Mosaics, mosques, minarets, museums
and many more memories of Istanbul's dalliance with history brings thousands of tourists
every year to its shores. 2000 years of being capital to Christian and Islamic empires and
retaining impressions of both, Istanbul is a confusing city. This isn't a breeze-in and
out destination - you might as well take time when you are here. Its best to stock up on
the info before you get going so as to at least be able to tell the difference between a hamam
(turkish bath) and an imam (muslim priest).
Istanbul sits between Asia and Europe and is a bit of both. Impressions of the
West and East, past and present, riches and rags are tough to tell apart when you have
completed this mad whirl (heard about dervishes?). The old city is built around
Sultanahmet and a couple of kilometres away is the European quarter of Beyoglu. But its
not quite so straitlaced - veiled women suddenly give way to populated pubs while your
guide is giving you his spiel on the Aya Sofya!
