Istanbul

The ancient and modern hub of Istanbul boasts a wealth of churches, mosques and palaces but also entices with a cosmopolitan flair. The Chora Museum shimmers with walls and domes of a Byzantine Greek Orthodox church covered with golden mosaics. On both sides of the Bosporous are splendors of Islamic architecture with the majestic Sulemaniye Mosque and the Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia) on the European side, while the gems of the Atik Valide Mosque and the Cinili Camii with its Iznik tile work are atop a hill on the Asian side. The more contemporary riches of the city include the stately Dohlmabache and Topkapi Palaces, while bustling urban life can be experienced in the Grand Bazaar and the Beyoglu district.