HISTORICAL SITES
TOUR GUIDE
MUSEUMS
WHIRLING DERVISHES
TURKISH BATH

BLUE MOSQUE

Distance from Hotel: 3 minutes by Walking

Opening Times: Daily 24 hours, except during some prayer times.

Telephone: (0212) 485 0776

The Blue Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in the world and one of very few to have six minarets.One of the most notable features of the Blue Mosque is visible from far away: its six minarets. This is very unique, as most mosques have four, two, or just one minaret. According to one account, the Sultan directed his architect to make gold (altin) minarets, which was misunderstood as six (alti) minarets.

HAGIA SOPHIA

Distance From Hotel: 4 minutes By Walking

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 0900-1700 (winter); Tues-Sun 0900-1800 (summer) plus first Monday of every month.

Telephone: (0212) 522 0989

Hagia Sophia (from the Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία, "Holy Wisdom"; Latin: Sancta Sophia or Sancta Sapientia; Turkish: Ayasofya) is a former Orthodoxpatriarchal basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261, when it was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople of the Western Crusader established Latin Empire. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931, when it was secularized. It was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.

BASILICA CISTERN

Distance From Hotel: 4 minutes By Walking

Opening Times: Daily 09:00-20:00

Telephone: (0212) 522 1259

The Basilica Cistern (Turkish: Yerebatan Sarayı - "Sunken Palace", or Yerebatan Sarnıcı - "Sunken Cistern"), is the largest of several hundred ancientcisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Turkey. The cistern, located 500 feet (150 m) southwest of the Hagia Sophia on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian. Historical texts claim that 7,000 slaves were involved in the construction of the cistern.

TOPKAPI PALACE

Distance From Hotel: 5 minutes By Walking

Opening Times: Except tuesday, 09:00-17:00

Telephone: (0212) 512 0480

The Topkapı Palace (Turkish: Topkapı Sarayı) is a large palace in Istanbul, Turkey, that was the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (1465-1856) of their 624-year reign. As well as a royal residence, the palace was a setting for state occasions and royal entertainments. It is now a major tourist attraction and contains important holy relics of the Muslim world including the Prophet Muhammed's cloak and sword. The Topkapı Palace is among the monuments contained within the "Historic Areas of Istanbul", which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, and is described in Criterion iv as "the best example[s] of ensembles of palaces of the Ottoman period.

GRAND BAZAAR

Distance From Hotel: 10 minutes By Walking

Opening Times: Except sunday, 08:00-19:00

Address: Beyazit , Istanbul, Turkey

The Grand Bazaar (Turkish: Kapalıçarşı, meaning "Covered Bazaar"; also: Turkish: Büyük Çarşı, meaning "Grand Bazaar") in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with 61 covered streets and over 3,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It is located inside the walled city of Istanbul, in the district of Fatih and in the neighborhood (Turkish: Mahalle) bearing the same name ("Kapalıçarşı"). It stretches roughly from west to east between the mosques of Beyazit and of Nuruosmaniye. The Bazaar can easily be reached from Sultanahmet and Sirkeci by tram

Istanbul City Tours

Istanbul is the biggest town of Turkey.It has many historical sites to visit.Joining a tour for visiting those places are the best.Because travel agency has advantages of entranse fees,and we have realy good guides for introdusing you istanbul's historical site.We have halfday and fullday options for the daily tours. contact with the receptionist

Cappadocia City Tours

Cappadocia is very big region and all the historical spots are away from eachother.For visiting all those places you will need 2 full day guided tours.
The Tours start from your hotel and up at your hotel. Best way to visit cappadocia is you choose 2 days guided tours and enjoy your journey.'just click the Name of the city and list the daily tours of cappadocia
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Antalya City Tours

Antalya is a resort region. Also it has historical site ans natural beauty such a waterfalls for visiting you can join a day tour and day cruise in antalya for the daily program

Fethiye is known by death sea beach. it is also a resort region and boat cruise spot.You can find daily cruises and weekly cruices see what you can in Fethiye click the name of town and see the daily cruices
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Pamukkale City Tours

Pamukkale known with it's calcium deposites. Besite that there are many historical sites and theral baths which is you must see.those sites are far from each other that makes your visit difficult by yourself.

If you join a daily tour you can visit al sites in one day contact with us and see what we have for pamukkale
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ISTANBUL ART MUSEUM

Istanbul Modern, aka Istanbul Museum of Modern Art, (Turkish: İstanbul Modern Sanat Müzesi) is a museum of contemporary art in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, Turkey, inaugurated on December 11, 2004, prominently featuring the work of Turkish artists.
The Modern features exhibition space on two floors: work from the museum's permanent collection, as well as a shop and restaurant, are located on the top floor, while temporary exhibitions are located on the lower floor, along with a cinema and arts library.

Museum hours:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10.00 - 18.00
Thursday: 10.00 - 20.00
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:
Adult: 12 TL
Concessions: 6 TL (students and people of age 65 and older)

MILITARY MUSEUM

Don't ignore this museum just because you're no military buff. It holds striking historical treasures such as the chain which the Byzantines stretched across the mouth of the Golden Horn to keep out the Sultan's navy in 1453.
The Sultan's sumptuous sayeban or "pavilion," encrusted with a fortune in jewels, is an open-sided "tent" in which he sat to receive foreign emissaries.The Military Museum is also where you can hear the Mehter, the world's oldest military band, play each afternoon (the 20-minute concerts begin at 3 and at 4 pm).

It's open from 9 to 5, closed Monday and Tuesday.

The Military Museum at Harbiye, 1 km (just over a half mile) north of Taksim Square,

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

The İstanbul Archaeological Museums, a museum affiliated to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, is located in İstanbul's Sultanahmet neighborhood, on the Osman Hamdi Bey slope connecting the Gülhane Park with the Topkapı Palace. Its name is plural, since there are three different museums under the same administration: The Archaeological Museum, the Ancient Orient Museum (Eski Şark Eserleri Müzesi) and Tiled Kiosk Museum (Çinili Köşk Müzesi).

TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ART MUSEUM

The collection includes notable examples of Islamic calligraphy, tiles, and rugs as well as ethnographic displays on various cultures in Turkey, particularly nomad groups.

These displays recreate rooms or dwellings from different time periods and regions.

MINIATURK

The park contains 120 models done in 1/25th scale. 57 of the structures are from Istanbul, 51 are from Anatolia, and 12 are from the Ottoman territories that today lie outside of Turkey. Additional space was reserved for potential future models.

The infrastructure was built taking into consideration the needs of potential additions. Therefore, Miniaturk will continue growing, modeling, in a sense, planned urbanization.

SEMA CEREMONY

The name Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi stands for Love and ecstatic flight into the infinite. Rumi is one of the great spiritual masters and poetical geniuses of mankind and was the founder of the Mevlevi Sufi order, a leading mystical brotherhood of Islam.

TURKISH HISTORICAL DANCE SHOW

Music and dance show : Dances from different regions of Anatolia are performed as well as group and solo oriental dances with modern choreography in the collages, with specially designed costumes and accompanied by live music. In addition, an exhibition in the foyer area which describes The History of Dance Culture in Turkey starting from 10.000 years back to today with graphics , pictures and video support can be seen.

GEDİKPAŞA BATH

Gedikpaşa hamamı Gedik Ahmet Paşa Tarafından 1475 Tarihinde Osmanlı döneminin en ünlü mimarlarından Mimar Hayrettin'e yaptırılmıştır.Hamam bay ve bayanlar kısmından oluşan çifte hamamdır.Gedikpaşa Hamamı İstanbuldaki Osmanlı Mimarisinin önemli eserlerindendir.

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ÇEMBERLİTAŞ BATH

The Çemberlitas Bath is located on Çemberlitas Square on Divanyolu Street situated in the midst of some of Istanbul’s greatest monuments. It is next to the Vezirhan monument erected by Constantine I (324 – 327).
The Köprülü Mahmud Pasa complex with its mosque, school and tombs are directly opposite the bath and at its sides are the Vezir Han and the old university building.

Also in the near vicinity of the bath are the tomb of Sultan Mahmut II and its treasury, the Köprülü Library, the Atik Pasa Mosque and school and the tomb of Ali Baba.

SÜLEYMANİYE BATH (MIXED)

The complex is located in Süleymaniye, the neighborhood of Eminönü named after it. It was built by Sultan Süleyman, the Magnificent in 1557 and designed by Architect Sinan.

The Süleymaniye Complex represented the second and most important stage in an architectural tradition which began with the Fatih Complex, namely a symmetrical grouping and use of geometric shaping among the layout of the complex buildings

ABOUT ISTANBUL

Geography

The summer months in Istanbul are generally hot and quite humid. The winters can be cold and wet, although not as extreme as other areas of the country. June, July and August see temperatures creep up to 30 degrees, with very little rain. Spring and autumn are popular times to visit because of the comfortable climate, good for lots of walking and sightseeing, with highs between 15 - 25 degrees C, in April, May, September and October. By the winter, the dry cold air mass from the Black Sea and cold damp front from the Balkans brings a chilly season with daytime highs of between 10 - 15 degrees C, and nights much colder. Although rarely falling to freezing point, there is the occasional light snow in the city.

Time Zone

GMT +2 hours / Eastern Europe Time

Population

13.000.000

Currency

Banknote denominations currently range from 5 TL to 200 TL.
Changing foreign currency is best done at the exhange offices "doviz burolari". These are regulated by law, charge minimal commission, and do not require identification for a straightforward currency swap.

Electric Current

The electric current in Turkey is the same as in Europe - 220 Volts and the plugs have two circular metal pins.

Tipping and Bargaining

Tipping is standard practice in bars and restaurants, although not obligatory. Generally 10 % is an acceptable rate, but even if service is included, a small token is expected. On the other hand, there is no need to tip taxi drivers, unless some special service has been provided.

Water

Although tap water is chlorinated and, therefore, safe to drink, it is strongly recommended that you stick to bottled water, which is readily and cheaply available.

Passport

Foreigners are expected to carry an ID with them, which means that you should keep your passport with you at all times.

Public Holidays in 2012

1 January 2012: New Year's day
23 April 2012: National Sovereignty and Children's Day
19 May 2012: Youth and Sports Day
30 August 2012: Victory Day
19,20,21 August 2012: Ramadan Bayrami
25,26,27,28 September 2012: Kurban (Sacrifice) Bayrami
29 October 2012: Republic Day

Basic Turkish Words

Hello : Merhaba (mehr-hah-bah)
Good Morning : Günaydın (gew-nî-duhn)
Good Afternoon/Goodbye : İyi günler (ee-yee gewn-lehr)
Good Evening/Goodbye : İyi akşamlar (ee-yee ahk-shahm-lahr)
Good Night/Goodbye : İyi geceler (ee-ye geh-jeh-lehr)
Goodbye : Güle Güle(gew-leh gew-leh)
Thank you : Teşekkürler (teh-sheh-kewr-lehr)
Yes : Evet (eh-veht)
No: Hayır (hah-yuhr)
Ok : Tamam (tah-mahm)
Sorry: Pardon (pahr-dohn)
Good : İyi (ee-yee)
Please : Lütfen (lewt-fehn)