Istanbul is a monument to its own rich history of conquests with Romans, Greeks and Ottomans making up its rich tapestry of current everyday life and its people.

It is Istanbul’s geographical setting, the linking of two continents of Asia and Europe that has historically created much of the city’s wealth and vulnerability.

This is the site that three successive empires established their capital, Byzantines, Romans and Ottomans and during the reign of the Emperor Constantine, it was declared to be the second city of Rome and crowned “Constantinople”

Its tangled, intricate history has left behind a wealth of sites and experiences that attracts visitors from near and far.

Stroll the streets and discover the old wooden ottoman houses tucked away in the back streets, visit the maze of shops, drink tea in the traditional tulip glasses whilst overlooking the Golden Horn, haggle in the Grand Bazaar, savor the pungent aromas of the Old Egyptian Spice market.

You will arrive curious and leave sated with the multitude of experiences and sights that this magical city offers its visitors. 

• Arena Hotel
• Sultanahmet Hotel
• Blue House

We have listed but a few, that are vital to visit and strongly recommend a guidebook –see recommended reads.
• Visit Topkapi Palace the residence of Ottoman sultans for over four centuries
• Visit the Aya Sophia –church of divine wisdom dating back to 527 AD.Visit the Blue Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Cami- a triumph of elegance and harmony.
• Visit the Dolmabache Palace on the edge of the BosphorusTake a ferry to the tranquil Princes Islands situated in the Sea of Marmara.
• Visit the Grand Bazaar a labyrinthine of some 4500 shops, mosques, restaurants and workshops.
• Visit the Spice Market or Egyptian Market- up until recently selling, gunpowder, donkey milk, rabbit fat and other local remedies.
• Take a daily boat trip down the Bosphorus and view the summer seaside residences of the wealthy.
• Visit the Basilica Cistern –an enormous water storage are with 336 columns and the Head of Medusa.
• Visit the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum –Houses in the former palace of Ibrahim Pasa
• Visit Sahaflar Carsisi or Old Book Bazaar-dating back to Byzantine times.
• Experience the flamboyant shoe shine ever from one of the boys     Eat fish in Rumeli or Anadolu Kavagi  along the side the locals and some of the widest variety of fish available.
• Visit a hamam or Turkish Bath – try the Cemberlitas Baths  nr the Grand Bazaar
•Have a puff on a nargileh pipe or hubble bubble, there are flavoured tobaccos such as banana, coffee and strawberry – recommended café Mesale right in front of the Blue Mosque.
•Visit Cicek Pasaji- a lively area of taverna’s and restaurants in a lovely courtyard area.