Why You Should Go To Istanbul On A Holiday

Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, is located in the Mediterranean and is a doorway to Europe and Asia. The city is unique, as it is surrounded by sea and encompasses two continents. It is normal for people to use ferries to commute from the European part of the city to the Asian part and vice versa. The city has a rich history, as it was part of the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman Empires. Besides the amazing architecture that is present throughout the city, people who come on cheap flights to Istanbul will be amazed at the number of music festivals and opera that held here. Many live concerts are held at historic venues. The city is considered as a cultural and commercial hub of the country. The wide array of pubs, clubs and cafes offer all kinds of entertainment, right from traditional Turkish entertainment and music to ballet and floor shows.

The city is popular for its seafood, and the best restaurants are located along the shores of Bosporus Sea, which is towards the southern part of the city. Here you can enjoy not only Far Eastern fare, but also local and international dishes. When you are at Bosporus, do not miss an opportunity to walk on the rope bridge, which connects the Asian and European parts of the city. The bridge hangs over the sea and offers a unique experience.

The sheer number of historic monuments, landmarks, castles and museums in the city can be overwhelming for some people, who come on cheap tickets to Istanbul. Majority of the architecture dates back to the Byzantine as well as Ottoman Empires. A visit to Aya Sophia is a must. This was constructed in the 6th century and exhibits fantastic Byzantine mosaic. What is interesting is that Aya Sophia was initially meant to be a church. However, after the Muslim conqueror, it was turned into a mosque. One part of the structure has mosaic representing Christianity, while other has inscriptions in Arabic.

Another place to visit is the Topkapi Palace. It is said to be the oldest palace in the world and when you visit it, you will get transported to a different era. Flights to Istanbul also mean an opportunity to see the world famous Blue Mosque. It was constructed when Sultan Ahmet I was ruling. The mosque got its name from the blue tiles that were used to build it. This is the only mosque in the world with six minarets. The interior of the mosque has beautiful Islamic calligraphy that is worth seeing. Shopaholics will love shopping at the Grand Bazaar in the city. This bazaar has 4,000 shops that sell rugs, leather goods, antiques, fabric, jewelry, pottery and many other decorative items. Of course, like all bazaars, it is must to haggle over the price till the shopkeeper brings it down. If a bazaar is not your scene, you can visit modern shopping centers dotting the city.

Getting There

Visiting the city is not an issue as many international flights, such as British Airways, US Airways and Air China connect the city to major international destinations. Many major airlines offer steep discounts on last minute flights, which can make your travel to the city pretty cheap. Alte
atively, you can book your tickets on a cheap airline, as there are numerous low cost airlines flying from the UK into the city.