36 Hours In... Istanbul, Istanbul city break guide, The Telegraph
"Turkey’s biggest city is a unique mix of Europe and Asia, ancient and modern, piety and hedonism – and it’s still warm enough to lunch outside, says Terry Richardson."
36 Hours In... Istanbul
Why go now?
"It is an excellent time to visit this booming metropolis, standing boldly astride the Bosphorus Strait dividing Europe and Asia. On the best days it’s still warm enough to stroll around the old city’s Byzantine and Ottoman Turkish architectural treasures in shirt sleeves, or sip sweet black tea from a tulip-shaped glass in the open courtyard of a 300-year-old medrese."
Terry Richardson Destination expert
"Terry Richardson is the author of The Rough Guide to Istanbul, co-author of The Rough Guide to Turkey, and writes frequently about Istanbul for a well-known English-language Turkish newspaper. He also helps to research and lead trips to Istanbul (and elsewhere in Turkey) for a specialist archaeology/history travel company. Terry has lived in Turkey for the last five years, speaks Turkish and visits Istanbul regularly for both business and pleasure."
Istanbul city break guide
Why go?
"Without a shadow of a doubt, Istanbul – like London, New York or Paris – is one of the world’s great cities. Superbly situated either side of the blue ribbon of the Bosphorus Strait separating Europe from Asia it is, unlike any other city in the world, split between two continents.
The old quarter, with its oriental-fantasy skyline of domes and minarets, and its narrow cobbled streets lined with quaint old wooden houses, lies on a tapering peninsula pointing gravely across the straits to Asia. To the south, the blue waters of the Sea of Marmara glitter invitingly. North, across the graceful curve of the Golden Horn, flicker the bright lights of the pulsating entertainment quarter of Beyoğlu."
by Terry Richardson
Turkish Airlines (0844 800 666, www.turkishairlines.com)
Istanbul hotels by Terry Richardson
"The best hotels in Istanbul, Turkey, chosen by our resident expert, including luxury hotels and cheap hotels. Read the reviews and book them here at the lowest prices..."
Istanbul attractions by Terry Richardson
"Our guide to Istanbul includes our expert's advice on the best sights, attractions and things to do both in and outside the city, from visiting the Blue Mosque to a Bosphorus Cruise."
Istanbul restaurants by Terry Richardson
"... Whether it is freshly caught bluefish, tender lamb kebab, melt-in-your-mouth stuffed aubergine, the vast array of meze (starters) or rich, butter-soaked, pistachio-stuffed baklava, there’s more than enough choice for every taste..."
Istanbul nightlife by Terry Richardson
"Istanbul has a population of at least 12 million, and half of them seem to descend on the Beyoğlu district on Friday and Saturday evenings to party. From hip rooftop bars and raucous indie clubs to basement jazz cafes and grungy rock bars, and from traditional Turkish folk venues to über-cool dance clubs, Beyoğlu is Istanbul’s good-time heart and soul."
Istanbul shopping by Terry Richardson
"... Carpet hustlers prowl Sultanahmet – beware, and be firm but polite in warding them off. One reliable carpet shop in the Grand Bazaar is Şişko (Fat) Osman’s (www.sıskoosman.com) ..."
