One of the world’s most interesting and lovely cities, Istanbul

A view of the Bosphorus and the Yeni Mosque. Nicole Hill / The National

 
One of the world’s most interesting and lovely cities, Istanbul, has 

been crowned the European Capital of Culture in 2010 

(www.en.istanbul2010.org). There will be a panoply of events both 

large and small to mark the occasion, but if you can’t get tickets – or summon the energy – to appreciate “World Puppets in Istanbul” 

(March 21 to 26), there’s always a boat trip along the Bosphorus to admire the city where east meets west.