Tour Guides Istanbul

The only city in the world that remains in both Asia and Europe, Istanbul likewise straddles the ancient and modern worlds.

The best method to experience Istanbul is to permit unscheduled wandering in between visits to historical sites and museums. Rise early enough to take part of the prominent Turkish breakfast. And ride the ferryboats, typically. They're not simply a way to receive from here to there; on a ferry you can rest feet weary from sightseeing, drink tea, or eat a grilled-cheese sandwich and take in the very best views of throughout the city.

The ghosts of marauding Crusaders and marching janissaries haunt the city's historical alleys-- but this is no museum: the Bosporus is still a buzzing artery for maritime trade, and the sounds of building construction play a continuous counterpoint to the shouts of street hawkers and the call of the muezzin. There are a number of reasons that traveling in istanbul visitors return repeatedly: the setting is extraordinary, ideal on the Sea of Marmara and astride the busy Bosporus Strait. And Istanbul's horizon is a spectacular mélange of domes, minarets, medieval towers, and office complex looming over low-rise property structures.

Today the cultural and monetary center of Turkey, Istanbul has been the capital of three empires-- Byzantine, Roman, and Ottoman. Our Istanbul travel guide integrates the best of Istanbul old and new.