After a brief visit to the 17th century Spice Bazaar*, the second largest covered bazaar in Istanbul, we embark on a cruise up the Bosphorus, the legendary strait separating Europe and Asia. We cruise past the Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi Palaces, wooden 19th century seafront mansions, picturesque villages and modern pleasure palaces, disembarking at the mouth of the Black Sea. We then drive along the strait to the Sadberk Hanim Museum (closed on Wednesdays), a gracious three-story waterfront mansion housing a rich collection of Anatolian works of arts, antiques and relics dating back to 6,000 BC.

*closed on Sundays

Camlica Hill: The highest point in Istanbul, commanding a panoramic view of the city.

Beylerbeyi Palace: We take a short drive to the 19th century summer palace of the Sultans in the Bosphorus village of Beylerbeyi. Completed in 1865, the palace has 24 rooms and six large halls.

Maiden's Tower: The first structure is believed to have been built on this tiny islet by Athenian leader Alcibiades, in 411 BC. Much has changed since then, but the Maiden's Tower is still the best spot from which to admire Istanbul's sea, sky and silhouette.

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