Istanbul beckons...... If you are looking for culture, shopping, fantastic food and so much more then read on as Sam tells us just what istanbul is really like.

Istanbul is hot. And we’re not  just talking about the weather. These days, there are more happening restaurants, bars, galleries and clubs around town than there are exquisite Ottoman mosques (and that’s a lot). It is just over 4 hours flying time direct from Doha to the “City of the World’s Desire”.

The city’s over-abundance of important historic buildings and exciting new art galleries and museums provides visitors with more than enough to see during the day, but it’s at night that the place swings into high- speed, mega-stylish action. The locals are flocking to see and be seen at an ever-growing array of bars, clubs and restaurants, bringing with them an infectious sense of joie de vivre and a discerning ability to judge these places on their standard of service, drinks, music and food as well as their position in the what’s-hot-and-what’s-not stakes.

That’s not to say that the locals are turning their backs on much-loved city institutions such as the rakı-soaked meyhane (tavern) or tranquil çay bahçesi (tea garden), because they wouldn’t dream of doing anything so foolish.

The best times to visit İstanbul are around spring and autumn, roughly from April to May and from September to October, when the climate is perfect. During July and August it is hot and steamy; a lot of İstanbullus head for the west and south coasts over these months..

There is so much history here that it would be impossible to write it all down but it is definitely an up and coming City to visit!