Welcome to Istanbul, a city steeped in tradition and mystique, yet modern and accessible enough to entice any traveler. This culture capital of the world straddles two continents and is home to fascinating historical sites. Travel Delight Katrina Wright takes you from wondrous mosques and palatial hotels to exquisite bazaars and epicurean cuisine. Join Katrina as she shows you three diverse but equally enjoyable levels of Istanbul—the luxurious, the midrange, and the budget. So no matter if you wish to travel in splendor or on a shoestring—or somewhere in between—you’ll have a chance to experience this ancient city to the fullest.
With Travel Delight Katrina Wright as your tour guide, you’ll:
Step inside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque—Istanbul’s most famous mosque—nicknamed the Blue Mosque because of the thousands of blue tiles adorning its interior walls
Explore the world-renowned Hagia Sophia. Once a basilica, then a mosque, this architectural wonder is now a museum
Enjoy Turkish hospitality and get pampered with your choice of accommodations, from affordable hotels close to the Old District to lodging so luxurious it comes with your very own butler—truly an experience fit for a sultan
Take a boat ride along the Bosphorus Strait or take the twenty-minute ferry ride across the narrow waterway and you have arrived in Asia. Istanbul offers you the bragging rights of visiting two continents in one afternoon
Taste the exquisite flavors of Turkey. Experience simple fish sandwiches served right off vibrant neon-lit boats that ride the waves of the shoreline
Catch some live Turkish music—whether it be traditional or modern—at one of the many bars and restaurants that line the iconic Galata Bridge
Go on a shopping spree at the world-famous Grand Bazaar. Spend hours window shopping until you find the perfect Turkish carpet, bargain for beautiful fabrics and jewelry, or simply stock up on souvenirs for your friends back home
Sample authentic lokum (Turkish delight) at Haci Bekir, the shop where this delectable chewy sweet treat was first created
Get a personal culinary lesson from one of Istanbul’s well-known chefs and make an authentic Turkish meal that’s easy to recreate when you get back home
Relax and enjoy some nargileh—fruit flavored tobacco—at Istanbul’s version of the hookah lounge
Sneak away to the peaceful Prince’s Islands, where monastery life has given way to a quiet
get-away for travelers in a carefree—and car-free—retreat.
