ISTANBUL INTRODUCTION

“If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Constantinople,” marvelled Alphonse de Lamartine, the 19th-century French writer and politician. 

Sixteen centuries as the legendary capital of the Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman Empires, Istanbul has long entranced the civilized world. The sole city to span two continents, it physically and metaphorically bridges the cultures and philosophies of Europe and Asia, Occident and Orient. Historically a tolerant melting pot—as the centre of Christendom for over a millennium and Islam’s seat for another 500 years—it remains home to the Patriarchate of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Sephardic Jewish heritage sites, and legacies of numerous ethnic groups. It sits at the crossroads of human history, a sprawling 1,812 km² (700 miles²) hilly metropolis studded with nearly 20,000 cultural sites from the sixth millennium B.C. to present day. Flanking 30 km (19 miles) of the Bosporus Strait between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, it is a linchpin for trade routes in all directions. 
Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city as well as its cultural and financial hub. Istanbul's population is estimated to be between 12 and 19 million people, making it also one of the largest cities in Europe and the world.

Istanbul Imperial - This tour covers the main sites, which belong both to Byzantine & Ottoman Empire periods and are located around Sultanahmet Square … more 

Ottoman Wonders - The tour covers the highlights of Ottoman Empire period … more

Classic Highlights - Where in the world can you find monuments of three greatest empires, located on 48ha? - In ISTANBUL only!!! …more
 

Ottoman Splendour - The glorious residence of Ottoman Sultans, the seating place of the father of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the magnificent architectural monument of the 19th century …more

Ottoman Grandeur - The grandeur and power of Ottoman Empire was reflected in the architecture; palaces, mosques, yalis (mansions), gardens, all give us an idea about the glorious heritage of Ottoman era …more 

Princes Islands - An exile place during the Byzantine era... One of the prestigious summer destination today, place with romantic name of Princes' Islands, is an archipelago of nine tiny isles in the Sea of Marmara just few mile off the cost of Istanbul …more 

Morning Bosphorus Cruise - Bosphorus... Bosphorus... Who has not ever heard or read about this most unique waterway that connects two seas, the Black Sea & the Sea of Marmara and …more
 

Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise - Bosphorus... Bosphorus... This magic strait was, for ages, an inspiration for poets and artists and a source of pride of Istanbul residents and admiration for its visitors …more
 

City on Two Continents - Istanbul is one, but the most known and enchanting, of the four cities in the world which stand on two continents…more
 

Dinner Cruise on Bosphorus - The four hour journey between Europe and Asia, passing under the two bridges, viewing Ottoman palaces, historical places, summer houses, waterside mansions and villas located at both sides of the Bosphorus …more

1001 Night Entertaining Program with Dinner - 2h30m show program with spectacular Turkish Wedding Ceremony, Folklore Dance Groups, Best Belly Dancers and Traditional Dinner …more

Whirling Dervishes Ceremony - The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony represents the mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love to perfection…more
 

White Rose Night Show - White Rose is name of freed Ottoman concubine who experienced extraordinary love affair with Dutch Consul during Tulip period in 18th century…more

Rhythm of Dance Night Show - Variety of charming folkloric dances of Anatolia, Balkan and Caucasus regions combined with exotic oriental dances with modern choreography in collages …more

Sultanahmet - Old City 
Essentially the Constantinople of the Roman, Eastern Roman/Byzantine, and much of the Ottoman periods, this is where most of the famous historical sights of Istanbul are located.

Galata 
Housing many of the nightlife venues of the city, this district includes Beyoglu, Istiklal Street, and Taksim Square also its own share of sights and accommodation.

New City 
Main business district of the city with many modern shopping malls and districts such as Elmadag, Nisantasi, and Etiler.

Bosphorus 
European bank of the Bosphorus dotted by numerous palaces, parks, water-front mansions, and bohemian neighbourhoods, such as Besiktas and Ortakoy.

Golden Horn 
Banks of Golden Horn, the estuary that separates the European side into distinctive districts. Eyüp, with an Ottoman ambience, is located here.

Princes’ Islands 
An excellent getaway from the city, made up of an archipelago of nine car-free islands—some of them small, some of them big—with splendid wooden mansions, verdant pine gardens and nice views—both of the islands themselves, and also on the way there.

Asian Side 
Eastern half of Istanbul, with lovely neighbourhoods at the Marmara and Bosphorus Coasts.

Western Suburbs 
Western chunk of the European Side.