Istanbul Travel Guide

Mosaics, mosques, minarets, museums and many more memories of Istanbul's dalliance with history brings thousands of tourists every year to its shores. 2000 years of being capital to Christian and Islamic empires and retaining impressions of both, Istanbul is a confusing city. This isn't a breeze-in and out destination - you might as well take time when you are here. Its best to stock up on the info before you get going so as to at least be able to tell the difference between a hamam  (turkish bath) and an imam (muslim priest).

Istanbul sits between Asia and Europe and is a bit of both. Impressions of the West and East, past and present, riches and rags are tough to tell apart when you have completed this mad whirl (heard about dervishes?). The old city is built around Sultanahmet and a couple of kilometres away is the European quarter of Beyoglu. But its not quite so straitlaced - veiled women suddenly give way to populated pubs while your guide is giving you his spiel on the Aya Sofya!