Quite Possibly My Favorite City

While there has certainly been something I have loved about each destination I have visited so far, there are certain cities that just draw you back. Each place, having a unique ambiance and feel, can be better suited for different trips, depending on what one's goal and expectations are in visiting. Some are more romantic, while others cater to the young and young-at-heart by providing an exciting and eclectic nightlife. Certain regions provide an unbridled glimpse into exotic cultures and way of life, while another is famous for it's period architecture, and yet another is appreciated for it's unparalleled natural beauty.

While I can't say that I have "one" favorite because of these reasons, there is one city that surprisingly to some, hits the top of my list: Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul really seems to have it all. It boasts a wonderful blend of history & culture combined with a unique and bustling cosmopolitan life. If that weren't enough, even the romantics can find what they're searching for, as a short boat-ride away are several Turkish islands brimming with exotic beauty.

Since Istanbul literally straddles both Europe and Asia, being divided by the Bosphorous river, it provides middle-Eastern flair without losing the 'comfort zone' that Europe provides for us less-traveled westerners. Of the three cities my friend and I visited on this particular trip which also included Athens, Greece and Cairo, Egypt, we both favored Istanbul.

I will get into specifics in a near-future post, but for now I would like to leave you with just a handful of the 350 photographs I took in just 3 days!