Istanbul is a really happening place at the best of times but when F1 comes to town things start to hot up. The race itself is held at Istanbul Park in the Akfirat district just east of Istanbul. The course was introduced into the F1 season in 2005 and since then it has gone from strength to strength. Flying to the Grand Prix by private jet will start your holiday and get you there relaxed and on time.
Istanbul has a reputation for being exciting and fascinating. There are cool bars and restaurants, clubs and galleries as well as amazing Ottoman mosques. Historically the city used to be known as Byzantium and Constantinople. The city straddles both sides of the Bosporus with one “foot” in Europe and the other in Asia. Istanbul’s geo-political location has made the city a magnet for international commerce, culture, and diplomacy.
Istanbul has numerous historic markets such as the Grand Bazaar (1461), Mahmutpaşa Bazaar (1462) and the Egyptian Bazaar (1660). Today there are also a plethora of modern malls such as İstinye Park and City’s Nişantaşı which target high-end consumers and are almost exclusively dedicated to haute culture brands.
If you plan to eat out in Istanbul your choices are great. You can either try traditional Turkish restaurants or go for European or Oriental cuisine. This is very much an international city so there are restaurants to suite all tastes. Another option is to visit a winehouse or pub located in Beyoğlu. For those who like fish you are in for a treat. Istanbul is famous for its sea food restaurants. The best of these can be found along the shores of the Bosphorus and Marmara Sea, towards the south of the city.