Istanbul - Excursions

Kizil Adalar (Princes' Islands)
These nine small islands, 12km (7 miles) southeast of Istanbul, offer a taste of the past with horse-drawn carriage tours and no cars. Only four are publicly accessible. Bykada is the largest and has beautiful wooden mansions and hotels, and a cool pine forest for picnics. A cobblestone path leads from Kadiyoran Caddesi near the ferry terminal to the ancient Ayios Nikolaos (St George) monastery. Heybeliada, probably the prettiest of the islands, is a relic of the Byzantine Empire, with six Greek Orthodox churches and monasteries, one dating from 1431. Burgazada also has an Orthodox monastery on a cliff overlooking the sea. Ferries run to the islands from Sirkeci and Bostanci, taking about 50 minutes to reach the first island and 15 minutes between the other three. Fast IDO sea-buses run thrice daily from Kabataş, near Dolmabahe Palace.

Sea of Marmara
Tel: (0212) 444 4436.
Website: www.ido.com.tr

Termal
Located 38km (24 miles) southeast of Istanbul's outskirts and easily reached by boat (much longer by road), Termal (also translated at Thermal), just outside Yalova, is a very popular natural hot spring, famous as a spa since Roman times. The area is popular as a scenic destination itself, or for the mineral baths with therapeutic qualities. Hotels, covered pools and treatment rooms offering massage and acupuncture are also available. Several daily boats run from Kabataş to Yalova, from where the spa is easily reached by taxi or dolmuş.

Yalova Thermal Hot Springs Resort, Termal, Yalova
Tel: (0226) 675 7400.
Website: www.yalovatermal.com

Uludag Milli Parki (Uludag National Park)
Also known as Mount Olympus, the summit of Uludag lies at the heart of a 67,000-hectare (27,000-acre) national park, 110km (64 miles) south of Istanbul. The slopes of the mountain are cloaked in lush forest, and several traditional villages are preserved as living museums. In spring and summer, this is a great place to escape the city heat. In winter, ski-lifts carry visitors to the upper slopes and Turkey's most popular ski resort area.

Bursa province
Tel: (0224) 283 2197.
Website: www.kultur.gov.tr