Turkey is a nation straddling eastern Europe and western Asia with cultural connections to ancient Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Cosmopolitan Istanbul, on the Bosphorus Strait, is home to the iconic Hagia Sophia, with its soaring dome and Christian mosaics, the massive 17th-century Blue Mosque and the circa-1460 Topkapı Palace, former home of sultans.
Capital: Ankara
Dialing code: +90
Currency: Turkish lira
It was my first ever travelling experience to an International destination other than Dubai. It all started with an attractive tour site named Holidayfactory.com. As soon I booked my trip with them I received my vouchers with in one week and I started preparing my documents for obtaining a Turkish tourist visa. For Indian national we need to walk in to Consulate in Dubai located at THE World Trade Center. You need to fill aN application form which is available on dubai.cg.mfa.gov.tr/, you also need to have two photographs along with a NOC from your sponsor and latest bank statement. You also need to show them your hotel and flight bookings. After successful submission at the Consulate I received my passport back with the stamped visa and am all set to fly.
I had my booking on FlyDubai from Dubai to Istanbul. After 4hrs30min. of flying we landed at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport which is 1hr away from Istanbul city. The weather was cold and romantic!. After finishing all the arrival formalities, I found my travel representative outside the arrival hall. After receiving all the travelers we headed to Instanbul - ancient city of treasures. After reaching to our respective hotel rooms we were briefed by tour representative about the available packages for sight seeing.
Next day, after finishing a lavish breakfast, we were taken to city tour which included Hagia Sophia - a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica, later an imperial mosque, and now a museum |Sultan Ahmed Mosque|Topkapı Palace|Dolmabahçe Palace|Grand Bazaar. Some of my team mates also tried Bosphorus cruise. You will be able to get cheaper tickets to cruise near Hagia Sophia.
On the second day, we planned our tour to outside the city to Bursa - the city is known for its mosques and historical sites from the early Ottoman Empire. It's nicknamed "Yeşil Bursa" (Green Bursa), owing to its many parks and trees, as well as its dramatic mountain backdrop. After driving aprox. 2hrs 20min. and with an beautiful ferry ride we arrived at Green Mosque, also known as Mosque of Mehmed I. After having a local lunch we moved to mountain ranges. One of the most important symbols of Bursa, Cable Car is not only the first telfer in Turkey but also, the longest cable car. Built between the city of Teferrüç and Sarıalan yaylası, the telpher line is approximately 4766 meters long.Its altitude changes to1634 m from 374 m. By the way of that priceless vehicle, you can easily pass Uludag from Bursa and enjoy at the marvelous landscape of Bursa.After reaching a cable car station - The Bursa Uludağ Gondola or simply Teleferik as called locally, is an aerial lift line in Bursa Province connecting the city of Bursa. As your cable car climbs up to the peak of the mountain you will experience goosebumps as the entire view from top is mind blowing. You'll get some super photos on the way!. Once you reach at the peak you will find several shops selling hot drinks also many options for ice skating and numbers of snow games. The picturesque pine trees will make you to forget the world and fall in love with nature silently!
On the third of my trip, I had taken local tram to access remaining/ unseen tourist attractions of Istanbul. Such as Taksim Square - a major tourist and leisure district famed for its restaurants, shops, and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, with the central station of the Istanbul Metro network. Taksim Square is also the location of the Monument of the Republic. You can ride through a first ever tram here. I also made a visit to Spice Bazaar - it is the most famous covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar. Well, most of the tourist sites are well connected with the tram, you just need a tram map and tram ticket which is easily available in any grocery shops.
Overall it was a great trip and fabulous visit to ancient of city of Eurasia.
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