Istanbul is one of the world's great cities, period.

Hi, I'm Rick Steve's.

Today, we're taking a close-up look at the city where Europe meets Asia.

I've invited two Istanbul tour guides to offer an insider's look at their hometown.

Once known as Byzantium, then as Constantinople, this grand and ancient city has become a

thriving 21st century metropolis, home to about 15 million Turks.

Our guests will lead us through the highlights of this complex city.

In addition to world-class sightseeing, from the famous Blue Mosque to the Topkapi Palace, Istanbul offers visitors

a feast for all the senses.

The sound of the Muslim called a prayer warbling over the rooftops, the smell of

apple tobacco from a water pipe, and the warmth of sharing a pot of

mint tea over a backgammon board with a new Turkish friend.

Turkey is a hush galdiness.

Istanbul hush-galdness.

Come along as we learn how to experience Istanbul with Istanbul is Hi I'm Rick Steeves, this is Travel with Rick Steeves, and today our focus is Istanbul.

Truly one of the world's great cities.

Istanbul is where East meets West.

On my last trip, it occurred to me this is the biggest city in Turkey and it combines the

bustle of a Western European metropolis with an unmistakably and very rich Turkish culture.

This is the capital of Western Islam.

Tourists come here and they're blown away by the

minarets and they wake up to the sound of the call to prayer. Today I'm

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