ISTANBUL

Istanbul - Formerly known as Byzantium and Constantinople is a transcontinental city in both Europe and Asia. Istanbul is a remnant of the Ottoman Empire and is a secular nation that welcomes all religions. Visitors will love the people, food, religious architecture, history and of course one must have a Turkish bath at one of the many Hammams.

The Kapalıçarşı (Grand Bazaar) consists of 61 covered streets with more than 4,000 shops and is located in the district of Fatih. It is commonly referred to as the world’s first shopping mall.

The Mısır Çarşısı (Spice Bazaar) is part of the complex of the New Mosque located in the Eminönü quarter of the Fatih district. The Spice Bazaar is home to many shops selling spices, fruit, Turkish delights, home goods, clothes, souvenirs and miscellaneous items to locals and tourists.

The Basilica Cistern is the world's largest cistern originally built during the Byzantine era in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian I to supply water to the Great Palace, the imperial residence, and other locations. The cistern is a popular tourist attraction and it's best to arrive early in the morning before opening to avoid long lines and crowds.

The Hippodrome was an open space used for public events such as horse and chariot racing, gladiator events and performances that celebrated important events. The Obelisk of Theodosius that we know today was previously in Alexandria until 390 and was later re-erected in the Hippodrome by the Roman emperor Theodosius I in the 4th century AD. The Serpent Column is located in the Hippodrome and commemorates the Greeks who defeated the Persian Empire at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC.

The column was built around 328 AD The column was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great and built around 328 AD to mark the founding of Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire.

The Topkapi Palace once served as a 15th century main residence and administrative headquarters of the Ottoman sultans. It now serves as a museum.

The Blue Mosque features 5 main domes, 6 minarets, 8 smaller domes and contains the tomb of Ahmed I, a madrasah and a hospice. The interior of the mosque is decorated with hand-painted blue tiles and the exterior is bathed in blue lights at night. The New Mosque features 66 domes and 2 minarets and is located at the southern end of the Galata Bridge in Eminönü.

The Hagia Sophia was once a former Greek Orthodox cathedral before being converted into a Roman Catholic cathedral, then converted into an Ottoman imperial mosque, then a museum and now a mosque again.

The Golden Horn is the primary waterway inlet of the Bosphorus separating Eminönü from Beyoğlu.

The 490 meter (1,610 feet) long Galata Bridge crosses the Golden Horn from Eminönü to Beyoğlu.

The Galata Tower is a medieval nine story stone tower in the Beyoğlu district with fantastic views of Istanbul and the Bosphorus.

Istiklal street is 1.4 kilometers (0.87 miles) and is located in Beyoğlu. The pedestrian street runs from the Genoese neighborhood around Galata Tower and ends at Taksim Square consisting of boutiques, shops, libraries, restaurants, night clubs and much more. A trolley travels up and down the street for anyone who wants to take a break from walking.

Taksim Square is considered the heart of Istanbul with hotels, shops and is the central location of Istanbul's public transportation Metro system. It is also the site for major public gatherings such as parades, celebrations and sometimes political demonstrations and protests.

The Republic Monument is located in Taksim Square. It was designed by Italian sculptor Pietro Canonica and commemorates the formation of the Turkish Republic in 1923 featuring depictions of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, İsmet İnönü and Fevzi Çakmak.

Note: Tourists should be very mindful of their surroundings and avoid any demonstrations due to potential violent incidents

The Bosphorus Strait is 32 kilometers long and joins the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea and separates the continents of Europe and Asia. People drive across the bridge or ferry across the Bosphorus everyday between Asia and Europe.

A Bosphorus cruise is a fun affordable option to see palaces, mosques, historic landmarks and sights along the Bosphorus River. There are several sightseeing cruise options starting from 90 minutes to several hours. Other options include dinner cruises, sunset cruises and private yacht cruises.