On our trip through Istanbul, we were able to see lots of evidence of its long history as a great imperial capital, first for the Romans, then for the Ottomans. Byzantine art and architecture is interspersed with and sometimes subsumed by the mosques, palaces and bazaars of the Muslims.  Click on any of the photos to enlarge.

This photo depicts a defining moment of our week in Turkey: Our novel: Rage of the Vulture, a cup of Turkish coffee, a spot at a café on a sunny afternoon and the hookah.

Here is Jack, partaking of the hookah which contains flavored tobacco.

The last palace of the Ottoman Empire, the opulent Dolmabahce Palace, now open to visitors.

A shot of the fountain from the aforementioned palace.

The wares of a street flower vendor.

One of the main entrances to the Grand Bazaar.- a labyrinth of streets, covered by vaulted ceilings lined with thousands of booths selling everything imaginable.

Here is Beverley, walking into the Grand Bazaar, about to get attacked by the vendors from these shops who are relentless in their attempts to make a sale.

Here is the view of the Blue Mosque from the roof deck of our hotel which was located just off the historic, Sultanahmet Square.

A close-up view of the Blue Mosque, which is recognized as one of the most famous religious buildings in the world. Built in the early 1600's, the Blue Mosque still operates today to serve thousands of Muslims as an active place of worship.

This is a vast, underground water cistern, engineered by the Byzantines in 532. These columns are about 26 feet high.

To say that the Turkish are entrepreneurial would be an understatement!  Here is a 'juice vendor' who walks around the bazaar with a choice of juice or water in the keg on his back and two cups attached to his belt by strings.  Juice or water - he calls. 

Here is a shot of Jack sketching a ruined 14th-century Byzantine fortress, the Genoese Castle.

Our boat tour up the Bosphorous afforded us great views of the Fortress of Asia, built in 1500.

Saying goodbye to or kind host from the Ibrahim Pasa Hotel.

One last picture of the blue mosque at dusk.