Istanbul - Rumelihisari

One of the best and relaxing places to visit in Istanbul is Rumeli Hisari. It is a little fortress built in almost 4 months on the European side of the Bosphorus for the upcoming Siege of Constantinople in 1453. Rumeli Hisari can be visited everyday between 9:00 - 16:30 except Wednesdays, and while there you will understand why Istanbul was the choice as the Capital City for the many greatest Empires who managed to get there.

Despite the lack of urban planning in Istanbul, many areas can be still be considered as one of the most beautiful.

I would recommend Istanbul as a must visit for every tourist, but do not try to live or work here for a long time. She may be unforgiving, hard to get along. Heavy Traffic, not many mass transport choices; high crime rate in some places because of the periodic general amnesties, decreasing signs of the modern Turkish Republic that Atatürk has built, will make you feel uneasy.

Anyway while in Istanbul, do not forget to visit Rumeli Hisarı and then have a coffee at Starbucks Bebek, directly on the shore of Bosphorus, maybe the nicest placed Starbucks.