Turkey Short Break Holidays Europe & Istanbul Attractions Istanbul Things To Do<<>> Turkey short break holidays in Europe seem a contradiction but Europe Istanbul is a reality. Istanbul is the only city in the world bridging across two continents. A one of a kind. With the Bosphorus Straight running through it Europe and Asia meet within its precincts. The old city is in Europe on the west bank and modern city is situated in Asia on the left bank.
Istanbul attractions are many and wonderfully show off the dual character of both Europe and Asia. It is a wonderful place to spend a Turkey short break.
This is the Asian city that is nearest Europe and the European city that is closest to Asia. Throughout its history, the city has been important as a commercial shipping port. At the present it generates forty six percent of the national exports and imports forty percent of the total imports of Turkey.
As a result of Turkey’s open door policy Istanbul has developed as a modern, cosmopolitan and globally focused city that is unique. Istanbul enjoys hot, humid summers, and this is the busiest time for tourism. Istanbul is a city full of history and a variety of cultural influences the best way to see it is with a good guide in your hand and a pre planned itinerary.
Haghia Sophia, known as Aya Sofya and translated as the 'Church of Divine Wisdom', is famous for its impressive size, remarkable architecture, beautiful mosaics and frescoes. It is said to be the world's finest example of Byzantine architecture and is one of Istanbul’s most popular attractions. Consecrated as a Christian cathederal in 537AD, the massive ochre-coloured domed structure rises to 56m and was designed to appear suspended in space and representing heaven. When Mehmet the Conqueror captured the city in 1453, he changed its use into a mosque, and it remained so until it became a museum when the Turkish Republic was founded.
The Blue Mosque with its tiers of magnificent domes and six graceful minarets is one of the most distinguishable structures on the Istanbul’s skyline. This was built during the reign of Sultan Ahmet I (1603-1617), as Islam's answer to the Haghia Sophia. It is called the blue mosque because of the Blue tiles that dominate the interior, and the blue light that shines through more than 250 windows. During summer there is a sounds and light show in Turkish, English, French and German. The Imperial Pavilion also contains the state-run Vakiflar Carpet Museum with Usak, Bergama and Konya samples, dating between the 16th and 19th centuries.
The Covered Grand Bazaar, or Kapali Çarsi is the oldest and largest enclosed bazaar in the world and is made up of a vast labyrinth of over sixty twisting lanes crammed with more than four thousand stalls, shops, teahouses, bath houses and mosques. Formed after the 1493 Conquest it contained a slave market and was a place where the Silk Road traders could rest and feed their camels, as well as sell their merchadise. Nowadays it is a place mainly for Istanbul tourists and haggling is the major pasttime. A Turkey short break would be nothing without a haggle.
Galata Kulesi or Galata Tower at 62m high was erected as a lookout and safe place for the defensive walls of the 14th century. The balcony at the top of Galata Tower has an unforgettable 360º panoramic view of the city of Istanbul. Today it caters for tourists with a nightclub and restaurant on the top floors. There are several charming tea gardens around the base of the tower.
The Topkapi Palace built by Mehmet as a Sultan's Palace, and was home to the harem, which once housed up to three hundred concubines. It consisted of a sprawling collection of buildings arranged around several interconnecting courtyards. Originally built as a summer residence and the seat of government on one of the seven hills of Istanbul it has uninterrupted views over the Bosphorus.
The Sunken Palace, the Basilica Cistern was the reservoir for water required for the Byzantine Great Palace, and thought to date back to 532 A.D. The cistern still contains water, and the ceiling is held up by 336 columns recycled from pre-Christian temples. There are wooden walkways so you don’t get your feet wet.
These are just a few of the many visitor attractions in Istanbul so when you have decided to visit get a good guide and plan your tour.
You will not be dissappointed with a Turkey short break.
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