Istanbul's unique beauty captures your imagination as you sail into harbor. Survey the city's wonders from this water-side perspective on a special cruise of the Bosporus, which stretches 20 miles between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Separating Europe and Asia, the shores of the Bosporus are lined with graceful mosques, opulent palaces, wooden villas and lovely gardens. At the southern end of the river, see where the sultan once entered his ornate 19th-century palace from his imperial barge as you cruise past Dolmabahce Palace, and Leander's Tower, an 18th-century landmark that stands on its own small island.

In the city, it's hard to miss the great, iconic monuments that dominate the skyline. A visit to Sultanahmet, the square in the oldest part of Istanbul, brings you face to face with the legendary Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, once the supreme church of Byzantium, as well as the 3rd-century Roman Hippodrome.

Named for the beautiful blue Iznik tiles that decorate its interior, the Blue Mosque was constructed by Sultan Ahmet, and features 16 balconies and 6 minarets representing his reign as the 16th sultan of the Ottoman state and the sixth since the Turkish conquest of Constantinople. Hagia Sophia, more than 1,400 years old, is in remarkable condition and its glorious mosaics, dating back to the 9th century, are beautifully preserved.

The Square is also home to several not-to-be-missed museums, including the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts and the Mosaics Museum – and a fascinating array of carpet sellers, vendors, market stalls and musicians.

At Topkapi Palace, the 15th-century sultan's palace, discover a series of pavilions contained by four courtyards that replicate the tented encampments of the nomadic Ottomans. Explore the Palace's elegant library, the blue-and-white tile Pavilion, the Treasury with its display of precious objects, and the Harem, a labyrinth of tiled rooms where the sultan's wives, children and concubines lived.

Finally, take time to stroll the side streets, exploring small markets and cafes – it's the best way to soak up Istanbul's unforgettable aura of history and wisdom.