Istanbul and Tulip Festival

Istanbul served as the capital of three empires: the Roman Empire , the Byzantine Empire and and the Ottoman Empire , Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. Istanbul is a transcontinental city , between the Europe and the Asia. Istanbul's strategic position along the historic Silk Road, rail networks to Europe and the Middle East, and the only sea route between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean have helped foster an eclectic populace. Seven million foreign visitors arrived in Istanbul in 2010, when it was named a European Capital of Culture, making the city the world's tenth-most-popular tourist destination. The city's biggest draw remains its historic center, partially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everybody thinks that tulips come from Holland. Actually, Tulips are native to Central Asia and Turkey. In the 16th Century they were brought to Holland from Turkey, and quickly became widely popular. In fact many cultivated varieties were widely grown in Turkey long before they were introduced to European gardens. The tulip symbol is also used in the famous touristic "Turkey'' logo. The tulips begin to bloom around the end of March or beginning of April, depending on the weather. They bloom for several weeks and may delight the eye and the spirit for nearly a month. Istanbul Tulip Festival is always held middle of April, sometimes between 10th and 20th of April, although the dates are not firm yet. Emirgan Park is the main venue for the festival but everywhere in Istanbul is dotted with tulips. Yldz Park, Sultanahmet Park, etc. all have beautiful tulips at the time. You would also see the tulips along the coastal park at Kennedy Boulevard between Bakirkoy and Sirkeci.