Our family felt like we were marinating in Istanbul’s ever-present history every day, yet still felt the upfront energy of modern Turkey, especially at night when the summer party scene never lets up. The people here enjoy their city and the population is a lot less strictly Muslim than I thought - yet the traditions of monarchy and Islam are in Istanbul’s silhouette, everywhere you look.

It was hard work to see all the major cultural tourist attractions, but that’s what an interesting city with an abundance of things to do asks of you. And with their great tradition of hospitality, the Turks really know how to make merry - we loved their great outdoor culture of bars and restaurants and were always welcomed warmly. It is well worth pushing yourself that bit further East to find the Oriental spice that seemed to be worlds away to Western Europe not so long ago…