The Sultanahmet/Blue Mosque, north of the German fountain

Spending five days in Istanbul turned out to be the perfect spring break getaway. Not only because I was surrounded by my closest friends but also because of the vibes I experienced staying in a lively Asian/European city. The narrow-cobbled streets and the aesthetic bridges which symbolized the modern European architecture were surprisingly intertwined with well preserved and intricately detailed ancient Byzantine churches and Ottoman palaces.

The German fountain, a gazebo styled fountain in the northern end of old hippodrome (Sultanahmet square)

Hagia Sofia, was a Greek Orthodox Christian patriarchal basilica (church), later an imperial mosque, right infront of the Blue mosque

Blue Mosque, seen from Hagia Sofia

Basilica Cistern, ancient underground cistern (reservoir), southwest of Hagia Sofia

Topkapi Palace, previously utilized as the residence and main headquarters of Ottoman Sultans, now a museum.

View from the Topkapi Palace

Istanbul seen from Galata Tower, a Romanesque style tower built as Christea Turris (Tower of Christ) in 1348

Cruise in the Bosphorous river

Istanbul from a cable car which services as a means of public transport