|
  |
|
|
Unique Istanbul
By Milan Matchev of ArrangeYourVacation
There is something unique about Istanbul. It is the only city in the world that straddles two continents – Europe and Asia. The quietly flowing Bosphorus divides the city into the European and Asian halves. A trip to Istanbul has it all – easy connections to Europe, spa treatments, boat rides on the Bosphorus, typical oriental charm – splendid mosques, fortresses, crowded Asian bazaars full of jewelry, spices and carpets and to top it excellent regional cuisine. Sultanahmet is steeped in history and is a must visit place for tourists. Notable highlights of the place include the Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque or the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, the Yrebatan Basilica Cistern, and the At Meydanı (Hippodrome). The Blue Mosque was built by Sultan Ahmet I, in 1609. The 400 year old Blue Mosque has a cascade of domes and is one of the few mosques with six minarets. The Blue Mosque gets its name from the thousands of blue tiles on the walls and the ceiling inside the Mosque. By all accounts, the Blue Mosque is indeed a magnificent structure beautifully showcasing Islamic religious architecture. While the Blue Mosque is a popular tourist spot, visitors must observe rules of etiquette as it is still in use as a mosque. Visitors need to dress modestly, remove their shoes, and women must cover their heads. St Sophia is a grand structure built by the Emperor Justinian II around 700 AD. The Church is commonly called Santa Sophia which means "Church of the Holy Wisdom" and has great historical significance. Local legend has it that the domes of the Blue Mosque were built to rival the domes of the St Sophia but fell short. The Hippodrome is located to the side of the Blue Mosque. It is believed that the Hippodrome was the site for chariot races. The site has a paved park area with two Obelisks- the Rough Stone Obelisk and the granite Obelisk of Theodosius which is believed to have been carved in Egypt around 1450BC. Apart from an intriguing Spiral Column, the Hippodrome has the beautiful Kaiser Wilhelm's Fountain. Entry to the Hippodrome is free. The labyrinthine streets of Kapalıçarşı or the Grand Bazaar offer you an excellent selection of jewelry, pottery, spices and carpets. If you care for a bite after all the shopping, the area has good selection of hotels restaurants, cafes and bars. Here is a warning. The carpet sellers can be a bit nosy. Just don’t make eye contact with them and walk on straight ahead. A boat ride up the Bosphorus is a must to round off your trip to Istanbul. The boat ride gives you a great view of the Sultanahmet district skyline as you head away. From the boat you can see the Dolmabache Palace, the Maiden's Tower, the Fortress of Europe, the Fortress of Asia as well as the majestic houses that dot the river side. It is best to sit on the same side of the boat on the onward and the return journey so that you are able to get a view of both the European and Asian sides. Istanbul also has a roaring cultural scene and hosts a popular Film, Music, and Theatre Festival. The annual Bosphorus Festival, as well as the Jazz and Blues Festival are also widely attended. |
Turkey Vacation Rentals
| Istanbul Vacation Rentals
Istanbul
PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE
Travel Blog
Vacation rentals offered by owners
www.linotravel.com
|
|
No reactions yet.
Please login or sign up to rate this intel.
Please login or sign up to add a comment.
The copyright for this content entitled "Unique Istanbul" has been specified by the contributor as:
All Rights Reserved
This content may not be copied, distributed or adapted by anyone under any circumstances.
|
 |
May, 2012
2008
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2009
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2010
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2011
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
2012
January, February, March, April, May
|
|
Not a member yet?
Qondio is a powerful network for making it online. If you have a website to
promote, we can help.
Sign up and get in on the action.
|
|
Welcome to Qondio! Discover the awesome power this network can deliver by going to our About page. Or you could skip straight to the Sign Up form.
|
|
