Istanbul

Have you been to Istanbul, the city that straddles both Europe and Asia like a gymnast on the world’s weirdest balance beam competition? Once known as Byzantium and then Constantinople, this city has had more makeovers than a reality TV show! Around 660 BC, it was founded as Byzantium, which later became the jewel of the Byzantine Empire under the sparkly name of Constantinople, in honor of Emperor Constantine the Great. Fast forward to 1453, and the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II swooped in, transforming it into the heart of the Ottoman Empire, a role it played famously until the early 20th century Byzantine Empire, Ottoman Empire. Today, Istanbul is not the capital of Turkey, but it's undoubtedly the pulsating heart of its cultural and historical identity.

When it comes to cultural significance, Istanbul is like the world's most intriguing antique store filled with little treasures of history and art. With a culture as diverse as a tapas platter, this city has something for everyone. The call to prayer blending with the clinking of Turkish tea glasses forms the soundtrack of a day in Istanbul. Did I mention the legendary Hagia Sophia? Start your cultural journey there and find yourself in a structure that’s been a church, a mosque, and now a museum! Istanbul is also home to the frenetic energy of the Grand Bazaar, like a Black Friday sale that never ends but with more rugs and less electronics. Don’t miss the Turkish delight—a sweet treat that locals quite literally delight in offering visitors.

Istanbul's geography is all about dramatic contrasts and jaw-dropping vistas. Nestled in between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, and split by the majestic Bosphorus Strait, this metropolis has more picturesque spots than a postcard photographer’s dreams Bosphorus. The city experiences a composite climate, with its shores warmed by the Mediterranean breezes in summer, while the winters can surprise you with welcomed chills. Add to that an eclectic skyline where minarets mingle with modern skyscrapers—together forming the iconic view that the city boasts. For those with modern wanderlust, jump on a ferry and grasp the novelty of traveling between continents in just twenty minutes. You won’t find a better way to tell your friends, 'Oh, you know, just casually explored two continents today!'