The city of Istanbul is situated directly in-between Europe and Asia and this fact is reflected in the truly unique culture that gives this place a vibe unlike any other. The blending of Asian, Arabic and European culture makes this city extremely diverse and a place that has so much historical and cultural significance. When coming to Istanbul, be ready for the frenetic pace and sensory overload and plan accordingly. Luckily there is a wealth of fun and interesting activities to make your time in Istanbul truly memorable and exceptional.
What better place to become enamored in the culinary offerings than in a city as wonderfully diverse as Istanbul. Turkish Flavours is a cooking school that teaches the art of preparing Turkish cuisine in the beautiful city of Istanbul. This is a very highly rated attraction for travelers visiting the city and the school does an excellent job of teaching how the culture and the food have come together in this big city. This makes for a great educational group even that can be enjoyed with you newfound travel friends. Check ahead of time for what courses are being offered and be sure to book your classes well in advance.
Turkish Dance Night at the Hodjapasha Cultural Center is an extremely popular event among travelers seeking an authentic look at Turkish dance. The shows take place on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and this is a great way to spend a night out in Istanbul. There are many great restaurants and bars nearby where you can spend time before or after the show and make a night of it while out on the town. Remember to book your seats in advance as the show regularly sells out and try to sit up front to get a great view of this unique style of dance.
The Bosporus Cruises on theBosporus Strait are truly an amazing way to see the city of Istanbul from its very center. The divided city crowds around the Bosporus Strait and taking a cruise to see the many important sites along the shoreline and learn the historical significance of these sites is a very intriguing way to get acquainted with the city. The strait sits in the middle of Europe and Asia and thus has an important location logistically throughout history making it quite an interesting location. The day cruises here are very reasonably priced and make for a great day out on the water, especially during the summer months.
The Sultana's Dinner and 1001 Nights Show is perhaps the most entertaining way to spend a night out on the town in Istanbul. This show has gained tremendous popularity as one of the top rated attractions in Istanbul and the belly dancing show is surely a sight to see. With great food and drinks and vivacious live entertainment, there is never a dull moment during this dinner show. Booking in advance is recommended and group discounts may be available if you can get a few of your travel friends to sign up with you.
Taking The Other Tour will give you a unique look at the Istanbul that most travelers do not get to see. This is a tour that is highly praised by travelers coming to Istanbul for its authenticity and wealth of information that gives the traveler a much better understanding of the cultures and the big city and how they have meshed so seamlessly together. The guides do a great job of keeping the entire group involved and teaching not just the facts, but the interesting cultural insights that only a local can explain.
