Istanbul remains world's most beautiful city 'despite everything'

Turkey today might be doing its best to pave over Istanbul in concrete, but the city continues to resist, maintaining its status as the most beautiful in the world, said prominent travel writer and guide Saffet Emre Tonguç.

"Despite everything, despite us Turks trying to destroy this city, Istanbul is still the world's most beautiful city. The city resists with the strength it takes from these 8,500 years," he recently told the Hürriyet Daily News. 

An extended holiday will start next weekend. What do you suggest for first timers, as well as those who have been living in Istanbul for some time, in the way of outings over the holiday?

With its 8,500-year history, Istanbul is so rich that there are too many things to do. For first timers, I suggest the historic peninsula with Haghia Sophia, which has decorated the city's skyline for 1,500 years, and Topkapı Palace, where the Ottoman dynasty ruled the world for 400 years. There is also the Turkish and Islamic Works Museum and the Grand Bazaar, the world's oldest and biggest covered market. I tell my visitors to go from the Grand Bazaar to the Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar) via Mahmutpaşa [and see] all the local markets on the way. There is also Büyük Valide Han on the way. Its rooftop offers one of Istanbul's best panoramic views.

For a different destination, there is the Fener-Balat neighborhood. Florence is said to be the city with the highest number of historic work per square kilometer. The streets of Fener- Balat can match Florence; the only thing is that the houses are not in such good condition; a touch of a restoration will render it even more attractive.

Another alternative is Karaköy. You have the Kılıç Ali Paşa Mosque. Istanbul hosts nearly...