Istanbul Adventure Tourism

An exciting city to visit and one that will give you an adventure in tourism as well as a cultural experience would be Istanbul, Turkey. The city that lays upon two continents, both Europe and Asia with a cultural blend that resulted from its historical past, this city is sure to thrill. Some people who have traveled much throughout the world, have even called it more interesting than Paris. That will be for you to decide.

First of all, hotels will be your chief consideration. There are many hotels in Istanbul, both luxury hotels and budget hotels in Istanbul. If you are a student and backpacking, there are also many hostels to choose from. It all depends on your budget and there are a wide range of hotels and hostels for you to choose from. It is always wise to book your Istanbul early in the year, online is best because the high season ranges from May to September and the hotels book up fast.

Also, what to see is another thing to consider for your vacation to Istanbul. One of the best ways to get acclimatized to the city is to take a full day Istanbul city tour on a bus. The bus tour will take you around to all of the major sites in Istanbul and will stop for lunch for a delightful Turkish meal in a restaurant.

Turkish cuisine is something you won’t want to miss sampling as it is very tasty and delightful. There are many, many excellent restaurants and cafés for you to visit and you won’t find yourself hungry at all. There are restaurants and cafés in Istanbul to suit every budget and you will never be disappointed.

Some of the sites you should not miss when you visit the city include the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, the Covered Market, the Spice Market, the New Mosque, the Galata Tower and Tokapi Palace. Also, be sure to include a stroll along the Bosphorus River in the afternoon to early evening. Another interesting place to walk across would be the Galata Bridge to watch the men fishing, the boats and the scenic view of the Golden Horn. A walk across the bridge will give you excellent panoramic views of the city, especially if you are interested in getting some great photographs.

You will also be able to experience Turkish culture at its finest in Istanbul. Many companies are available online to arrange these cultural experiences. Don’t miss the Mevlana whirling Dervishes or the chance to purchase some beautiful Turkish carpets, pillows, delectable Turkish Delight or glass lamps. You can find these inexpensively in the Market by the New Mosque in Eminonu, the old part of Istanbul.

Istanbul offers an amazing adventure vacation experience and if you find yourself wishing to see more of this country, read our article on adventure trip through Turkey where you will discover other fantastic places to visit in this country.

There are plenty of reasons is Florence considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The Renaissance City, as it is popularly known is home to some of the world’s most famous works of art. From Raphael’s Madonnas to Michelangelo’s ‘David’ and Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’, the city is every art lovers delight. The city has been home to some of the most noted sculptors, painters, architects and writers, including Michelangelo, Dante, Leonardo da Vinci and Machiavelli, to mention only a few of the most prominent names.  Why not stay in one of the Florence luxury hotels while you view the greatest works of classical art in the world?  A holiday in Florence is an art and history adventure vacation in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Originally known as Florentia and founded in the 1st century BC by Julius Caesar, the city has been a significant trade center since medieval times. It began to flourish as the center for arts by the 13th century. Many famous dynasties ruled the city throughout its history. Among them the Medici family is perhaps the most famous among them. It was during their rule that the city’s art scene reached its zenith. The city merchants were prospering and the art world flourished.

A visit to Florence is not complete without a trip to the old bridge, better known as the ‘Ponte Vencchio’. The bridge across the Arno River is a charming piece of architecture. You can also find several shops selling jewelry nearby the bridge.  While there are numerous art galleries in Florence, the Galleria degli Uffizi has got some of the rarest collections among them all. You can find thousands of paintings, some of them dating back to the medieval times here. The gallery also has a large collection of antique tapestries, illuminations and sculptures too.  There is so much to see in this city, many people who study art and art history do not consider their education complete until they have taken an “art history” adventure vacation to Florence.

Florence is also well known for its number of parks too. The scenic Giardino Boboli near the Pitti Palace and the Parco della Cascine, located alongside the pristine waters of the Arno river are always teeming with people. There is lots to see hear in Florence and there are a number of luxury hotels to choose from.

With Florence being such an important tourist destination, it is not surprising to find that there is no end when it comes to the choice of accommodation here. Some of the world’s leading luxury hotels have a presence here. You can also find many Florence boutique hotels, spread throughout the city. For the budget traveler, the city has several bed and breakfast accommodations and hostels in Florence available too. You can find them mostly near the old city center. If you are planning a longer stay, then you could always rent an apartment in Florence. There are apartments to suit every budget.  For those looking for some more refined experience and can afford the price tag, another option would be to stay in a villa or one of the medieval castles that are seen rather frequently in the rural countryside, a short drive away from the city of Florence.  A trip to Florence, no doubt, is a part of an adventure vacation that would include travelling through the entire region on a Tuscany vacation.  The countryside, with its castles, vineyards and farms is beautiful and the cities are full of art, architecture and history making this a very cultural type of adventure tourism.