A land where east meets west
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWOHPJBaoeY
Istanbul (historically Byzantium and later Constantinople) is the largest city of Turkey and the fourth largest city in the world. The city covers 27 districts of the Istanbul province. It is located on the Bosphorus Strait and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwest of the country. It extends both on the European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul served as the capital city of the Roman Empire (330-395), the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395-1204 and 1261-1453), the Latin Empire (1204-1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453-1922). The city was chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010. The historic areas of Istanbul were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.
Istanbul is located in the Marmara region of Turkey and is a major seaport city as well as an industrial, commercial, educational and financial center and trade center. Manufactures include ship building, glass, textiles, shoes and cement. The city's inhabitants is about twelve million.The city is divided into three parts - the old city , the new city and the Asiatic side.The Asiatic side can be reached from the European side by two bridges, the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the world's longest suspension bridges and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. The Old City and the New City are separated by the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorus. It is a natural channel seven km long and is connected by two bridges, the Galata Bridge and Atat?idge.
The old city, where the majority of historical monuments are found, lies along the Golden Horn. The most famous of these monuments are St.Sophia, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, The Wall of Theodosius, Topkapi Palace, Suleymaniye Mosque, Underground Cistern, St.Eirene, St.Saviour in Chora, Archeological Museum, Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market.
The new part of the city displays a modern impression of Istanbul with its skyscrapers and luxurious shopping centers, but, at the same time, one is reminded of Istanbul's history by the wooden houses bordering the Bosphorus and historical sites such as Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Galata Tower, Nusretiye Mosque, Clock Tower, Yildiz Palace, Rumeli Fortress, etc.
The Asiatic side of the city is a mixture of modern houses, lovely wooden villas as well as historical sites such as Anadolu Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kucuksu Kasri, Hidiv Kasri, Leanders Tower, Cinili Mosque, etc.
Within the urban district of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara, there are nine islands, called Princess Islands, where Byzantine Princes used to be exiled.
One place definitely not to miss is the Hagia Sophia Museum which is to be found at the heart of the city. Simply a stunning piece of architecture! Truly awe-inspiring. It is hard to miss this massive structure as its huge dome dominates the city. After close to 1,000 years as a church and then 500 years as chief mosque of the Ottoman Empire it embodies the history and culture of the city.
A visit to this exotic city is like stepping back in time.Its architecture is truly awe inspiring with its fabulous mosques and churches dating back to medieval times.It is a city where east meets west
Istanbul is a shoppers delight with its many unique street markets teeming with exotic scents, spices and treasures. Experience the city at its most exotic and colourful by paying a visit to the Grand Bazaar which is often claimed to be the world's oldest shopping centre.
 
Istanbul is a city which is inspired by both European and Asian influences and its architecture is astonishingly beautiful. It is a city where east meets west with the Bosphorus river separating Europe and Asia. Istanbul skyline from the Bosphorus strait, is the 5th Best Views in the World By Andrew Harper. http://gcabije.multiply.com/journal/item/465/20_Best_Views_in_the_World.
Istanbul one of the ten places that recomended for 2010 holidays. http://uk.travel.yahoo.com/p-promo-3306812
Also look New York Times-The 31 Places to go in 2010 (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html?pagewanted=2&hpw)
Holy places in the world. (I 10 luoghi sacri della terra )
http://viaggi.lastampa.it/foto/i-10-luoghi-sacri-della-terra
The Topkapi Palace has many wonderful examples of Ottoman architecture. This was the official residence of the sultans from the mid 1400's to the mid 1800's and the Palace (including the Harem) and its beautiful grounds are definitely worth a visit. Marvellous displays of armour, swords and guns can be viewed as well as a treasury of fantastic jewels.
The city also offers a multitude of modern shopping centres where all tastes are catered for. Close to the hospital you will find the Cevahir Shopping Mall, the largest shopping centre in Europe and the second largest in the world.
At Akmerkez Shopping Mall which is located in the fashionable Etiler district you will find the more exclusive brands and top Fashion shops. The mall has won the Europe's Best shopping mall award in 1995 and Worlds Best shopping mall award in 1996.
Kanyon Shopping Mall: The newest shopping mall of Istanbul t the end of May 2006, Kanyon is is an "open air" shopping mall with no roof.
Tepe Nautilus, in walking distance from Kadıköy port at the Sea of Marmara, is the first thematic shopping mall Turkey’s with its name, decoration and architectural features associated with sea and navigation. Concerts and exhibitions frequently take place in the mall. 50,000 people visit Nautilus on weekends. Tepe Nautilus located just beside of Kudret Eye Hospital.
( http://www.istshopfest.com/en/default.aspx İstanbul Shopping Fest, is an annual festival of shopping, culture and entertainment which will be between March 18 and April 26 2011)
The Princes' Islands are composed of nine islands off the Asian coast of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara. Motor vehicles are not permitted on the islands except the ones belonging to local municipality for public works, so people walk or rent a bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. http://www.istanbulislands.com/
Princess Island in NY Times http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/07/10/travel/buyukada-near-istanbul-is-an-island-idyll.html?scp=1&sq=princess%20island%20istanbul&st=cse
Istanbul in Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/apr/10/turkey-istanbul-history-culture?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487
and more ... http://english.istanbul.com/
http://www.istanbulcityguide.com/istanbul-chrome.aspx
http://traveldk.com/istanbull
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-191501812-istanbul_vacations
Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture en.istanbul2010.org/index.htm
Istanbul city guide http://www.realbuzz.com/articles/istanbul-city-guide
Art www.galerist.com.tr and www.galerinevistanbul.com
for panaromic istanbul photos http://www.360tr.com/index.php?lang=en
and http://www.360tr.com/detaypan/bogaz1/
Free Istanbul sightseeing tour for all transit passengers by THY
http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-UK/announcements/4039/free-istanbul-sightseeing-tour-for-all-our-transit-passengers.aspx
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