EVENTS

Istanbul has survived two millennia of extraordinary history. The city holds much appeal for Vacationing and Business interests – Architecture, Art, Culture, Nightlife, Cuisine and much more.

Straddling the 35-kilometre (22-mile) Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul (once known as Byzantium, and later Constantinople) is frequently described as "the crossroads of Europe and Asia". Battled over time and again, Istanbul became the centre of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Its historic heart – Sultanahmet and the bazaar quarter, feature great mosques, opulent palaces and Byzantine ruins.

Encompassing three land masses – two on the European side of the Bosphorus, divided by the Golden Horn, and the Asian shores – Istanbul is best explored neighbourhood by neighbourhood. The Concierge of Istanbul offers guided tours departing from the Ciragan Hotel Istanbul, as well as the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul.

The Ciragan Hotel Istanbul offers all the luxury and glamour of a genuine Ottoman Palace. This 5-star luxury Imperial Palace hotel, has been incredibly restored and is ideally located on the shores of the magnificent Bosphorus; overlooking the ancient city of Istanbul. The Ciragan Palace Hotel Istanbul provides a unique experience; boasting historical ambiance, luxurious facilities, award-winning cuisine and incredible service. The Palace boasts 313 rooms, including 22 suites in the hotel; 11 suites with butler service, as well as 16 state-of-the-art meeting rooms in the Palace and 4 meeting rooms in the hotel.

The Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet was created from a century-old neoclassic Turkish prison, in the core of the fabled city of Istanbul; only steps away from the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. At the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul, 65 guest rooms and suites frame an open courtyard; creating a unique atmosphere; second to none in Istanbul.

The Istanbul International Jazz Festival, formerly Istanbul Festival, (Turkish: Uluslararasi Istanbul Caz Festivali) is a cultural event held every July in Istanbul, Turkey. It offers a selection of jazz music performances with the participations of famous artists from all over the world. The festival was first held in 1986 and is organized by the Istanbul Foundation of Culture and Arts. Its main sponsor is the Garanti Bank.

The International Istanbul Theater Festival presents the finest examples of Turkish theater as well as internationally acclaimed theater companies and dance groups. Carefully selected companies and artists who participate in the Festival stimulate the world theater scene with their impressive and, at times, radical creations. Whether modern or post-modern, various impressive forms of contemporary theater come within the scope of the International Istanbul Theater Festival.