Holidays to Istanbul

For centuries, the city of Istanbul has been a crossroads between the East and West. First established as Constantinople when the Roman Empire's nucleus was moved East during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great, this ethereal city has been an imperial powerhouse for much of its existence, serving as the capital for the late-Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

The city's strategic location straddling the great Bosporus Strait - a vital waterway connecting Europe and Asia - made it a hub for trade, its thrumming streets rich with the scents of exotic spices and emblazed with the vibrant colours of Eastern silks, textiles and other sought-after goods as it became a place of major importance during the era of the great Silk Road trading network.

The city was besieged by the rising Ottoman Empire during the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, resulting in the Ottomans seizing the city from the Byzantine Empire and establishing it as their capital, beckoning in a distinctive Muslim influence and culture that remains to this day, the city's skyline punctuated by soaring minarets and immaculately constructed mosques.

Today, remnants of Istanbul's illustrious past litter its lively streets, with iconic buildings such as the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque (originally a Byzantine cathedral and later repurposed as an Ottoman mosque); the Ottoman-built Blue Mosque; the Genoese-built Galata Tower; and the Topkaki Palace, which served as the administrative centre and place of residence for the Ottoman rulers.

Explore Istanbul's picturesque streets to discover a mix of ancient, spice-scented bazaars, modern shopping districts and charming historic neighbourhoods. Cruise the Bosporus Strait's wide waters for incredible views of the city's iconic cultural sights, sample some of the delicious local Turkish cuisine, and be immersed in one of the world's most unique destinations, a place that captures the essence of both East and West.