TURKISH CITY FACT SHEETS

AVERAGE AIR TEMPERATURES Minimum - Maximum

ISTANBUL 41.00N 29.00E.

Istanbul, a pearl nestling between two great continents, a crossroad between East and West for thousands of years, a meeting place of different cultures. It's no wonder that this city is packed with the history left over from centuries of civilization.

With a population now exceeding 16 million it is a busy, bustling city with a vibrancy not to be missed. The main historical center is in and around the old town district of Sultanahmet, a narrow peninsula between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara to the south.

For those interested in history and all that a city like Istanbul has to offer, an entire vacation could be spent here. With so many other places to fit into a limited vacation schedule and the dust and heat of summer, most first time visitors limit their stay in Istanbul to two or three days, enough time to see all the main sights and to make a promise to yourself to visit again.

During the summer season there are weekly passenger/ vehicle ferry services between Istanbul and Izmir and the holiday resort of Bodrum.

Altitude 100m.

Airport Istanbul Ataturk (IST), 23Km from city center. Private transfer.

Districts
European Side: Topkapi, Sultanahmet, Beyoglu, Taksim, Ortakoy.
Asian Side: Uskudar, Kadikoy.

Resorts Sile, Akcakoca.

Transport Taxi, Coach, Mini-Bus, Ferry, Tram, Subway, Rent-a-Car.

Local Sights
● Topkapi Palace.
● St Sophia Museum.
● Underground Cistern.
● Archaeological Museum.
● Mosaic Museum.
● Dolmabahce Palace.
● Blue Mosque.
● Bosphorus Bridge.
● Grand Covered Bazaar.

Local Excursions  
● Istanbul Historic Buildings Tour.
● Istanbul City Sightseeing Tour.
● Bosphorus Cruise (Half Day).
● Two Continents: From the European to the Asian Side by ferry, Camlica Hill, Beylerbeyi Palace returning via the Bosphorus Bridge.
● Turkish Cabaret: Dinner, Floorshow, Belly-Dancing, Folklore Show.
● Princes Islands: Ferry Trip on the Sea of Marmara.

Overnight Excursions  
● Gelibolu/Troy: Gallipoli, Anzac Memorial, Canakkale, Troy (2 days, one night).