People say that love comes through the stomach. That is the beginning of falling in love with Istanbul. The traditional Turkish cuisine has a variety of food to satisfy even the most fastidious travelers. Getting a Turkish breakfast is one of the top things to do. The choice is huge between: Simit (circular bread with sesame seeds), Sujuk (spicy sausage) Börek (thin layers of dough filled with feta cheese, vegetables or meat), Po?aça (flat round bread), Ayran (yoghurt mixed up with salt) and the most famous Turkish Coffee/Turkish tea which are served in special cups and glasses. For lunch it is recommended to try a national restaurant or a restaurant where the food has been already prepared and it is on display. The traditional Turkish dishes are the following: Meze (appetizer course) Köfte (meat balls), Döner Kebab (Lamb or Chicken meat cooked on a vertical rod on a display which is sliced thin and served with a flatbread), Lahmacun (thin dough topped with tomatoes, minced meat, spices and parsley), Kuzu Güveç (Lamb meat cooked in casserole), Stuffed Peppers (with minced meat), Pilaf (rice with butter) and Sarma/Dolma (minced meat or rice wrapped in green grape leaves). The best is saved for the end, the dessert. The artwork in the world of confections is the Turkish delights: Baklava (pastry of thin layers with sugar syrup and nuts), Lokum (mix of starch and sugar with different flavors) and Kadaif (cheesy pastry soaked in sugar syrup).

Bosphorus Strait divides the town on European and Asian side. For an exclusively short trip from Europe to Asia walk from one side of the Bosphorus Bridge to the other. At sunset take a cruise in the Bosphorus’ water. Enjoy the dinner while being entertained by Turkish folklore music and belly dancers. At the same time admire the iconic palaces, mansions and mosques decorating the banks from both continents.

Turkish Bath or Hamam refers to the same thing. The difference is that Hotels offer the service of Turkish Bath and Hamams are historical sites practicing bathing as was originally done in the Ottoman Empire. In Istanbul most of the Hamams are either for man or woman. The ritual starts in a warm room where the airflow is warm and steamy. The second room to enter is hotter and then comes cleansing and washing in cold water. Massage is the most relaxing finish of this ritual before entering the room for relaxation. For an unforgettable relaxing and purifying experience visit some of the most famous Hamams: Çemberlitaş Hamam, Cağaloğlu Hamam, Galatasaray Hamam, Beylerbeyi Hamam, Hagia Sophia - Haseki Hürrem Sultan Hamam.

One of the top things to do in Istanbul that will damage your credit card and empty your wallet is shopping at the Grand Bazaar. This is the world’s oldest and largest covered soak with over 60 streets and 5,000 shops. The bustle and colorful shops of jewelry, leather, pottery, spices, carpets and souvenirs are visited daily by 400,000 people. This bazaar wakens up the senses of taste and smell. It brings back the time to experience the life it as it was centuries ago. It is traditional thing to bargain. Egyptian Bazaar is a scented trove where spices and fruits from all around the world can be found. Both Bazaars are closed on Sunday.

Ancient water-storage system from the 6th century with many tunnels and tanks lies underneath the city. Basilica Cistern is one out of thousands cisterns. It can store up to 100,000 tons of water. Today this cistern is empty and it can be entered from the Sultan Ahmet Square. This cistern is famous for the two Medusa statues which are turned upside down. Two famous movies were shot at this place: From Russia with Love and The International.

Curved domes and shiny minarets on the horizon give Istanbul imposing skyline. The visit of Istanbul without being dazzled by the Blue Mosque is incomplete visit. It is called Sultan Ahmed Mosque but because of its blue interior is referred to as a Blue Mosque. The interior is decorated with 20,000 handmade blue Iznik tiles and 260 stained glass windows cascading the blue color over the green. With 6 minarets, its height and capacity of 10,000 people the mosque illuminates the finest Ottoman architecture.

Topkapi Palace is not only the oldest but also the biggest palace spreading on area of over 600,000 square meters. About its significance talks the fact that the Palace in 1985 became UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today this palace is a museum displaying the vast collection of porcelain, dazzling jewelry, armors and artifacts at every turn. The mayor attractions are the Holy relics of the Muslim World and the Harem. The sultan’s concubines lived in the Harem which is a section of rooms away from the palace. A fascinating story and history is hidden behind the high walls of the palace which promises a mesmerizing and unforgettable experience.

Hagia Sofia (Aya Sofia) is under the protection of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This enthralling museum was built in 537 as a church with a Byzantine architecture and rich artistic mosaics. In 1453 the church was converted to a mosque and in 1953 it was opened as a museum. This museum belongs to the worlds most famous and magnificent showcase of Ottoman and Byzantine artifacts and architecture. The golden tiles on the dome and the mosaics around are worth to admire.

Taksim Square is on the European side of the city. This part of the city is the major tourist attraction mainly for the expensive and branded shops, hotels and ultra modern restaurants. The monument of the Republic is at the centre of the square representing the Turkish Independence. The world’s second oldest subway line passes under the square. The long pedestrian shopping streets meet at the city centre.

Dolmabahçe Palace positioned on European coastline of the city was the main administrative center. The Palace is composed of three parts containing 285 rooms, 46 halls, 6 baths and 68 toilettes. Today this palace is a museum and it is open for public. The palace is home of the largest Bohemian crystal Chandelier and it has the world’s largest collection of Baccarat crystal chandeliers. The palace was home of six Sultans including the founder of the republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.