Friday, September 7, 2012

Istanbul the largest city in Turkey

If you know your history well, you will be more familiar with Constantinople, the capital of Byzantine, which is now known as Istanbul. Now, though the name has changed, the stately image of the city is still preserved in its monuments and culture; you see Constantinople in every bazaar and minaret in Istanbul.

When your flights to Istanbul land at the Istanbul Ataturk Airport, you will be transported to a world that combines traits of the East and the West. Sandwiched between Europe and Asia, Istanbul has the warmth of the east as well as the ambition of the west. This location also makes it easy to get cheap flights to Istanbul. Just look out for Turkish Airlines Flight deals or British Airways flight deals to get cheap tickets to Istanbul. The best ways to get the cheapest airline fares to Istanbul would be either by booking well in advance if you plan to travel during peak season or by booking last minute flights in off-season.
Attractions

There are plenty of architectural wonders in Istanbul starting with the iconic Blue Mosque, the Dolmache Palace, the Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and the Galata Tower from where you can have a grand view of the city. Hagia Sophia, the Column of Constantinople, the Sunken Palace and the ancient Hippodrome are other sights that bring back memories of Constantinople.

The Grand Bazaar, Kapali Carsi is a spellbinding maze with over 4000 shops, hamams and worship centers. If you are a bargain shopper, this is your dream market. You can buy anything from Turkish souvenirs to apparel and jewelry here. Other important sights here include the great walls of Constantinople, Istanbul Modern and the Eyup Sultan Camii.

For kids, the Sisli Science Center, the Dolphinarium and the Museum of Energy at Santral Istanbul are nice places to visit. You can also take the Classic Bosporus Cruise to view the best of Istanbul from its waters.

Dining

Fusion food is a specialty in Istanbul with unique mergers of Asian and European food. Try out Turkish cuisine which has some excellent dishes like kebabs; fresh seafood is also very popular, especially in Kanlyca. While in Istanbul, don’t miss the street food ranging from roast chestnuts to pastries and stuffed mussels.

Shopping

The fusion of east and west in Istanbul plays a major role in shopping too; you can opt to shop in bazaar shops or in swanky malls depending on what you wish to purchase. Have fun haggling in the bazaars to get Turkish specialties like the Turkish delight, tea and spices. The Grand Bazaar is one of the best places for this kind of shopping.

When you book your flights to Istanbul, you are booking a journey to a unique destination. Your Istanbul holiday is not complete if you don’t experience a Hamam, haggle for small buys at the Grand Bazaar, sample a Doner Kebab or take a scenic cruise across the Bosporus River. Though these may sound touristy, each experience is typical to Istanbul and will remain memorable long after your get back home.

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