Istanbul is a universal gem, where writers and artists, businessmen and clerks, magnates and housewives scream from the same sacred awe. In the opinion of Napoleon Bonaparte, this crossroads of Europe and Asia is worth being called as the ancient capital of the world. The antique city on the splendid seashores of the Marmara Sea, the Bosporus, and the Golden Horn, has the full right to be entitled in such a way.
It is a sparkling city with a lot of clandestine corners and splendid sites, old monuments and ultramodern business centers, Muslim mosques and Christian churches.
Being a part of Troy kingdom, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Ottoman Empire, Germany, and now Turkey, former Constantinople and present-day Istanbul impresses with its cross-cultural Asian-European and European-Asian diversity.
Hagia Sofia Mosque (Aya Sofya) or Sancta Sofia Cathedral is a must-see tourist attraction. Being the most impressive survival masterpiece of Byzantine architecture with antique marble pillars, huge semi-round dome, and multicolored mosaics, it is a mighty magnet of tourists belonging to various Christian, Muslim, and Judaism confessions. While touching the sacred walls of it, constructed somewhere in 360A.D. the eyes of the majority of them, are just covered with tears. The spiritual grace is felt in any inch of this world chef-d`oeuvre.
The Grand Bazaar cannot be avoided. They say that the heart of Istanbul beats on its 61 covered streets and thousands of shops sparkling like treasures of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. There you can buy everything from golden chains and silver cookery till leather jackets and Italian looking shoes. It is a paradise for those who seek antique trifles. One of my office mates bought there a unique Christian icon of the XVI century. He bought it cheap but sold it posh. The same relates to other retro items. While being there don`t forget to buy the world-famous coffee ibrik, the Turkish coffee pot. The Turkish coffee making has 600-year-old traditions and without a handmade ibrik, made of copper, with a brass or wooden handle, and a specially shaped brim.
The Bosporus bridge, which is 5,518 feet (1560 m) long, with columns on the land and no columns in water, impresses with its marvelous magnificence. Though it is not the longest suspension bridge in the world, it is the widest with its eight traffic lanes. As for its beauty, it almost does not have any rivals, especially at night, with its hi-tech and multicolored LED lighting system.
Football is the most important sport for all Turkish people. Galatasaray football club fans are the loudest in the world. They are even louder than Juventus tifosi and Manchester United mancs. Several years ago, the international think tanks found out that they let out the 136-decibel roar, while mancs yell out 126, and tifosi just only 97. It means that the shrieks of the twelfth player of Galatasaray are more thunderous than the jumbo jet take off. Galatasaray fans could compete just only with Fenerbahce and Beskitas aficionados. Therefore, if you a football buff, don`t miss a unique opportunity to be among the loudest world football nuts.
Personally, I should acknowledge that if I had two lives, one of them I would spend in Istanbul, the city of a great old power and a nowadays powerful greatness. So, Istanbul is waiting for you! Millions of tourists could not be wrong.
Who (Should Travel)
Istanbul attracts honeymoon couples, families, individuals, young, aged, friends, corporate clients, and lots of fun for children.
What (To See/Do)
Alhambra Palace
Hagia Sofia Mosque (Aya Sofya), The Grand Bazaar, The Bosporus bridge, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, Dolmabahce Palace, Topkari Palace, the Golden Horn, Rumeli Fortress, Bursa, Walls of Constantinople, Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Istanbul Modern Art Museum, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, Orthodox Churches of istanbul etc.
Where (To Stay)
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodations and our top picks are:
Hotels (Cheap)
Polatdemir Hotel, Parkhouse Hotel & Spa, Seven Dreams Hotel, Gallery Hotel and Residence, Kent Hotel, the Bridge Hotel, Gulehanepark hotel Istanbul, Taksim Gonen Hotel;
Hotel (Middle class)
Hotel Pullman Istanbul, Ibis Istanbul Airport Hotel; Airport Best Hotel, Hotel Osaka Airport, Hotel Royal Inchi, Mytra Hotel, Tempo Suites Airport, W Istanbul;
Hotels (high-class, five-star)
Grand Istanbul Airport Hotel, the Ritz-Carton Hotel, Grand Hyatt Istanbul, the St. Regis Istanbul, Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Inter Continental Istanbul, the Marmara Taksim, Hotel Sultania.
When (To Plan)
March-May
The best tourist time with a warm weather, average hotel prices, lack of crowds on the streets, with Istanbul Tulip festival (March- April), Turkey Film Festival (April), Music Festival (May- June);
June-August
The crows of tourists are everywhere, the weather is too hot, the most remarkable events are following: Istanbul Film Festival(June), Concerts of Istanbul jazz Festival (July);
September-October-November
The famous umbrella season with Museums at Night Festival (October), Guy Fawkers Night (October); the Show of London`s Mayor with fabulous flotilla of barges (November);
December- January – February
The rainy and snowy weather with the cheapest hotel prices except for Christmas time (December). The foodie mood is created with the Istanbul Gastronomy Festival Events (February). The film buffs are entertained with Istanbul !F Independent Film Festival (February);
How (To Reach)
Flying to Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is located 25 km (15 miles) west of Istanbul. It is used for international flights;
Sabina Gökçen International Airport, situated 35 km (23 miles) from the Central Istanbul, operates both international and domestic flights.
Bus
There is an Airport Bus service that operates between the airport and the city centre of Granada. The bus times tie in with the flights. More information about the airport bus can be found on this page and map with the bus stops here.
If you are not taking the domestic flight from any one of the main cities in Spain, there are many buses that enter Granada from all over Spain each day, particularly from Seville, Cordoba and Malaga. However the buses that connects to Barcelona and Madrid generally run on a daily basis. The bus ride within Andalucía will take between two and three hours whilst places like Madrid is between five and six hours away.
Train it
From almost all European countries including Germany, Spain, France, Romania, Bulgaria you could get to Istanbul by train.
By Car
If you are travelling from Madrid to Granada by car, the distance is 430km and should take about four hours and thirty minutes, travelling mainly on the R-4 and A-44 roads with few tolls along the way. The eat-west running A92 connects Granada and Seville with drive time about three hours whereas the north-south A45 intersects the A92 on the to Seville and connects Cordoba about three hours and Malaga in two hours.
By Sea
The most reliable are ferry crossings from almost all neighboring Black Sea, Aegean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea countries.
By Driving
By high-speed cars from all neighboring Asian and European countries
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