Istanbul is magic. Istanbul is a city of two continents. In Istanbul, the Bosphorus Straits cut through Istanbul, so one side of town is in Europe, the other in Asia. Istanbul was once the center of the Ottoman Empire. You can still see its larder of wealth if you tour the Topkapi Palace. And you can still see its influence in its people, most of whom are Muslim. Istanbuls architecture is awesome, from the Blue Mosque to the Hagia Sophia to the summer palaces of the Ottomans. Istanbul reveals layers of history, with Greek, Roman and Byzantine treasures everywhere. Istanbul shops are legendary and mammoth, with more than 3000 of them gathered into the Covered Bazaar, and every sort of fragrant edible brought together in the Spice Market. Istanbul keeps its dervishes and belly dancers but moves easily into the 21st Century.