In this tour you will discover how The Ottomans ruled a huge empire for almost 600 years.:When Sultan Mehmet II conquered Istanbul in 1453, he first ordered the construction of a new palace for this new Ottoman capital, on a site in the district of Beyazit where Istanbul University stands today. But before long, he changed his mind and had a number of buildings constructed on the headland to the southeast. This was to become the palace later known as Topkapi . Apart from brief intervals... Read Full Story
Turkey is a country of amazing architecture. Among the ancient cities, rural ruins and breathtaking mosques you can discover the historic palaces of the Sultans during your Turkey holidays. As well as the palaces and historical sites, there are the hotel palaces that will make your holidays in Turkey luxurious and comfortable.
Ishak Pasha Palace
In the east of Turkey, in the Agri province, is the Ishak Pasha Palace situated in a breath-taking elevated position. The palace is a popular... Read Full Story
[City],[Country] : Istanbul, Turkey [Website] : Turkey Tourism Istanbul has been a top choice for shoppers for more than 1,500 years, famed as the trading point connecting the Silk Road from China with Europe. Visitors tend to flock to the famous Grand Bazaar in Beyazit, with what's left of its Ottoman atmosphere and cool covered streets. This is a good place for an overview of goods and prices, however better bargains can often be found in the smaller shopping areas of Sultanahmet and... Read Full Story
Istanbul is such a diverse city that it’s almost impossible to split it up into definable districts. The only real distinctions that can be made between districts is that between the European Asian sides, which are separated by the Bosphorus and the peninsula lying between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. Stretching from the Black Sea, along the Bosphorus to the Sea of Marmara on the edges of two continents, Istanbul has become a city of unlimited scope. According to legend, the city... Read Full Story
Exotic grandeur by the Bosphorus
Click on photo for more information & booking.
The Ciragon Palace occupies a spot where the ghosts of numerous palaces hover, hosting Ottoman sultans and foreign dignitaries for several centuries. The current incarnation was rebuilt in 1910 and was transformed into a stunning hotel in 1991. A new renovation has just been completed, adding a new building that retains the 19th-century flavor of the palace as well as updating all accommodations to the... Read Full Story
There’s a fantastic culture and thousands of years of history to experience in Istanbul, making Turkey a hidden gem that many travelers overlook. The city offers a mix of architecture including modern buildings, mosques, castles and domes. One of the most photographed places in Istanbul is the Blue Mosque, and no visit is complete without going to the Grand Bazaar.
Here’s a wonderful account from a valued client, of his time in Istanbul before he and his wife began their voyage onboard... Read Full Story
(This post was originally posted on Ms Sparky on May 20, 2008. I moved it to Blue Behind Bars when I separated my personal blog from my political blog.)
When Cal and I were working in Baghdad we took the opportunity to take our R&R’s in places we had always wanted to visit. We spent our first R&R in Cairo, Egypt riding camels and exploring the pyramids at Giza. We had decided we were going to spend our next R&R in Phuket, Thailand. When Phuket was hit by a devastating tsunami in December... Read Full Story
[City],[Country] : Istanbul, Turkey [Website] : Turkey Tourism Istanbul has been a top choice for shoppers for more than 1,500 years, famed as the trading point connecting the Silk Road from China with Europe. Visitors tend to flock to the famous Grand Bazaar in Beyazit, with what's left of its Ottoman atmosphere and cool covered streets. This is a good place for an overview of goods and prices, however better bargains can often be found in the smaller shopping areas of Sultanahmet and... Read Full Story
[City],[Country] : Istanbul, Turkey [Website] : Turkey Tourism There’s so much food to enjoy alongside the awe inspiring architecture, shopping and nightlife of this eclectic city that the best I can do is provide my own check list of the ten foodie experiences you shouldn’t miss out on in Istanbul. 1. Start with breakfast at one of the riverside the cafes that line the Bosphorus on the European side. You can breakfast on Turkish white cheese, which is a little like feta, with tomato and... Read Full Story
Looking for someplace new and exciting to take your sweetheart this summer? Why not check out the W's first hotel in Europe. I know Cabo is close, but most of us living in California have been there at least once. Plus, this isn't your typical W hotel its actually a row of remodeled historical houses built back in the 1800's. Though its outer facade was preserved, the W spared no expense to create a luxurious and sexy experience once inside. The walls even appear to be covered in Gold! Enjoy... Read Full Story
