| Mediterranean Mountains |
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Surrounded by five seas and eight countries, Turkey
sits at one of Earth’s most poignant crossroads. Cultures have crossed
here, not just for centuries, but for millenium. Istanbul in western Turkey
is split by the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Europe and Asia. Mount Ararat
is in far eastern Turkey in Asia near the Iranian border. |
| Welcome to Istanbul! |
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After your transfer from the airport, enjoy a welcome drink in the openair,
rooftop restaurant
of Istanbul’s
Ambassador Hotel,
which has a stunning view of both the Blue Mosque and the ancient
Aya Sofya.
At dusk, you can listen to Islam’s traditional call to prayer. |
| The Sea of Marmara |
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Looking southeast from the
Ambassador
Hotel’s rooftop restaurant.
Ships ply the Sea of Marmara enroute from the Mediterranean Sea to the
Black Sea, a journey that also passes through the Aegean Sea and the Bosphorus
Strait. In this shot, you can see the Sea of Marmara’s Princes’ Islands,
which are a popular destination in the summer.
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| Sultanahmet Park |
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Bridging two continents, Istanbul is Asia’s foothold in Europe.
The history-laden city has always held a swirl of cultures, and today
embraces both the contemporary and the ancient. Sultanahmet Park is in
the center of Istanbul’s old city. The park’s curvaceous ponds and walkways
lie between the Blue Mosque, which you see in this photo, and the aged
Aya Sofya.
Sultanahmet Park is easy walking distance from the
Ambassador Hotel.
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