Istanbul [antikvár]

WELCOME TO ISTANBUL Istanbul, once a city that aroused the curiosities of travellers as the centre of the world, is a metropolis where Eastern and Western civilizations meet. It the city, the contemporary western way of life exists together with the traditional. Modern buildings and art forms appear side by side with classical Turkish, Byzantine and Román masterpieces. Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, owing largely to its status as the most active trade, import and export, industry entertainment and education centre of the country. The climate of Istanbul is mild and the landscape, with sea and land intermingling in delicate harmony, is beautiful. The Bosphorus is beautiful around the year, even in the rainy — and occasionally snowy — days of the winter. Spring, with its different shades of green and blossoming trees is rather short and the month of May marks the beginning of summer in Istanbul. Alsó in May thousands of travellers from all parts of the world begin pouring in to enjoy the beauty and the historical riches of the city. Summer in Istanbul means rushing to the beaches. There are not many cities in the world that offer as great a choice as does Istanbul in variety of sea bathing — both the cool waters of the Black Sea and the splendid warm beaches of the Princes' Islands easily reached from the city centre by short cruises. On the shores of the Bosphorus as well as the Sea of Marmara are numerous beach facilities available to the public. The long autumn, when the skies are clear and the temperatures are moderate, is especially suitable for tourism. Turkish cuisine is alsó an experience not to be missed. (The Turkish kitchen is one of the three major culinary schools of the world.) Fresh fruits and vegetables of unbelievable variety appear on the menüs especially in spring, summer and autumn, and fresh fish from the Black Sea, the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara is a treat to palates mistreated elsewhere.