Alternative city breaks - Istanbul, Turkey

There are some timeless classics when it comes to European city breaks, but this means that these cities are besieged by crowds. Luckily there are other, less-visited options that are surprisingly similar...

Istanbul, Turkey
Instead of: Rome.
Who for? Those who want a history overdose.
Why While Rome claims to have laid the foundations of Western Europe, Istanbul can make a similar claim for Eastern Europe and parts of the Middle East. In its former incarnations as Byzantium and Constantinople, this was where the Eastern half of the Roman Empire was ruled from and where Orthodox Christianity germinated.
Highlights: The city is crammed with historical sites, whether from the Byzantine or Ottoman era. Istanbul also competes on the mega-building front - the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are guaranteed jaw-to-the floor monsters.

Search: Hidden gems of Europe | Eastern European cities
Be there: Flights to Istanbul | Hotels in Istanbul | Istanbul travel guide
Related articles: Travelling in Europe | Top 10 most romantic cities