ISTANBUL
The City That Lies On Two Continents
Istanbul, the UNIQUE city that straddles two continents: Asia and Europe. For thousands of years, Istanbul has been the symbol of greatness, magnificence, royalty, glory and elegance – a city with a fairy tale past. Today, Istanbul is one of the world’s most fascinating, exciting and attractive cities, offering a thrilling experience with its breathtaking natural beauty, rich historical and cultural heritage, luxurious accommodation facilities and the variety of social activities.
Throughout its two-millennium old history, Istanbul was the capital of three empires: Roman, Byzantium and the Ottoman. Constantly on the move and thrillingly hip, Istanbul is also one of the most exciting metropolitan areas in the world. As the economic and financial heart of Turkey and the biggest producer and importer of art, culture and entertainment, Istanbul amazingly keeps expanding.
Istanbul is an open-air museum with its marvellous historical buildings, including magnificent imperial and summer palaces, mansions, pavilions, kiosks, fountains, mosques, churches, synagogues, fortresses, towers and hammams. In addition, you will also find numerous modern art galleries, museums, exhibitions, festivals and special events throughout the city. Many beautiful natural scenic spots such us the Bosphorus, forests, parks and islands are worth visiting. Istanbul also has many fashionable and trendy districts – Along the shores of the Bosphorus and throughout the city, there are many cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs to enjoy delicious meals and have a great time. In addition to modern luxury shopping malls, you will also discover high-end residential and shopping districts of Nişantaşı and Bebek; alternatively, the Beyoğlu or Cihangir neighbourhoods which caters to more local and bohemian tastes. A great way to take in some unforgettable views of the city and to see the Ottoman architecture up close is to experience the Bosphorus boat cruise.