Founded in 66BC as Byzantium, Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, is a cultural and historical goldmine. Bridging the Bosphorus and connecting Europe and Asia, the result is a cityscape full of spectacular architecture, from the Hagia Sophia , once the largest cathedral in the world and now a museum, to the fortresses of Anadoluhisan and Rumelihasan, to the Sultan Ahmed (or Blue) Mosque. The Grand Bazaar market is one of the largest in the world; and offers some respite from the high temperatures in summer. If you hire a car in Istanbul, you’ll be able to see more of the high end residences such the Topkapi, Dolmabahçe, Ç?ra?an and Beylerbeyi Palaces.