Istanbul...

View from the breakfast terrace at our hotel

Last week I spent 5 days in Istanbul with my friend L. L was returning from a work trip via Istanbul so it was the perfect opportunity for me to visit a city that I had long wanted to explore and spend time with a very good friend at the same time.

I very happily relinquished decision-making responsibility and let L lead us around all of the treasures of the city (starting with her most excellent choice of hotel in Sultanahment, where most of the sights were within walking distance or an easy tram ride away). Never before have I encountered a city where you are so surrounded by evidence of three distinct empires - Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman. It has inspired me to brush up on my history - fortunately my return to London has co-incided with the broadcast of a 3-part documentary on Istanbul.

We visited bazaars (Grand Bazaar, the spice bazaar and Arresta Bazaar)...

The beauty of Aya Sofya...

one for my mother

and the Blue Mosque...

The gorgeous painted tiles at the Topaki Palace...

The haunting beauty of the Basilica Cistern...

We also had a very early start one day in order to travel to Gallipoli and tour the battlegrounds. Our guide was excellent, presenting a balanced view of the conflict from both the ANZAC and Turkish perspectives...

We tried virtually every type of traditional Turkish food - kebab, kofti, borek, and the local fast food speciality (a fish sandwich) by the side of the Bosphoros...

...and I took great delight in trying baklava from all of the recommended patisseries in the guide book...even a final day purchase to enjoy at the airport while waiting for my flight...

...I fear I am still having withdrawals from my daily hit of sugar, pastry, pistachio nuts and honey...

Istanbul was fabulous - I'd highly recommend it (and thanks L for being such a wonderful 'tour leader' and helping to put the world to rights over our Turkish wine...)