Istanbul
Bridging two continents, Europe & Asia, this unique city of East meets West & old meets new will awaken completely different feelings inside you. The silhouettes of the beautiful mosques rise above the historical peninsula across the Bosphorus illuminating the city like a painting and Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople throughout its rich past has played host to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Rulers, all of which is evident in this beautiful city of today. Istanbul is truly a combination of fascinating sightseeing that embraces its historical and cultural diversity for your marvel. Whether you take a guided tour or freelance in Istanbul, you will catch hold of various historical and natural wonders at any minute.
With its incredible history and beautiful sights, this cosmopolitan city is complimented with an incredible selection of amazing restaurants & beautiful cafes serving Turkish teas and coffee and wonderful entertainment off Taksim Square and Istiklal street where the city springs to life. A mild Mediterranean climate, delicious cuisine, historical and cultural marvels and delightful people, Istanbul holidays are the jewel in the shining crown of a land where east meets west in ultimate harmony.
Just over 4hours flight time from Dublin with direct flights on award winning Turkish Airlines, getting there couldn’t be easier for a long weekend break that will live long in the memory and make you want to return again.
Top Tips: The best time to visit Istanbul is April to May or September to October when the temperatures are not as hot, Istanbul enjoys hot summers from June to August and sometimes cold winters from December to February. A cruise down the Bosphorus is a must and in particular a sunset cruise. Take a pre-booked half day or full day guided tour to visit the major sights like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & The Grand Bazaar, all of these sights are extremely popular so we recommend you travel early to avoid long queue times to gain entry. Enjoy the buzzing evening nightlife off Istiklal’s side streets. Istiklal Caddesi is the city’s main shopping boulevard and there are hundreds of traditional shops and cafes to the iconic fashion stores, you name it, you’ll find it here.
