| Cruise  in Golden Horn: As  a natural and extremely secures harbor, the Golden Horn has played an important  role in the development of Istanbul. The inlet separates the European shore  into two. It is approximately 8 km long and widest part is the entrance from  the Bosphorus. Two streams drain into this inlet at its far end. Cruise in Bosphorus: One of the biggest natural channel in the world lying between Black Sea and Sea of  Marmara and divided city of Istanbul in two part as Asia and Europe. Both side of the channel there are so many imperial places,  mosques, wooden summer houses and magnificent view of Istanbul. Fortress of Europe or Rumeli  Fortress (from sea): Order to built by the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II in 1452, just one year before he  conquered Constantinople. It completed in such a short period, about four  months and the aim was to control the sea traffic in Bosphorus from the north.  Pierre  Loti Hill: Pierre Loti is the pen name of French author  Julien Viaud who lived in Istanbul in late 19th. century. He soon adopted  Ottoman life style and very much liked spending time at cafes on the hill. His  first novel "Aziyade" (1876) and its love story was very popular  among the Turkish people that name of its hero is given to the hill and cafe.  Very recently (November 2005), a cable-car started to work between Eyup and  Pierre Loti which very nice view of city, hill, district of Eyup and Eyup cemetery. City Walls: Defending wall of the city during the  Byzantine time from 4th to 15th century. 23 km walls turns around all historical city.  However some parts become ruins and some more are restored it is still shown magnificent of Constantinople. Dolmabahce Palace: Second  imperial palace for Ottoman Sultans, built in 1856 and until 1922 last six  Ottoman Sultans lived and ruled the Empire from here. Former residence of  Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of Turkish   Republic  and first president. It is European style very luxury palace and one of the  best examples of baroque style all around the world. It has 260  rooms, 44 ceremonial halls, 25 bathrooms and so many European furniture and decoration.  It is really magnificent palace with its two thousand meters square Grand  Ceremonial Hall and 4.5 tons legendary British chandelier. Bosphorus Bridge and Camlica Hill: The highest point in Istanbul. At the top of it you can rest and  admire the  magnificent panorama of Istanbul and the Bosphorus from the beautiful gardens, landscaped in traditional style. |