Istanbul Holidays

There is ‘must do' list for every travel destination and which is there for Istanbul too. Istanbul is a city that is brimming with structures that stand as witness to the rich history of Istanbul that has seen the rise and fall of many dynasties and civilizations.

The renowned Grand Bazaar marketplace was established in 1461 in the Istanbul city and is one of the oldest markets of the city. To experience the feel of golden yesteryears, you can visit the Basilica Cistern that marks the innovativeness of the people of ancient Istanbul who employed clever methods to overcome the water supply problems.

Yet, another major destination of the Istanbul holidays is Hagia Sophia that underwent multiple transformations from a church to a mosque and now to a museum. The outer structure of Hagia Sophia has undergone many changes with every transformation

Visitors interested in an artistic exploration can appreciate the Christian work of art at the Church of St Saviour in Chora. The artwork of this structure is one the most significant ones of its era. This attraction is placed in a slight different direction and is worth a visit. Transformation of Hagia Sophia from a Church to Mosque took place in the 16th century without undergoing any structural alterations.

Relax during your Istanbul holidays at the spas and hamams (Turkish bath). Hamams may look peculiar at the very first sight but assuredly; they extend a feel of true Turkish culture to the tourers. Visits to the spas and hamams are a part of most of the travel packages/deals.

The next attraction in the list may not lure you much into visiting it. It's the Galata Bridge that links the two sides of the city. Tourers visit this place for cheap grub, cheapie beers for a good view of the sea. If you are a smoker try smoking with a sip of Turkish coffee side by side, they make an amazing pair for taste buds.

The sweet and sour flavours of Ottoman cuisines are enrapturing. These cuisines are a combo of fruits and meat. The popular dish of all the Ottoman cuisines is the Kavun Dolmasi, which is a melon that is stuffed with meat, rice and assorted nuts.

The walls of Constantinople stand as the sole surviving structure of the Byzantine era. Constantinople arch extends from the Golden Horn to the Sea of Marmara. The distant view from the tower of Christ or Galata towers is awe-inspiring. You can see the entire city from this spot. These towers that were once used as a prison are now used as an observation deck for tourers. All of these attractions are the most attractive features of all the Istanbul vacation packages.