Istanbul, residing as it does on the edge of two-continents, still gets to call itself Europe’s largest city with its teeming population of more than 15-million people. For many, it’s a city that occupies a uniquely romanticized space in people’s imagination — a swirling image of magic carpets, smells of spices wafting through pulsating markets, foods that endlessly tantalize one’s taste buds, and coffee houses serving brews that either mesmerize, or befuddle, coffee aficionados.

We stayed in the intriguing Fatih neighborhood, where the push and pull of local culture presented an unfamiliar cultural undertow. This amazing city of mosques, and cultures, of sites and sounds, intoxicates visitors with its endless gifts of diversity.

Perhaps the perfect metaphor for Istanbul is entering the world famous Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. A universe of its own, the Grand Bazaar consists of 4,000 shops and 61 covered streets. While wandering there, you become one of the 300,000 people who visit daily.

Istanbul too, is a world onto itself. One minute, you’re standing in Europe and a few minutes later, Asia. It’s vibrant, colorful, and intensely, multi-cultural. The mosques sing out their enchanting calls-to-prayer, and the waters of the Bosporus pull you in. Istanbul is an experience not to be missed.