Istanbul

The staff of Time Out Istanbul magazine brings its expertise to this in-depth exploration of the city's Byzantine and Ottoman heritage, with incisive cultural and political commentary about the city that bridges the gap between Europe and Asia, as well as an insider's guide to the sightseeing experience. Visually stunning and spanning two continents, Istanbul lies on a cultural fault line. Evidence of its pivotal historical role ? from the Byzantine era, through the Ottoman period, to age of Ataturk's distinctive modernity ? is reflected in the city's architecture. Those in search of the old Orient don't have to look far: the minarets of the curvaceous Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, old men drinking tea in the recesses of the Grand Bazaar are all here, and respected by the modern city. But there is another side to the city. The Istanbul of today manages the trick of combining age-old, much-appreciated glories with modern worldwide cultural trends. Locally based writers are ideally placed to guide travelers through the fashionable restaurants, innovative music and lively bar and nightlife scenes that are an integral part of modern Istanbul, a city that not only survives, but thrives, as a synthesis of cultures.