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Millet Caddesi 186. 34104
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www.barceloeresintopkapi.com |
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| Turkey is situated right where Europe meets Asia, creating a link between these two continents. The European part is called Thrace while the Asian part is called the Anatolian Peninsula (or Asia Minor). |
| These two parts are separated by the Strait of Dardanelles, the Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea, making Istanbul a unique and one of the most fascinating cities in the world. |
| The country spans a total of 814,578 square kilometers and shares borders with Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Iran, Syria and Iraq. |
| Probably it is the great variety and diversity of attractions, geography and cultural features which makes the fascination of this country. |
| Bathed by the waters of the Marmara and Black Seas, the Aegean and the Mediterranean, and being the birthplace of many great civilizations, Turkey is the perfect destination for those seeking to combine culture and relaxation. | |
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| Bathes in the waters of the Bosporus and with a profile silhouetted by cupolas and minarets, Istanbul is one of the most romantic cities on the planet. Ancient capital of 3 successive empires – Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman – Istanbul continues as the heart of Turkish culture and commerce, as the city as well as the port is the largest in the country. |
| The Bosporus Strait, between the Marmora and Black Seas, separates Europe from Asia. On its western shore, the European Istanbul is at the same time divided by the Golden Horn (Halic), that separates Old Istanbul, to the south, from Beyoðlu, to the north. |
| Sultanhamet is the heart of Old Istanbul (designated by UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity) and in which are found the majority of the city's monuments. | |
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 Saint Sofia (Aya Sofya). he church of Divine Wisdom is one of the most amazing monuments of Old Istanbul. It was completed in the year 537 and was considered the largest of all Christianity until the conquest of the city in the year 1453. Mohamed the Conqueror then converted it into a mosque. The greatest glory of Aya Sofya is its brilliant mosaics and its immense cupola raising 55 meters from the ground. |
| The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii). The blue mosque with its 6 minarets is a true prodigy of harmony, proportion and elegance. The “blue” of the name of the mosque comes from the Iznik tiles that cover its walls. |
| The Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi). Above a cape at the confluence of the Bosporus and the Golden Horn, rises the Topkapi Palace, a labyrinth of buildings that for almost four centuries was the residence of the Ottoman sultans and that is today the main tourist attraction of Istanbul. |
| The Hippodrome (Atmeydani). The ancient Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and center of civic Byzantine life, is found outdoors in front of the Blue Mosque. Only three monuments remain: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Constantine Column. |
| The Sunken Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici). Capitals, plinths and columns of other buildings in ruins were reused in the construction of this cistern, also called the Cistern Basilica. |
| Great Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi). A maze-like network of medieval stands, some 4500 all together, that includes, mosques, banks, restaurants and workshops, apart from the stores. It is an ideal place to wander and get lost in. |
| Dolmabahçe Palace. Built during the middle of the 19th century by the sultan Abdülmecit I, the facade of the Dolmabahce Palace extends over 600 meters along the European shore of the Bosporus. Its receiving hall is breathtaking, with 56 columns and an immense crystal chandelier that weighs four and a half tons and holds 750 light bulbs. |
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| Turkish cuisine is always a very pleasant surprise for the guest. A marvelous combination of aromas and flavors that is sure to please everybodies´taste. The variety and simplicity of the recipes and the quality of the ingredients are guarantees of delicious meals. |
| Typical dishes generally pair vegetables with fish or meat. Green and white beans, tomatoes, eggplants and sweet peppers accompany lamb, beef and chicken in tasty stews. |
| Other traditional dishes of the region include the popular ground meat kebab, wrapped in all kinds of different breads; "yogurlty dóvme çorbasi", a delicious soup made from wheat, eggs and yogurt; "havuç salatasi", a purée of carrots cooked in yogurt, olive oil and garlic; and "cilbir", poached eggs with butter and paprika. |
| There is also a wide selection of desserts, ranging from fresh fruit such as cherries, strawberries, peaches and apricots to delicious pastries like baklava, layers of puff pastry with honeyed walnuts; "burma", rolled nut-filled pastries; "lokma", Turkish donuts; and "muhallebi", a cinnamon-powdered rice flour pudding. |
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| Only 10 minutes by the modern tram with stop a few meters away from the hotel, the Gran Bazaar is the biggest mall and the main attraction for those seeking for shopping in Istanbul, where they will find a wide variety of carpets, souvenirs, clothes, shoes, jewlery and handicrafts made in ceramic, copper and bronze. |
| On the other hand the Spices Bazaar or Egiptian Market is the perfect place to choose any kind of spices, teas, the famous "Turkish Delights" and small souvenirs. |
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| Time Zone: UTC + 2. |
| Official Currency: The official currency is the New Turkish Lira. |
| Language: Turkish (90%), Kurdish, Arabic, Circassian and Armenian. |
| Population: 62,606,157 inhabitants. |
| Health information: No vaccinations or medical certificates are necessary for travel to Turkey. |
| Electricicity: 220 V. |
| Payment Options:Most establishments accept cash and credit cards. Visa is the most widely accepted card. |
| Banking Hours: Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 5 p.m . |
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