1) Exploring Istanbul pre Shalom Balkans Tour led by Fred Morgan

Over the Caucasus Mountains, Eastern Turkey

  Looking fresh after 24 hours of travel

      Imposing Hagia Sophia

      Tony's first day as an international tourist, exploring Sultanahmet Square

      The view of the Blue (Sultanahmet) Mosque from our rooftop dinner at Cihannüma (360 degrees) Panorama Restaurant.

     In the distance the Bosphorus that divides Istanbul between Asia and Europe

     Am looking for decorative tips - which colour for my house exterior?

     Roman ruins - "guards are not much in evidence but nor are Hercules that can carry them off" -  Tony

      Graffiti in Sultanahmet's bohemian district

       Artwork (above and below) at the charmingly intimate Medresesi artists' courtyard that dates back to the 16th century

    THE MUSEUM OF TURKISH AND ISLAMIC ARTS

      At the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, bookbinding and calligraphy of the Koran

               TOPKAPI PALACE

The above tile on the exterior of the Topkapi Palace

Byzantine fountain attached to underground cistern outside the Topkapi Palace