The splendid city of Istanbul has many unique and fascinating features. It is the only city in the world reaching across two continents, with its old city in Europe and modern Istanbul situated in Asia, separated by the Bosphorus Strait. It is also unique in having had capital status during two successive empires, Christian Byzantine and Islamic Ottoman, and the legacy from both is visible in the modern city today.

Istanbul's location on the water made it a much coveted site as a commercial shipping port and military lookout, and as capital of the Roman Empire, Constantinople, as it was known, became extremely desirable as a centre of world trade, until Mehmet the Conqueror claimed it for the Ottoman Empire in 1453 and it became the imperial seat of the sultans. After the War of Independence the capital was moved to Ankara, but Istanbul still remains the commercial, historical and cultural heart of Turkey today.

The charm and character of Istanbul lies in its endless variety and jumble of contradictions. Its fascinating history has bequeathed the city a vivid inheritance of Byzantine ruins, splendid palaces, ancient mosques and churches, hamams (bath-houses) and exotic bazaars. Modern Istanbul exudes trendy bars and nightclubs, western boutiques, office blocks, and elegant suburbs. The call to prayer heralds the start of each day and the city comes to life with over 11 million residents forming a chaotic social and cultural mix of unscrupulous carpet merchants, wealthy shoppers, religiously veiled women and destitute beggars. Joining the noisy throng are over-awed tourists and those capitalising on the tourist trade.

Hagia Sophia (Aya Sofya)

Address: Sultanahmet Square Istanbul

Admission: 15 YTL Open daily except Mondays from 9:30am-4:30pm

Telephone: (212) 518 1802

Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii)

Address: Hippodrome, Sultanahmet Istanbul

Admission: There is no charge for visiting the mosque, but the museum has a small entrance fee Open daily, access restricted during prayer times, especially at midday on Fridays. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm

Telephone: (212) 518 1319 or (212) 518 1330 (for museum information)

Topkapi Palace Museum

Address: Topkapi Sarayi, Sultanahmet Istanbul

Admission: US$10 -15 depending on exchange rate; concessions available. The Harem can only be visited on a guided tour and a separate ticket is required for $10. Open daily except Tuesdays from 9am-5pm

Telephone: (212) 512 0480

Turkish and Islamic Art Museum

Address: Ibrahim Pasa Sarayi, Atmeydani 46, Hippodrome, Sultanahmet Istanbul

Admission: 10 YTL Open daily except Mondays from 9:30am-5:30pm

Telephone: (212) 518 1805

Covered Bazaar (Kapali Çarsi)

Address: Kapali Çarsi, Beyazit to Eminönü Harbour Istanbul

Admission: Free Open daily except Sundays from 8.30am to 7pm

Sunken Palace

Address: Istanbul

Admission: 9am-5pm daily except Tuesday

Telephone: 212 522 1259

Galata Tower

Address: Galata Kulesi Sokak Istanbul

Admission: 9am-6pm daily

Telephone: 212 293 8180

Dolmache Palace

Address: Sultanahmet Istanbul

Istanbul Dolphinarium

Address: 2 – 4 Silahtaraða Caddesi, Fulya Istanbul

Admission: 25 TL (adult), 20 TL (child), free for children under 3 Shows: Tuesday to Friday 1:30pm; weekends 2pm and 5pm; closed Mondays.

Telephone: (212) 581 7878

Sisli Science Centre

Address: Sisli Belediyesi Bilim Merkezi, Fulya Istanbul

Admission: 5 TL (adult), 4 TL (child) Daily 9am-6pm

Telephone: (212) 266 00 46

Discovery Sphere Planetarium

Address: 5 Hasköy Caddesi, Hasköy Istanbul

Admission: 11 TL (adult), 6 TL (child) Daily; 10am-5pm on weekdays, 10am-7pm on weekends.

Telephone: (212) 369 6600

Hippodrome

Address: Meydani (Horse Plaza), Sultanahmet Istanbul

International Istanbul Music Festival

Where: Various,Istanbul

When: 4 - 29 June 2011

Turkish F1 Grand Prix

Where: Istanbul Park,Istanbul

When: 6 - 8 May 2011

Contemporary Istanbul

Where: LutfiKýrdar Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Centre,Istanbul

When: 24-27 November 2011

The Bosphorus Swim

Where: Kanlica,Istanbul

When: 17 July 2011

360 Istanbul

Address: Misir Apartmani K8, 311 Istikal Caddesi, Beyoglu Istanbul

Food Type: Fusion

Cezayir

Address: Hayriye Cad. 16, Beyoglu Istanbul

Food Type: Turkish

Asitane

Address: Kariye Camii Sokak 6, Edirnekapi Istanbul

Food Type: Turkish

Çintemani Restaurant

Address: Ritz-Carlton, Askerocagi Cad. 15, Sisli Istanbul

Food Type: International

The House Café (Ortaköy)

Address: Salhane Sokak 1, Ortaköy Istanbul

Food Type: Café

Körfez

Address: Körfez Cad. No:78 Kanlýca Istanbul

Food Type: Seafood

Feriye Lokantasi

Address: Çýraðan Cad. 40 Ortaköy Istanbul

Food Type: Local

Mikla

Address: Mesrutyiyet Cad. 167, Tepebasi Istanbul

Food Type: Mediterranean

Saf

Address: Club Sporium (Mayadrom Arkasý), Cumhuriyet Cad. 4/8 Akatlar Istanbul

Food Type: Organic