Istanbul

Few cities offer such a breathtaking location as Istanbul, and fewer still possess such a rich palimpsest of history, heritage, and culture. Straddling the Bosphorus waterway that separates Europe from Asia, Istanbul was the capital of three great empires and is where East meets West. Formerly known as Constantinople, Istanbul offers visitors an unrivalled feast of grand monumental architecture, glittering mosaics, towering minarets, stunning museums, boutique hotels, and superb restaurants.

No building captures the majesty of ancient Constantinople in the same way as the interior of the wonderful 6th-century Aya Sofya Mosque (Church of the Holy Wisdom or Hagia Sophia). Other marvels from the Romano-Byzantine period include the Kariye Mosque (Church of St Saviour in Chora) with its stunning golden mosaics and the imposing Theodosian Walls that kept invaders at bay for a thousand years. Istanbul’s striking skyline, with its elegant needle-like minarets and domes, is largely a legacy of the city’s Ottoman sultans. Few buildings can equal the magnificence of the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque with its six elegant, towering minarets and 20,000 Iznik tiles. Nearby, the Topkapi Palace was the political centre of the Ottoman Empire and is where the ‘Sublime Porte’ was located, along with the Harem (women’s quarters), and priceless jewels of the Treasury.

One of the best ways to experience Ottoman Istanbul is to explore the world’s largest covered market, the vast Grand Bazaar, or to savour the aromas in the bustling Spice Market. Visiting a luxurious traditional hammam (Turkish bath) is another enticing option, as is taking an immersive private Istanbul food tour. The experience that arguably caps them all, though, is a Bosphorus cruise on a private yacht – possibly ending up at one of the city’s many mouthwatering Turkish restaurants!

Istanbul truly lives up to its nickname: City of the World’s Desire.