From history to today, the old city of Istanbul perfectly reflects Turkey's cultural and historical significance. This destination that shaped current day Turkey seems vastly different to other fast-paced city destinations. Touches of nostalgia linger over Istanbul's old city part known as Sultanahmet, and if you pause and reflect, you can easily imagine various events over centuries.
Ah, famous Constantinople. This political, economic, and cultural heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires is one of history's most intriguing stories. This city of Greek, Christian and Islamic culture and religion dominated global trade for centuries. Despite challenges, including invading armies and political unrest, Constantinople stood proud for thousands of years and left much impact on the world.
When you visit Izmir in Turkey, you will instantly notice something different. The city centre and larger province with the same name, which fronts the Aegean Sea, promotes unique atmospheres unlike everywhere else in Turkey. Izmir has long held a reputation for forward-thinking and portraying modern Turkey.
The Bosphorus often overshadows the Golden Horn of Istanbul. Yet the Golden Horn estuary is just as crucial to the city, which has a vast historical timeline spanning the Byzantine empire, the Ottoman period and the current-day Turkish republic. Those who know their history will talk about the Golden Horn during the famous siege of Constantinople.
The Blue Mosque of Istanbul, also known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Sultan Ahmet Camii, is the most famous imperial mosque dating from the Ottoman empire. Standing opposite the Hagia Sophia in the Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, every day, the Blue Mosque hosts thousands of curious tourists and Muslims arriving to worship.
Since 2002, Turkey’s economic Gross Domestic Product has grown from a total of $241 Billion to $941 Billion in 2022. This is one of the starkest upwardly mobile trajectories in the world this century. One of the results this scale of economic growth has afforded Turkey, is status within the larger globalised economy.
You can stay in Turkey for six months but not on a tourist visa. Turkey welcomes all foreigners of various nationalities to come and enjoy the country's delights. From the food to culture, history, traditions and places of natural beauty, many foreigners stay in Turkey for more than six months. Most either rent or buy a property and live here all year round.
When asking how to pay bills in Turkey, there are numerous ways; hence find out which method is quick and convenient for you. For monthly bills like gas, internet, electricity, house and mobile phones, online payments are fast, and some companies in Turkey also provide online translation services for those who don't know Turkish.
Many foreigners who haven't experienced one often ask what happens in a Turkish bath. The question also seems to be of concern and hesitation as to whether they should experience this great Turkish tradition. We can assure nerves about indulging in traditional Turkish baths, also known as a hammam, are wasted energy. The Turkish bath is often touted as a tourist attraction, yet the tradition is firmly engrained through generations of Turks.
The Beyoglu district of Istanbul is just as crucial to the city as the historical old Sultanahmet part. While most travel magazines mention Istanbul’s UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, some neglect to mention Beyoglu. Yet if you plan to buy a home or genuinely want to get to know Istanbul like locals, Beyoglu should be on your list.
Whether December is a good time to go to Turkey depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. If your reason for travelling is a holiday and you dream of sun-kissed beaches while swimming in the Aegean or Mediterranean, prepare for disappointment. However, December is a good time to visit for exploring, skiing, and city breaks.
This month, for the first time ever the Michelin company, home of the famed Michelin Stars, selected 53 Istanbul restaurants to makeup its Istanbul City Guide. This is a huge event for Istanbul and Turkey on the whole. Michelin recognises gastronomical achievement on a global scale and is recognised as the preeminent institution for fine dining.
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