Enjoying the Magical Sights of Istanbul

The only city in the world that sits on two continents, Istanbul provides the perfect fusion of the best of the East and the West. With a rich history dating back to 3000 BC (it has enjoyed world trade since the Byzantine era), and the status of being a true shopping Mecca, what more reason would you need to visit this mystical city? As well, however, the best hotels in Istanbul offer visitors true world-class luxury in their facilities.

While there is so much to see you may feel like your head is spinning, here are a few tops tips of must-see sights in this wonderful city once you have checked into one of the best hotels in Istanbul.

The first place you should visit is the Basilica Cistern. Surprisingly, this is the city's most unexpected romantic attraction. Here, you will get a deep insight into a complex system that once brought drinking water from Thrace to Istanbul. It was constructed in the 6th century and was forgotten for many centuries. Don't miss out on the "hidden" attraction - the upside-down Medusa head that forms the bottom of one column.

The Hagia Sophia is a very famous church. At one stage it was turned into a mosque but is now a museum - and a spectacular Byzantine masterpiece. The building is mostly empty on the ground floor; the awesome mosaics can be seen only in the galleries upstairs where you will also see tombs of the early Ottoman sultans and their sons.

The Topkapi Palace is a must-see attraction within waking distance of many of the best hotels in Istanbul. The palace was the residence of generations of sultans and their multiple wives, all who lived together in the famous harem. Kiosks and lush courtyards, a treasury for the crown jewels, and spectacular views of the Sea of Marmara, Golden Horn and Bosphorus all make this place a top sight to visit. The highlight is the site of the mystical harem, a collection of tiled rooms wrapped around a Turkish bath.

Via the grounds of Topkapi Palace you can take a walk to Istanbul's Archaeology Museum. Here you can see the glorious sarcophagus of Alexander, which shows the scenes from the likes of Alexander the Great, in 3D. In the children's section you will see a model of the Trojan Horse. Move on to explore the Tiled Pavilion, one of the oldest Ottoman structures in the city.

The restored Chora Church located in the old city walls is another place you should visit, even though it's a bit difficult to get to. It gives you a splendid glimpse of the late Byzantine splendour of the city. With ceilings and walls adorned with mosaics that glitter like gold, and frescoes that will take your breath away, you will be in awe as you take in the scene. The Chora Church - like the Hagia Sophia - has also made its journey from a Byzantine Church to an Ottoman mosque and to now a modern museum.

History, culture, a big dash of shopping and the best hotels in Istanbul make for a perfect holiday.

Looking for the best hotels in Istanbul? Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for Worldhotels, a company offering the best rooms in a selection of unique four and five star hotels around the world.

Article Source: Roberta_Stuart

Some Breathtaking Sights of Istanbul

Turkey has many gorgeous places worth visiting, but the best Istanbul hotels will put you within spitting distance of the majority of them. The city is a delight just waiting to be discovered, and there is plenty to amaze, educate and enlighten you during your stay.

With that in mind we've created a list of some of the most breathtaking destinations and sights you can look forward to visiting while you are in this eclectic city. Make sure you see at least some of the following places for a full appreciation of this wonderful city.

The Grand Bazaar

Most people have heard of the Grand Bazaar, but it is one thing to hear about it and quite another to leave the relative quiet of the best Istanbul hotels to go and experience it for yourself - and for some, it can be quite a culture shock. It's a covered market, to be sure, but here are the facts - the market sprawls over some 60 streets and takes in thousands of different shops. You can expect an absolute minimum of a quarter of a million visitors wandering around here on a daily basis. The colours and materials on show - and on offer - here are quite stunning. Be sure to take the time to stop off at a cafe for some refreshments before returning to the peace (and maybe a lie down) of the best Istanbul hotels.

The Basilica Cistern

This cistern is how the original inhabitants of the city got their daily drinking water. It may not sound like an attraction worth visiting, but you'll be surprised at how ornate and stunning it really is. It has been backlit to create the most outstanding effect and you'll spot the odd unusual sight in there too. Perhaps the most unusual of these is Medusa, the snake haired monster from Greek mythology. She can be found - just her head, anyway - upside down, providing support for a pillar.

The Archaeology Museums

If you visit Topkapi Palace while you are in the city, you'll find your way into the Istanbul Archaeology Museums from the grounds. This site houses a magnificent collection of artefacts that give you a stunning view into a slice of history. Watch out for Alexander's heavily decorated sarcophagus, and make time to explore the two other associated parts of the museum too. These delve into Islamic art and the Ancient Orient. You'll see many pieces of history that are a long way from the decorative nature of the best Istanbul hotels today.

The city clearly has a lot to offer and there are some amazing sights to be seen while you are there. No matter what you enjoy doing on holiday and which other sights you want to see, these ones are absolutely unmissable.

Looking for the best Istanbul hotels? Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for Worldhotels, a company offering the best rooms in a selection of unique four and five star hotels around the world.

Article Source: Roberta_Stuart

 

Yalikavak in Turkey Travel Guide

The attractive seaside holiday town of Yalikavak is located Turkey's Bodrum peninsula where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. Situated close to some of the country's top beach holiday resorts, the town is popular with couples and families looking for cheap holidays in the Bodrum area. The town offers lots of good cheap accommodation, including self-catering apartments, low-cost family hotels and top quality larger hotels along the coast. With ideal all year round sea temperatures and over 300 days of sunshine a year, Yalikavak is the ideal destination for both diving holidays and winter sun holidays. The town has an impressive marina which attracts many yachting enthusiasts and a picturesque harbour where you can sit and relax, watching the world drift by. The town's weekly market attracts people from all over the Bodrum region looking for gifts, souvenirs and the odd bargain or two. The market also sells local hand made products and freshly caught seafood.

Yalikavak itself has a traffic-free town centre and a beautiful harbour with an excellent choice of quality restaurants. You can sit back and relax whilst watching the fishing boats unload their catch which are displayed in the harbour restaurants. Enjoy some fresh seafood and fish dishes as well as Turkish traditional cuisine at the waterfront restaurants. Visitors can linger over a romantic meal while watching the beautiful Turkish sunsets.

Holidays in Yalikavak are an excellent base for exploring the many beaches along the Turkish Riviera. Popular beaches include those at Gumbet, Bitez, Turgutreis and Gumusluk. There are also many small scenic beaches lapped by crystal clear blue waters where visitors can enjoy a leisurely evening stroll with the added bonus of a spectacular Turkish sunset. There is a good variety of water sports available with first-class schools offering tuition in scuba diving, snorkelling for non-divers, windsurfing and sailing.

Away from the beaches there is plenty to do and see on your last minute holiday deals to Yalikavak. Visitors can take an island boat trip, explore the ancient sites and even take an excursion to the Greek island of Kos where you will find some beautiful beaches and exciting nightlife. Boat trips are a great way to explore the Turkish Riviera, including the secluded caves of Black Island where you can swim in the Mineral rich waters, and the amazing Camel Beach and Bagla Bay. A day out to Bodrum, with its attractive old town, large variety of restaurants and great shopping opportunities including markets and bazaars, is a must on your holidays to Yalikavak. Bodrum is also home to the ancient Bodrum Castle and the Underwater Archaeology Museum.

Nightlife in the town is very low-key, mainly based around the waterfront tavernas and cafes. The town does have a few small nightclubs but most evening entertainment is provided by the larger Yalikavak hotels.

Yalikavak enjoys 12 hours of sunshine a day during the peak summer season with temperatures around the 30C mark. With virtually no rain and warm summer nights, this is an excellent time for a romantic holiday to Turkey. Cool sea breezes also help to make the temperature more bearable. May and October are the perfect times to visit if you are planning a more active holiday, such as walking, hiking and exploring the ancient sites, as the temperature is in the mid to low 20's and accommodation is very cheap.

Emma Healey is the co-founder and owner of holidayholidayholiday.co.uk, specialists in bargain holidays and package holidays to worldwide destination. Thanks for taking the time to read my article and be sure to watch out for more of my articles as I'm writing many travel blogs and have some great topics coming soon.

Article Source: Emma_Healey

 

Akyaka Turkey Travel Guide

Akyaka is an unspoilt village set in a beautiful riverside location at the end of a beautiful bay in the Dalaman region of Turkey. This traditional beach resort attracts couples and families looking for a quiet scenic setting in which to spend their holidays. The village can really be divided into three areas: the town, the river and the beach. Akyaka has it all, a laid back village centre, an unspoilt beach, a quaint harbour and amazing mountain views. Accommodation in Akyaka includes stylish hotels on the River Azmak, luxury resort hotels and plenty of cheaper hotels and self catering apartments near the beach.

The gently shelving sand and crystal clear sea is perfect for children and for relaxing in the sun. Along the beach there are several restaurants and cafes where you enjoy some refreshments whilst watching the world drift slowing past. There are plenty of water sports available at the beach, including snorkelling, windsurfing, canoeing and the family favourite pedalos.

Away from the beach you can relax on a lazy boat trip along the river or for the more energetic try some river rafting, paragliding, hiking and horse riding through the mountains. A visit to the lively resort of Marmaris and the ancient sites of Aphrodisias and Pamukkale are ideal for days away from the beach. Must visits on your holiday deals to Akyaka are the famous mud baths at Dalyan and Turtle Beach. The amazing mud baths are not only great for conditioning your skin but also for gastric disorders, rheumatism and sciatica. Don't forget to visit the kofte boats at the mouth of the river where you can buy kofte sandwiches or fish in batter that not only taste really good but are also very cheap.

Evenings here in Akyaka are a relaxing time for enjoying a quiet romantic meal at one of the restaurants along the rivers edge or at one of the restaurants close to the beach. The riverside restaurants are famous for the delicious fresh fish dishes that they serve.

Akyaka enjoys a long summer season which starts in April and carries on till October. June till September sees temperatures around the 30C mark with 10-12 hours of sunshine a day. Sea temperatures are perfect for snorkelling, swimming and water sports from April right through to October. Spring and Autumn are an ideal time to take one of the many last minute holiday deals to Akyaka as the village is very tranquil and the temperature is perfect for sightseeing and walking. Winter in Akyaka sees the bulk of the resorts rainfall with temperatures still very pleasant at around 15C.

Emma Healey is the co-founder and owner of holidayholidayholiday.co.uk, specialists in bargain holidays and package holidays to worldwide destination. Thanks for taking the time to read my article and be sure to watch out for more of my articles as I'm writing many travel blogs and have some great topics coming soon.

Article Source: Emma_Healey

 

Secrets of 3 Cities to Discover on European Train Holidays

With so many cities to experience in Europe, train holidays can be the perfect way to do it. It can be tricky discovering the secrets of each city, but some of the special places and experiences that can really make memories will last a lifetime. Travelling through such iconic, vibrant cities as Warsaw, Budapest and Istanbul, it can be a challenge deciding what to visit while your train rests at the platform. Here are a few ideas to investigate in these fabulous cities to give you a head start:

Warsaw

For those on European train holidays looking for an insight into Warsaw's culture and history, look no further than Ujazdow Castle. Currently housing the Centre for Contemporary Art, the Castle includes permanent and temporary exhibitions, and events like concerts, shows, and creative workshops. The centre also helps develop unique art programmes that correlate with the spaces within the castle. The first castle on the site was constructed in the 13th century, and there were many structures built and demolished on the same spot, until the castle was rebuilt with its current 18th century design - this building has thankfully endured and stands today.

Budapest

If you have time to explore Budapest, one delight you simply shouldn't miss when travelling across the continent in Europe on train holidays is a relaxing dip in the traditional Turkish baths. There's no better place in Budapest than the Szechenyi Medicinal Bath - one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe, and the only 'old' medicinal baths to be found in the Pest side of the city. With indoor pools dating from as far back as 1913, there is a definite atmosphere of classical grandeur to the baths.

Istanbul

If you're in Istanbul for any length of time during your European train holidays, it's likely you'll visit Astiklal Avenue, Istanbul's most famous thoroughfare. It's one of Istanbul's busiest streets, visited by nearly 3 million people in a single day on some weekends! Despite the crowds, you're likely to discover a few treasures of your own along the avenue. Located in the picturesque and historic Beyoaylu district, the avenue is home to bookshops, galleries, cinemas, theatres, libraries, historical patisseries, chocolateries and restaurants. The avenue is surrounded by smaller locations and historical buildings, each with their own unique character to experience. The Roman Catholic church of Santa Maria, for example, is well worth a visit.
 
No matter your destination in Europe, train holidays can allow you to unlock a cache of secret experiences you may otherwise miss - these are but a few.

Anna Copeland is the Marketing Manager for The Danube Express, which specialises in Europe train holidays. The Danube Express has a range of exclusive Europe train holidays travelling across countries like Poland, Hungary and Turkey.

Article Source: Anna_Copeland

Visit World's Largest and Oldest Enclosed Bazaar at Istanbul, Turkey!

By Robinpaul Awais

Istanbul's Grand Bazaar or Covered bazaar is largest and oldest enclosed market in the World as well as in Turkey. It was instated after the 1493 Conquest during the rule of Sultan Mehmet. It is the place where Silk Road traders could rest themselves and their camels, as well as sell their goods in ancient times. During later half of fifteenth century it was served as the slave market, as well as the Hans, or caravanserais of old. It is such a fascinating place that millions of visitors take cheap flights to Istanbul to tour this place. It is the best place to find every thing at reasonable rates ranging from meerschaum pipes, carpets and jewellery, to Turkish delight, textiles, spices, clothing and hand-painted ceramics. It is also a good place to buy tourists friendly goods and plasma TV screens belie any sense of a timeless atmosphere.

It is known as home to 5,500-odd vendors peddling wares from handbags to fabulous central Asian fabrics. Visitors frequently take flights to Istanbul to visit this Grand Bazaar comprising of 4,000 shops. It has many other places of tourists interest including; tea houses, Turkish style baths called hamams, mosques, storehouses and fountains. This ancient slaves market grown into an increasingly large area of shops and streets with roofs, arches and domes, and has now become one of the best and crowded shopping areas. If you take Istanbul flights and tour this site you will be must loving to wander around the alleyways, looking and enjoying, or bargaining and purchasing. It is such a large market that it is covering 58 streets, and is a mix of different architecture and styles. This is a perfect venue to enjoy the harmony of cultures, enjoy the harmony of people, and enjoy the rhythm of diversities in Istanbul.

Money change offices, a police station, cafés and an information point are also placed here to help tourists getting into city taking cheap Istanbul flights to explore this entire area. It sells specialty goods of Turkey including; beautiful Turkish carpets, copper and brassware, apparel made of leather, glazed tiles and pottery, cotton and wool, alabaster bookends, ashtrays, and meerschaum pipes. Haggling is a must at most stalls. It is UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by 300,000 visitors every day these visitors also include those taking flights to Istanbul from UK to tour this ancient site. In short this covered bazaar will give a fascinating experience that is incomparable with any other place.

I always love to attend festivals. I was just amazed to know all about that and shared it with you people. Now you just need to reserve flights to Istanbul