Located on the border between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is the city where East meets West. This ancient city has served as the capital for the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Latin Empire and the Ottoman Empire. However, currently Turkey’s capital city is located in Ankara.
Although not the capital of Turkey, Istanbul is the country’s largest city with 12.6 million people. The city literally straddles the Bosphorus strait, with one part on the European side and the other on the Asian side.
Tourism is a major part of Istanbul’s economy. People flock here from across the globe, drawn by the city’s rich history, stunning architecture and fabulous Mediterranean beaches.
This post, by Two Drifters, gives a wonderful description of what it’s like to visit the city. No matter when you go or what you’re interested in doing, you should get a warm welcome. To quote the Two Drifters:
Any tourist is warmly welcomed to Istanbul, from hotel owners and concierges, to the taxi drivers, to the café and restaurant staff. The locals love their country, the culture and their football, and are keen to show the world just how Istanbul is.
To travel to Istanbul, you’ll need a valid passport and a Turkish visa. The only exception is if you are on a cruise ship that stops in Istanbul for the day. In that case, you don’t have to apply for a visa unless you are spending the night on shore.
To apply for a Turkish visa, you’ll need a visa application and your US passport. If you’re just going as a tourist, you can get avisa sticker good for 90 days when you arrive in Turkey. If you are on an official or diplomatic trip, however, you need to apply for your visa in advance.
If you have an international trip planned, RushMyTravelVisa.com will be happy to help you understand what type of documentation you need and apply for any necessary visas.
Let us help you plan your next trip!
Tags: Turkey, Turkish visa
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November 13th, 2009 at 5:09 pm