ISTANBUL

Istanbul may be centuries old, but this megalopolis of a thousand scents and flavours remains a young city, reinventing itself every day.

Sultanahmet is the historical heart and showcase of the city, but many neighbourhoods are equally dynamic and changing. Every year, new hotels open their doors, cool bars and restaurants spring up like mushrooms after the rain, and art galleries pop up out of nowhere. Each of these neighbourhoods has its peculiarities and originality. If you have time, wander off the beaten path and get wondrously lost in this maze of colourful places.

In the district of Beyoğlu, breathe in the tumultuous atmosphere of Taksim Square and immerse yourself in the crowds of pedestrians on avenue İstiklâl Caddesi. The streets of the Cihangir neighbourhood, overlooking the Bosphorus, are calmer and more bobo-chic. At Çukurcuma, barter for antiques on Faik Paşa Yokuşu Street. Then head towards Galata with its alleys, designer shops, and bohemian cafés. Further on, on the banks of the Bosphorus, is Karaköy, an emerging hipster neighbourhood enriched every day with new art galleries, boutiques, bars, and trendy restaurants. More bourgeois are the posh streets of Nişantaşi, Istanbul's chic neighbourhood with luxury shops and a glittering shopping centre. The yalis, luxury wooden homes built by the Ottoman pashas and elites in the 19th century, line the river. Take a detour by the picturesque Golden Horn and its brightly coloured working-class streets. And then of course there is the Asian side, which will delight you with the same intensity. The Haydarpaşa station, Kadikoy Market, Bagdat Street... so many places none to be missed! Reveal the soul of this fascinating labyrinthine city.