General Introduction: Istanbul (once Constantinople) was recently dubbed "European Capital of Culture". The throbbing capital lies at the very core of Europe’s second-largest metropolitan areas and is Turkey’s economic pulse and its cultural and historical heart. Istanbul’s vivid colors, spice markets and flag-adorned streets, its souks and mosques, intermingled with magnificent Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, provide a vibrant visual palette. The city’s topography veils breathtaking vistas that are revealed in their full splendor when you reach the top of its many hills. Surrounded by water, Istanbul in summer can be humid and the city is regularly shrouded in fog. Often crowded and fast paced, the brisk pace of business in the Levent district on the European side gives way to calmer residential areas, such as Erenkoy, Bostanci, and Ataşehir on the Asian side. Singles and couples can revel in Istanbul’s vivacious nightlife, while families will find a selection of excellent private schools and a huge choice of activities for kids on the weekends, from exploring the watery wonders of the Basilica Cistern to riding a submarine at Rahmi M Koç Museum.