LETS MEET WHERE THE TWO CONTINENTS MEET
There, God and human, nature and art are together, they have created such a perfect place that it is valuable to see." Lamartine's famous poetic lines reveal his love for Istanbul, describing the embracing of two continents, with one arm reaching out to Asia and the other to Europe.

Istanbul’s beauty lies in its ability to embrace its contradictions. Ancient and modern, religious and secular, Asian and European, mystical and earthly all co-exist here.

Mother of All Cities :
With it's history dating back to 658 B.C., Istanbul has been in uninterrupted existance forming the cross-roads of creative exchange between Europe and Asia. This spectacular city with it's diverse identities has given rise to many legends and inspired countless works of art.

Two Empires – two capitals :
Istanbul has been the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, leaving behind a multicultural sediment of civilisations and faiths in the forms of aquaducts, cisterns, palaces, churches, sinagogs, mosques and above all, cultural tolerance and harmony.

Modern touristic establishments and conference facilities :
Istanbul today is the focal point of industry, commerce and cultural life in Turkey. It has many internationally acclaimed hotels, congress centers and offers state-of-the-art meeting facilities. The city is connected to the world by two international airports, international harbours, railways and Trans-European-Motorway.

Shopping and entertainment :
Being one of the cheapest cities of Europe, it is a shopping paradise. Ranging from oriental tastes of Grand Bazaar to outstanding shopping malls, Istanbul offers a wide variety of choices.
Bosphorus is not merely a strait dividing two continents but also a crown that adds a Mediterranean flavour to this breathtaking city by it's seaside cafes and fish restaurants. Istanbul also offers a vibrant night-life with its outstanding night-clubs and bars.

April in Istanbul :
April is the best season of Istanbul with a warm climate approximately 25 ‘Celcius degrees during the day. April is also the beginning of the cultural events of Istanbul such as Istanbul International Film Festival. Being here would be a delightful opportunity for cinema enthusiasts.

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LINKS ON ISTANBUL

- http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/ (Governorship of Istanbul )
- http://www.iksv.org/english/ (Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts )
- http://english.istanbul.com/?Vst=2 (Istanbul Official City Guide)
- http://www.istanbul.com/inistanbul/in_istanbul_preview.pdf (Online Magazine about Istanbul)