Soloenrd Travel and Holiday

Istanbul, the diamond of Turkey, situated in the Eastern part of Europe in a region known as the European side of Turkey, represents a diverse city that cannot be forgotten by Greeks nor given up by Turks. Split up in its European and Asian side by Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul is a European city at the junction of two continents breathing the air of East and feeling the touch of history spread upon its nearly 13 million residents.

There is so much to do and visit in Istanbul that time never seems to be enough. History and modern life meet in Istanbul and offer to its visitors an unforgettable travel experience.

Sultanahmet district, named after Sultan Ahmet I, who built the Blue Mosque, is the heart of the historic center of Istanbul. In this old, interesting and enchanting location history captures the city’s visitors with structures like Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), the Topkapi Serayi (TopKapi Palace), the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), the At Meydani (Byzantine Hippodrome), the Yerebatan Serayi (Yerebetan Basilica Cistern), the Istanbul Archeological Museums, and the Great Palace Mosaic Museum. Besides, Sultanahmet is filled with hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, rug stores, and souvenir shops. The Grand Bazaar in the labyrinth Kapaliçarsi near Beyazit University is the ultimate medieval market, while the main drag, Divan Yolu, is the heartbeat of the area, where visitors can wander in hundreds of tiny back streets and alleyways to explore the history of the old city.

Beyoglu, the authentic symphony of west and orient, is the pulse of Istanbul’s heart. Istiklal Caddesi lies at the center of the metropolis, paved and colorful, while a labyrinth of narrow winding paths filled with bars, cafes, continental restaurants, historic cinemas, top theatres and fashionable shops unfurl in all directions around it. Taksim Square, with the imposing Monument to the Republic, guides the tourists’ steps into Beyoglu’s bohemian open-air museum, the Greek Orthodox Aya Triade Church and the French Consulate. Perhaps the area is well-known for holding the International Istanbul Film Festival, International Istanbul Music Festival, International Istanbul Theater Festival and the International Istanbul Jazz Festival as well as the Bosphorus Festival, Roxy Music Days, Aksanat Jazz Festival and the Blues Festival every year in Rumeli Han, Çiçek Pasaji, Cite de Pera, Atlas Pasaji, Galatasaray Lisesi and nearby districts.

The four islands in the Sea of Marmara, Büyükada, Heybeliada, Kinaliada and Burgazada, known as the Princes Islands, attract millions of tourists every year. Cars are not allowed on the islands and the transportation is limited to horse-drawn carriages. Ferries leave from Sirkeci, Kadiköy and Bostanci and visitors can explore the unique glory of Greek monasteries.

Kadiköy is a quieter version of Beyoglu with a calmer atmosphere. Lying on the Asian side of Istanbul, Kadiköy is filled with bars, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and shops, but most importantly, people. In majority, Istanbulites live in Kadiköy and take the ferry to cross the Sea of Marmara and go to the Western side, the European side of Istanbul to the financial and economic center of the city. On the Asian side of Istanbul, English language is useless as lay people do not speak anything but Turkish; however this side offers the visitor a relaxed way of life. On this side, the Mihrimah Sultan and Semsi Pasa Mosques, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kuleli Mosque, Kuleli Naval Officer’s Training School, Küçüksu Park and Kiosk and Anadolu Hisari are fine historical sites worth exploring.

Other splendid sites of Istanbul are Eminönü with its huge vast Misir Çarsi (Egyptian Spice Bazaar) and Mimar Sinan’s Yeni Camii (New Mosque). All ferries to the Asian side and the Princes Islands leave from Eminönü, while all trains to Europe leave from the Sirkeci Train Station; Galata with its main street, Galip Dede Caddesi, a heart of activity with shops selling musical instruments and antique books; the Golden Horn with the Selimiye Mosque, the Fethiye Mosque, the Kariye Müzesi (Chora Church), Mihrimah Mosque and St. Steven’s Church.

Getting prepared for being the up-coming European City of Culture 2010, Istanbul retains its rich cosmopolitan character demonstrating its unmatched physical and cultural legacy. For more than 2,000 years, Istanbul captures visitors’ attention by being a living example of where occident and orient civilizations harmonically meet.