"Istanbul is a frenetic city with a wealth of culture, history and nightlife. Split in two by the Bosphorous Strait, it is the only city in the world to straddle two continents, Europe and Asia, and thus has two contrasting atmospheres. These itineraries are designed to give you a flavour of the city as a whole. All the sights are cross-referenced to the rest of the guide, so you can look up more information and tailor the clay to suit your needs. Price guides include meals, transport and admission fees.

SHOPPING AND SEAFOOD

• Refresh your senses in the Spice Bazaar
• Shop for antiques in Cukurcuma
• Haggle in the Grand Bazaar
• Enjoy the buzz on Nevizade Sokak

TWO ADULTS allow US$105

Morning
The Spice Bazaar is a riot of color, stalls and smells, where you can buy any number of exotic foodstuffs, including hand­made Turkish delight and creamy goats' cheese. From here, head up to the hustling Grand Bazaar, a labyrinthine Ottoman shopping complex housing thousands of leather, rug, ceramics and jewelery shops. Prices are inflated and price tags often absent altogether so remember to bargain. 
All this shopping is bound to whet your appetite so head for the waterfront district of Kumpkapi, where you will find more than 50 fish restaurants vying for your attention. Again, many outlets do not display prices, so ask before you order.

Afternoon
Revived and restored, take a taxi to the Galata Bridge and stroll over to trendy Tünel and Beyoğlu, soaking up the view as you go. Take time to browse around the cosy cafes and bars in Tünel, before making your way up İstiklâl Caddesi to shop for clothes, shoes, books and music.
Further up, the district of Cukurcuma is a hunting ground for antique furniture and ornaments. Nevizade Sokak, just off İstiklâl Cadessi, is a narrow street lined with dozens of meybanes The area really comes alive at night, when hundreds of locals flock here and passers-by are serenaded by traditional musicians.

A FAMILY DAY OUT

• See Istanbul in miniature
• A boat trip to Buyukada
• A horse-drawn carriage ride around Buyukada

FAMILY OF FOUR allow US$120

Morning
Catch a bus from Taksim Square to Miniaturk located in Suitluce on the northern shore of the Golden Horn. The park displays miniatures of the city's most famous sights, such as Haghia Sophia , as well as other treasures from around the country that reflect Turkey's rich heritage. There is also a children's park and a museum showcasing photo­graphs of Ataturk, the Turkish leader of the early 20th century, and the wars in Gallipoli. When you get hungry, head to Miniaturk's attractive cafe-restaurant thai overlooks the Golden Horn.

Afternoon
Flead back to Istanbul after lunch and hop on a boat bound for the island of Büyükada, one of the nine that make up the Princes' Islands. It is a one-and-a-half hour trip from the docks at Eminönü, so there is plenty of time to admire the view as Istanbul recedes on the horizon. Once you have landed, stroll around the main square of Saat Meydani or take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the island. Climb the hill to St George's Monastery for panoramic views and a meal at the hilltop restaurant.

MOSQUES, MUSEUMS AND HAMAMS

• Byzantine iconography at Haghia Sophia
• Glimpse the past at the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
• An awe-inspiring visit to Topkapi Palace

TWO ADULTS allow US$140 Morning

Start at the Blue Mosque, perhaps Istanbul's most elegant Islamic sight, famous for its slender minarets and blue Iznik tiles. Stroll through the well-tended garden at the front before making your way to imposing Haghia Sophia, another of Istanbul's most renowned mosques. Inside is a marvel­lous array of Byzantine mosaics friezes and Iznik blue tile decorations, as well as a huge domed ceiling. Then head to the nearby Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts , which has a wonderful collection of glass and metalwork. carpets and manuscripts from down the centuries, as well as modern art from Turkey and overseas.

Afternoon
You will need at least three hours to appreciate Topkapi Palace, a sprawling complex of court­yards, gardens, fountains, a harem and a collection of priceless antiques. Then, at the end of a long day, indulge in that most Turkish of pleasures, a visit to a Turkish bath. Çemberlitas Baths  in Sultanahmet is one of the finest.

UP THE BOSPHORUS

• A boat up the Bosphorus
• Enjoy views at Fortress of Europe
• Stroll through the pretty village of Bebek

TWO ADULTS allow US$95

Morning

Catch a bus from Taksim Square or Eminonu bus terminus heading for Sanyer or Emirgan and get off at Arnavutkoy on the Bosphorous. There are some lovingly restored Ottoman houses and mansions to admire here, most of them painted in pastel shades and trimmed with intricate wooden fretwork.
Cafés line the back streets, so sit and linger over a coffee and a pastry. From Arnavutkoy, continue walking north­wards, past the fishing boats and pleasure cruisers bobbing on the water, until you reach Bebek, one of Istanbul's most affluent villages. There are more than enough chic clothes and antiques shops here to tempt visitors to part with their cash and work up an appetite for lunch. Dine in style at the **. Here you can sip an aperitif and enjoy the splendid view before savoring the menu of fresh fish.

Afternoon

Delve into history at the imposing Fortress of Europe built in the 15th century as part of the Muslim conquest of Constantinople. There is also a fantastic view of the Bosporus from here. After­wards, walk around the delightful 19th-century pavilions of nearby Emirgan Park with its hundreds of pine, fir and cypress trees and an ornamental lake.