Three Mosques, Two Markets, and One Boat Cruise: Istanbul in a Nutshell To begin our trek westward we decided to start with Istanbul, gateway to the west (or east depending on which way you’re heading). Located at the natural divide between Europe and Asia, Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus Straight. One side of this huge shipping lane is Europe, the other side is Asia. Istanbul contains many sights that are well worth any traveler’s time. Given the history of Istanbul as the center of the Roman Empire during its later years, the heart of Orthodox Christianity, the sight of one of the largest mosques in the world and its military significance to the Ottomans, it is no surprise that this huge, expansive city has much to offer. Would two days be enough time to even get
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