Istanbul

Istanbul... East of the west, west of the east…

As every country has a queen land, Turkey has its Istanbul. The breeze from the poetic Bosphorus, impressive silhouettes of the city in sunset, surprisingly traditional local life in such a modern city and much more to be surprised by the soul of this city even for locals in any routine day, make you admire Istanbul spontaneously. This big city has a style that compares with that of no other metropolis: an exceptional location, glorious history and the synthesis of different cultures make this city one of the most exotic destinations in the world.

Istanbul is truly a world city, crossroads of Eastern and Western culture, a vibrant, modern city with a unique identity. Its rich past coexists alongside its youthful exuberance.

First as Byzantium, then Constantinople and finally, Istanbul, it has been the capital of three Empires, each leaving their mark in the form of stunning palaces, castles, mosques, churches, and monuments. The Sea of Marmara flows into the narrow strait of the Bosporus, which cuts the city in half, separating Europe from Asia. The Bosporus has three magnificent bridges, spanning the continents, the first of which was opened in 1973 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic.

As one of the leading destinations, Istanbul hosts a large number of visitors since for years; either local or international, either leisure or corporate visitors. To be able to host the visitors of such an attracting destination, there is no need to say that many international branded hotels are serving in Istanbul as well as the local brands. At the end of year 2019 it is announced the total number of beds in the city reached 117 thousand.

Within the recent 20 years Istanbul hosted a very large number of meeting attendees as well as leisure tourists. The event venues of Istanbul are as unique as the city’s itself. With a wide range of venues – varies from Ottoman palaces to modern facilities, from cisterns to mansions located on the shores of the Bosphorus – Istanbul awaits you for conventional gatherings. Whether for an international meeting or for a gala dinner or a social event, your guests will be welcomed by a fusion of diverse cultures and a wonderful cuisine sourced from Eastern and the Western cultures lived on these lands. Istanbul is ready for you with a promise of an unforgettable experience for your visits, events, meetings and congresses.

The world-famous Turkish cuisine is so much more than kebab and “doner” and it is successfully represented in Istanbul. From gourmet restaurants and Bosphorus side cafes to charming coastal fish restaurants, traditional kebab houses, Ottoman and world cuisine, Istanbul is just like a paradise for food lovers with all its tastes and for all kind of budgets.

Arriving Istanbul;  

There are 2 international airports in Istanbul. You can reach Istanbul by direct flights from more than 130 international cities by Turkish Airlines and also more than 150 direct flights by different airways.  ​ 

​The distance between Istanbul Airport to the city center is 40 km and takes up to 1 hour.  

ODS Recommends;

Combining a Bosphorus cruise by privately charted yacht and a drive by vintage cars – classic American cars which were used to be a part of daily life of Istanbul as means of public transport back to 1950s – from the Rumeli Fortress back to the city.