My Take On: Istanbul

Bosphorus is one of my favorite cities worldwide, a totally unique, vibrant place with a strong historic and religious feel as well as a pulsating nightlife, bustling markets, cutting edge shopping and perhaps the most diverse choice of restaurants on the planet.

Based around the wide and scenic Bosphorus, you'll have breakfast in Europe, lunch in Asia, and be back where you began for the evening. The cuisine here is an eclectic mixture—it's the birthplace of croissants (a little–known fact), and throughout the city you'll find dishes of many different styles, from European to Chinese & Iranian, and from Jewish to Armenian & Greek. You won't have to roam far to see influences from the Ottoman empire all around you: domed mosques and towering spires, trickling fountains, crumbling city walls and beautiful mosaic-lined arches. Head to the Beyoglu area for truly local market experience and stop off at Taksim square for it's boutique cafés, patisseries, restaurants, and wine bars. Then, after cocktailing and dancing at some of the world's best nightclubs and swank lounges, rest your buzzing head at one of my favorites and Black Tomato's recommended hotels. Go for a guide to show you the sites and navigate the souks—otherwise you'll fall into the tourist trap all too easily. Make like a local here ... You'll thank me!

Inspired? My trusted specialist, Alice at Black Tomato is an expert on Istanbul and can help create a seamless itinerary complete with the best places to stay, eat, drink, shop & more—even expert local guides. Simply place your request here to get connected to Alice.