Istanbul

It's easy to see why this place was selected as the seat of several empires, and as a result there is much to see on the historical side: churches, mosques, museums, Roman ruins, palaces, etc. However, the Istanbul of today holds just as much of interest with its huge bazaars, winding cobblestone streets, people from all over the world, East Mediterranean cuisine, and of course the spectacular scenery around the Bosphorus that is easily enjoyed from the bridges, ferry boats, or from land as it quickly rises up from the sea. The wonderful weather in September and low costs only add to the charm. Truly this is the land where East meets West, and the setting could not be any better. The city is just hilly enough to make it interesting and allow for beautiful views of the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara, but not so hilly as to make it difficult or taxing to move around in.