GET YOUR EYES LASER SURGERED IN A WORLD CITY!

Place a slice of New York, a pinch of Miami, a bite of San Francisco, and a slice of Egypt on a plate and stir it all together. Enrich this with spices from Mexico City and Vienna: That’s Istanbul!

Istanbul fascinates its visitors with its intriguing blend of Eastern and Western cultures. Istanbul is a city of colorful markets, bustling bazaars, and an often exciting mix of East and West, tradition and modernity. Sophisticated hotels, old cafes, fabulous restaurants, and nightclubs abound here on the Bosphorus. Istanbul is a city of contrasts, a city of countless landmarks, the stuff of fairy tales, the inspiration for many singers, poets, and painters, a story from One Thousand and One Nights…

The city of Istanbul lies on two continents: Europe and Asia. The continents are separated by the Bosphorus. Another strait, the Golden Horn, further divides the European part of Istanbul into a northern and a southern quarter.

Old Istanbul is located in the southern European part. Most of the famous historical buildings are located here, such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Hagia Sophia.

Istanbul: Shopping and culture. Enjoy this enchanting metropolis and its historical heritage in conjunction with your laser eye surgery.

Istanbul has a rich and eventful history: The city was founded as early as the 7th century BC. At that time, it was called Byzantium. Favored by its central location, Byzantium gradually developed into a flourishing trading metropolis.

After the city joined the Roman Empire, Byzantium was designated the capital by the Roman Emperor Constantine around 330 BC. The city was initially called New Rome, but was later renamed Constantinople.

After the division of the Roman Empire, Constantinople became part of the Byzantine Empire and remained the political and cultural center of the region. Later, the Crusaders conquered Constantinople and brought Christianity to the city. Constantinople experienced a decline until the Ottomans conquered the city, made it the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and renamed it Istanbul. This marked the beginning of Istanbul’s renewed rise.

Istanbul is also a shopper’s paradise. From the historic Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest enclosed shopping center, to the numerous ultramodern malls, you’ll be amazed. Four stunning shopping centers are located near the clinic.

Don’t forget to sample Istanbul’s many delicacies. Thousands of restaurants offer a wide variety of delicious dishes. You’ll find detailed shopping and restaurant recommendations in your Swisslasikpass.

The city also offers a wealth of cultural experiences. Numerous cultural events are an integral part of life in Istanbul.

Still not familiar with Istanbul? Watch the SF Unterwegs program about Istanbul here!

Did you know that Istanbul was the European Capital of Culture in 2010? You can find more information here.

Swisslasik.ch wishes you a wonderful holiday in Istanbul.