Istanbul, a fascinating city built on two Continents, divided by the Bosphorus Strait. This is one of the greatest cities in the world where you can see a modern western city combined with a traditional eastern city, it's a melting pot of many civilizations and different people. Istanbul was also announced by the European Union as the 2010 European Capital of Culture.

From the foundation of Byzantium in the 7th century BC until today, Istanbul held always an important role in the history of humanity in this part of the world. Everybody wanted to gain control of this area because of its strategic location; Empires were born here on the ashes of previous ones.

First inhabitants of Istanbul are dating back to second millennia BC, they were settled on the Asian side of the city. Its first name comes from Megara king Byzas who took his colonists here in the 7th century BC to establish a colony named Byzantium, the Greek name for a city on the Bosphorus. Byzas chose this spot after consulting an oracle of Delphi who told him to settle across from the "land of the blind". Indeed, Byzas believed that earlier settlers must have been "blind" for overlooking this superb location at the entrance of the Bosphorus strait, only access to the Black Sea.

Since the Republic in 1923, Istanbul continued to grow and today it boosted its population over 14 million people living in this spread out city. This makes Istanbul the largest city of Turkey and one of the biggest cities in the world.

Several excursions can be arranged in Istanbul, there are many historical sites, religious sites, and museums. This magnificent city offers you everything from modern sites to historic places, you can enjoy walking in old neighborhoods along wooden houses and meet local people, or just spend your time in many ultra modern shopping malls ahead of European cities. If you follow the links on the right, you can find some example itineraries of major excursions. Some of these tours are run on regular basis daily all year around and some are only on private basis depending on the number of participants.

Apart of the ones you can find in those links, so many custom made itineraries can also be arranged upon your request as well as tours outside of Istanbul on daily or overnight options; Religious Tours (Seven Churches of Apocalypse, Following Foot-steps of Saint Paul, Antioch, Nicea, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Jewish Heritage, Ottoman & Islamic Arts, etc.); Sports & Adventure Tours (Hiking, Rafting & Canoeing, Hunting, Jeep Safari, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Parachuting etc.); Bare-boat Renting, Private Boat Cruise, Gullet Charter, Rent-a-car, Limousine Hire, Restaurant or Hotel Reservations, Translation Services, Private Guiding Services, Re nt-a-plane and so on...