Explore Istanbul in the Heart of Turkey
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, in the league of London and Moscow in terms of population density. Named Byzantium and Constantinople in times gone by, it was the busiest city in the region, and owing to ancient Roman occupation, the largest as well. Today, this north western city is the cultural, economic and financial centre of Turkey.
Visitors to the city may enjoy taking a cruise along the Bosphorus – a 32-kilometre strait that joins the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea in Istanbul. Taking about a half-day to reach the Black Sea, this cruise runs through the heart of the city, past several crumbling Ottoman palaces, fortresses, forests and shore villages. Tourists may like to meander back by land along the Mediterranean shore, stopping to explore Ottoman architecture along the way.
Don’t pass up an opportunity to see the whirling dervishes, who are Sufi monks seeking a close relationship with God, worshipping by means of a characteristic whirling dance. There are a number of event halls where the semas or ceremonies can be seen, but visitors are cautioned to remember that they are religious in subject and respect to the devotees should always be given.
Embark on cheap holidays to Turkey and explore the many delights that Istanbul has to offer. Haggle in the grand bazaar, visit traditional barbers for a haircut, shave or massage, or view a glamorous troupe of belly dancers in some of the city’s well-known clubs and bars.
Posted in the travel exploration blog
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.