Istanbul:

Istanbul is a really huge city with more than 15 million people. The focal point between Asia and Europe it has been inhabited for 3000 years. From a small fishing village to the capital of the Byzantine and called Byzantium in 657B.C. In 330 A.D. it became Constantinople as the "New Rome" of Constantine. In 1453 it fell to Mehmet II and became the capitol of the Ottoman Empire. During this time the great mosques were built and remained an important cultural center until the 19th century. Turkey became a republic in 1922 with Atatürk at the lead and the capitol was moved to Ankara. The city has seven hills like Rome. But those hills are very steep and all close each other. The whole city is cradled by three waters, Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus (strait) and Golden Horn (bay). Among metropolises of the world, we think this land formation gives it the best views. The city had everything for a good two-week vacation. We enjoyed mosques, old and new arts, music, rides (tram car and funicular called "Tünel", ferries), markets and food.