Seven days is enough time to travel to and explore Istanbul, then fly to Milan. Istanbul, named one of the 2010 European Capitals of Culture, topped the readers’ recommendation section of our recent “31 Places to Go in 2010”
The only major city to span two continents, Istanbul features both minarets and church spires. It is a place where you are as likely to hear the Islamic call to prayer as you are lounge music emanating from a cafe. Start in the Old City where mosques and landmarks, both Ottoman and Byzantine, are clustered, and where you’ll find most of the must-see sites, including the Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace and the Blue Mosque. For more sightseeing, dining and lodging suggestions, check out Jennifer Conlin’s “36 Hours in Istanbul” (Feb. 7, 2010). Also see Yigal Schleifer’s “High and Low Dining: Istanbul” (April 18, 2010) and Seth Sherwood’s “Save or Splurge: Istanbul”
For a scenic tour down the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city, you can take a six-hour ferry ride (www.ido.com.tr) or a 90-minute option, offered by TurYol (turyol.com). Follow this with a stroll down Istanbul’s most famous avenue, Istiklal Caddesi, a busy pedestrian thoroughfare in the trendy Beyoglu district, filled with boutiques, restaurants and galleries. Afterward, make your way to Cihangir, an enclave for artists famous for its steep streets and architecture. Ms. Conlin recommended the affordable Lush Hotel in Beyoglu, a boutique hotel with Old World charm; or the more pricey Yesil Ev, furnished in the style of a 19th-century mansion.
Source:http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com
