Byzantium, Constantinople, İstanbul: by any name it's gorgeous
Its history tracks back from Byzantium to Constantinople to its place at the head of the Ottoman Empire. Today it hums as Turkey's cultural heart and good-time capital.
In this sprawling, continent-spanning city you can tramp the streets where crusaders and janissaries once marched; admire mosques that are the most sublime architectural expressions of Islamic piety; peer into the sultan's harem; and hunt for bargains in the Kapalı Çarşı (Grand Bazaar).
Byzantium is the first known name of the city. When Roman emperor Constantine I (Constantine the Great) made the city the new eastern capital of the Roman Empire on May 11, 330, he conferred on it the name Nova Roma ("New Rome"). Constantinople ("City of Constantine") was the name by which the city became instead more widely known. It is first attested in official use under emperor Theodosius II (408-450).[3] It remained the principal official name of the city throughout the Byzantine period, and the most common name used for it in the West until the early 20th century.
The city has also been nicknamed "The City on Seven Hills" because the historic peninsula, the oldest part of the city, was built on seven hills (just like Rome). The hills are represented in the city's coat of arms with seven mosques, one at the top of each hill.[4] Two of many other old nicknames of Istanbul are Vasilevousa Polis ("Queen of Cities"), which rose from its importance and wealth throughout the Middle Ages and "Dersaadet," originally Der-i Saadet (The door to happiness) which was first used towards the end of 19th century and still remembered.
With the Turkish Postal Service Law of March 28, 1930, the Turkish authorities officially requested foreigners to adopt Istanbul as the sole name also in their own languages.
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My ADVICE: Just keep in mind that Turkey is an expensive place esp for young (budget) travelers like myself. Eating out is really really expensive and Turkish people eat very small portions; not like the other Arabian states. SO... bring your own instant packets unless you are willing to pay about 3 euros for an omelet! Traveling around by the public transport system can be costly as well compared to some other European countries; NO traveler passes, NO student fares.
and Turkish people eat very small portions; not like the other Arabian states. SO... bring your own instant packets 
unless you are willing to pay about 3 euros for an omelet!
