Metropolis - Istanbul (Part One)

Turkish Delight, indeed! Any visit to the sensual, bustling capital of Turkey is sure to engage all your travel-senses! A steamy swirl of sights, sounds, tastes and smells, Istanbul can be both breathtaking and overwhelming. As Europe's most populous METROPOLIS - over 16-million colorfully diverse residents - its crowds, lines and getting-around all require planning & patience. It's certainly less of a chill-out experience, more of a full-immersion onslaught of history & culture. Istanbul never flags as one of the world's premier destinations. East meets West; Europe meets Asia; Ancient meets Modern; Muslim, Christian and Judaism (for the most part) peaceably coexist. While parks & green spaces can be rare amidst the density & urban-clamor - there's always a nearby ferry to whisk you way; a watery reprieve from Istanbul's intensity and heat. My 1-week fall excursion featured mild days and rapturous nights. Arrival by rail - the Orient Express route - was superb. A massive new airport connects to everywhere, as well. PART ONE - features not-to-be-missed cultural, historical icons of Istanbul: the Blue Mosque, Haghia Sophia and Topkapi Palace - tours daily. Other highlights include a tour by ferry & telepheric of the Golden Horn. Plus an extended wander through the shopping mecca of the ancient Grand Bazaar, and the nearby Suleymaniye Mosque complex. Brilliant sites & spaces...and experiences! As my fotos shall duly attest.