A glimpse of Istanbul

Want to look at the Blue Mosque? You have to travel into Istanbul's ancient city.

Out for an early hearty breakfast at Van Kahvaltı Evi, a traditional selection of salty white cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, muhammara, bal-kaymak, and a basket of bread. 

Royal gardens, peeling frescoes, and mosaics are breathtaking if you're intrigued by castle drama. Sultanahmet Square and the Byzantine-era traces, the majestic Hagia Sophia, and the 402-year-old Blue Mosque are just a few picks not to miss. You might consider a cruise on the Bosphorus, stopping for a traditional grilled seafood lunch. 

And then there is Galata, build from a Genoese colony from the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Cobblestone streets and a charming European air await you. Walk into Salt Galata, an Ottoman bank turned multi-use space: under the pleasing roof, you'll find a bookstore, communal café, and a great library stuffed with books about art, graphic design, and Turkish culture. 

One market to go to is Mısır Çarşısı, a.k.a. the Egyptian Bazaar or Spice Market. It's a beautiful place to photograph centuries-old architecture, rows of Turkish delight vendors, and pyramids of fragrant spices. 

A concise adventure in one of the world's fascinating and diverse cities has to end for now.