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Spread out over seven rolling hills and offering astonishing transcontinental views, Istanbul is a magnificent gateway between Europe and Asia. Claimed over the centuries over the Athenians, Spartans, Byzantines, Romans, Persians, Arabs, Burgess and Ottomans, Istanbul became a part of the Turkish republic in 1923. Water ferry shuffling across the Bosporus, a walled historical center revealing ancient mosques, bazaars and Ottoman minarets, this Eurasian city is an exotic visual feast. These days, there is also a sophisticated modern site to its personality, with contemporary hotels, restaurants, shopping and nightclubs.
Is it the world’s oldest shopping center? Certainly it seems. Istanbul’s grand bazaar is one of the largest. Built in 1469, this bustling covered market is a labyrinth of winding lanes, alleys and over 4000 shops, booths and restaurants. You can find anything here from food and spices to jewelry, textiles, leather goods, carpets and antiques and more. Get lust, just wonder, take in the sights and smells, and remember, this is a place where bargaining is a competitive sport, everything is negotiable.
When in Istanbul, do not miss a visit to the historic Turkish Bath. Built in 1481 by an Ottoman sultan, Tarihi Galatasaray Hamamı is one of the city’s oldest. Originally a part of daily life here, the baths were used not only for cleansing but also as a social meeting point. Today with patterns of light pouring in from an overhead dome into large marble rooms, they offer a connection to the Ottoman past.
Female: Our ideology is to describe the Hamamı culture and why we follow our customs. We have got two services and the first one is full service and the other one is special service.
Gender-separated steam rooms, rigorous massage, a chance to relax in a beautiful ancient setting and let the mind wander. Tipping is appreciated, if not encouraged.
Now let’s jump in to Istanbul’s cosmopolitan present, The Sunset Grill and Bar is great anytime but best visited in warm months when the open-air terrace offers spectacular views out over the Bosporus towards the Asian part of Istanbul. With that, you get relaxed, elegant surroundings, fine cocktails and beautiful people galore.
Female: This place is special because of the location. You sit and the Europe and you're looking to the—over to Asia with a very nice view, you sit, relax and drink and enjoy the night.
There is great food too. The grill offers refined Turkish cuisine with modern international dishes and a popular sushi bar. Inside or outside, restaurant or bar, you simply must come here to dine, wine or simply soak in the view.
And while we’re on the subject of spectacular views, let’s visit 360 Istanbul. A popular bar, club and restaurant, 360 is located in an 18th century downtown penthouse. It commands a legendary 360-view of the city and surroundings.
Female: We do have great food, great service, great people. We have international cuisine, we do have a sushi. We do have Turkish cuisine, we do have French cuisine, so all around the world, it’s international.
The décor, brick and glass, tall windows divide the interior from wrap-around terraces. The food, international fusion with an emphasis on Thai and Turkish, the entertainment ranges from DJs to live performances. The people, let’s just say there’s as much scenery inside as there is out those beautiful windows.
Nothing to do between 2:00 and 5:00 am, the party in Istanbul is not stopping yet. Head to Club Crystal, located close to the shore in Ortaköy. Outside, a terraced lounge offers views of the Bosporus Bridge connecting Europe to Asia. Inside, well-dressed hipsters dance the morning away to awesome house music, drinking, partying, flirting until dawn.
Male: We are playing mostly minimal house, tech-house to techno, very flat and warm sounds. We are the pioneers of this culture in here.
Perfectly located close to Taksim Plaza, in the Central Beyoğlu district, with plenty of nearby sites, shopping, dining and entertainment options, is the excellent hotel lush. This Boutique Hotel, a 100-year-old townhouse with 22 uniquely decorated rooms, prides itself on its hip atmosphere and courteous hospitality. Enjoy the artful fusion of modern style with traditional Turkish touches. Try the popular café restaurant, and why not the hotel spa, in a great neighborhood where many of the larger hotels are devoid of personal charm, the lush comes highly recommended.
Istanbul straddles not only two continents but two ways of life. Try a final vantage point from a boat trip on the Bosporus, dividing Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmora, it provides a wonderful perspective on the Istanbul landscape, its palaces, mosques, modernity and life on the water.
Hope you enjoyed, I'm Mangeed [ph] and this is City by City.
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