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Istanbul the Gateway to the East and West in Turkey for 14 nights.  Great position and hotel close to the shore
and all the ferries and tour boats and just down the hill from all the major historic sites.

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Yavuz Sultan Selim (Bosphurus) Bridge Istanbul Bosphurus Shoreline Hagia Sophia Museum Taksim Square
Bulgarian St. Stephen Orthodox (Steel) Church Istanbul Railway Station (Orient Express) Walls of Galata 13th Century Massive Building on The Bosphurus
Horse and Carriage Tours Princes Island Splendid Palace Hotel Princes Island Grand Bazaar Istanbul Galata Tower
View from Galata Tower Topkapi Palace Topkapi Palace Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace Blue Mosque Blue Mosque Dolmabache Palace
Dolmabache Palace Dolmabache Palace Dolmabache Palace Hagia Sophia Museum
Hagia Sophia Museum Hagia Sophia Museum Gulhane Park City Wall and Topkapi Palace

  • First day out we got on a tour boat and had a sail around the Bosphorus.  This gives you a fantastic look at this enormous city and the historical sites to go to.  Next day a really good wander around the city, this was probably a Monday and some sites were closed so we went to the ones we could.  
  • Then another boat trip out to Princes Islands.  The largest f the islands is Buyukada dating from around  the 6th century.  All of the islands are holiday resorts and weekenders owned by some familes for generations.  
  • Another wander around and a visit to the Grand Bazaar.  Just a fascinating place with all kinds of shops, restaurants etc.  Some stuff expensive but good fun bargaining if you really want something.  Jewellery is just something else.  The Basilica Cistern is a wonder.  An ancient cistern built in the 6th century and one of about an original 100.  Amazing place to visit with ancient columns and frescoes.  A lot of restoration work being done so maybe more to see soon.  
  • The Galata Tower in its present state built around the 14th century but history goes back further.  Still one of the highest points in Istanbul it is a fantastic place to visit and the views from the top are some of the best you'll see.  Just down the hill from here is the Jewish Museum and the Central Mosque.  We arrived on the 5th November and this is the one day of the year that it is open to all who wish to visit.  They have cooking displays and food to eat.  Also you can wander around the museum and they also have an all day celebration with young choirs and opera and pop singers and also a traditional Jewish Wedding.  Such a privelege to see.  
  • Next the Topkapi Palace from the 15th century the main residence and administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire.  You'll need the whole day nearly and get there as early as you can to beat the crowds. This is an amazing place and absolutely awe inspiring.  It is almost a city within itself bring your cameras and go mad!!  
  • The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) constructed in the early 17th century.  Very dramatic like most of the mosques in Istanbul it's a fantastic place to visit and still in use today.  
  • Dolmabahche Palace built between 1843 and 1856.  It is on the shores of the European side of the Bosphurus served as the main administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire from 1856 to 1887 and 1909 to 1922.  You can get there by light rail and then walk a little.  Very luxurious and full of treasures. After 1924 Mustafa Kemal Attaturk used it as a presidential residence during the summer.  This is where he spent his last days and died here in 1938.  
  • Hagia Sofia Museum built in the 6th century.  Originally a Greek Orthodox Cathedral it was also an Ottoman Imperial Mosque.  Now a museum it is quite an enormous building with a massive dome.  Because of its history there is evidence on its walls and floors and other indications of its mixed religious history of Christian and Muslem past.  There is still a lot of restoration being done and discovery found about its history.  
  • Gulhane Park was originally part of the Topkapi Palace in the middle of Istanbul.  It is the oldest and one of the most expansive parks in Istanbul and a really nice walk back into the centre.  
  • Suleymaniye Mosque is on the third hill of Istanbul built in the mid 16th century it is a good walk from the centre but well worth seeing.  Another massive building with a wealth of gardens around it and a panoramic view of a lot of Istanbul.  We could say much more about Istanbul as there is so much more to see.  
  • Do get the rail up to Taksim Square.  Visit the historic shopping street where you can find all the top labels and also some great bargains available in the not so well known labels.  The transport system here is really easy and it is very difficult to get lost.  We flew home from here and just got on the train to the airport and off we went.