Istanbul:

A city of ornate and splendour

With its glittering history and beautiful vistas, Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, is a city of ornate and splendour.

When in Turkey, visit Swissotel, on the Bosphorus, in Istanbul, Sunday Observer was told, when we lodged in Swissotel, Beijing, recently.

Turkey, is a nation five times the size of England and Wales. While England, in a span of a few hundred years, made history with its navies sailing the seven seas, Turkey, with its chequered history going back thousands of years, has, and will continue to play a role in the events of times to come, possibly for centuries to come.

Geographically, Istanbul, is the only city in the world situated on two continents, embracing both Asia and Europe and yet divided by the majesty of the Bosphorus.

Turkey rests partly in South East Europe and the larger part in Asia. The traveller need not emplane at Istanbul to be reminded of the majesty and history of this celebrated city, once the seat of Christendom.

The airhostess will say, `you are now flying over Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, known as Constantinople in the past.' The mere mention of Constantinople takes one's mind into a place, where centuries past, occurred stories of war, victory and defeat and of romances told, and yet being imagined.

And, even as Istanbul, today, history is in the making. For, today, Turkey has a largely Muslim population, with a culture and habit more akin to the west, while the freedom in Turkey is serene to the visitor.

The visitor will find Istanbul to be a city which preserves the historical splendour of the Roman, Byzanite and Ottoman Empires, but today thrives as the commercial centre of the Turkish Republic.

Swissotel, the Bosphorus, Istanbul is a Raffles International hotel. It is set amid 65 acres of lush garden in a residential area. This hospitality unit commands superb views over the Bosphorus. You will be told that you are right at the heart of the European side of the city and just 30 minutes from the Ataturk International Airport. There are 500 guestrooms and suites including a Swiss Executive lounge.

There are 10 restaurants and bars including Cafe Suisse, Miyako which serve Japanese and Chinese cuisine, Chalet and Roof Garden with spectacular views of the Bosphorus.

There is the Bosphorus Spa and Wellness Centre with outdoor and indoor pools, Turkish baths; sauna, 3 open and covered tennis courts and a 500 metre jogging path.

There are 25 function rooms including 3 ballrooms for up to 1,600 people.

There is a Swissoffice and wireless internet service at the lobby, meeting rooms and Executive floors. You can tour the fascinating mosques and palaces or browse through the old city's incredible Covered Bazaar and Spice Bazaar where you'll find all the treasures of the East.

(EL)