| Istanbul is a little off the beaten path, but it's one of my favorite destinations in Europe! While Western Europe was going through the "dark ages", the Eastern Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire) flourished for a thousand years! The Byzantine Empire was ruled from Constantinople (now called Istanbul). Numerous world-class attractions from the Byzantine Empire and the subsequent Ottoman Empire offer disabled visitors plenty to see in Istanbul! Hagia Sophia One thousand five hundred years have passed since the initial construction of this church. Since then, it's been converted to a mosque, then a museum. Multiple wheelchair ramps make it accessible to disabled visitors.  | | Accessible entrance to Hagia Sophia |
Topkapi Palace Although the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are the most well-known sites in Istanbul, you will actually spend for more time at the Topkapi Palace. Home to the Ottoman Sultans, the Topkapi Palace contains several museums and a harem (the building for sultans' harem of women). Several ramps make most of the Topkapi Palace wheelchair accessible.  | | John Sage at Istanbul's Topkapi Palace |
Easy visit to a Muslim country Many westerners have never been to Muslim country and Istanbul makes an easy first trip. Although Istanbul has many characteristics similar to Western Europe, you will still hear the call to prayer five times and see women wearing headscarves. Istanbul is very different than what you see in many media reports of Muslim countries....a visit is a culturally educational experience. Did you know? Did you know that there many accessible cruises that start or finish in Istanbul? You can easily spend two or three days visiting Istanbul, then hop on a cruise ship that stops in other great destinations like Athens, Venice, Rome, the Greek Islands, and more! Our Istanbul accessible hotel finding service and our Istanbul Accessibility Guide are FREE when you book an accessible Istanbul cruise with Sage Traveling! Call or email me to learn more!
Travel Wisely, John Sage, Founder and President of Sage Traveling
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