to arrive

The road to Istanbul

Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport (Pic below) is Turkey's largest and busiest and receives traffic from several countries from the Middle East, the USA, Australia and Europe. Turkey’s main carrier Turkish Airlines runs a very efficient service from major European and Asian cities. Another smaller airport, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, some 50km east of the Old City on the Asian side, is becoming increasingly popular with cheap airlines.



Atatürk Airport is about 23km west of Sultanahmet and the best way to get to the city center is by cab which takes about half an hour. A more economical option is to catch the LRT (Light Rail Transit) from the airport to Zeytinburnu, from where you connect with the tram that takes you directly to Sultanahmet. An even cheaper way to get to the city center is by airport bus, which costs around EUR4.5 and takes 35-60 minutes to get to Taksim Square.

You can also get to Istanbul by a number of local bus services that run from other European destinations. The catch here is that most of these services are slower and often more expensive than taking a flight. If you are going to Istanbul from another city in Turkey then taking a bus makes more sense. Coming in by bus you would reach the main bus station, the Otogar from where you can take a cab or some other form of public transport to get to your final destinations.



Getting into Istanbul by train is not a very bright idea for international visitors as trains are not particularly punctual. Driving through Turkey is becoming more popular too. You can bring a car over on a ferry from Italy or Greece; however, you'll find yourself docking in Izmir or Ceseme rather than Istanbul.

Restaurants

Eating out – the Real Turkish Delight

Istanbul is not just the history buff but also the epicurean’s delight with food being the central pillar of everything in the city. Even the carpet merchants that invite you into their shops will offer you coffee! Sample the fare at some of these places on your next visit to Istanbul

Feriye Lokantasi: This is ‘the’ place to go to for hearty Turkish meat dishes with a side of fantastic views of the Bosphorus. Make it on a Sunday and you could revel in the buffet brunch.

Tugra: Tugra offers a wonderful array of Ottoman dishes and is an ideal venue for a special occasion. With a terrace that overlooks the Bosphorus and a menu that offers a huge selection of hot and cold meze, Tugra must not be missed.

The House Café: On Ortakoy's waterfront, The House Café has a trendy, casual ambience and is perfect for an eggs Benedict Sunday brunch or innovative pizza.

Leb-i Derya: On a shabby street off busy Istiklal Caddesi, this part ultra-stylish terrace bar, part lively restaurant serves up Ottoman cuisine with a twist. Make it for early evening cocktails and you would be pleasantly surprised.

Taximoda: The café-restaurant of the Taxim Hill Hotel, this New York-style café has huge windows overlooking busy Taksim Square, which open to form a terrace in summer. Most popular for coffee, cakes, sandwiches and a decent breakfast, this is a great place to watch the world go by in a central location.

Nature and Peace: In a carnivore's heaven like Istanbul, it is good to know that there are a few decent vegetarian places - although they have recently included a couple of meat dishes on the menu. In a backstreet in the heart of Taksim, Nature and Peace has a warm cozy feel.

The Perfect Room

Beyoglu on a winter night

Most hotels in Istanbul are concentrated in two areas: Sultanahmet and Beyoglu. You can also find good hotels north of the city center on the Bosphorus. If you are coming mostly for sight seeing then a hotel in Sultanahemt is your best bet and hotels in Beyoglu are more business type ones. You can get hotels in all shapes and sizes and suiting all budget in the city; here is a selection of some of the best luxury hotels in Istanbul:

Taksim Square

Ceylan Inter-continental Istanbul: a high-rise above Taksim Park with world class service, comfortable rooms with great views and a very central location.

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel Istanbul: this one is a beauty right on the Bosphorus shore next to a restored Ottoman palace. Although it is some distance from most of the city attractions, the quietness and the splendid views of the Bosphorus from most rooms make it an attractive place in itself.

Conrad Istanbul: The Conrad is a very modernistic place with good Bosphorus views, easy access by taxi to business districts but farther from tourist sights. Offsetting that last one is the quality of its rooms and service.

Divan Oteli: Old-style ultra-smooth personal service in a smaller hotel near Taksim Square, next to Hyatt, Ceylan.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet: The Four Seasons is an uber-posh place sitting in a historic building, smack in the middle of Sultanahemt. However, there are no rooms that afford views of the brilliant Bosphorus. The good news is that the new property – Four Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus is opening in mid 2008 and you can start booking your rooms from June 15th, 2008 here.

The Marmara: The Marmara hotel is situated right in the middle of Taksim Square, next to Atatürk Cultural Center. From here you have easy access to shops and nightlife along Beyoglu's Istiklal Caddesi and all the rooms have good views all around.

Hyatt Regency Istanbul: Fine mod-Ottoman building with nice pool, good location near Taksim Square and Nisantas shopping and nightlife, next to Divan, Ceylan.

Istanbul Hilton Hotel: The Hilton at Istanbul is one of the finest hotels in the city. It is set in more than 13 acres of hilltop gardens and staying here is the ultimate sousing of senses. With fine views, a great pool, and all the nightlife in Taksim and the shopping in Nisantas just a short walk away, this one gives you what you want.

Ritz-Carlton Istanbul: Istanbul's newest luxury high-rise between Taksim and Dolmabahçe has a great pool, moderately good views and the ultimate luxury in the leased apartments on top.

Sumahan on the Water: An exquisite, stylish luxury boutique hotel, designed as a labor of love by a husband-and-wife architect team, right on the Bosphorus with exceptional water and city views.

Swissotel the Bosphorus: Excellent Bosphorus views (overlooking Dolmabahçe, smooth service, 15-minute walk to Nisantas shopping and nightlife, this one is good value for money.

Istanbul accommodates visitors of all budgets equally well, even in the prime sightseeing district of the Sultanahmet Camii, or Blue Mosque. Try some of these:

Empress Zoe: An inventive little place sitting on the remains of a 15th-century hammam, this one has Anatolian-styled rooms complete with traditional kilim rugs. Splash out on the penthouse suite for a first-class view of the Blue Mosque (£86)

Buyuk Londra: This one takes you back to the elegant twenties when Istanbul was the darling of the la-di-dah set fussing about on the Orient Express. Check out the lobby bar for a late night session before going up to rooms that remind you of the hey days of the Empire. (£40 - £67)

Sultanahmet Palace: The Sultanahmet Palace is located in the quieter backstreets of the district and offers great service with comfort and style. The only hotel to have a marbled hammam-style bathroom for every room, as well as some knockout views of the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara.

Lush Hotel: This one is just a hop, skip and jump from the trendy bars and clubs of Taksim and is quirky little place in the heart of Istanbul's modern centre that circles the giant Taksim Square. The Lush is an offbeat place, with 22 rooms all decked out according to a different theme, from Ottoman grandeur to pop art designs, and more subdued quarters to boot. (£100)

Aya Sofya Pensions: The Aya Sofya Pensions run the length of a gorgeous, blissfully traffic-free cobbled street in the centre of historical Sultanahmet, right between the Hagia Sophia and the outer walls of Topkapı Palace. Clean, comfortable and inexpensive are the main attributes of this place which is next door to the curious restaurant-in-an-underground-cistern, the Sarnic. (£60 –£120)

Ansen 130: Set above a charming French the Ansen 130 commands a winning location behind the winding streets and outdoor cafes of the city's bohemian Tunel area. This 10-room hotel has the most stylish rooms in the city, complete with kitchen units. (£120)

Ibrahim Pasha: This comfy and welcoming little hotel faces the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet and is a popular spot with travellers, so book in advance. (£86)

World House Hostel: This one is for the real shoe-stringers. Located in Istanbul’s old Italian Quarters, the hostel is in a great spot right opposite the Galata tower, a short walk from the buzzing Istiklal Caddesi and the picturesque Galata Bridge. (£31)

Nomade: If the sole purpose of your trip to Istanbul is to shop, then be sure to camp out somewhere near the Grand Bazaar: the Nomade is a great modern option in the old city, with small but tastefully chic rooms spitting distance from the action of one of the world's oldest shopping centers. (£70)

Bed & Breakfast

Ahmet Efendi Evi (€ 45), Misafir Suites (€112), Marmara Guesthouse (€ 45), Alaturka Hotel (€ 67), Tulip Guesthouse (€ 44), Berk Guesthouse (€70), Terrace Guesthouse (€ 55), Med Cezir Hotel (€ 77), Buhara Hotel (€ 57), Naz Wooden House Inn (€ 108).

Things to do

Hop – About Istanbul

Bosphorus Bridge at night

Several means of transport are available to get you around the city. Taxis are economical, safe and better than driving yourself because the traffic is very chaotic. The only trouble with taxis being that most drivers don’t want to charge by the meter and some amount of haggling for the price of the journey may be required. The Istanbul Metro has two lines which do a good job of connecting the most important parts of the city. Taking a tram is also a good idea if you are not going a long distance and if you plan to spend at least 2 days in the city, buy an AKBIl or a Smart Ticket – a small electronic device that can be used on different public transport vehicles.


Ferries ply between the European and the Asian sides of the city and take about 20 minutes. Buses are a good way to see the city and you can choose between the blue-green private buses or the IETT-run red-blue buses. As a tourist, the T4 bus connecting Sultanahemt to Taksim Square would be most useful. However, the cheapest and the best way to get around Istanbul is the Dolmus – these are shared cabs that run on fixed routes.

The Splendor of Istanbul

Inside Hagia Sophia

Start your tour of the European side of Istanbul with a visit to the Hagia Sophia or the Aya Sofya in Sultanahmet Square. Dating from the sixth century this was originally a basilica constructed for the Byzantine Emperor Justinian and is a masterpiece of Byzantine engineering with an enormous 30 m diameter dome covering what was for over 1000 years the largest enclosed space in the world. The basilica was plundered in 1204 during the fourth Crusade, and became a mosque in the 15th century when the minarets were added. It was turned into a museum in 1930's. Move on to the Topkapi Palace in Bab-i Humayun Caddesi, the imperial enclave of the Ottoman emperors for three centuries and lavishly decorated, with four courts of increasing grandeur. Visit the State Treasury in the second court in the entrance to the Harem for its weaponry display. The third court is home to the Imperial Treasury, various Islamic and Christian relics, rugs and delicate china.

The Blue Mosque

You cannot leave Istanbul without visiting the Sultanahmet Mosque at Meydam Sokak. More popularly known as the Blue Mosque, it has six minarets and breathtaking architecture. Unlike Hagia Sophia, this is still a working mosque; entry is through the courtyard on the SW side. Dress appropriately - no shorts or bare shoulders, or carry a shawl or stole.

At the face of it the Basilica Cistern or the Yerebatan Sarnici in Yerebatan doesn't sound very impressive, but this giant underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to provide water to the city in cases of siege, and later consecrated as a basilica, is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Istanbul.

The Hippodrome

The Hippodrome, adjacent to the Basilica Cistern, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia was the center of Roman and Byzantine Constantinople, and is a great place to begin one's tour and to people watch. The building no longer stands, but the obelisks and sculptures that have been collected here since Theodosius' time in the fourth century remain. The Galata Whirling Dervish Hall or the Galata Mevlevihanes in Galipdede Caddesi is a dancing hall of the mystical Mevlevi order, shut down in 1925 along with all other 'reactionary' movements in Turkey. Today the building houses the Museum of Divan Literature. Try to visit on a Sunday when the sema dervish ceremonies are staged.

Your visit to Istanbul will be incomplete without spending an afternoon at The Museum of Archeology. It is one of the best places to go to in Istanbul and has a great collection of Sumerian tablets, pieces of the wall of Babylon and Roman marble statues. While chasing museums, also go to the Museum of Modern Art At Karakoy which is famous for its contemporary installations.

Make some time for a guided tour of the Ottoman Palace centered close to Taksim at the Dolmabahçe shore. Build on 110,000 meter square ground with 285 rooms and 43 halls where the Ottoman Empire was administered in the last 150 years. Also see the Galata Tower and Chora Church at Edirnekapi – a 1000 year old Byzantine church.

Beylerbeyi Palace

On the Anatolian (Asian) side of the city one of the most popular places to see is the Beylerbeyi Palace, lying under the legs of the Bosphorus Bridge. The palace was built between 1861-1865 by Sultan Abdulaziz and you can only enter as part of a guided tour.

The Princes' Islands lies on the southeast of Istanbul, and consists of 8 islands, Buyukada being the largest of them all. This is one of the best places to get away from crowds and noise of the city. You can enjoy swimming, stay at the old wooden villas and have a picnic in a scenic spot. Rent a bike or take a horse carriage route around Buyukada or Heybeliada. The rest of the islands are; Heybeliada, Burgazada, Kinaliada, Yassiada, Sivriada, Tavsan Adasi and Yassiada.

Maiden’s Tower

The Asian side is also famous for The Maiden's Tower. Also known as the Kiz Kulesi, the tower is in the Uskudar coast where you can drink tea at the coast during day or dine inside the tower itself. There is also a tour that tells the legend of the maiden where the tower's name comes from.

The Bazaars

Shopping is Istanbul is an experience that will come back to you time and again much after you have left this wonderful city. Walking around the winding roads in the bazaar, soaking its musical sounds, its vibrant colors and the smells can transport you to pages of the Arabian Nights. Exploring the bazaars can spring surprises and the possibilities of what you can find here are limitless.

What you will get at the bazaars can never be guessed upon, as the possibilities are limitless. As long as bargaining is second language to you, there would always be a place for you in Istanbul’s markets. The markets that you absolutely must visit are the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian market and the Flea market in Beyazit Square where you can find the best of what Istanbul has to offer. You can choose from the best layout of things to covet from Alabaster to wood inlaid work, from antiques to garments. Buy the best quality of homegrown wool and cotton and beware of merchants selling branded clothing – most of it is fake.

Grand Bazar

For those interested in old prints, maps and books complete with the musty smell, Istanbul’s markets are like Disneyland. Other interesting purchases to take home are: Brass and Copper articles for home décor, Beautiful handmade carpets and seccade, exquisite ceramics called faience or colored tile work, traditional heavily wrought jewelry and intricately worked items, Kilims in appealing earthy colors and outstanding designs, leather apparel, a wonder stone called Meerschaum, which is carved out to make small trinkets as well as showpieces and small utility items. Also invest some in fine silk shawls, scarves and other garments and intricately worked wood inlaid objects d'art are available but it needs careful buying.

The best place to start is the Grand Bazaar with its 4000 shops. It comes as a surprise to a lot of people that the market place actually extends to the surrounding areas of the Grand Bazaar and the 4000 shops is a mere fraction of the whole picture.

Try Nuruosmaniye Caddesi, east of the bazaar for exquisite jewelry and lookout for the fine art boutiques that hide in the little side streets off it. The Egyptian Spice Market, the boutiques and shops of Beyoglu and the trendy shops of Nisantasi scream for attention and exploring these is a wonderfully romantic experience. Also try the numerous modern shopping complexes here and there around the city.

Istanbul at Night

More visitors come to Istanbul looking for the Blue Mosque and carpets; the city’s nightlife catches them by surprise. Today Istanbul offers every kind of entertainment, right from traditional male-dominated birahanes to techno and rave nightclubs, with new venues opening by the week. As a result, Istanbul's nightlife is quickly gaining recognition as one of the liveliest in Europe.

Cicek Pasaj

An authentic Turkish experience can be combined with a raucous nights drinking at one of Turkey's meyhanes. These tavernas serve raki, beer and wine, along with an awe-inspiring selection of mezes (starters), succulent kebabs and fruits of the season. The most famous meyhanes in Istanbul are located in the Cicek Pasaj in Beyoglu.

Birahanes are more basic, with the beer taking precedence over the food. Turkish women rarely enter birahanes. Although foreign women are tolerantly expected to break all the rules, and will usually be made feel welcome, it is advisable not to go to such all-male preserves alone.

For those who want to see something more exotic, many nightclubs offer "Oriental shows" with sequined bellydancers, troupes of Russian or Romanian dancers, and flashy cabaret singers. Most of these shows are quite tame and sanitized, although the visitor should beware of the seedier style pavyon.

In the past few years Western-style bars and cafes have become the place to see and be seen. Opening hours are long; most bars stay open until 2:00 am and some keep going until 4:00am or later. You can also find several rock bars that offer live music, usually bands performing covers of popular rock classics from Pink Flyod, The Who and Led Zeppelin, alternating with the latest disco mixes.

The Istanbul Itinerary

Start your day at the Sultanahmet Park before moving on to the Blue Mosque. The Blue Mosque looks like a celestial beauty in the sky that can still be seen with the sun’s earliest rays shining off it. Next, move on to Aya Sofya that is close by and from there take a walk along the ancient Roman road, Divan Yolu, to enter the Grand Bazaar from its southern end, so you travel with the foot traffic downhill towards the Golden Horn.

On your way you will encounter the glittering gold arcade and merchants selling chintz and carpets. Stop off at the gorgeous pink Zincirli Han and look around some more in the Grand Bazaar – you never know what gems you may find in here. If you want to be like the locals, skip shopping at the Grand Bazaar and snake off to Tahtakale…try to avoid weekends as all of Istanbul decides to go shopping on Saturdays and Sundays. From here you can head over to the Istiklal Caddesi along Beyoglu’s teaming promenade.

Beyoglu is the heart of modern Istanbul and home to a thriving arts scene, bars, and some of the best restaurants in the city. You haven't seen Istanbul until you've explored Beyoglu.

That may not be too many places and you sure haven’t touched even a single museum, but just ambling around the city, without a plan and preferably with a loving partner or a friend can be the most thrilling, romantic and refreshing experiences of your life. Give a miss to the usual Museum, Monument and Gardens Brigade and really feel the soul of the city.

Finally, you can choose one of the hundreds of restaurants in Istanbul for dinner; we suggest: Haci Abdullah, before heading down Sofyali Sokak. Nightlife options are endless – choose whatever catches your fancy because you can be sure, there would be something new to do tomorrow.

Tips

The Best Kept Secrets of Istanbul

Koc Museum: built on the coast of the Golden Horn by the richest man in turkey – Ramie Koc, this museum is dedicated to the history of transport, industry and communications. Go for the collection that goes from needles to ships and aircrafts

Take a balloon tour: the balloon takes off from the sea bus port at Kadikoy on the Asian side. The view from 200 meters above the ground paints a whole new picture of the city spread across two continents

La Rue Francais: ‘The French Street’ behind the Lycee de Galatasaray, off the middle of the Istikal Street looks like an anomalous construction in a city full of mosques and beautiful Islamic architecture. But walk around its houses and shops and the amalgamation of two different cultures becomes real

Sultans Boats: Dating back to the Ottoman period, the Sultans Boats are the perfect way to cruise around the Bosphorus. Get your Bosphorus Tour bookings here.

Aynalikavak Mansion: this is one of the few remaining buildings from a huge Ottoman Palace dating back to the 17th century. Located on the shore of the Golden Horn, this beautiful structure was once part of the area reserved for the Ottoman Sultan’s evening walks

Local Speak

Istanbul can be as economical or as expensive as you want, just listen to the locals’ advice!

- Eat your way through Ortakoy where the neighborhood is particularly vibrant on a summer evening.
- Take a tour through Dolmabahçe Sarayi
- Hunting the Labyrinthine Corridors of the Grand Bazaar
- Take a cruise up the Bosphorus

The Travels-booking Tip Stop

General

1. Keep all your travel documents with you all the time
2. Istanbul is a very safe city and the worst crimes you might face are pick pocketing and getting run over – so, stay alert
3. Make sure you either get the taxi driver to switch on the meter before starting the journey or haggle for a sane price before you sit in the cab
4. Istanbul is blessed with the best of both European and Asian cultures, so it is one of the few liberal Islamic countries left in the world. However, it would always help to be sensitive of the local culture and act accordingly.
5. When buying ‘designer’ wear in Istanbul read the spelling on the labels carefully because many a traveler has been duped in this department
6. Learning some basic Turkish words like Merhaba (Hello) and Teshkuredrim (Thank you) will go a long way

Family

1. Blend in with the locals in terms of clothing and actions so as not to be spotted by trouble makers
2. Although Istanbul is a very safe country, it still has some of the problems that ail big cities, so be aware of your luggage at all times
3. There will be a lot of shopping to do in Istanbul but do try to get your hands on some Iznik Tiles – they make great gifts
4. If there are children in the family, keep a supply of basic medication handy because the spicy Turkish food is often a source of ‘The Sultan’s Revenge’ and other minor troubles like fever and nausea

Couples
1. They say love is all you need but we say add the charm of the Ajia Hotel overlooking the Bosphorus and you would double the pleasure of a romantic trip to Istanbul
2. You could pick one of the most expensive hotels to stay in Istanbul but also look at the delights of staying in an apartment in Istanbul for more privacy and better economy of your budget
3. Stroll around the Rustempasha Market…you don’t need to buy anything but just the heady feeling of discovering something new together is unbelievable

Istanbul, Not Constantinople!

What they have to say

www.guardian.com recommends Istanbul as a weekend getaway destination especially in spring time

www.fodors.com suggests the Cezayir and Giritli to eat out and recommends The Four Seasons as the best place to stay in Istanbul.

www.Frommers.com recommends concentrating on the Sultanahmet area if you had just one day in Istanbul.

Istanbul virtual Tour

If you want to explore Istanbul from your computer, you can do this downloading this files to use with Google Earth software:

Istanbul virtual tour part 1 (kmz file)

Istanbul virtual tour part 2 (kmz file)

Istanbul virtual tour part 3 (kmz file)

Istanbul shopping, hotels and parks virtual tour (kmz file)