Istanbul – A City With A Elegant Background
Thanks to its unique location smack dab between Europe and Asia, Istanbul is heavily influenced by both distinctive cultures. Partially because it’s the largest city in Turkey, Istanbul serves as the country’s cultural and financial center-point, but another notable feature is that it used to be the ancient city of Constantinople. All of these qualities make Istanbul a city unlike any other, but if your travel plans take you to Istanbul, you’ll need to get a passport for everyone in your family. If you need any sort of passport service, such as to replace lost or damaged passports, online services are key.
Get Your Passport Online
Getting your passport from an expedited online service comes with quite a few pluses. One of the biggest of these benefits is how much time you save by going online. The application only takes a few minutes to complete, and you also get to choose how quickly you’d like your passport delivered, which is a huge improvement over having to wait the usual 8-14 week waiting period. It’s also incredibly convenient. You can go online and apply for expedited passport cards, name changes, or child passports any time you like. There’s no rushing to the post office at the last minute. It’s also great having the personal help of passport specialists when you go online.
The Old City District
If you are interested in the history of Istanbul, head to the Old City district, which is where ancient Constantinople stood. This is the spot where you’ll encounter the most historical landmarks, such as the famous Hagia Sofia, a gigantic basilica constructed in the 6th century. Enduring a lot throughout Turkish history, it is renowned for its beautiful ancient mosaics and eye-catching details. For over a thousand years, it was actually the largest enclosed space on the planet. Other mosques are nearby, and they are worth checking out as well, such as the Blue Mosque. Don’t miss out on the Basilica Cistern also. This is an underground reservoir created in the 500′s to store water in case the city was under siege.
Istanbul Archaeology Museum
For more historical experiences, head to the Istanbul Archaeology Museum, which was Turkey’s first museum as well as one of the biggest museums on Earth. Containing over a million artifacts, you can expect to encounter amazing historical pieces from the Byzantines, the Romans, the Greeks,and much more. Some of the favorite pieces are the sarcophagi, specifically the Alexander Sarcophagus, a fragment of the wall of Babylon, and even more.
The Turkish Bath
One thing Turkey is famous for is the Turkish bath, or the hamam. Similar to a sauna, Turkish baths can also come with a massage. Another Turkish tradition is the nargile, which is essentially a hookah. If you get the change, be sure to experience these cultural staples.
As you can see, Istanbul is a city bursting with history. However, it’s also a busy modern city, and it’s European-Asian influences make it unlike any other city in the world. If you are planning to travel here, remember to get a passport. Lost, stolen, or damaged passports can be replaced online. Other services – such as expedited American passport cards – can also be handled online.