Istanbul: A City to See

Istanbul, a city of ten-thirteen million inhabitants is a city of unlimited range. It’s a diverse city that’s hard to define by one special district. The genuine differences noticed are among the European and Asian sides that are separated by the Bosphorus Strait. Magnificently spreading out from the Black Sea, spanning across the Bosphorus, embracing the Sea of Marmara, Istanbul is an infinite location of beauty and culture.
When visiting Istanbul tourist normally begin in Sultanahmet. Filled with a wealth of history, Sultanahmet is a tourist magnet. The dwelling place of Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), Serayi (Yerebetan Basilica Cistern), the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque) and Topkapi Serayi (Topkapi Palace) it is over whelmed with restaurants, cafes, rug stores, bars, souvenir shops and hotels. There are other attractions such as beguiling museums, markets, historical sites and mosques. The main section, Divan Yolu, is the pulse of the area, with loads of small streets and alleyways to discover and reminisce about the old town. Near Beyazit Univeristy is the Kapalicarsi (Grand Bazaar) a labyrinth of different market stalls.
Sultanahmet is the major tourist area and you will find the business people fluent in every main European language. So, there’s no problem if your Turkish isn’t fluent.
Along with old time charm Istanbul is quite up-to-date with entertainment, food and gorgeous hotels. American entertainers like Macy Gray and stage musicals like Evita grace places such as the Istanbul Congress Centre. There are movie theatres, city tours and cruises along the sea. Mass transportation is the better way to move around the city. The traffic in Istanbul is quite congested, so it’s important to take a look at traffic conditions and know your destination before going out in the city. A variety of land, sea and rail transportation is available and can be used to your advantage if you plan in advance.
There are a range of Istanbul hotels from two to five stars, serving mouth watering dishes with special spices only they know the secret to. You’ll find fish and seafood, grilled Kebab and Italian cuisine among other things. In Turkey you are known as their “Misafir” or guest. Hospitality is not uncommon in Turkey and according to their tradition the minute you walk through their hotel doors you are swarmed with comfort and pleasure.