|
Turkey or Turkiye, no matter how you spell it, it is a country of rich history extending back thousands of years having been controlled by many including the Roman, Latin and Ottoman Empires before gaining its independence in 1923. Istanbul is probably the first city you think of when you hear Turkey. While it is not the capital (which is Ankara), Istanbul (once known as Constantinople) is the biggest city with a population of over 16 million people and growing. To put this into perspective, it is the 13th biggest city in the world, and New York is 41.
Istanbul is known for the tourist sites of Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Bazaar. A very important part to the city is the Bosphorus Strait (not to be confused with a river). The Bosphorus is unique in the fact that it splits the city between two continents, Europe and Asia. It links the Black Sea to the world’s oceans and has been one of the most important maritime routes since ancient times. Cargo, oil, fishing and passenger ships keep this waterway very busy. Keep in mind for clients if asked that it is not possible to charter a private yacht for travelers out of Istanbul due to the heavy traffic. Travelers are able to do this experience on the coast in the Bodrum region of the country. I have been to a handful of international cities, and cities have traffic, but the traffic in Istanbul is the busiest I have ever seen. Somehow it flows and I never once saw a car accident. The drivers for Aida were excellent drivers with luxurious vehicles that easily maneuvered through the narrow streets and up and down the hilly roads with ease to get us to and from. I was extremely impressed.
| 
