Summary
A country on the cusp of Europe and Asia, Turkey is a destination full of contrasts. From the ancient relics of the Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman empires to vibrant, colourful bazaars; from turquoise-blue seas to magnificent mountains, there’s a rich variety of attractions to explore.
In Istanbul, East meets West with a skyline packed with minarets and monuments. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace are all highlights. When you’ve soaked up enough of the sights, try your hand at bargaining at the Grand Bazaar – whatever souvenirs you end up with, you’re sure to bring back a host of unforgettable Turkish memories.
Explore Turkey
Turkey
Description
Istanbul was actually known as Constantinople until officially being renamed in 1930. It’s not the country’s capital, but in terms of tourism, it’s hard to imagine any destination being able to offer such a rich and diverse array of attractions.
Long-standing religious buildings are a feature of Istanbul with the Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmed Mosque being two of the most prominent. If you want a different perspective of the city, there are boat trips across the Bosphorus where you can get an unspoilt view of what lies on each side.
No trip to Istanbul would be complete without spending time at the Grand Bazaar. This covered market spans 61 different streets, has in excess of 4,000 shops and is visited by upwards of a quarter of a million people each and every day. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but gives a glorious glimpse into local culture. There’s also a separate spice bazaar in the city which is packed full of vivid colours and a heavenly mix of delightful aromas that’s sure to make you hungry.
And talking of food, you can choose from an almost overwhelming selection from meze and truly authentic kebabs through to lufer (a type of fish) and stuffed mussels. There are plenty of opportunities to grab a snack on the street or visit an upmarket restaurant – plus everything in between. The only limit is the size of your appetite.
If you want a little window of relaxation during your stay, then head to Emirgan Park. It’s a large area complete with its own ponds and offers a peaceful sanctuary to stop and have a spot of lunch or just get ready for your next Istanbul discovery.
Palaces, mosques, museums, monuments and places to shop are just some of the other ways to spend your precious time in this tremendous Turkish city. And while you’ll undoubtedly be sorry to leave it behind, the beauty of our multi-centre holidays is that there’s another destination just a short flight away. And in this case it’s the Greek capital, Athens.
Athens
Tread in historic footsteps going back thousands of years when you take a stroll around the ruins of Athens. Get up close to the Acropolis, Parthenon and Theatre of Dionysus amongst others. Have a delicious bite to eat you’ve never tried before, go dancing till dawn and have the time of your life, all packed into two unbelievable days.
Our holiday team are waiting to take your booking for this multi-centre city break to Turkey and Greece. Call now on 0203 326 1516.
