The meeting point of East and West, Istanbul is one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul is also the country’s economic, cultural, and historical center. Straddling the Bosphorus strait in northwestern Turkey, between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, Istanbul is an ancient city; founded as Byzantium in 7^th century BC it became Constantinople, the capital of the eastern Roman Empire in the 4^th century AD, before becoming the center of the Ottoman Empire in the 15^th century AD. Rich with history and culture, with a vibrant nightlife and a thriving dining scene Istanbul has something for everyone. Visit Istanbul and experience its world famous attractions including the Hagia Sofia, the Grand Bazar, the Topkapi Palace and the hamams.