ABOUT TURKEY

Türkiye, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is synonymous of both Asia Minor and Anatolia which are the melting pot of western civilization. Here were born or extended numerous great civilizations which have left their marks through ancient sites full of archaeological wonders, through prestigious cities, or through great names and events of history of which we will only quote a few examples: Troy, the mythological city of Homer who was born in İzmir; Herodotus, the Father of History, lived in Halicarnassus famous for the Mausoleum which was destroyed by Frankish knights and which was, with the Temple of Artemision, one of the Seven Wonders of the World; Phocea which gave its name to the city of Marseille in France; the Phrygians who are the origin of Marianne's red cap which is the symbol of liberty and the French Republic; Sardis, where wealthy King Croesus' gold-bearing Pactolos stream flows; Pergamum , where parchment was invented; Zile, where Julius Caesar said these famous succint words " Veni, Vidi, Vici"; cherries named after Cerasus (Giresun) on the Black Sea Coast, were introduced to Europe by Roman general and gourmet Lucullus; Antioch, where the Jewish disciples of Jesus were called "christians" here for the first time; Tarsus , the birthplace of St Paul who wrote the famous Epistles to the Galatians and to the Ephesians; St Nicholas, bishop of Myra, who is the origin of Santa Claus; for a same city, three names that make one dream: Byzantium, which became Constantinople the capital of the first Christian Empire under Emperor Constantine the Great and where Emperor Justinian erected imposing Haghia Sophia , and İstanbul, the city of the mosques, palaces and fabulous treasures, sultans and mysterious harems; Atatürk who transformed Türkiye into a modern and the first secular Muslim country, where women were granted the right to vote in 1930 and to run as a candidate in the Parliament in 1934, a long time before some European countries.
Türkiye has an imposing nature and sites such as the unique landscapes of Cappadocia or Pamukkale.

Türkiye means the sun, the sea and its beautiful beaches, leisure and sports that are other sources of joy and pleasure.

Türkiye is also the warm hospitality of the people, a delicious cuisine and so many other things that will make you live priviliged moments.

ABOUT ISTANBUL

Istanbul - a fabulous city where East meets West, the bridge between Europe and Asia, a thriving metropolis of 12 million people - exotic yet distinctly western. Istanbul has been the seat of three great empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman - and a meeting place for peoples of many religions and cultures who came together and learned to live in peace and harmony. Ultra-modern amenities, the splendours of the Ottoman past and the honoured traditions of Turkish hospitality combine to make Istanbul a fascinating city, one that will impress all visitors with treasured and lasting memories. Istanbul will reward you with the comfort of home while offering sights, sounds and smells that carry you swiftly to another culture, another time.

This vibrant, exciting city is readily accessible from all parts of the world, served by more than 50 airlines. Every major European airport is 2-3 hours away. There are frequent non-stop or direct flights to Istanbul from most cities such as New York, Chicago, Tel Aviv, Johannesburg, Tokyo, and Bangkok.

Istanbul is a treasure trove of sight seeing possibilities and has many wonderful places that should not be missed - for example Blue Mosque, St. Sophia, The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, the Spice Market, Dolmabahce Palace, Rumeli Castle and other historic monuments of the city followed by a shopping trip in the Grand Bazaar or, perhaps, to experience a Turkish bathhouse adventure and catered moonlight excursion up the Bosphorus strait.