Istanbul Hotels and Istanbul B&B

Greater Istanbul

Thanks to its position between the two continents. Istanbul is divided by the Bosphorus which connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

These three experiences are a must for your visit to Istanbul which must be one of the most exciting of the ancient cities. It is truly rich in historic treasures left from its days as the capital of the incredible Byzantine Empire and then later the Ottoman Empire. You really must witness the fabulous Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque with its six minarets. Then there is the Byzantine cathedral of St Sophia with its intricate and ornate catacombs supported by hundreds of columns.

The second is a Turkish bath or ‘hamam’. These have been prevalent in the country since medieval times and most towns will have a men’s and a women’s ‘hamam'. If there is only one then different days will be designated for either men or women.

The third and final experience is the Turkish coffee house or ‘kahvehane’. These are places where local men meet to pass the time over a cup of coffee and, in the more traditional areas, enjoy a smoke through their ‘nargile’ hubble-bubble pipes. Almost inevitably someone will be playing back gammon.