Destination

Topkapı Palace is the palace in Istanbul that was the primary and official residence of the Ottoman Sultan from 1465 to 1586. It is great: an incredible flash back in the splendour of the old Turkey.

Opened in 1461, the Grand Bazar is the historical market place in Istanbul. It is organized in "thematic" districts, among the others, jewelry, pottery, spice, carpet and leather spread in 58 covered streets and over 4000 shops.

The real name of the Blue Mosque is Sultan Ahmet camii and was built between 1609 and 1616.

Despite its fame, history and the huge amount of tourists visiting it is still an active place of worship. Because of this it has some not walkable areas dedicated for praying.

One of the most important attraction in Istanbul is Hagia Sophia. Its name comes from the Greek "Saint Wisdom". Finished in 537 a.C. on the ruins of the building made by Constantine in 337 a.C.. Formerly seat of the Patriarchy, then a mosque.

Bélem Tower was built together with the Jeronimos Monastery between 1501 and 1521 for the discovery of the way to India.

The Oceanario of Lisbon is something absolutely to do. It takes around 3 hours and it has the hugest  fish tank I've ever seen. Such fish tank is made in Plexiglas and is circular with volume of 5000 cube-metres. Inside the Oceanario there are 500 species of fishes, animals and plants of different worlds areas.

 30 minutes far from Lisbon there is Sintra with its Pena Palace. The former summer residence of the Portuguese Royal Family, now just a museum.

It deserves to get lost in Lisbon. It is safe and with a lot of nice hidden corners to see.

After a visit to Belém Tower remember to take a rest at Pastéis de Belém where you can taste the homonymous cake invented in 1837. Served warm you have to add sugar and cinnamon and you'll try one of the greatest culinary experiences of your life.

Bota Alta is a restourant very special: you can find inside tourists as well as Portugueses. Despite you can find it suggested in many guides it has very honest prices (20 € each satiated).

What about the food? Wonderful and typical. Not to miss the Bacalhau Imperial: fried cod fish with potatoes and onion.