About Istanbul
To İstanbul with love
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
On May 12 our cruise ship sailed into port in İstanbul. I didn't know much about Turkey, but was instantly captured by its beauty. We were overwhelmed with the colors, fabrics, art, architecture and most importantly the people. Everyone was so friendly and inviting.
Life along the Haliç - A ferry nice ride
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
As the ferries, cruisers and container ships seemingly miss each other by a hair’s breadth at the start of the Bosporus, a smaller ferry weaves its way through this finely calibrated chaos on its way from Üsküdar to Eyüp.
Beyoğlu and Taksim
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
Taksim and Beyoğlu have for centuries been the centre of nightlife, and now there are many lovely bars and clubs off Istiklal Cadesi, including some of the only gay venues in the city. Beyoğlu is also at the centre of the more bohemian arts scene.
Climate
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
Forget the stereotypical Istanbul image of a city of 1001 Nights situated in the desert amidst date palms. Despite its fairly southerly latitude (which is about the same as Naples or Barcelona), it snows in this city - a lot occasionally. Some winters go by only with rain, though.
Istanbul by boat
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
When Istanbul's heat, humidity and smog become too much to bear, cheap and easy relief is only a walk downhill to the ferry docks. It's almost always 20 degrees cooler on the water, and the views of the city's famous Sultanahmet and Galata districts, especially at sunset, are brilliant. Whether up the Bosporus or Golden Horn, out to the Princes' Islands or a tour of shoreline villages, most rides cost about a dollar each.
Golden Horn
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
This horn-shaped estuary divides European İstanbul. One of the best natural harbours in the world, it was once the centre for the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests. Today, attractive parks and promenades line the shores, a picturesque scene especially as the sun goes down over the water.
About Istanbul
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
History
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
The city has been conquered, fought over and rebuilt many times over the centuries. İstanbul’s history dates back to the first settlement, possibly in the 13th Century BC, although it was founded by Byzas the Megarian in the 7th Century BC, who also gave the city its first name: Byzantium.
Haydarpaşa
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
To the north of Kadiköy is Haydarpasa, and the train station built in 1908 with Prussian-style architecture which was the first stop along the Baghdad railway. Now it is the main station going to eastbound destinations both within Turkey, and international. There are tombs and monuments dedicated to the English and French soldiers who lost their lives during the Crimean War (1854-56), near the military hospital. The north-west wing of the 19th Century Selimiye Barracks once housed the hospital, used by Florence Nightingale to care for soldiers, and remains to honour her memory.
Getting around in Istanbul
Monday, 06 February 2012 22:34
Public transport
Istanbul's public transit system can be difficult to figure out; maps are rare and you often have to transfer, and pay another fare, to get where you are going. However, if you put some effort into it, you can avoid taxis and not walk too much.
Istanbul Heat takes the temp
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