Istanbul is one of the most
cosmopolitan and frequented cities in the world. Formerly known as Constantinople
and the old capital of Turkey , it holds wall-to-wall culture and history,
and where the old lives comfortably with the new. This is very clearly
where 'East meets the West'… An extravaganza of sights, include
the Blue Mosque and wondrous Topkapi Palace . You'll be amazed by this
truly magnificent city where life never stops … guaranteed!
Istanbul is often described as ‘the crossroads of Europe and Asia’ -
a heaving bazaar-city of carpets and caravanserais with an imperial history
stretching back for more than 1,500 years. This metropolis of an estimated
15 million occupies both sides of an east-west land bridge divided by the
32km (20-mile) Bosphorus Strait, which also connects the trade routes of
the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and the Mediterranean. As a result,
the city has been a jealously guarded center of world trade since the Byzantine
era, and protected by water on three sides, with the natural harbor of
the Golden Horn nestled within the city.
Even after Constantinople (as it was previously known) fell to the Ottoman
Sultans in 1453, the city remained (and it still is) the trading post for
valuable spices and textiles brought via the Silk Road from as far away
as China. Its prime position has meant that Istanbul has suffered from
frequent sieges, changing from a Hellenic outpost to New Rome, the world’s
first Christian capital, and the seat of the world’s biggest Muslim
Empire. Its identity today combines that of both eastern and European.
Although no ancient findings are within the historical istanbul city itself;
ruins found during the excavations performed in the Golden Horn region
of city and on the Asian side reveal the first settlement in the region
reaches as far back as 3000 B.C. The Acropolis in Istanbul, reveals that
the Byzantines lived in the area where today's Topkapi Palace stands. The
famous Golden Horn has a port which is still in use and where once a stronghold
started, surrounding the city and reaching the Marmara Sea.
Istanbul is buzzing more than ever. The local Belediye (council)
has been noticeably smartening up the slightly tatty central area, the
arts and music scene is flourishing, and more international fashion chains
are on thriving pedestrian avenue Istiklal Caddesi than ever before. New
bars, clubs, private art galleries and restaurants open up all the time,
especially in Beyoglu, and the city seems more funky and cosmopolitan than
ever with its young people even more keen on cultural expression. Istanbul’s
climate is, in the main, a Mediterranean one, although it is affected by
climatic variations due to its location on the Marmara Sea and Bosphorus.
Summers are hot and winters cold, with spring and autumn usually sunny
and warm although they can be changeable. Light snow is common in the winter.
Turkish Holidays with Holiday Mate
Choose one of our cheap package holidays to Turkey. Book a flight with
us from any UK airport to a selection of Turkish holiday destinations.
Choose from a large selections of hotels in Turkey with prices and accommodation
to suit every traveller's needs and budget.
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