Official Language:
Turkish
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Currency:
Turkish Lira
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Population:
Approximately 12,000,000 people call Istanbul home
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Istanbul Turkey: The best time to visit Istanbul is April-June or September-October. Temperatures are relatively comfortable then, with average highs of 60-77°F/16-25°C and relatively little rain. Winters rarely get cold enough for snow, but plenty of rain falls (about 11-13 in/28-33 cm November-January) and the damp air can feel very chilly. Summers are hot and humid, but not unbearable if you're near the water. A sweater or rain jacket is useful year-round.
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Istanbul is an amazing cruise destination, filled with amazing outdoor vendors, magnificent restaurants, great sites, and outstanding museums. Cruise ships dock at the pier on the European side of the Bosphorus and transportation (bus, tram, taxis or shuttles) is available to take passengers into the city. Transportation is relatively inexpensive. You can explore many of the fabulous sites within the old city on foot.
This historic city is 2,500 years old, it is in Golden Horn that the heart of Istanbul can be found. When you travel around you can't help but observe the cultural battle between East and West. The cultural youth movement is strongly influenced by both American and European styles. This is adds to the complexity of the already fascinating Turkish society. A visit to the spectacular city will be unforgettable.
With one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, the city of Istanbul spans two continents. Modern buildings sit proudly alongside monuments that reflect a diverse and ancient history and reminders of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.
If Istanbul is anything, it is a city of contrasts. Beautifully restored waterfront yalis sit side by side with moldering, abandoned ones. The morning call to prayer sounds out over a sleepy city where some are kneeling on prayer rugs and some are returning home from the bars. Women in traditional black dresses and head coverings pass others in the bright colors and chic fabrics of the latest European fashions.
Each transition left its mark on the city. The 20th century saw the integration of these diverse historical elements. Many of the most important religious sites have been converted to secular museums. Christianity and Islam coexist in monuments devoted to the history of both religions in Istanbul. Grand mosques that were once churches, now exhibit the glorious Christian mosaics that were previously plastered over, and landmark churches from the Byzantine Empire sport stunning minarets from their centuries as mosques. Ottoman palaces are open to the public, and in these museums the opulent lives of the Sultans have been memorialized for future generations. Centuries-old fortresses and still-thriving bazaars tell of the vitality of the past while the new shops, and theaters offer testimony to the continuing vigor of Istanbul. Always a center of education and culture, the new Istanbul is no different, with at least six important universities educating the students of today, in historic buildings that rival many museums and monuments.
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There are so many fantastic things to do in Istanbul, after your cruise ship docks here, that you may not know where to begin. It is best to set up three or four activities that are truly of interest to you, and spend your time enjoying them. Don't go without planned activities especially if you are there for a short time. Without planning ahead you may miss out on something exciting that you would have loved to experience here. Prepare to be overwhelmed by the intoxicating sights and sounds.
The most important landmark, is the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, or the Blue Mosque, named because of the Iznik tiles that line the interior walls. Only worshippers are allowed to enter through the main door; visitors enter through a side passage. Ver important, regarding clothing—respectful attire is required and knees and shoulders must be covered.
Rugs cover mosque floors and shoes are removed before entering (wearing socks is advised). The tiles, frescoes, and stained glass windows of the Blue Mosque are quite beautiful. Continuing your walk, the next stop is the nearby Hagia Sophia, the Church of Santa Sophia.
Now a museum, Hagia Sophia is undergoing restoration and the results thus far are magnificent. This looks like Sleeping Beauty's Castle! Disney modeled that familiar structure after the Royal Gate of Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman Sultans. Through the gardens and courtyards, a variety of chambers contain such treasures as eight-pound emeralds, the 86-carat Spoonmaker diamond, and the Topkapi dagger set with three large emeralds. Other rooms house gem encrusted thrones, priceless silver, porcelains, and holy relics. Don’t miss the cool breeze from the Bosphorus on the Balcony of Life. Tours of the Harem are also available. Dolmabache Palace, a must-see that is not on ships' tours. The palace is administered by the Turkish government with its own guided tours.
Turkish Bath Experience
Experience the centuries old tradition of the Turkish bath at the Cagaloglu Hamami Baths. Although the date of the construction and the name of the Hamam is not known, it is said to have been built in the beginning of the 18th century. It is also said that this construction is one of Sinan's works of art. These double baths in which only the changing-rooms have been changed, now consist of two parts, one for women and the other for men in a 2,834 square meter area.
The Sultans, important people of the palace and high class of the society used this magnificent monument. It is a temple for bathing that has also provided service to important and famous statesmen who have visited or lived in Istanbul. Besides King Edward VIII, Kaiser Wilhelm, Franz Liszt, Florence Nightingale, also today's well-known personalities King Fahd, Rockefeller, Tony Curtis, Richard Harrison came to Cagaloglu Hamami during their visit to Istanbul. Rudolf Nureyev, the famous ballet dancer, visits this historical monument every time he comes to Istanbul.
Here you will sample the traditional bath experience with Ottoman service including scrubbing, bathing, massage and round trip transportation. Refreshments are served including soft drinks, tea or coffee.
Bosphorus Highlights and Cruise
This is a very interesting and relaxing tour that will give you a chance to see one of the best residential areas of Istanbul as well as getting a taste of the local life. Departing by coach, you will start with a visit to the Rumeli Fortress built to protect Istanbul against beisiegers from the Black Sea on the European shore. The fortress was completed in an amazingly short time of four months in 1452, but the city subsequently fell in 1453. A fine example of classic Turkish fortress architecture was restored in the 1950's and turned into a museum.
The next stop will be the private Sadberk Hanim Museum. It boasts a fantastic collection of Anatolian antiquities and Ottoman heirlooms collected by Sadberk Hanim, the wife of one of the country's foremost businessmen. Remarkable exhibits, ranging from items of Turkey's Islamic past to jeweled treasures from Ottoman times and a rare collection of Chinese porcelain, made especially for the Ottoman sultans, are tastefully and exquisitely displayed and never fail to amaze visitors.
The tour will conclude with a cruise on the Bosphorus on a private boat. One of the most beautiful places in the world is the Bosphorus, which is a strait that runs a winding course between the two continents from one sea to the other. It is a natural border between Europe and Asia, and it is the only outlet of the Black Sea, which is connected to the Aegean through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. With the old seaside mansions, mosques, palaces, restaurants and beaches along its shores; the Bosphorus resembles a wide river. Woods and residences cover the hills rising behind its shores.
Istanbul's Jewish Heritage
For Jewish Heritage you will visit the Galata quarter and Balat in the old part of Istanbul. Life in Galata begins in Byzantine times. Galata was inhabited and ruled by the Genoese, who had among them numerous Jewish families. From the 1500's onward, Galata was mostly Jewish. Sites in Galata included the office of the Chief Rabbinate, the Neve Shalom, inaugurated on March 25, 1951. The synagogue is today used for major functions of the community such as weddings and funerals. Then you will move on to the last visit in the tour. Zulfaris Museum once a synagogue today it is a simple museum.
Balat, in the old part of Istanbul, is one of the oldest residential areas in Istanbul and the first settlement area for the Jewish community in Istanbul. In Balat you will get a chance to walk in the narrow streets, see the Star of David appearing on the facades of some of the buildings in the area. Then you will visit Ahrida Synagogue that was built in 15th century. It is a glorious example of the rich cultural life of Turkish Jews; the Ahrida has its rightful place among the major synagogues of the world. It is the oldest of Istanbul's 16 synagogues in use today. A remarkable feature of the Ahrida is its Teva (Bima), which is in the shape of prow of a ship. The tradition says that, it symbolizes either Noah's Ark or the Ottoman Ships that transported the Sephardics from Spain to Turkey. The Ahrida was badly damaged by a fire in the late 17th century, which may even have destroyed it completely. The exact year of the fire is unknown, but an Imperial order dated 1694 calls for the rebuilding of the synagogue, which was done at the time in the Baroque style of the Tulip Period.
Dolmabahce Palace and Asia Minor
The Dolmabahçe Palace is a blend of many European architectural styles. It was built between 1843 and 56 by Garabet Balyan, the chief architect of Sultan Abdülmecid. The palace has survived intact with original decorations, furniture, silk carpets and curtains. Its walls and ceilings are covered with paintings by famous artists of the age and with decorations made by using tons of gold. Ornate wood parquet, different in each room, covers the floors. Famous silk and wool carpets of Hereke, some of the finest examples of the Turkish art of carpet weaving, cover the floors. Rare handmade object d'art from Europe and the Far East decorate every room in the palace. Brilliant crystal chandeliers, candelabras and fireplaces add to the lavish décor.
Of the six baths in the palace, the one used by the Sultan is made of unusually rich looking, specially carved alabaster marble. The ballroom is the largest of its kind in the world. A 4½ ton giant-sized chandelier hangs from the 117 foot high dome. The hall, which is used for important political meetings, balls and signing of treaties, used to be heated by a heating system under the floor until electricity and central heating were installed later. The upper galleries of the hall were reserved for orchestras and the diplomatic corps. Long hallways lead to the Harem section of the palace where the bedrooms of the Sultan and the quarters of his mother, the quarters of the ladies of the Harem and the servants were located. The hallways leading to the Harem have many consecutive doors. More than six hundred valuable paintings in the palace hang on the walls in the hallways. The fourth addition to the palace is as large as the Harem and used as the quarters of the Crown Prince. The entrance to this section is from outside the palace, and today, it houses the Museum of Fine Arts.
The Palace, which is a museum today, is one of those historic places in Istanbul that must be seen. There are collections of precious objects used by the sultans and members of the palace in everyday life during ceremonies. Some of these have been taken out of storage and are being displayed in two different rooms. Most of these gold, silver and crystal objects, tea sets and table settings, dresser sets and other decorative objects are of European origin, and each one is very valuable piece of art. The rear gardens of the palace and the aviary, along with some of the mansions here, have been renovated and opened to the public. Most recently, the Concubines' Quarters was opened to public. The long entrance hall is used as a picture gallery today. The garden reached through here is the section behind the ballroom. The aviary has been renovated and today, there are many big cages with colorful exotic birds.
At the end of the visit, you will cross from Europe to Asia via the shortest route in the world. Following a short orientation tour and a panoramic drive on the Asian Side of Istanbul, there will be a short refreshment stop at the Leander's (Maiden's) Tower. The first structure is believed to have been built on this tiny islet by Athenian leader Alcibiades, in 411 BC. The tower has been renovated and today it is being used as a restaurant and a café. Although much has changed since the time it has first been built, it is still the best spot from which to admire Istanbul's sea, sky and silhouette
Topkapi and the Blue Mosque
Standing at the crossroads of ancient and important trade routes, Istanbul continues to be an exciting and fascinating city. The excursion includes a visit to the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
The ancient Hippodrome is where chariot races were held during the Roman period and celebrations honoring the emperors of the Byzantine Empire. Sultan Ahmet Mosque, better known as the "Blue Mosque", was built by Sultanahmet I. The mosque is situated in a wide courtyard, which has five gates. There is an inner courtyard next to the mosque with three entrances. Porticos consisting of 26 columns and 30 domes surround the inner courtyard. There are four minarets at the corner of the mosque having three serefes each. There are six minarets in all, each of which is fluted. The walls all along the galleries are covered with 21,000 17th century Iznik tiles having many flower motifs in a dominant blue color.
Visit the famous Topkapi Palace, which served as the Imperial Residence to 25 sultans and 4,000 people during the great Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries. During this time successive sultans added to the palace resulting today in a variety of architectural styles. In 1924 it was converted into a museum. The palace has several sections. During the tour you will see the Porcelain Section that displays one of the richest collections in the world of Chinese and Japanese porcelain. You will also have the chance to visit the Treasury Section, where you can see such treasures of the sultans as the 86-carat Spoonmaker Diamond or the equally impressive Emerald Dagger.
The Grand Bazaar has almost 5,000 shops spread out in a giant maze of small streets and passages which are arranged according to their trade - rugs, antiques, gold, silver, leather, etc. It is one of the most interesting sights in Istanbul. Throughout the Ottoman Period, the Bazaar withstood earthquakes and fires and was restored several times. The atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar is very interesting and has consequently become a very popular place for foreign visitors.
Please note: The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Byzantine Highlights of Istanbul
This tour showcases the less familiar though equally important sights of Istanbul including the Chora Museum, Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome and the Underground Cisterns.
The Chora Museum is the second most important Byzantine monument in Istanbul after St. Sophia. The word Chora means 'outside the city; the countryside'. Probably a small church, which had been built here before the 5th century Roman city walls gave its name to the other churches built later at the same site. The existing edifice is dated to the 11th - 14th centuries. Besides its attractive exterior, the mosaic and frescoes inside are masterpieces of the renaissance of Byzantine art. These decorations and the additions built in the 14th century were made upon the orders of Theodore Masochists. The mosaic panels seen in the two narthexes upon entering depict scenes from the lives of the Virgin and Christ (as described in the Bible). Frescoes depicting religious themes are in the side chapel. Figures of the members of the palace and the church are seen among them. When the church was converted into a mosque in the beginning of the 16th century, the mosaics and frescoes were covered by whitewash. Starting in 1950, these have been restored and cleaned by the Byzantine Institute of the U.S.A.
Then you will pass through the Hippodrome. The Roman Emperor Septimus Severus built the original building in 203 A.D. when he rebuilt Byzantium. Constantine the Great reconstructed, enlarged and adorned it with beautiful works that were brought from different parts of the Roman Empire. The place used to be the site for public activities, chariot races and celebrations in honor of the emperors. Today there is not much left from the original building except the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine and Constantine Columns.
From the Hippodrome, travel on to visit St. Sophia (Hagia Sophia) which means Divine Wisdom. The magnificent Byzantine Church is one of the finest architectural works in the world. Many historians have nominated it as the 8th wonder of the world. The Hagia Sophia was probably the largest building on the world's surface, barring the Egyptians Pyramids, or the Great Wall of China. For many centuries it was the largest church and today is the fourth largest in the world after St. Paul's in London, St. Peter's in Rome and the Duomo in Milan. The great Ottoman architect Sinan, in his autobiography, says that he devoted his lifetime in the attempt to surpass its technical achievements. In the year 325, Constantine erected the first basilica; which was destroyed by fire in 404. Justinian I rebuilt the church and a basilica with a grand dome, which was completed after 5 years and dedicated to the Emperor in 537. After the conquest of Istanbul, it was turned into a mosque and minarets were added to the building. In 1934, Ataturk, the founder of Turkish Republic converted St. Sophia into a museum well known for its magnificent frescoes, mosaics and immense dome.
The last visit in the tour will be the Underground Cistern., which is the largest and the most magnificent covered cistern in Istanbul. The ceiling of this forest of columns is made of brick and is cross-vaulted. A street runs above a section of the cistern. Due to a basilica once situated on the cistern, it is known as the Basilica Cistern. It was built in the reign of Constantine I and repaired and enlarged in the reign of Justinian I. It supplied water to the palace complex nearby.
Pera Palas Hotel
Stop for a drink in the Orient-Express bar of this old-world hotel. Opened in 1892 with the arrival of the Orient-Express, it attracted royals, spies and writers. The lift, a wrought-iron fantasy, carries visitors to room 411, the room once occupied by Agatha Christie.
Private arrangements for independent sightseeing may be requested through the Tour Office on board. Guests in transit to the following cruise may want to make use of private cars and guides to explore some of Istanbul’s many attractions on turnaround day.
Golf
Klassis Golf & Country Club The 18 hole, 73 par, 6200 meters golf course of the Klassis Golf & Country Club was designed by one of the world's foremost golfers, Tony Jacklin, and entirely meets European norms andstandards. The number 2 hole, is the "Signature Hole" of Klassis Golf & Country Club. As the most difficult and the mostchallenging hole of the course, number 2 is 559 meters long and with water on the drive and the fairway slopes going towards the water hazard. As well as the Championship Course the clubalso has a 9 hole Academy Course for those who are new to this very enjoyable social sport. There is also a 230 meter long driving range and putting green. Having hosted PGA european Challenge Tour in 1997 and 1998 and PGA Seniors Tour in 1999, the Championship Course is the major venue for both international and local tournaments
Shopping
With over 4000 shops, Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, or Covered Market, contains an amazing array of merchandise. You may think dropping bread crumbs to find your way out is a good idea but soon it becomes apparent that there is a scheme to the layout of the bazaar’s maze—with jewelry down one way, leather items down another, and so on. Fleet-footed runners deliver a bottomless supply of tea to refresh weary shoppers while they make their selections. Shop for rugs, onyx, leather goods, meershaum pipes, and more. Accepting a cup of tea or soft drink is a ritual of Turkish hospitality and doesn’t obligate you to purchase anything, but bargaining if you don’t intend to buy an item is considered very bad form. Fashionable shops are located in the Taksim, Sili, and Nisantasi districts. In the Topkapi district daily flea markets are held
Misir Çarsisi (Spice Bazaar): Misir carsisi is also known as Egyptian Bazar, Misir Carsisi, or spice bazaar located next to the Yeni Mosque (Yeni Cami) The scent of exotic spices is nearly as magnificent as the sight of all of the rich colors. The Spice Bazaar is smaller and much less crowded than the Grand Bazaar. You'll find perfumeries, spice stalls, silk scarves, leather items and plenty of traditional Turkish goodies to sample at the food vendors' booths. You can get saffron very reasonable price in Misir Çarsisi.
-Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
-Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are closed on Sundays
-St. Sophia Museum is closed on Mondays
-Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts is closed on Mondays
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More Information |
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Web: www.Istanbul.com
Web: www.icvb.org/sitemap.html
Email: ny@tourismturkey.org
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