Bosphorus Cruise is a must-see tour for the Istanbul visitors because it is a wonderful opportunity to
observe the both sides of Istanbul. There are municipal ferries which operate daily three times from
Eminonu, port number 3.(BOGAZ HATTI). The first ferry is at 10:35 am, the second one is at 12:00
am and the last one is at 1:35 pm. The ferry is a traditional one, which has seats inside and outside
the interior. After the ferry departs, it first makes a stop in Besiktas, which is the downtown of the
city. The Dolmabahce Palace could be seen here.
Later, you see the beautiful houses along the European Side, the Ciragan Palace Hotel and many
other lovely buildings from 19th and early 20th C. On the way, the ferry passes by the huge
European Fortress which was constructed by Sultan Mehmed II in 1452 before he conquered
Istanbul. Then the ferry moves to the Asian Side and you see the old restored Turkish Houses(Yali)
which are just on the waterfront. In Bosphorus, there is no low-hide tide, so the houses can be so
near to the sea level. Then the ferry passes through "Kanlica", a lovely village which is famous for
its yoghurt. And it passes to "Yenikoy "on the European Side and makes another stop. In Yenikoy,
Turkey's ex prime minister Mrs. Tansu Ciller has a big Yali(old restored Turkish house). Then the
ferry goes back to Asian Side and then comes back to Europe, to a fishing village called "Sariyer".
If one likes, he/she may leave the ferry and come back to city after having a walk in Sariyer or if one
wants to enjoy it all day long, he/she can stay till the ferry comes to Anadolukavagi. It is a great
place to have fish, fresh vegetables, fruits and raki, traditional Turkish drink. After staying there for
two hours, the ferry comes back to Eminonu, where one gets on the ferry.
Aboard the ferry, one may also enjoy the fresh orange juice, apple tea, ordinary tea and yoghurt
which are sold by noisy waiters...."Orange juuuice, apppleee teeeaaa, yoghuuurt..." |
