Since the discovery of the wheel; to the first civilized society; to the incubation of our major religions; to the introduction of our first alphabet; the Eastern Mediterranean today holds as much in mysteries as it has in revelations....

Practically every province, state or city has a remarkable chapter in history and numerous antiquities to its identity.... We at Sunny Land have been specializing in programming and operating tours to this region for over 40 years. And It is with great pleasure and pride that we present to you our year current Mediterranean productline featuring Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus as well as port-of-calls and visits in Egypt and Israel.

This year please join us on a journey into antiquity professionally planned to make sure you will experience the best of these destinations from an insiders perspective while enjoying total comfort and enjoyment...

About İstanbul

İstanbul embraces two continents, one arm reaching out to Asia, the other to Europe. Through the city's heart, the Bosphorus strait, courses the waters of the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. The former capital of three successive empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman - today İstanbul honors and preserves the legacy of its past while maintaining its aspects as a modern world-city.

Indeed, it is İstanbul's variety that fascinates its visitors. The museums, churches, palaces, great mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset, contemplating the red twilight reflected in the windows on the opposite shore, you understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. At times such as these, you feel that İstanbul is truly one of the most glorious cities in the world.

Palaces

On a spot of land at the confluence of the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn and the Marmara Sea, stands Topkapi Palace, a maze of buildings at the center of the Ottoman Empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. In these opulent surroundings the sultans and their court lived and governed. A magnificent wooded garden fills the outer first court. To the right of the second court, shaded by cypress trees, stand the palace kitchens, now galleries exhibiting the imperial collections of crystal, silver and Chinese porcelain. . Today, the third court holds the Hall of Audience, the Library, an exhibition of imperial costumes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the treasury and a priceless collection of miniatures from medieval manuscripts. (Open daily except Tuesdays).

Built in the mid-l9th century by Sultan Abdülmecit I, the facade of Dolmabahçe Palace stretches for 600 meters along the European shore of the Bosphorus. The vast reception salon, with 56 columns, and a huge crystal chandelier weighing four and a half tons and lit by 750 lights never fails to astonish visitors: At one time, birds from all over the world were kept in the Bird Pavilion for the delight of the palace's privileged residents. Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, died in Dolmabahçe on November 10,1938. (Open every day except Monday and Thursday)

In the 19th century, Sultan Abdülaziz built the Beylerbeyi Palace, a fantasy in white marble amid magnolia filled gardens, on the Bosphorus's Aegean Shore. Used as the Sultan's summer residence, it was offered to the most distinguished foreign dignitaries during their visits. Empress Eugenie of France was among its residents. (open everyday except Monday and Thursday.)

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Mosques

Facing St. Sophia stands the supremely elegant, six-minaret, imperial Sultanahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque. Built between 1609 and 1616 by the architect Mehmet, the building is more familiarly known as the Blue Mosque because its interior gleams with a magnificent paneling of blue and white Iznik tiles. During the summer months an evening light and sound show both entertain and inform.

One of the most beautiful architectural structures of Istanbul's skyline is however the Süleymaniye Mosque.  Its cascading domes and four slender minarets dominate the skyline on the Golden Horn's west bank. Considered the most beautiful of all imperial mosques in İstanbul, it was built between 1550 and 1557 by Sinan, the renowned architect of the Ottoman golden age.

Another skillful accomplishment of the architect Sinan, the Rüstem Pasa Mosque was built in 1561 on the orders of Rüstem Pasa, Grand Vizier and son-in-law of Süleyman the Magnificent. Exquisite Iznik tiles panel the small and superbly proportioned interior.

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Museums

The Basilica of Haghia Sophia, (also called Saint Sophia), is unquestionably one of the finest buildings of all time. Built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century, its immense dome rises 175 feet above the ground and its diameter spans 98 feet. You should linger here to absorb the building's majestic serenity and to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics. (Open every day except Monday.)

The Archaeological Museum are found just near first court of Topkapi Palace. Included among the displays are the celebrated Alexander Sarcophagus among its treasures of antiquity. The Museum of the Ancient Orient displays artifacts from the Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Hatti and Hittite civilisations. (Open every day except Monday.) 

The dark stone building that houses the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art was built in 1524 by Ibrahim Pasa; Grand Vizier to Süleyman the Magnificent, as his residence. It was the grandest private residence ever built in the Ottoman Empire . Today, it houses a superb collection of ceramics, metalwork miniatures, calligraphy, textiles, and woodwork as well as some of the oldest carpets in the world. (Open every day except Monday.)

Near St. Sophia is the sixth century Byzantine cistem known as the Underground Cistern. Three hundred and thirty-six massive Corinthian columns support the immense chamber's fine brick vaulting. (Open every day except Tuesday.)

The Kariye Museum, the 11th century Church of St. Savior in Chora, is, after St. Sophia, the most important Byzantine monument in İstanbul. Unremarkable in its architecture, inside, the walls are decorated with superb l4th century frescoes and mosaics. Illustrating scenes from the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary, these brilliantly colored paintings embody the vigor of Byzantine art. Restored wooden houses in the area surrounding the church offer tea and coffee in a relaxed , atmosphere far removed from the city's hectic pace. (Open every day except Tuesday.)

The Aviation Museum in Yesilköy traces the development of air flight in Turkey. (Open every day except Monday.)

The great field tents used by the Ottoman armies on campaigns are displayed in the Military Museum. Other exhibits include Ottoman weapons and the accoutrements of war. The Mehter Takimi (Ottoman military band) perform Ottoman martial music between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. (Open every day except Monday and Tuesday.)

Up the Bosphorus in the picturesque suburb of Büyükdere, the collections of the Sadberk Hanim Museum fill two charming l9th century wooden villas. A private museum which originally displayed Turkish decorative arts, it has recently been expanded with a new collection of archaeological finds. (Open every day except Wednesday.)

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Monuments

The Ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the center of Byzantine civic life, stood in the open space in front of the Blue Mosque, an area now called Sultanahmet. Of the monuments which once decorated it, only three remain: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Remains from the curved-end section of the Hippodrome's wall can be seen on the southwest side of these three monuments. Today, the square forms the center of İstanbul's historical, cultural and tourism activities. You should take particular note of the surrounding wooden houses, particularly the l8th century ones on Sogukçesme Street. Delightfully restored, they have new life as small hotels and one houses a fascinating library of books on İstanbul.

The Ahmet III Fountain, built in 1729, stands at the entrance to Topkapi Palace. Deep overhanging eaves shade the water spouts where the parched could stop for a cup of refreshing water. This highly ornate, free-standing fountain is a superb example of the late Ottoman style.

Mahmut II built the Beyazit Tower (85 meters high) in 1828 as a fire tower. Today it stands within the grounds of İstanbul University.

The Bozdogan-Valens Aqueduct, built in 368 A.D., supplied the Byzantine and later the Ottoman palaces with water. Today part of the remaining 900 meters of double-tiered arches straddle the major highway that runs through the old part of town.

The Ancient City Walls, once an impenetrable fortification, stretch seven kilometers from the Sea of Marmara to the Golden Horn. Restored recently, and many times previously, these walls date from the fifth century and the reign of Emperor Theodosius II. UNESCO has declared the land walls and the area which they enclose to be one of the cultural heritages of the world.

The Galata Tower, a Genoese construction of 1348, rises 62 meters high over the Golden Horn. From the top, you see a marvelous panorama of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus. In the evening, tourists enjoy its popular restaurant, nightclub and bar.

Rumeli Hisari, or the European Fortress, was built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 prior to his capture of İstanbul. Completed in only four months, it is one of the most beautiful works of military architecture in the world. (Open every day except Mondays.)

Known as Leander's Tower, Kiz Kulesi is one of the romantic symbols of İstanbul. First constructed in the l2th century on a tiny island at the entrance to İstanbul's harbor, the present building dates from the l8th century.

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The Bosphorus

A stay in İstanbul is not complete without the traditional and unforgettable boat excursion up the Bosphorus, the winding strait that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores offer a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendor and simple beauty. Modern hotels stand next to "yali"s (shorefront wooden villas), marble palaces abut rustic stone fortresses, and elegant compounds neighbor small fishing villages. The best way to see the Bosphorus is to board one of the passenger boats that regularly zigzag along the shores.

During the journey, you pass in front of the many landmarks of Istanbul including Palaces, Mosques, and beautiful villas. 

On the European side, at Tarabya Bay, yachts seem to dance at their moorings. The coast road bustles with taverns and fish restaurants from Tarabya to the charming suburbs of Sariyer and Büyükdere. Sariyer has one of the largest fish markets in İstanbul and is also famous for its delicious varieties of milk puddings and börek (pastries). A little further on past Sariyer, the narrow strait widens and disappears into the Black Sea.

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Haliç - The Golden Horn

This horn-shaped estuary, divides European İstanbul. One of the best natural harbors in the world, the Byzantine and Ottoman navies and commercial shipping interests were centered here. Today, lovely parks and promenades line the shores where the setting sun dyes the water a golden color. In Fener and Balat, neighborhoods midway up the Golden Horn, whole streets of old wooden houses, churches, and synagogues date from Byzantine and Ottoman times. The Orthodox Patriarchy resides here at Fener. Eyüp, a little further up, reflects the Ottoman style of vermicular architecture.

Cemeteries sprinkled with dark cypress trees cover the hillsides. Many pilgrims come to the tomb of Eyüp in the hope that their prayers will be granted. The Pierre Loti Cafe, atop the hill overlooking the shrine is a wonderful place to enjoy the tranquility of the view.

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Yachting & Golf

Yachting is a popular activity in İstanbul. This is the only place in the world where you can enjoy the beauty of a mystical landscape while sailing back through history to Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times, and view magnificent castles, palaces and mosques. From the North Sea through the European interior, yachters can sail down the European channel system and the Rhine and Danube Rivers into the Black Sea harbors and to the İstanbul-Bogazi and İstanbul marinas - a safe and short way to get there. Sail on the İstanbul Bogazi under the enormous bridges spanning two continents and around the Princes' Islands to their beautiful bays. You may anchor and enjoy the serenity of this area. After enjoying all of the sights return to one of the two large marinas in the area. Ataköy Marina is on the European side and Kalamis Marina is on the Asian side. Both offer 24-hour service. International Offshore Yacht races are held in İstanbul every summer.

The İstanbul region offers lovely opportunities for golfing enthusiasts: The Klassis Golf and Country Club, 65 km from İstanbul in Silivri, is the area's second-largest golf club, with an 18-hole course and a 9-hole course. The Kemer Golf and Country Club,18 km from İstanbul in the Belgrad Forest near the town of Kemerburgaz, offers a formidable test of golf skill on its 9-hole course. The İstanbul Golf Club in the Ayazaga district of İstanbul has a 9-hole course.

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Art, Culture and Entertainment

İstanbul is an international art and cultural center. The International Arts and Cultural Festival is held each year in June and July with famous artists coming from all over the world. These performances are held mostly in the Atatürk Cultural Center. Those enjoying classical music can hear it at Cemal Resit Rey Hall. Operas, operettas, ballets, film, concerts, exhibitions and conferences all share the cultural palette of the city. İstanbul also has a rich program of light entertainment. Nightclubs provide splendid entertainment throughout dinner, ranging from a selection of Turkish songs to the famous bellydance. İstanbul is an international gambling city with many casinos.

Alongside these are modern discos, cabarets, and jazz clubs in the Taksim-Harbiye district.

In Sultanahmet, there are a number of restaurants in restored Byzantine and Ottoman buildings which offer a unique setting for an evening out.  Kumkapi, with its many taverns, bars and fish restaurants, is another attractive district.

But, when it comes to food, you want to be in where people have been meeting for years: Beyoglu district's Çiçek Pasaji for snacks and seafood specialties. Also in this district, the narrow Nevizede street, near Çiçek Pasaji, is the best place in İstanbul for eating Turkish specialties and drinking raki.

On the Bosphorus, Ortaköy is the best place for nightlife in İstanbul, with its nightclubs, jazz clubs, fine seafood restaurants and bars.

In Eminönü ,don't miss an opportunity to see the fishermen dressed in traditional Ottoman clothes on their Ottoman-style boats where you may board and taste their famous delicious fried fish.

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Shopping

One could visit İstanbul for the shopping alone. The Kapali Çarsi, or Covered Bazaar, in the old city is the logical place to start. This labyrinth of streets and passages houses more than 4,000 shops. The names recall the days when each trade had its own quarter: Goldsmiths' street, Carpet sellers' street, Skullcap makers. Still the commercial center of the old city, the bazaar is the original shopping mall with something to suit every taste and pocket.

Turkish crafts, the world-renowned carpets, brilliant handpainted ceramics, copper, brassware, and meerschaum pipes make charming souvenirs and gifts. The gold jewelry in brilliantly lit cases blinds passersby. Leather and suede goods of excellent quality make a relatively inexpensive purchase. The Old Bedesten, in the heart of the bazaar, offers a curious assortment of antiques. It is worth poking through the clutter of decades in the hope of finding a treasure.

The Misir Çarsisi or Spice Bazaar, next to Yeni Mosque in Eminönü, transports you to fantasies of the mystical East. The enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice fill the air. Sultanahmet has become another shopping mecca in the old city. The İstanbul Sanatlari Çarsisi (Bazaar of İstanbul Arts) in the l8th century Mehmet Efendi Medresesi, and the nearby l6th century Caferaga Medrese, built by Sinan, offer a chance to see craftsmen at work and to purchase their wares. In the Arasta (old bazaar) of the Sultanahmet Mosque, a thriving shopping arcade makes shopping and sightseeing very convenient.

The sophisticated shops of the Taksim-Nisantasi-Sisli districts contrast with the chaos of the bazaars. On Istiklal Avenue, Cumhuriyet Avenue and Rumeli Avenue, you can browse peacefully in the most fashionable shops that sell elegant fashions made from Turkey's high quality textiles. Exquisite jewelry as well as finely designed handbags and shoes can also be found. The Ataköy Galleria Mall in Ataköy and Akmerkez Mall in Etiler have branches of İstanbul's most elegant shops. Bahariye Avenue, Bagdat Avenue, and Capitol Mall on the Asian side, offer the same goods.

In İstanbul's busy flea markets you can find an astonishing assortment of goods, both old and new. Everyday offers a new opportunity to poke about the Sahaflar Çarsisi and Çinaralti in the Beyazit district. On Sundays, in a flea market between the Sahaflar and the Covered Bazaar, vendors uncover their wares on carts and blankets. The Horhor Çarsisi is a collection of shops that sell furniture of varying age and quality. The flea market in the Topkapi district, on Çukurcuma Sokak in Cihangir, on Büyük Hamam Sokak in Üsküdar, in the Kadiköy Çarsi Duragi area, and between Eminönü and Tahtakale, are open daily. After a Sunday drive up the Bosphorus, stop between Büyükdere and Sariyer to wander through another lively market.

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The Environs of İstanbul

The Princes' Islands, an archipelago of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, were places of exile for Byzantine princes. Today, during the summer months, İstanbul's wealthy, escape to their cool sea breezes, and elegant l9th century houses. Büyükada is the largest of the islands. Here you can enjoy a ride in a horse-drawn phaeton (carriage) among the pine trees, or relax on a beach in one of the numerous coves that ring the island. The other popular islands are Kinali, Sedef, Burgaz and Heybeliada. Regular ferry boats connect the islands with both the European and Asian shores. A faster sea bus service operates from Kabatas in the summer.

On the European side of the Black Sea coast, 25 km from the outskirts of İstanbul, Kilyos's long, broad sandy beaches draw crowds of İstanbul residents in the summer months.

The Belgrad Forest, inland from the Black Sea on the European side, is the largest forest around İstanbul. On weekends, İstanbulites drive out to its shade for family picnics and barbecues. Seven ancient reservoirs and a number of natural springs refresh the air. The Ottoman aqueducts, of which the l6th Century Moglova Aqueduct built by Sinan is the most splendid, lend a majesty to the natural surroundings. Overshadowing the entrance to Kemer Golf and Country Club is the 800-meter-long Sultan Süleyman Aqueduct, also built by Sinan; it is one of the longest in Turkey. The 500-stable Equestrian Center offers trail riding.

On the Asian side, Polonezköy, 25 km from İstanbul, was founded in the l9th century by Polish immigrants. İstanbul residents come to its pastoral landscape for walks, horseback riding and to enjoy the traditional Polish food served by descendants of the original settlers. On the Black Sea, 70 km from Üsküdar, Sile's sandy beaches, fish restaurants and hotels make it one of the most delightful holiday places near İstanbul. Sile bezi, cool cotton clothing, popular with tourists, is fashioned here.

The Bayramoglu-Darica Bird's Paradise and Botanic Park, 38 km from İstanbul, is a unique rest area; many species of birds and plants from all over the world can be seen in this huge park, which also has restaurants and a promenade for pedestrians.

The charming fishing town of Eskihisar, southeast of İstanbul, boasts a marina where yachtsmen can moor their boats after a day out in the Sea of Marmara. In town, the house of Osman Hamdi Bey, Turkey's great l9th century painter, has been converted into a museum. Neighboring sites include the tomb of Hannibal between Eskihisar and Gebze, and a Byzantine castle.

Many İstanbulites have summer homes near Silivri, the popular vacation area about 65 km from İstanbul. A large holiday resort, it offers everything from casinos to sporting, health and fitness facilities, including the Klassis Country and Golf Club, to excellent dining. The conference center attracts business people who escape the city's fast pace for a working holiday. A regular sea bus service connects İstanbul to Silivri.

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