Bosphorus Strait - Istanbul serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia, as well as the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, giving it one of the most unique and beautiful settings globally. The Bosphorus, flowing between the hills on the European and Asiatic shores, is a natural gem. This stunning strait, sometimes spelled Bosporus, was named by the ancients from the earliest times, inspired by the mythology of Io, the mistress of Jupiter, who crossed it in the form of a cow. Similar to the Dardanelles in length, breadth, and current, it separates Europe from Asia but has its own distinct features. Unlike a solitary stream between deserted shores, it is a lively waterway winding through banks adorned with palaces and villages, shaded by magnificent forest trees, offering new scenes of bustling life at every mile.

Dolmabahce Palace - Dolmabahçe Palace, located in Istanbul, was built in the 19th century during Sultan Abdulmecid’s reign. After the Republic was founded, it served as a Presidential Residence until 1949. It hosted diplomatic meetings until 1984 when it was converted into a museum.

Çırağan Palace - Ciragan Palace, an Ottoman Imperial Palace on the Bosphorus, offers a resort ambiance in the city and reflects the ultimate luxury of a genuine Ottoman palace. Book directly online for the best rates. It features a business center and a luxury spa.

Ortakoy - Viewed from a Bosphorus cruise, the European side’s coastline appears as a string of villages, each with its own character and attractions, which is exactly what it was. Situated between the down-to-earth Beşiktaş and the upscale Kuruçeşme, Ortakoy lives up to its name, meaning ‘middle village’ in Turkish.

Dolmabahce Mosque - The Dolmabahçe Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, was commissioned by queen mother Bezmi Alem Valide Sultan.

Bosphorus Bridge - The Bosphorus Bridge is one of two bridges spanning the Bosphorus Strait, linking the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. It extends from Ortakoy on the European side to Beylerbeyi on the Asian side and is sometimes called the First Bosphorus Bridge.

Beylerbeyi Palace - Often described as a smaller version of Dolmabahce Palace but without the crowds, Beylerbeyi Palace was commissioned by Sultan Abdülaziz as an imperial summer residence. With 24 rooms, 6 halls, and a hamam, it was a grand summer home and also hosted visiting dignitaries.

Cengelkoy BaharatcIsI - Çengelköy is a neighborhood in the Üsküdar district on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, Turkey, situated between Beylerbeyi and Kuleli. It is primarily a residential area with many mansions built during the Ottoman period.

Sarayburnu Askeri Gazino - Sarayburnu is a promontory separating the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul, Turkey. It is home to the famous Topkapı Palace and Gülhane Park and is part of the historic areas of Istanbul, which were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985.

Galata Tower - Built in 1348 during the expansion of the Genoese colony in Constantinople, the Romanesque-style Galata Tower was originally named Christea Turris (Tower of Christ). It was the tallest building in Istanbul at 219.5 ft (66.9 m) when constructed.

Galata Koprusu - The Galata Bridge spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey. Since the late 19th century, the bridge has been a prominent feature in Turkish literature, theater, poetry, and novels.

KIz Kulesi - Meaning “Maiden’s Tower” in Turkish, its name is derived from a legend. According to the legend, a Byzantine emperor, upon hearing a prophecy that his beloved daughter would die at 18 from a snake bite, built this tower on a rock in the Bosphorus to protect her from the land-based threat.