Istanbul: A Bridge of Two Worlds
“People were right: There is no other place on earth as beautiful looking as Istanbul.” Chateaubriand
Istambul represented the seat of Christianity in the East for ten centuries, from the decline of the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD until the fall of Constantinople. The city has played a leading role in relations between East and West. Its geographical location, between Europe and Asia, separated by the Bosphorus, greatly facilitates its role as a bridge metropolis between East and West.
Istanbul is a modern city with contagious dynamism and energy. The singing of the imams, calling the faithful from the more than eight thousand mosques in the city, is a unique spectacle.
The towers of its mosques and the massive participation of the population during prayer hours constantly remind us that we are in a civilization of Islamic belief. These cultural differences add interest and special meaning to Western tourists.
Its Egyptian bazaar is a spectacle of immense cultural wealth.
With its boulevards and bays along the Bosphorus, Istanbul is a city that lends itself to long walks and outdoor dining in a romantic and very cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Its waterways are alive with commercial activities, tourism, and recreation for its inhabitants (such as fishing).
A tour we loved was the trip by boat from the western end of the Bosphorus Strait, at its mouth to the Marmara Sea, and the eastern end, which empties into the Black Sea. Various European and Asian sides of the city are touched.
The view towards the Black Sea from the last stop on the Asian side is an unforgettable experience.
Istambul is one of those places with a magical mix of culture, history, and nature. It is a great experience.
As we said goodbye to Istanbul, we promised to revisit this metropolis of 14 million people and pay tribute to the quote attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte:
¨If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital.”
