Quintessentially Eastern, with its glittering mosques, ruched velvet night-spots, smart hotels and beautiful vistas, Istanbul is ideal for a romantic city break. The city's modern side is making itself heard as well, from glamorous bars and restaurants to the new Istanbul Modern Gallery There's plenty to celebrate right now, as Turkey's historic city enjoys a renaissance in aspects of its life, particularly art. Here's a panoramic view of its best galleries, museums, restaurants and hotels. It might seem perverse to go to Istanbul and opt to
eat at an Italian restaurant, but this spring the hottest tables
in town were those at just-opened Cipriani, a near-identical replica of Harry's Bar in Venice, right down to the silverware, tablecloths and signature Bellini. It's a fabulous place in all sorts of senses. The attentive, avuncular, white-dinner-jacketed staff will see that you
want for nothing. The food is great, and by opting for a salad
of artichokes,...