SWISSOTEL THE BOSPHORUS ( 5 STAR )

Address: Bayıldım Caddesi No:2 Maçka, Beşiktaş, Istanbul


How can you reach Swissotel the Bosphorus


There is a distance of 25 km. to the hotel from the Atatürk Airport. This equals 30 min. driving.

Directions: When you leave the airport, follow the highway E5 east. When you reach Beşiktaş, turn right. Drive to the end of Barbaros Boulevard. Then turn right. The hotel is 1 km. away from there and it will be on the right.

The metro system attached to the airport runs to the city centre. It may be used.

Every 30 min., the Havaş Airport Bus goes to main bus terminal and also to Taksim Square (city centre).

Number 96 Havaalanı (airport) – Taksim buses run between the airport and the city centre.

If you prefer taxi, it will cost about 30 TL.



Location


The hotel is located on the European side of the city in Istanbul, Turkey.

Famous Ottoman’s Dolmabahçe Palace is very close to the hotel.

Taksim metro station is about 1 km. away from Istanbul Swissotel.

Important historical places Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Topkapı Palace are nearly 8 km. away.

Hotel Features and Guestrooms


Swissotel the Bosphorus consists of three towers in 65 acres of garden.

Meeting area and a business centre are availale in the hotel.

There are pools both for children and for adults.

Gym, hair dresser and spa services are the other facilities.

There are six restaurants in the hotel: Cafe Suisse, La Corne d’Or, (Chinese) Ku-Kong, (Japanese) Miyako, Swiss Chalet and Turkish Historic Taşlık Restaurant.

Outdoor dining areas have beautiful views of Bosphorus.

There are 600 guestrooms in the hotel. All of them are air-conditioned and have a view of Bosphorus (and also Asian side of Istanbul).

Dial-up internet access, satellite tv. and minibar are also available in guestrooms.

ISTANBUL HILTON ( 5 STAR )

Address: Cumhuriyet Caddesi ( road ) Harbiye Istanbul

How can you reach the Istanbul Hilton?

Harbiye district where the Istanbul Hilton is in, is 24 km away from the Atatürk Airport. So you can reach the hotel after approximately 30 min. driving.

You may also prefer the metro system which is attached to the airport. Metro runs to the city centre.

As an other alternative, you may use number 96 Havaalani (airport) – Taksim bus to reach the city centre.

If you prefer taxi, it will cost maximum 30 TL to the hotel district.

Location


Istanbul Hilton Hotel has a view of beautiful Bosphorus.

Dolmabahçe Palace is just 1 km. away from the hotel.

Also Military Museum 1 km, Grand Bazaar 5 km, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace 6 km away from the hotel.

Hotel Features and Guest Rooms


Istanbul Hilton Hotel has 15 acres of gardens around it.

12-storey underground parking area is adequate for guests.

Business centre and meeting rooms are ready as business facilities. Wireless internet access is available in public areas.

The hotel is satisfying with its sport facilities. It has tennis and squash courts in it. Also there is a jogging path and a gym in the hotel.

A large outdoor pool and a children’s pool are ready for the guests.

Istanbul Hilton’s Turkish Bath offers relaxation to its guests.

There is a hair dresser (surcharge).

The hotel has 4 restaurants in it: Bosphorus Terrace, (Chinese) Dragon Restaurant, Veranda Bar and Grill, Roof Restaurant.

There are 498 room which all have balconies in Istanbul Hilton. Balconies have a view of Bosphorus or city.

The other features of the guestrooms: air conditioner, internet access, safe, minibar, satellite tv.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ALANYA

Alanya is one of the beautiful towns of famous Mediterranean city of Turkey Antalya. It is nearly 130 km away from Antalya Airport.

Alanya is a real holiday paradise with its nature beauties, long sea season, historical and cultural treasures, sport and entertainment activities.

Alanya is a growing tourism center owing to access and accommodation advantages.

About 20 years ago, Alanya was a small town with a population of 2000. Now Alanya is a big city that lies along the coast. Especially in summer, its population increases to 200 000.

European tourists know Alanya as their second home. Approximately, 7000 European inhabitants live in their own houses in Alanya.

As the other Antalya coasts, Alanya’s weather is warm enough between April and November. In these months, sea water doesn’t decrease under the temparature of 20 C.

Alanya is famous with its long, delightful sandy beaches. So, you can definitely find a quiet and cosy place where it is away from crowd.

Near its modern holiday resorts and five star hotels, Alanya also has many exotic and historical places where you can discover step by step.

Alanya commits an unforgetable holiday to its visitors with its nature beauties, cultural values and various of sport facilities.

MUSEUMS OF ALANYA

Alanya Archaeology Museum

Museum was opened in 1967. There are 14 close and 1 open halls in it. The most important piece of the Alanya Museum is little bronze Heracles (the Greek name for Hercules) statue, which remains from the 2nd century.

The other creations exhibited in the museum:

Bronze age, Urartu, Frigya and Lydia creations.

Bowls, crocks of Hellenistic age.

Rich Rome age creations.

Coin collections of Hellenistic Rome, Byzantine, and Islamic ages.

Atatürk House and Museum

The founder fo the Republic of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Atatürk visited this house on 18 February 1935. Then the owner of the house Rıfat Azakoğlu donated his house to the ministerial of culture and tourism.

In 1986, the house was opened as museum by the president Kenan Evren.

CAVES OF ALANYA

Sea Caves: They take place in south and west side of the town. Their names are: Korsanlar, Aşıklar and Fosforlu caves.

Land Caves: Damlataş, Hasbahçe, Kadı ini and Gavur ini caves.

SPORT ACTIVITIES IN ALANYA

When we talk about sport in Alanya, the prominent activity is International Triathlon Races, which is in October.

Alanya also hosts many brunches of international sports like swimming, mountain bike, beach volley, skyball, streetball and athletics.

HISTORY OF TOPKAPI PALACE

25 years later from the conquest of the Istanbul, Fatih Sultan Mehmed (the Conqueror) wanted a grand palace for the Ottoman Empire.

Topkapı Palace, the official residence of the Ottoman Sultans, was constructed in 1478. The palace had 700 000 m2 area. (now 80 000 m2)

Nearly 380 years, the palace was used as the center of the leadership of the empire. When Dolmabahçe Palace was built in the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid ( in 1855 ), Dolmabahçe Palace became the center.

Firstly, in the reign of Sultan Abdülmecid (1839 – 1861), the palace was opened as museum. The English ambassador of the same age was the first visitor of the museum. Then, it has become a tradition of to show the antiques within the Topkapı Palace Treasury to the foreigners.

In the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz (1861 – 1876), mentioned antiques were begun to be shown to foreigners in these showrooms within Treasury.

On 3rd of April, 1924; the palace was opened to public visitors, by the order of M. Kemal Atatürk (the founder of the Republic of Turkey).

After that, the palace was firstly known as Treasury Chamberlain, and then its name was changed as Trasury Directorate.

Finally, as it is currently used, the palace has renamed as Topkapı Palace Museum.

SECTIONS OF TOPKAPI PALACE

· BAB-I HUMAYUN / IMPERIAL GATE

· I. COURTYARD

o Service structures comprised by I. Courtyard
o I. The Structures Which Do Not Exist On The Yard Any Longer
o Alay Köşkü / Ceremonial Pavilion
o Bâb-üs Selâm / Gate of Salutation

· II. COURTYARD / DİVAN SQUARE

o Kubbealtı / Divan-ı Hümâyûn
o Exterior Treasury/Weapons Section
o Adalet Kulesi / Justice Tower
o II. Structures In Relation With The Yard
· Mutfaklar / Kitchens
· Saray Arşivi / Palace Archive
· Has Ahır
· Zülüflü Baltacılar Koğuşu
· Bâb-üs Sade

· III. COURTYARD

o Enderûn
o Enderûn Teşkilatı
o Arz Odası /Audience Chamber
o Seferli Koğuşu / Imperial Wardrobe
o Fatih Köşkü / Fatih Pavilion
o Kilerli Koğuşu
o Hazine Koğuşu / Chamber of Treasury
o Hasoda Koğuşu / Chamber of Sacred Relics/li>
o Treasury of Weaponsmaster
o Ağalar Mosque
o Palace Library

· IV. COURTYARD / IMPERIAL SOFA (SOFA-İ HUMAYUN)

o Circumcision Room
o Revan Köşkü / Revan Pavilion
o Bağdad Köşkü / Baghdad Pavilion
o Evening Meal of Ramadan Pavilion / Evening Meal of Ramadan Pergola
o Sofa Köşkü / Sofa Pavilion
o Hekimbaşı Kulesi (Tower of Chief Doctor) / Baş Lala Kulesi (Chief Servant Tower)
o Imperial Sofa Lower Gardens
o Sofa Mosque
o Grand (Mecidiye) Pavilion
o Dressing (Esvab) Room

· HAREM

o Harem Eunuchs
o Black Chiefs / Kara Ağalar
o Concubines / Cariyeler

o I-BLACK CHIEFS STONE COURTYARD
· Common Gate / Sultanate Gate

o II- HEAD OF WIVES STONE COURTYARD/CONCUBINES STONE COURTYARD
· Kırkmerdiven (Fourty Stairs)
· Hamam (Turkish Bath)
· Head of Wives Flats
· Concubine Dormitories
· Hospital

o III-MOTHER OF SULTAN STONE COURTYARD
· Mother Of Sultan’s Flat
· Mother of Sultan’s Flat Sofa

o IV. MABEYN STONE COURTYARD SULTAN AND PRINCE FLATS
· Sultan’s Sofa / Hünkar Sofası
· III. Murad’s Private Room
· Çifte (Double) Hamam
· I. Ahmed’s Room
· III. Ahmed’s Room
· Çifte Kasırlar / Summer Palace
· Goldenway / Altın Yol

ACCESS ALTERNATIVES TO TOPKAPI PALACE

Subway serving between Kabataş and Aksaray can be used. You must get off in Sultanahmet stop.

You may also reach to Sultanahmet district by bus. From Taksim, T4 goes to Sultanahmet; 61 B goes to Beyazıt. When you reach Beyazıt, you may take tramway or you may walk to the palace ( max. 15 min.).

In Sultanahmet square, Sultanahmet Mosque ( Blue Mosque ) is seen on the right. After you pass the Hagia Sophia; the entrance, imperial gate of Topkapı Palace ( Bab-ı Hümayun ) greets you.

SULTANHAN HOTEL ( 5 STAR )

Address: Piere Loti Caddesi (road), No:15, Sultanahmet, Istanbul


How can you reach the Sultanhan Hotel

1st alternative: When you leave the Istanbul Atatürk Airport, drive to Sirkeci and then Kennedy St. Follow the Sultanahmet route and find the Sultanahmet Square. The hotel is very close, on Piere Loti street.

2nd alternative: From the airport, you can use metro to come to Aksaray. Another trams in Aksaray go to Sultanahmet. When you get off in Sultanahmet stop, find the Piere Loti st. The hotel is nearly 100 m. away from the tram stop.

If you prefer taxi, it will be cost nearly 20 EUR.


Description

The Sultanhan Hotel takes place in Sultanahmet, that the place of Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Hotel has a Turkish traditional style with a white facade.

Decorations of the guestrooms are in old Ottoman type with wood furnitures and fabrics.

Safes, minibars, internet access, direct-dial phones, satellite tv, air conditioner are the other features of the guestrooms.

Sauna and Turkish bath provide relaxation time to the customers in the hotel.

Many tastes of international and Turkish dishes are served in the hotel restaurant. The hotel restaurant has also a fantastic view of the sea and the Blue Mosque.

Wireless internet service is available in everywhere in the hotel.

24-hour front desk, around-the clock room service, laundry, a multilingual concierge service on hand to offer tour assistance are the other properties of the hotel.

Many historical places of Istanbul like Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Grand Bazaar, Topkapı Palace and Basilica cistern are very close to the hotel (max. İn 500 m.).

W ISTANBUL ( 5 STAR )

Address: Süleyman Seba Caddesi (road), no:27 Akaretler, Beşiktaş 34357 Istanbul

How can you reach the W Istanbul

1st alternative: Istanbul Atatürk International Airport is 24 km away from the hotel. This means you can reach the hotel by driving –roughly- in 30 minutes.

2nd alternative: Metro system is attached to airport. By metro, you can come to Aksaray station. In Aksaray, you must change the line to the Kabataş route. When you arrive to Kabataş stop (the last stop), you continue with a taxi. The hotel max. 15 min. away from there.

Location

The W Istanbul takes place in Akaretler acclivity of Istanbul, Turkey. Akaretler depends the Beşiktaş town. Famous Dolmabahçe Palace which was built in 1855, is very close to the hotel. (about 300 m. away)

Middle point of the city, Taksim Square, is about 1 km away from the hotel.


About the hotel

The W Istanbul Hotel takes place in authentic Akaretler Row Houses (One of a series of historical design houses).

Hotel has multilingual employees. Tour and transport programmes can be arranged with them.

Wireless internet service and also valet parking are available.

Pets are allowed at the hotel.

Eight meeting rooms and a computer rental service are ready as business facilities at the hotel.


Guestrooms

Turkish style coffee-toned and scarlet fabrics are seen in guestrooms. Ceilings are high and rooms have air conditioner system.

350-count cotton sheets and goose-down pillows are used in beds.

Fantastic balconies, satellite tv, DVD players, wireless internet service, leather desks, minibars… are the other properties.

As extra, bathrooms and slippers can be provided by the hotel.

ISTANBUL: A MARRIAGE OF EAST AND WEST

Istanbul, that has a unique geography, is not only a natural bridge between east and west; but also a bridge between past and present; old ages and modern ages.

The only city that was constructed on two continentals in the world is Istanbul. Bosphorus divides Europe and Asia, then these continentals come together again with two bridges (Bosphorus and Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridges) in same city.

With nearly 14 million population, Istanbul is acknowledged as a big metropol of the world.

Lamartine says; “If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul” about the Istanbul.

Istanbul was firstly capital of the Rome Empire, then the capital of the East Rome (Byzantine) Empire. After Turks conquered the city, Istanbul became the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

Variation in Istanbul charms its visitors and travellers come from all over the world. Its museums, churches, palaces, mosques, natural and historical beauties offer a inexhaustible taste.

When a person come to Istanbul for holiday, s/he quickly understand why this city is the city that is in the center of the world.

Istanbul is the prominent tourism location of Turkey. A major part of the foreign tourists that come to Turkey check in from Istanbul.

GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ISTANBUL

Istanbul is the biggest city of Turkey. It takes place in Marmara district. Area of Istanbul is 5220 km2 and the population of it is nearly 14 million.

Istanbul is accepted as a plato between Trakya (Europe side) and Kocaeli plains. It has 7 hills.

High areas in Black Sea coasts are covered with forests. There are some residentials in Marmara coasts as beach. Examples of these residentials: Silivri, Kemerburgaz, Büyükçekmece, Riva…

The climate of Istanbul is mild. Good weather and sunshine is the superior weather during June with temperatures 17 – 20 C in the afternoons and 12 – 14 C at nights.

HAGIA SOPHIA: CHURCH OF BYZANTINE, MOSQUE OF OTTOMANS AND MUSEUM OF TURKEY, ISTANBUL

Hagia Sophia, which is in Istanbul (2010, European Capital of Culture), is one of the 8 wonders of the world. It is the number one building of the art history and architecture world. It is also the greatest surviving example of Byzantine architecture.

Each year, many people travel to Turkey and go for a vacation in Istanbul in order to witness this masterpiece in their holidays. In Turkey, Hagia Sophia is named as “Ayasofya”.

Next: Location of the Hagia Sophia with Istanbul map... Click the link below
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LOCATION OF THE HAGIA SOPHIA

Hagia Sophia lies in the Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul.

As seen in the wide-angle map, red point shows the Hagia Sophia. Church takes place on the Europe side of the city. Since there are many other historical places in it, region enclosed with the rectangle is called “historical chersonese”.

Number of hotels is adequate in that region. When you traveled to Istanbul, taking a tour to Hagia Sophia is proposed.

Next: History of the Hagia Sophia... Click the link below

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HISTORY OF THE HAGIA SOPHIA

In the term of Emperor Constantius (son of Emperor Constantinos I), the first Hagia Sophia was built in the same location. According to the history writer Socrates, it was opened on 15th of February, 360 AD. Before it was built, there was an old chapel on that location, which remains from Rome Term.

Hagia Sophia was the largest church in Constantinople. For that reason, it was first named as “Megale Ekklesia”, which means “the Great Church”.

In the year of 404 AD; the first, original Hagia Sophia was destroyed by mobs, during the riots to Emperor Arkadios.

The second Hagia Sophia Church was built by Emperor Theodosius II and opened to prayer on 10th October, 415 AD. Ruffinos was the architect of this second church.

Before long, during the rebellion of Monophysites on 13rd January 532, Hagia Sophia was burnt and destroyed again. In the same events, some other significant buildings like the Samsun Hospital, the Church of St. Eirene and Zorzip Bath were destroyed too.

Next: Third and the last Hagia Sophia... Click the link below

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THE THIRD AND THE LAST HAGIA SOPHIA

Following these events, Emperor Justinian ordered the construction of a new Hagia Sophia which will be greater than the earlier ones.

Anthemius from Tralles and Isidorus from Miletus worked as architects. They supervised 100 master builders and 10 000 labourers.

The finest and rarest materials from Anatolia, Syria, Egypt and ancient cities of Greece were used for the church. A central dome in the middle of a rectangular place was firstly tried in architecture history.

After 5 years, 10 months and 4 days; the construction of the last Hagia Sophia, which still stands in Istanbul, Sultanahmet, was finished. It is started February 23rd, 532 and it is completed on 27th December 537.

Opening was very showy. While ceremonies was going on, Emperor Justinian entered the church excitedly, to say a prayer of thanks to his God for allowing him to reach his big dream. He cried with pride, remembering the temple in Jarusalem: “Oh, Solomon, I have surpassed thee.”

During the time, the church was damaged many times because of the big earthquakes and fires. So it is repaired and rainforced.

Next: Conversion of the Church...Click the link below

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CONVERSION OF THE CHURCH HAGIA SOPHIA INTO THE AYASOFYA CAMİİ (MOSQUE)

Hagia Sophia remained as a church until Tuesday, May 29, 1453. Then the Turks conquered Constantinople and changed its name to Istanbul.

Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror entered into city. He was amazed at the beauty of the Hagia Sophia Church. Then he converted it into the Ayasofya Camii (mosque).

Ottoman Empire preserved the frescoes and mosaic figures of Christian Saints. In 16th century, these were covered by plaster, since the Islamic code forbids figural representation.

When Hagia Sophia is converted to a mosque; naturally, some changes were made.

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CHANGES AFTER CONVERSION IN THE HAGIA SOPHIA

Sultan Mehmet “the Conqueror” built an altar (means mihrap in Turkish) on the east side, and the brick minaret on the south-east corner of edifice.

A minaret is added on the north-east corner, in the term of Sultan Bayezid (1484 – 1512)

The famous Turkish architect Sinan (Koca Sinan) built two minarets in front of the Ayasofya Mosque.

During the reign of Murad IV, the pulpit (means minber in Turkish) and preacher’s pow (means müezzin mahfili in Turkish) were added.

A library and a primary school (called Mekteb-i Sibyan in Ottoman Empire) were built by Sultan Mahmud I, in 1739.

Sultan Abdulmecit (1833 – 1861) added the present day Imperial Pew in 1850. Mosque was repaired by Swiss architect Gaspare Fossati in the same term. Many big changes were performed. A horologion was built to the south of the Ayasofya.

In 1935, according the Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s (the founder od the Republic of Turkey) orders, Ayasofya Mosque was converted into a museum.

Next: Some characteristics of the Hagia Sophia... Click the link below

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SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HAGIA SOPHIA

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya), which is one of the top three most visited museums of Turkey, was the center of Orthodox World during 916 years.

Following 481 years, it is used as a Big Mosque of Sultans of the Ottoman Empire.

Now, Ayasofya is still a museum and it keeps on winning the admiration of its visitors from all over the world.

Hagia Sophia, which is the most important example of domed basilicas, has 7000 m2 main area in three parts. Inside it, there are 107 columnars.

There are some mosaics inside the masterpiece. In one of these mosaics, there are two emperor (Constantinus and Justinian) and the Virgin Mary with Christ.

The height of dome is 56,6 m.and the diameter of it 32,37 m. Dome has also 40 windows which help the illumination.

Hagia Sophia has a fascinating atmosphere and is waiting for its visitors, travellers, voyagers in Istanbul, Turkey.