Istanbul
 Area: 5,712 km²
Population: 13,000,000
Traffic Code: 34
"There, God and human, nature and art are together, they have created such a perfect place that it is valuable to see." Lamartine’s famous poetic line reveals his love for Istanbul, describing the embracing of two continents, with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe.
Istanbul, once known as the capital of capital cities, has many unique features. It is the only city in the world to straddle two continents, the longest city in the world - 270 km from one end to the other, and the only one to have been a capital during two consecutive empires - Christian and Islamic. Once capital of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul still remains the commercial, historical and cultural pulse of Turkey, and its beauty lies in its ability to embrace its contradictions. Ancient and modern, religious and secular, Asia and Europe, mystical and earthly all co-exist here.
Its variety is one of Istanbul’s greatest attractions: The ancient mosques, palaces, museums and bazaars reflect its diverse history. The thriving shopping area of Taksim buzzes with life and entertainment. And the serene beauty of the Bosphorus, Princes Islands and parks bring a touch of peace to the otherwise chaotic metropolis.
HISTORY
The city has been conquered, fought over and rebuilt many times over the centuries. Istanbul’s history dates back to the first settlement possibly in the 13th Century BC, although was founded by Byzas the Megarian in the 7th Century BC, from when on the city was named Byzantium. A small colony of Greeks inhabited the area until 3rd Century BC, and over the next 1000 years became a thriving trading and commercial centre. Whilst continuing life as a trading city during the Roman Empire, it was then conquered by Emperor Septimus Severius in 193 AD.
Hagia Sophia Museum
During the 4th century, Istanbul was selected by the Roman Empire to be the new capital, instead of Rome, by Constantine. It was a strategic choice: Built on seven surrounding hills – echoing that of Rome – the city would have control of the Bosphorus and easy access to the harbour of the Golden Horn. The city was re-organized within six years, its ramparts widened and the construction of many temples, official buildings, palaces, hamams and hippodrome.
With great ceremony, in the year 330 the city was officially announced as the capital of the Roman Empire, and known as Constantinople in the late eras. It remained the capital of the eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine) for a long period, due to the fall of the west Roman Empire in the 5th century. By the sixth century, the population exceeded half a million, and was considered a golden age under Emperor Justinien’s reign.
The Byzantium Empire and Istanbul's latter history is full of palace and church intrigues, was overrun by the Arabs in the 7th and 8th centuries, the Bulgars in the 9th and 10th, but could not keep out the Crusaders who conquered it in 1204. They destroyed and raided it for many more years - including churches, monasteries and monuments, which led to a decline in the population. The city passed reign to Byzantium again in 1261, did not regain its former richness, and was conquered by Turks in 1453 after a 53-day siege and the hands of control changed yet again.
It then became the capital city of Ottoman Empire, which saw a population increase with immigrants from other parts of the country, with religious freedom and social rights granted to Greeks, Armenians and Jews. Mehmet the Conqueror began to rebuild it, with a new palace and mosque (Fatih Camii) and tried to inject new life into the economy.
The reign of Suleyman the Magnificent (1520-66) was considered the greatest of all the Ottoman times, and the military conquests paid for the most impressive Ottoman architecture, the work of Mimar Sinan. The city was also the centre of the Islamic work, and domes and minarets from hundreds of mosques dotted the skyline.
But a century after the death of Suleyman, the Empire started to decline again. By the end of the 18th century the empire was in decline with more territory being lost to the West, and sultans becoming more interested in Western institutional models. There was a short-lived Ottoman parliament and constitution in 1876, and by the end of the World War I during which allied troops occupied the city, the once-great empire was in shambles.
This changed radically with the emergence of a prominent commander of the Turkish army, who entered the struggle for the Turkish nation. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was considered a hero after the 4-year long War of Independence, following which he established the Republic if Turkey in 1923. Moving the capital to Ankara, then a small provincial town in Anatolia, Istanbul simply remained the commercial and cultural centre until the present day.
What to Buy
 Many people come to Istanbul for the shopping alone. The Kapali Carsi, or Grand Bazaar, is the logical place to start as the area and variety is immense. Still the commercial centre of the old city, the bazaar is the original shopping “mall” with a vast selection of carpets, souvenirs, clothes, shoes, jewellery and handicrafts made from ceramics, copper and brass. Many shops have recently sprung up around Aksaray selling leather, suede and fur coats, catering mainly for Russian and Eastern European buyers. The Misir Carsisi (Spice Market) is good for picking up spices, locum, flavoured teas and small souvenirs.
Sultanahmet has become another shopping mecca in the old city mainly because it has the highest concentration of tourist attractions. The Istanbul Sanatlari Carsisi (Bazaar of Istanbul Arts) in the 18th century Mehmet Efendi Medresesi, and the nearby 16th-century Caferaga Medrese, built by Sinan, offer you the chance to see craftsmen at work and to purchase their wares. In the Arasta (old bazaar) of the Sultanahmet Mosque, a thriving shopping arcade selling carpets, jewellery and local arts makes both shopping and sightseeing very convenient. There are many carpet shops in this area, and the chances are that sooner or later you will be approached by one of many dealers to visit his shop.
The sophisticated shops of in the Taksim and Nisantasi districts contrast with the chaos of the bazaars. Istiklal Caddesi and Cumhuriyet Caddesi have shops selling elegant fashionwear made from Turkey's high quality textiles. Exquisite jewellery, as well as finely designed handbags and shoes can also be found. Nisantasi is the main area for clothes by top designers.
For an even more modern European shopping experience, the huge new malls of the Atakoy Galleria Mall in Atakoy, the Akmerkez Mall in Etiler and the Carousel Mall in Bakirkoy have European outlets, Turkish fashion shops, as well as restaurants and cinemas, and also have branches of Istanbul's most elegant shops. In Bakirkoy, the Carousel Mall is worth a visit, as is the Atlas Passage in Beyoglu. Bahariye Avenue, Bagdat Avenue,and Capitol Mall on the Asian side, offer the same shopping opportunities.
In Istanbul's busy flea markets there is an astonishing assortment of goods, both old and new. There is a daily opportunity to poke about the Sahaflar Carsisi and Cinaralti in the Beyazit areas. On Sundays, in a flea market between the Sahaflar and the Covered Bazaar, vendors uncover their wares on carts and blankets. The Horhor Carsisi is a collection of shops selling furniture of varying age and quality. Flea markets are open daily in the Topkapi district, on Cukurcuma Sokak in Cihangir, on Buyuk Hamam Sokak in Uskudar, in the Kadikoy Carsi Duragi area, and between Eminonu and Tahtakale. After a Sunday drive up the Bosphorus, stop between Buyukdere and Sariyer to wander through another lively market.
1 Night 2 Days Tour to ISTANBUL : (As pre or post tour – Sept. 3 –4 or Sept. 11 – 12)
Day 1:
Upon Arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport meet and depart for your tour.
This tour guides participants over the Golden Horn to the old city of Istanbul. Sites to be included:
Blue Mosque: One of the largest mosques in Istanbul, this 17th century building dominates the skyline of Istanbul. It is also famous for its blue tiles and six minarets.
Topkapi Palace: The former imperial residence of the Great Ottoman Empire and today a spectacular museum with one of the largest collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain, and housing the famous treasures of the Royal Family, among them some of the most spectacular gemstones in the world.
Visit to treasure department of Topkapı Place is included to the price of the tour.
Lunch will be at Konyalı Restaurant located within the vicinity of Topkapı Palace.
St.Sophia: The most magnificent Byzantine Church of all times and one of the finest and largest architectural works of art in the world. Many historians have nominated it the eighth wonder of the world. Paz.
Byzantine Hippodrome: The former center for sporting and political activities of Constantinople. The visit includes the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Delphi and the Fountain of Wilhelm II.
Grand Bazaar: Apart form its historical importance, the bazaar will tempt even non-shoppers with its rich collection of precious handmade carpets, jewellery, leather goods and souvenirs. Return to Hotel by 18:00 h.
Over night at Special category Hotel located in Old section of Istanbul . Dinner on your own.
Day 2:
Buffet Breakfast at your Hotel, then depart for a full day tour, first visiting Chora Church famous with the mosaics inside. Next stop will be a visit to the unique Egyptian Spice Bazaar for an hour. Later coach transfer to ferry for an unforgettable excursion between two continents, Europe and Asia. The boat sails through the last Ottoman palaces Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi as well as the 19th and 20th century wooden villas and contemporary mansions in the elegant district of Istanbul. Lunch will be served in a fish restaurant by Bosphorus. A visit to the Rumeli Fortress is included before transferring to Airport for flight to Izmir.
This tour can also be operated as pre or post tour. It will start either arriving from Izmir for post tour or before flight to Izmir for pre tour.
| Price : |
USD 163 per person in double
USD 194 in single room
|
| Tour Includes : |
Qualified English speaking guide
Transportation by deluxe air-conditioned buses
Daily buffet breakfast
1 night accommodation in special category Hotel in Istanbul
2 lunches
Admission fees
|
| Additional night cost : |
USD 54 per person in dbl bed and breakfast,
USD 31 single supplement, |
|
|
 |
| Today is |
 |
|
|
