An exotic mix of Europe, the Balkans and the Middle East, Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents, has grown to be a leading cosmopolitan hub for arts, culture and religion as well as a hot spot for international jetsetters. Whether you are spending 24 hours or five days in the city, Istanbul s bustling but harmonious atmosphere and throbbing urban beat will guarantee you an experience of a lifetime, whether you choose to stay in the Asian or European side. The city is also a quick and rather cheap getaway from Cairo with both Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir operating daily direct flights to it. Assuming that the airlines play their cards right, you will be far away from Cairo s traffic and pollution inhaling the fresh air of Istanbul in less than two hours. Offering the sights of some of the world s most ancient and famous monuments to its visitors, mixed with uber-trendy boutiques, restaurants, and night clubs, Istanbul feels like a prodigy of London and perhaps Damascus with distinct religious and cultural influences. If you are staying at one of the hotels or youth hostels near the city center's Taksim Square or Istanbul s prime sightseeing spot, Sultanahmet, you are practically within minutes from all that Istanbul has to offer. While you may want to stay away from the tourist ghetto of Sultanahmet to avoid annoying attacks of persistent carpet and ceramics sellers, no trip to Istanbul is complete without a visit to the world famous Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia; both conveniently located across from each other in the middle of Sultanahmet. Definitely consider an early morning excursion to the Blue Mosque to admire its colorful and fascinating interior in peace before the 11 am invasion of loud tourists. Then stroll across the square for a visit to the Hagia Sophia, a truly fascinating Islamic-Christian religious museum dating back to the 6th Century. Originally a church, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a mosque by the Turkish sultans in the 14th Century. Closed to the public for many years for restoration, Hagia Sophia was reopened as Ayasofya Museum in 1935. Encompassing a blend of Islamic and Christian monuments and paintings, it is a truly breathtaking experience. Make sure to visit both the downstairs and upstairs galleries. Round off your sightseeing in Sultanahmet with a quick visit to the underground cistern, Yerebatan Sarayi. A giant former well dating back to the 5th century, the cistern is nowadays a major tourist attraction offering its visitors a mystic ambiance with pulsing lights, music, and a large number of oversized goldfish swimming around this underground castle. While in Istanbul, you might also want to stroll by the colorful old Spice Market in Eminomo to shop for Turkish Delight (lokum), spices, and teas and also pay a visit to the Grand Bazaar, currently serving as the world s largest market featuring more than 4,000 shops. After shopping for various Turkish paraphernalia at the bazaars, another sightseeing must in Istanbul is a trip on the Bosphorus Ferry from Eminomo Harbor around the city s European and Asian shores. A visit to an authentic Turkish Bath House, commonly known as Hamam is also a must.You won't regret investing in a luxurious hamam treatment at either Cagaloglu Hamam or Cemberlitas Hamam, located in the vicinity of Sultanahmet to recover from a long day of sightseeing and shopping. While the corpulent masseuses, who make Sumo wrestlers look like school children, may appear intimidating at first, you will feel completely rejuvenated and ready to hit the night after their treatment. Venturing out into the night, you will soon realize that Istanbul s nightlife is as sprawling and happening as that of any European city. The trendy Beyoglu district will satisfy the party animal inside you. Surrounded by the broad shopping street Istiklal Caddesi, which is packed with people 24/7, you will find a large number of cozy cafes, bistros and bars on every little side street surrounding the monstrous shopping area. Swing in to the restaurant lounge Otto on Seyhbender Sokak street to watch the movers and shakers of Istanbul indulge in stone oven pizza, exotic drinks, and some of the best electronic lounge beats the city has to offer. Those craving traditional Turkish cuisine may want to stop by tiny restaurant Helvetia in the same area for delicious home cooked Turkish food at a low price. With a full wallet, it is also definitely worth paying a visit to Scandinavian-Turkish restaurant Mikla, located on Marmara Pera Street with a magnificent view of the city s Golden Horn. Compared to Cairo, where the nightspots are rather limited, Istanbul offers a jungle of clubs, bars, and live music venues. Right up the street from Otto is Babylon, Istanbul s most famous venue for live music. Babylon offers concerts and DJ performances five times a week from a wide variety of different music genres. Another place worth checking out is the new club Ghetto which is just around the corner. With a dazzling interior and groovy beats, Ghetto is bound to become one of Istanbul s hot spots. Whether you're looking for a chill bar hangout or a blasting night club you will most likely find it in Beyoglu. To recover from the night s adventures, take it easy over brunch at the Istanbul Modern Museum which usually features fascinating art exhibitions.
