Istanbul City Guide - Resorts & Excursions

Prince's Islands: These nine small islands in the Sea of Marmara, 12km (7 miles) southeast of Istanbul, were once used to keep unwanted heirs to the Ottoman throne in isolated luxury, as well as the exile Leon Trotsky after he was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1929. Today, however, they offer a taste of the past with horse-drawn carriage tours and a ban on cars. Commuter ferries run to four of the islands and the rest are privately owned, uninhabited or military bases. Büyükada is the largest and has beautiful wooden mansions and hotels, and a cool pine forest for picnics. A cobblestone path from Karacabey Bay leads to the ancient Ayios Nikolaos monastery; Heybeliada was the centre of an old Greek community, with six churches and monasteries, one dating to 1431; while Bürgazada has a Greek 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. Faster sea-buses, operated by IDO (tel: (0212) 444 4436; website: www.ido.com.tr), also run about three times a day from Kabatas, near Dolmabahçe Palace.

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 (thermal) 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. For enquiries or hotel reservations call Thermal Springs Administrative Management (tel: (0226) 675 7400; website: www.yalovatermal.com). Several daily boats run from Kabatas to Yalova, from where the spa is easily reached by taxi or dolmus.