Turkey, 2010

Istanbul didn’t quite live up to its promise of being ‘the most inspiring city in the world’ – perhaps because of the wet, chilly weather this time of year, and perhaps because I have been spoiled by my other travels. Certainly, it is a city with a rich, long and significant history, its mosques are impressive feats of architecture and artistry and its palaces and museums are a telling insight into the opulent rule of the Sultans. The food is also delicious (my favourite was haloumi wrapped and char grilled in vine leaves, although their baklava and Turkish delight were also, well, delightful). Yet somehow, it all failed to captivate. I expect I would be more rewarded by the outer regions of Anatolia.