HALIC (THE
GOLDEN HORN)
This
horn-shaped estuary, divides European Istanbul. One of the best natural
harbors in the world, the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping
interests were centered here. Today, lovely parks and promenades line the
shores where the setting sun dyes the water a golden color. At Fener and
Balat, neighborhoods midway up the Golden Horn, whole streets of old wooden
houses, churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and Ottoman times.
The Orthodox Patriarchy besides here at Fener. Eyup, a little further up,
reflects the Ottoman style of architecture. Cemeteries sprinkled with dark
cypress trees cover the hillsides. Many pilgrims come to the tomb of Eyup
in the hope that their prayers will be granted. The Pierre Loti Cafe, 
atop
the hill overlooking the shrine is a wonderful place to enjoy the tranquility
of the view. Istanbul is an international art and
cultural center. The International Arts and Cultural Festival is held each
year in June and July with famous artists coming from all over the world.
These performances are held mostly in the Ataturk Cultural Center. Those
who enjoy classical music can hear it at Cemal Resit Rey Hall. Operas,
operettas, ballets, film, concerts, exhibitions and conferences will contribute
to the cultural palette of the city. Istanbul also has a rich program of
light entertainment. Nightclubs provide splendid entertainment throughout
dinner, ranging from a selection of Turkish songs to the famous belly-dance.
Istanbul is an international gambling city; there are many casinos. (We'd
like to remind that all casinos were closed till the second announcement
from the government.) Alongside these are modern discos,
cabarets, and jazz clubs in the Taksim-Harbiye district. In Sultanahmet,
there are a number of restaurants in restored Byzantine and Ottoman buildings
which offer a unique setting for an evening out. Kumkapi, with its many
taverns, bars and fish restaurants, is another attractive district. People
have been meeting for years in Beyoglu district's Cicek Pasaji for snacks
and seafood specialties. Also in this district, the narrow Nevizade street,
near Cicek Pasaji, is the best place in Istanbul for eating Turkish specialties
and drinking raki. You may also want to visit Tatilya Cumhuriyeti, a large
amusement park in Beylikduzu. On the Bosphorus, Ortakoy is the best place
for nightlife in Istanbul, with its nightclubs, jazz clubs, fine seafood
restaurants and bars. In Eminonu don't miss an opportunity to see the fishermen
dressed in traditional Ottoman clothes on their Ottoman-style boats where
you may board and taste their famous delicious fried fish.
SHOPPING
One
could visit Istanbul for the shopping alone. The Kapali Carsi, or Covered
Bazaar, in the old city is the logical place to start. This labyrinth of
streets and passages houses more than 4,000 shops. The names recall the
days when each trade had its own quarter: the goldsmiths' street, the carpet
sellers' street, the street of the skullcap makers. Still the commercial
center of the old city, 
the
bazaar is the original shopping mall with something to suit every taste
and pocket. Turkish crafts, the world-renowned carpets, brilliant handpainted
ceramics, copperware, brass ware, and meerschaum pipes make charming souvenirs
and gifts. The gold jewelry in brilliantly lit cases dazzles passersby
Leather and suede goods of excellent quality make a relatively inexpensive
purchase. The Old Bedesten, in the heart of the bazaar, offers a curious
assortment of antiques. It is worth poking through the clutter of decades
in the hope of finding a treasure. The Misir Carsisi or Spice Bazaar, next
to the Yeni Mosque at Eminonu, transports you to fantasies of the mystical
East. The enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and
every other conceivable herb and spice fill the air. Sultanahmet has become
another shopping mecca in the old city. The Istanbul Sanatlar Carsisi (Bazaar
of Istanbul Arts) in the 18th century 
Mehmet
Efendi Medresesi, and the nearby 16th-century Caferaga Medrese, built by
Sinan, offer a chance to see craftsmen at work and to purchase their wares.
In the Arasta (old bazaar) of the Sultanahmet Mosque, a thriving shopping
arcade makes shopping and sightseeing very convenient. The sophisticated
shops of the Taksim, Nisantasi, Sisli districts contrast with the chaos
of the bazaars. On Istiklal Avenue, Cumhuriyet Avenue and Rumeli Avenue,
you can browse peacefully in the most fashionable shops that sell elegant
fashions made from Turkey's high quality textiles. Exquisite jewelry as
well as finely designed handbags and shoes can also be found. The Atakoy
Galleria Mall in Atakoy and Akmerkez Mall in Etiler have branches of Istanbul's
most elegant shops. In Bakirkoy, the Carousel Mall is worth a visit, as
is Atlas Passage in Beyoglu. Bahariye Avenue, Bagdat Avenue and Capitol
Mall on the Asian side, offer the same goods. In Istanbul's busy flea markets
you can find an astonishing assortment o goods, both old and new Everyday
offers a new opportunity to poke about the Sahaflar Carsisi and Cinaralti
in the Beyazit district. On Sundays, in a flea market between the Sahaflar
and the Covered Bazaar, vendors uncover their wares on carts and blankets.
The Horhor Carsisi is a collection of shops that sell furniture of varying
age and quality. The flea markets in the Topkapi district, on Cukurcuma
Sokak, in Cihangir, on Buyuk Hamam Sokak in Uskudar, in the Kadikoy Carsi
Duragi area between Eminonu and Tahtakale, are all open daily. After a
Sunday drive up the Bosphorus, stop between Buyukdere and Sariyer to wander
through another lively market. The environs of Istanbul.
PRINCES'
ISLAND
The Princes'
Islands, an archipelago of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, were places
of exile for Byzantine princes. Today, during the summer months, wealthy
Istanbulites escape to then- cool sea breezes and
elegant 19th-century houses. Büyükada is the largest of the islands.
Here you can enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn phaeton (carriage) among the
pine trees, or relax on a beach in one of the numerous coves that ring
the island. The other popular islands are Kinali, Sedef, Burgaz, Heybeliada,
Buyukada. Regular ferry boats connect the islands with both the European
and Asian shores. A faster sea bus service operates from
Kabatas in the summer.
BLACK
SEA COAST
On
the European side of the Black Sea coast, 25 km from the outskirts of Istanbul,
Kilyos' long, broad sandy beaches draw crowds of Istanbul residents in
the summer months. The Belgrad Forest, inland from the Black Sea on the
European side, is the largest forest around Istanbul. On weekends, Istanbulities
drive out to its shade for family picnics and barbecues. Seven ancient
reservoirs and a number of natural springs refresh the air. The Ottoman
aqueducts, of which the 16th century Moglova Aqueduct built by Sinan is
the most splendid, lend a majesty to the natural surroundings. Overshadowing
the entrance to Kemer Golf and Country Club is the 800-meter-long Sultan
Suleyman Acqueduct, also built by Sinan it is one of the longest in Turkey
The 500-stable Equestrian Center offers trail riding. On the Asian side,
Polonezkoy, 25 km from Istanbul, was founded in the 19th century by Polish
immigrants. Istanbul residents come to its pastoral landscape for walks,
horseback riding and to enjoy the traditional Polish food served by descendants
of the original settlers. On the Black Sea, 70 km from Uskudar, Sile's
sandy beaches, fish restaurants and hotels make it one of the most delightful
holiday places near Istanbul. Sile bezi, cool cotton clothing, popular
with tourists, is fashioned here. The Bayramoglu-Darica Bird's Paradise
and Botanic Park, 38 km from Istanbul, is a unique resting-place, many
species of birds and plants from all over the world can be seen in this
huge park, which also has restaurants and a promenade for pedestrians.
The charming fishing town of Eskihisar, southeast of Istanbul, boasts a
marina where yachtsmen can moor their boats after a day out in the Sea
of Marmara. In town, the house of Osman Hamdi Bey, Turkey's great 19th-
century painter, has been converted into a museum. Neighboring sites include
the tomb of Hannibal between Eskihisar and Gebze, and a Byzantine castle.
Many istanbulites
have summer homes near Silivri, the popular vacation area about 65 km from
Istanbul. A large holiday resort, it offers everything from casinos to
sports, health and fitness facilities, including the Klassis Country and
Golf Club, and excellent dining. The conference center attracts business
people who escape the city's fast pace for a working holiday A regular
sea bus service connects Istanbul to Silivri.
YACHTING
Yachting is
a popular activity in Istanbul. This is the only place in the world where
you can enjoy the beauty of a mystical landscape while sailing back throuah
history to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times, and view magnificent castles,
palaces and mosques. From the North Sea through the European interior,
yachters can sail down the European channel system and the Rhine and Danube
Rivers into the Black Sea harbors and to the Istanbul-Bogazi and Istanbul
marinas - a safe and short way to get there. Sail on the Istanbul Bogazi
under the enormous bridges spanning two continents and around the Princes'
Islands to their beautiful bays. You may anchor and enjoy the serenity
of this area. After enjoying all of the sights return to one of the two
large marinas in the area. Atakoy Marina is on the European side and Kalamis
Marina is on the Asian side. Both offer 24-hour service. International
Offshore Yacht races are held in Istanbul every summer. For more information
related to yachting, please check our sailing paradise
pages
GOLF
The Istanbul
region offers lovely opportunities for golf enthusiasts: The Klassis Golf
and Country Club, 65 km from istanbul in Silivri, is one of the area's
largest golf clubs, with an 18-hole course and a 9-hole course. The Kemer
Golf and Country Club, 18 km from istanbul in the Belgrad Forest near the
town of Kemerburgaz offers a formidable test of golf skill on its 9-hole
course. The istanbul Golf Club in the Ayazaga district of Istanbul has
a 9-hole course. For our special golf tour packages please click
here
