Welcome
to TOURISTANBUL
the travel professional
FOR TURKEY
InfoTurkey
InfoIstanbul Tours&Itineraries
Who am I?
Pictures Contact
me
ISTANBUL
BOGAZI - BOSPHORUS
A stay in Istanbul is not complete without
the traditional and unforgettable excursion by boat along the Istanbul
Bogazi, the winding straits separating Europe and Asia. Along its shores
is a delightfully surprising mixture of past and present, grand spl endour
and simple beauty. The shore is lined with modern hotels, "yali" (old wooden
villas), palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages.
The best way of seeing the Istanbul Bogazi
is to board one of the passenger boats that regularly zigzag along the
shores starting from Eminonu and stopping alternately on the Asian and
European sides. The round trip excursion takes about six hours and the
fare is reasonable. During the excursion you will pass the magniticent
Palace of Dolmabahce, and farther along are the parks and imperial pavilions
ot Yildiz Palace. Here, in this beautiful park, are the Malta and Cadir
Pavilions, now cafes. On the edge of this park, on the coast, is Ciragan
Palace, now restored as a grand hotel. This palace was refurnished in 1874
by Sultan Abdulaziz and is one of the Bosphorus' most beautiful palaces.
It stretches 300 meters along the Bosphorus wíth its marble facades
facing the shore.
At Ortakoy a great variety of artists
gather every Sunday to display their work along the street. This is a favorite
place for meeting, and eating something delicious from the many street
vendors while strolling among the artists.
Elegantly spanning the water and linking
Europe and Asia for the first time is a bridge, one of the longest in the
world. Immediately after this bridge, on the Asian side, is the beautiful
Beylerbeyi Palace. Behind the palace rises Camlica Hill, the highe st point
in Istanbul. From the top ot Camlica Hill you can rest and admire the magnificent
panorama of Istanbul from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in the traditional
style. Just across, on the European side, the contrasting elements of old
and new can be seen in the Ottoman wooden villas of Arnavutkoy and the
luxurious apartments of Bebek. Then, facing each other across the straits,
are the fortresses of Rumeli Hisari and Anadolu Hisari. Just before Anadolu
Hisari is the Goksu Palace, sometimes known as the Kucuksu Palace. Immediately
after the twin fortresses is the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, the recently
completed second link between the two continents. From Duatepe Hill, on
the European side, one finds magnificent panoramic views of the bridge
and the Istanbul Bogazi. Below Duatepe is the beautiful Emirgan Park with
its delightful pavilions. This park is famous for its tulips and the annual
tulip festival held every April. In this park are three cafe pavilions
: San, Pembe and Beyaz. The Beyaz Pav ilion is also used as a concert hall.
On the Asian shore, opposite, is Kanlica, with its elegant villas, and
also famous for its delicious yogurt.
Shortly after Kanlica, at Cubuklu, is
the Hidiv Palace set in delightful wooded gardens. It is now a hotel where
concerts and conferences are held. Past Hidiv Palace is the Beykoz (Abraham
Pasa) Korusu Woods, a popular resting place with cafes and restau rants
where delightful views and clear fresh air can be enjoyed. Farther along
on the European side is the beautiful Bay of Tarabya with yachts at anchor
and many sea front taverns which continue on to the charming townships
of Buyukdere and Sariyer. It i s possible to contact agencies which specialize
in the organization of "mini-cruises" by day or night (or trips by car
along the shore) with some of these cruises serving delicious meals so
the visitor can sample exceptional cuisine accompanied with fine drink.
These Cruises have become very popular and are a must for people touring
the Bosphorus. In the many fine restaurants and night clubs the delights
of good food and entertainment can be enjoyed in a unique and beautiful
setting.
PALACES
MOSQUES MUSEUMS
HISTORICAL SITES AND MONUMENTS
ISTANBUL
BOGAZI - BOSPHORUS HALIC
THE GOLDEN HORN THE
ENVIRONS OF ISTANBUL YACHTING
ART, CULTURE AND AMUSEMENTS
SHOPPING URBAN
TRANSPORT
InfoTurkey
InfoIstanbul Tours&Itineraries
Who am I?
Pictures Contact
me