ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Istanbul exudes a fascinating mix of Western and
Eastern cultures. Its strategic locale led to its role as
a significant center of trade, eventually becoming
a cultural crossroad along the world-famous Silk
Road. One of the city's stunning centerpieces is
Hagia Sophia, founded as a basilica, converted to a
mosque, then a museum; it is now a mosque again
and features exquisite mosaics and frescoes. The
city's Grand Bazaar offers a rich taste of Turkish
culture, from a vast selection of carpets and fabric
to luscious dates and the local sweet favourite,
Turkish Delight.
Straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus
Strait, no other city in the world bridges two
continents. Istanbul's history is evident on every
corner, from the cascading domes of the Blue
Mosque to the courtyards of the Topkapi Palace.
Visitors and locals alike flock to the European
districts of Karaköy and Galata to browse shops
and visit galleries, while across the strait lie the
fashionable areas of Kadıköy and Moda. At night,
the Old Town's buildings illuminate the skies, and
across the Sea of Marmara, twinkling lights of
ships follow a trail to the Asian continent.
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