The cultural and financial center of Turkey, the Marmara Region covers a rather large portion of the country and includes the city of Istanbul. Located on the Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul lays near the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn, in the northwestern region of the country. What is unique to Istanbul is that it extends both on the European and Asian side of the Bosphorus and is the only metropolis in the world that is sitting on two continents.

One of the most popular activities for travelers in Istanbul is a visit to a Turkish bath. The most famous of these baths are Suleymaniye Bath, Cağaloğlu Bath, and Cemberlitas Bath. These hamams are a great way to discover life as it used to be long ago in Istanbul. Other great religious artifacts and sites are largely found in Sultanahmet, the Old City, including the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. Walking tours are a great way to see it all.