Istanbul Taking you Back in History

Istanbul is the largest city of Turkey, a country where Asia and Europe meet. Istanbul is a city overflowing with history co-habituating with all the developments of our modern age. Ornate Ottoman palaces, ancient Byzantine churches and elegant mosques which are relics of this empire, rub shoulders with modern galleries, nightclubs and restaurants. To enjoy the wonders of this mesmerizing city you can go online and book your Istanbul Air Tickets through any good travel agency.

On a tour of the many historic sights in Istanbul you will be awed by the majesty, beauty and history of each edifice. The Blue Mosque so named because of its beautiful blue Iznik tiles decorating the interior is known as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque by the locals. The Topkapi Palace can be seen on a tour of the Old City. The Chora Church, famous for its beautiful mosaics and attractive frescoes dates back to the 11th century. Then there is the elegant Dolmabahce Palace, the residence of the 19th century sultans. Another Palance worth seeing is the Beylerbevi Palace, which was built between the years of 1861-1865 by the Balyan Brothers. The Galata Tower built in 1348 by a Genoese colony was constructed to fortify the city. The Hagia Sophia is famous as being the largest church in the world for 1000 years. The Church is located in the Old City. Another ancient fortress in Istanbul is the Rumeli Fort, which is located on the narrowest point of the Bosphorus Strait. The Fortress was built by Sultan Mehmet II to deny aid to the flailing Byzantines. It can be seen on a Bosphorus shore tour. Another important site in the Old City is the Underground Cistern. This cistern is an underground water cavern of beautiful arches and Roman support columns – an atmospherically spotlighted massive underground body of water.

A popular meeting place in Istanbul is the Pera and Galata Area. The word 'Pera' means 'opposite shore' to the harbor of the Golden Horn; Galata is today's slang for the downtown and dining area. Over the years Jewish, French and Italian inhabitants have occupied this area as can be seen from the variety of historical buildings, arcades, churches and bazaars. The Princes' Islands comprise of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara not far from Istanbul. They are known as the Princes' Islands as in bygone days disgraced prices were exiled to these islands. The Hippodrome was an ancient racetrack where saw chariot races and athletic competitions. It houses the famous Egyptian Obelisk and other famous columns. After enjoying all the ancient sites of Istanbul you can go on a shopping spree – the city is filled with colorful street markets, bustling bazaars and great shopping malls. A visit to Istanbul can never be disappointing. Istanbul air tickets can be purchased from one of the many online travel shops.