Istanbul

Istanbul was fantastic! I saw the Blue Mosque, Aya Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar. The weather was fantastic, so we just spent two days walking around. Eating great kebabs, and pide (Turkish pizza). Shopping for rugs, which of course we can't carry, but are beautiful.
Istanbul is the only city that spans two continents, Europe and Asia. The city has a great spice, the sophistication of Europe and the food and prices of Asia. It has the history of both continents, so you can see one building that spans ancient Roman times to the Crusades, Islamic influence as it was a mosque for a while and after Ataturk became a museum.
We left Istanbul and Turkey yesterday night, on a train for Bulgaria. Two months in Eastern Europe, phase four of the trip begins!