Istanbul - Where Asia and Europe meet

Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is less than seven hours by air from Mumbai. This cradle of civilization, where the best of two worlds collide, is located at the cusp of two continents. SHAYANTANI SARKAR, who has been fascinated with Istanbul since childhood, journeys to the city of her dreams and returns with a treasure-trove of memories. Read more about her experience in Istanbul: Travel Notes from Istanbul

Shayantani Sarkar has lived across the length and breadth of India, but spent her initial years in Kolkata, the city that influenced her as a person. She works in the IT industry and loves her work. She is passionate about travel and photography and reading Paulo Coelho. She relishes good food and gets high on Latin music. She lives in Bangalore. Discover more of her work at her blog

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Yahoo Lifestyle Entertainment Photo By Shayantani Sarkar Fri, Jul 13, 2012 1:00 AM EDT

The interiors of Aye Sofia. Also known as the Hagia Sophia, it was first built as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in AD 562. It served as a Catholic Church Cathedral from 1204 to 1261 before it was reverted to an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral. In 1493, it became an Imperial Mosque and was declared a museum in 1931.
The interiors of Aye Sofia. Also known as the Hagia Sophia, it was first built as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in AD 562. It served as a Catholic Church Cathedral from 1204 to 1261 before it was reverted to an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral. In 1493, it became an Imperial Mosque and was declared a museum in 1931.