05-05-2010, 06:44 PM
Istanbul has long been a crossroads for Middle Eastern, European and Asian culture, and served as the capital of both the Ottoman and Byzantine empires. One part of the city is in Europe ("Thrace") and just across the Bosporus Sea, it's Asia ("Anatolia").
The majority of attractions in Istanbul are carefully preserved artifacts from when the city was known as Byzantium and later Constantinople. Sulthanahmet District is home to architectural wonders Haghia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. There is also the famous Grand Bazaar, where you can barter for a deal on a perfect souvenir.
Istanbul also has an active nightlife, particularly in the Beyoglu section of the city, where bars and clubs are filled with young people from across the globe. If you are a fan of soccer ("futbol"), the ultra-modern Fenerbahçe Stadium is in Kadikoy, one of the city's cultural hubs with trendy shops and boutiques.
The majority of attractions in Istanbul are carefully preserved artifacts from when the city was known as Byzantium and later Constantinople. Sulthanahmet District is home to architectural wonders Haghia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. There is also the famous Grand Bazaar, where you can barter for a deal on a perfect souvenir.
Istanbul also has an active nightlife, particularly in the Beyoglu section of the city, where bars and clubs are filled with young people from across the globe. If you are a fan of soccer ("futbol"), the ultra-modern Fenerbahçe Stadium is in Kadikoy, one of the city's cultural hubs with trendy shops and boutiques.