Must-See Istanbul
By: Katrina Archer and Bruce Piper, Cruise Weekly

In considering a cruise in the Eastern Mediterranen a "must-see" port of call is Istanbul.

Being the largest city in Turkey and perfectly located on the strategically important Bosphorus Strait, this is the only metropolis in the world that stretches over two continents (Asia and Europe).

The population of Istanbul stands at 13 million and is growing at a rapid rate.

Known as Constantinople until 1930, the city of Istanbul was founded as Byzantium by Greek colonists and at one point in history was the capital of the whole Roman Empire (approx 310 AD) until falling to the Ottoman Empire in 1453.

With such an amazing history, the city of Istanbul is a fascinating mix of east meets west as well as old and new!

Cruising into Istanbul is an experience in itself. Daylight hours reveal a busy yet highly functional harbour, with very easy (and cheap) access into the city centre from the port by tram.

Istanbul at night is even more spectacular with the skyline littered with an amazing display of lights that is truly unforgettable.

A major highlight of any visit to Istanbul is a visit to one of the largest covered markets in the world - the "Grand Bazaar".

With more than 2,000 shops, it is a shopper's paradise where locals are disappointed if you are not up to the challenge of pushing for a bargain.

Other major sights include the world famous 'Blue Mosque', famous for the beautiful blue tile work that covers its internal walls, the Hagia Sophia - originally built as a mosque but is now a museum with one of the largest dome roofs in the world.

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