Strategic window - Arial view of Doha

Strategic window - arial view of Doha

Arial view of Lake Nemrut - a freshwater crater lake in Bitlis Province, eastern Turkey.

Arial view of Lake Nemrut - a freshwater crater lake in Bitlis Province, eastern Turkey.

Sultanahmet or Blue Mosque

Mid-day worship, Blue Mosque

Islamic-Byzantine Hagia Sophia

Chandeliers making beautiful light, Hagia Sophia

The Sultan's library - Topkapi Palace

Süleymaniye Mosque towering over the mundane

Galata Tower - a medieval stone tower offering excellent views of Istanbul

Colorful fountains celebrating the holy month of Ramadan

Hagia Sophia by night

Sultanahmet mosque

Basilica Cirtern built in the 6th century, brought water to Istanbul from somewhere near the Dead Sea.

Medusa Head Column at the Basilica Cistern said to have been salvaged from a Roman temple and brought to Instanbul

Basilica Cirtern built in the 6th century, brought water to Istanbul from somewhere near the Dead Sea.

Galata bridge, an unusual view from Buyuk Valide Han

Gorgeous chandeliers at Süleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Mosque is so huge, it is difficult to capture its bulk in a frame.

Beautiful perspective of the Süleymaniye Mosque

brighter colors after rain

Old and new standing cheek by jowl.

Glorious sunset over one of Istanbul's most impressive mosques - Suleymaniye

Galata tower by night - shot from the Galata bridge.

Colorful stalls selling balik ekmek or fish sandwiches at the Galata bridge

Istanbul is a city built on seven hills which can be climbed using beautiful staircases like these

Colorful  homes with red sloping roofs crowded together - Istabul cityscape

The Bosphorus dividing Istanbul city

The Bosphorus is a busy waterway dividing Europe and Asia

First glimpse of the Galata tower through narrow alleys

Nostaljik Tramway that runs between Taksim square and Tunel via Istikal Caddesi

Turkish bath- Çemberlitaş Hamamı

Iconic gates at the Dolmabahce Palace that open out straight onto the Bosphorus.

Dolmabahce Palace was ordered by the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I, and built between the years 1843 and 1856.

Iconic gates at the Dolmabahce Palace that open out straight onto the Bosphorus.

Another stuning mosque

Hagia Sophia - former Orthodox Christian cathedral, later an Ottoman imperial mosque and now a museum