The gateway between Europe and Asia and the only city in the world to span two continents, a well-positioned location upon the historic Silk Road has meant Istanbul -- formerly Constantinople; and prior to that Byzantium -- has been in hot demand throughout history, firstly colonised by the Greeks, then captured by the Romans & Venetians, and then the Ottomans.

Mix all this together and it’s easy to see why Istanbul is a fascinating melting pot of cultures. The famous Hagia Sophia that dominates the famous skyline blends Christianity with Islam, starting life as a Greek orthodox church before the Ottomans declared it an imperial mosque.

A cruise along the Bosphorus is the best way to take in the city’s skyline, while a trip to the Grand Bazaar, with its maze of alleyways, will alight the senses as you take in the smell of fragrant spices, fresh mint tea and Turkish coffee to the noise of locals haggling over the price of hand-woven carpets and Ottoman jewellery.

Istanbul city breaks

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