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Эstanbul Boрazэ (Bosphorus)
 A
stay in Эstanbul is not complete without the traditional
and unforgettable boat excursion up the Bosphorus, the winding
strait that separates Europe and Asia. Its shores offer
a delightful mixture of past and present, grand splendor
and simple beauty. Modern hotels stand next to yali (shorefront
wooden villas), marble palaces abut rustic stone fortresses,
and elegant compounds neighbor small fishing villages. The
best way to see the Bosphorus is to board one of the passenger
boats that regularly zigzag along the shores. You embark
in
Eminцnь and stop alternately on the Asian and
European sides of the strait. The round-trip excursion,
at a very reasonable cost, takes about six hours. If you
wish a private voyage, you can contact one of the agencies
which specialize in organizing day or night mini-cruises.
During the journey, you pass in front of the magnificent
Dolmabahзe Palace; farther along rise the green parks
and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. On the edge of
this park, on the coast, stands Зiragan Palace ,now
restored as a grand hotel. Refurbished in 1874 by Sultan
Abdьlaziz, it stretches for 300 meters along the Bosphorus
shore, its ornate marble facades reflecting the swiftly
moving water. In Ortakцy, the next stop, artists gather
every Sunday to exhibit their works in a streetside gallery.
The variety of people create a lively scene; sample a delicious
bite from one of the street vendors. In Ortakцy, there
is a church, mosque and a synagogue that have existed side
by side for hundreds of years - a tribute to Turkish secularism
and tolerance. Overshadowing Эstanbul's traditional architecture
is the Bosphorus Bridge, one of the world's largest suspension
bridges linking Europe and Asia.
 The
beautiful Beylerbeyi Palace lies just past the bridge on
the Asian side. Behind the palace rises Зamlica Hill, the
highest point of Эstanbul. You can drive here to admire
the magnificent panorama of Эstanbul as well as the beautiful
landscaped gardens. On the opposite shore, the wooden Ottoman
villas of Arnavutkцy contrast with the luxurious modern
apartments of neighboring Bebek. A few kilometers farther
out, facing each other across the straits like sentries
guarding the city, stand the fortresses of Rumeli Hisari
and Anadolu Hisari. The Gцksu Palace, sometimes known as
Kьзьksu Palace graces the Asian shore, next to Anadolu Hisari.
The second link between the two continents; the Fatih Sultan
Mehmet Bridge straddles the waterway just past the two fortresses.
From Duatepe Hill, on the European side, you can admire
the magnificent panorama of the bridge and the Bosphorus.
Below Duatepe, beautiful Emirgan Park bursts with color
when the tulips bloom in spring. Opposite, on the Asian
shore is Kanlica, a fishing village now a favored suburb
for wealthy Эstanbulites. Crowds gather in the restaurants
and cafes along its shores to sample its famous yogurt.
Shortly after Kanlica and Зubuklu is the Beykoz Korusu
(Abraham Pasa Woods), a popular retreat. In the cafes and
restaurants you can enjoy the delightful views and clear
fresh air. On the European side, at Tarabya Bay, yachts
seem to dance at their moorings. The coast road bustles
with taverns and fish restaurants from Tarabya to the charming
suburbs of Sariyer and Bьyьkdere. Sariyer has
one of the largest fish markets in Эstanbul and is also
famous for its delicious varieties of milk puddings and
bцrek (pastries). A little further on past Sariyer,
the narrow strait widens and disappears into the Black Sea.
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