Holidays » Turkey » Istanbul Holidays

Istanbul sits on a large natural harbour, on the Bosphorus Strait and is a unique city as it spans two continents; Europe and Asia and it is easy to see how the unusual geographic location has moulded its rich culture and history. Although Istanbul is not the capital, it is Turkey’s largest city and it has a long history spanning Greek and Roman rule through to the Ottoman Empire and there is an abundance of historic and religious sites to take in. A visitor must see is Sultanahmet Square in the old part of the city where you can see the Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and the Roman Hippodrome of Constantinople.Read More...

However, you should also see the inside of the Church of St Savior in Chora which is covered in the most beautiful array of mosaics. The Roman Valens Aqueduct, by Istanbul University is one of Istanbul’s most important and photographed landmarks and was built in the 4th century to carry water to the city. With so much history it is easy to forget that Istanbul is also a modern city with spectacular skyscrapers, diverse restaurants, a very hip nightlife and world class shopping. For some of the best choice of boutiques, famous brands, cafes and restaurants visit the Ni?anta?? area of the city.

Here you can also visit The Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest bazaar in the world renowned for its traditional crafts and textiles. For 5* opulence and luxury, the Ç?ra?an Palace Kempinski is the perfect choice as this grand hotel was a former Sultan's palace. In the business district, it is centrally located to visit modern and cultural sites. For a mid priced hotel, try the Hotel Fehmi Bey, in the heart of the historic Sultanahmet area.

This family run, charming boutique hotel has an open terrace with spectacular views of the city.