Things to Do in Windsor & Eton

Fuchsia-pink flamingoes are the highlight at the on-site zoo, but it’s the fish that win all the accolades at Bermuda’s well-regarded Aquarium, one of the territory’s most popular attractions.

Audio guides provide information about the specimens displayed in each tank, which are kitted out to re-create Bermuda’s marine ecosystems.

On show are around 200 species of fish, plus a living coral reef (the first in the world) that’s a must-see if you’re planning on doing any diving while in Bermuda, preparing you for the wonders of the deep that await.

Along with parrot fish, puffers and groupers, there are loggerhead turtles, sharks and green turtles. Seal-feeding time is especially popular, along with interactive tours.

The natural history museum is ideal for families, with hands-on discovery activities and animal storytelling for younger kids. The museum’s exhibits provide a fascinating overview of Bermuda’s plants and animals, with fossils, taxidermied creatures, shells and geological specimens to browse.

Beyoglu is a cosmpolitan district on the European side of Istanbul that includes both Taksim Square and the famous Istiklal Caddesi. Located just north of the Golden Horn and connected to the old city center by the Galata Bridge, Beyoglu is the city’s modern center of shopping, entertainment and nightlife. 

The area around Beyoglu has been inhabited since the time of Christ and grew as a city as early as the 5th century. Known then as Galata, it was also the site of a fortress built by Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II. Eventually, it became a base for European merchants and was alternately controlled by the Genoese and the Venetians before being settled primarily by Turks in the 15th century.

By the mid-19th century, Beyoglu again had a European flavor, with international diplomats and traders settling in the district and making it the most Westernized part of Istanbul. Even today, numerous consulates remain in the area.

In addition to the shopping, dining and nightlife around Istiklal and Taksim Square, Beyoglu is home to a variety of museums, including the Pera Museum (exhibiting art from the late Ottoman Period), the Dogancay Museum (showcasing works by artist Burhan Dogancay) and the Jewish Museum of Turkey. You can also find Turkey’s largest Catholic church and largest synagogue in Beyoglu.

Located on the shores of the Bosphorus, on the Asian side of Istanbul, the Beylerbeyi Palace was a summer residence for Ottoman sultans and a guest house to entertain foreign heads of state. Sultan Abdulaziz ordered the construction of the palace in 1863 and it formally opened two years later. Over the years, it hosted visitors such as Empress Eugenie of France, Emperor Joseph of Austria-Hungary, Crown Prince Oscar of Sweden and Nasireddin, the Shah of Iran. It also served as the last place of captivity for deposed Sultan Abdulhamid II, who lived there until his death in 1918.

The two-story stone palace consists of six halls, 24 rooms, one hamam and one bathroom. The interior decorations mix Western neo-classical elements and traditional Ottoman design, with much of the furniture coming from Europe. The elegant reception hall is known as the Hall with Mother-of-Pearl and leads to a fine seaside room covered with rich wood paneling. The Hall with Pool and the Blue Hall make up the center of the palace, the former featuring a large oval pool in its center and the latter named after its sixteen blue columns.
On the grounds of the Beylerbeyi Palace, you will find exquisite garden terraces and several annexes, including bathing houses and stables.