Oh, the many reasons why you must travel to Istanbul!
This Turkish delight offers Europe and Asia all in the same city, the finest in terms of the old and the new. One day, you are occupied with the sights and sounds of historical Istanbul, and the next day, you are off doing some enthusiastic bargaining for that gorgeous rug. One moment you are having your fill of Istanbul’s best wines and beers and at the next you are partying the night away. Yes, there are quite a number of reasons for you to immerse yourself in Turkey’s tourism hotspot.
Tourism, your name is Istanbul! Let’s list some of the reasons why you should visit this fabulous city.
Historic and cultural treasures: Now, there’s a long list when it comes to attractions that hark back to the city’s illustrious past. There is the breathtaking Hagia Sophia, the maze-like Topkapi Palace, the huge Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and the Sultan Suleyman Mosque. Mosques and churches abound. Yes, there are over 500 mosques in the city – this includes the unforgettable Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque. Take a relaxing dip in one of the many hamams (Turkish baths) in the city, some of these even come with a massage. The list of attractions go on – the Dolmabahce Palace, the Galata Tower, the awe-inspiring Mosaic Museum, along with other interesting museums – the Archeological Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Turkish Carpets and the Istanbul Museum of Paintings and Sculpture. Shake your booty the traditional way by doing a spot of belly dancing as you listen to a rich selection of Turkish songs or try out the few Turkish phrases that you have learned as you mix with the locals.
Entertainment: The opera, theater, concerts, music festivals, film festivals, ballets. Name it, Istanbul has it. It is not a cultural center for nothing. Famous artists from different parts of the world flock to Istanbul annually for affairs such as the International Arts and Cultural Festivals. There are over a hundred festivals held in the city every year.
Natural Treasures: Istanbul is also blessed with natural treasures. It boasts of a natural harbor that is so beautiful it ranks as one of the world’s best and most beautiful – the Golden Horn. There are also a number of beaches and scenic spots you will surely appreciate. Take a cruise along the Bosphorus or let your hair down and visit the Princes’ Islands. Go bird-watching at the Bayramoglu-Darica Bird’s Paradise and Botanic Park.
Shopping: Istanbul is not called the shopper’s delight for nothing. Istanbul not only has some of the best markets, they also have world-class shopping malls that offer the inveterate shopper hours and hours of ‘retail therapy’. The city’s Grand Bazaar, which has more than 3,000 shops, is the world’s oldest covered bazaar. The city does not just offer your run-of-the-mill “I visited Istanbul and all I got was this lousy shirt” shirts or the ubiquitous key chains. You can buy handcrafted jewelry, suede and leather clothes, brassware, meerschaum pipes as well as carvings. There is also the Spice Bazaar, which introduces you to the spices and herbs of the world.
Cuisine: Food is also at the top of the list. Istanbul offers a mixture of central Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. Expect lots of spices and exotic flavors, sticky sweets and mouth-watering kebabs.
Ah! These are just a few reasons. But trust me, after you see Istanbul for yourself, you will not need more. Istanbul simply captures you with the magic and wonder that only this city has to offer.