Istanbul, on the Bosphorus where Europe meets Asia, is an intense, almost overwhelming experience. I went last month to check it out & it struck me as a fantastic place for those looking for a city break with a difference.
The skyline is spectacular; vivid colours and smells, and unfamiliar sounds assail you at every turn. The Blue Mosque, Aghia Sophia and the Topkapi palace are staggering in their size and opulence. Haggle for pots or pashminas in the Grand Bazaar, blow off steam in a traditional hamam or take a ferry around the Bosphorus, one of the world’s busiest waterways. The nightlife is electric with decadent rooftop bars aplenty & & the cuisine is to die for - you can forget any thoughts of greasy late night kebabs.
Istanbul is unique, there are not many places in the world where you can sample both Europe & Asia in one weekend. As the capital of culture in 2010, it will firmly be placed on the world map as a weekend break destination. We think it’s Unmissable!