Turkey straddles Europe and Asia, blending Byzantine and Ottoman splendour with surreal landscapes. Istanbul dazzles with domes, bazaars and Bosphorus ferries, while the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts unspool beaches, yacht-filled bays and Greco-Roman ruins. Inland lie the white travertine terraces and balloon-filled valleys of central Anatolia, plus cave churches carved into soft rock. Add steaming hammams, kebab-laden tables and warm hospitality, and the country rewards…
“Skyfall” (2012) opens with a rooftop chase over Istanbul's Grand Bazaar. The city has fueled spy cinema since “From Russia with Love.”
Istanbul is the world's only metropolis straddling two continents: you can lunch in Europe and dine in Asia.
Escape the Sultanahmet crowds for colorful Balat. An eSIM is invaluable: Bosphorus ferry apps, fair-price haggling at the bazaar, and ride-hail over overpriced taxis.