My kind of vacation, Istanbul is the combination of culture, history, beauty and one killer club and restaurant scene.

I have vivid memories of walking amongst the crowds from the Grand Bazaar to the Spice Market, taking in all the colors and feeling like I was truly in a far away, exotic land.

The Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque are still some of the most impressive sites I’ve ever seen, epitomizing the influence of Christians and Muslims on a city with such historical significance.

And I gained new respect for Ataturk, who was the last Sultan who gave up one of the greatest seats of power to have democracy in Turkey. The Topkapi Palace still is one of my favorite museums in the world.

Istanbul also has some of the best shopping in the world, which is what originally brought me to the city, in search of a Turkish carpet. A bit of an eccentric reason to fly halfway around the world for a weekend, but definitely a cultural experience. A ritual in itself, the Turkish have negotiations down to an art, and after at least 10 shops and many cups of tea, my husband and I successfully accomplished our mission.

While it’s been a few years since my trip, Sharmila’s close friends Can, a Turkish native and incredibly successful entrepreneur and Elena, a hedge fund manager in Istanbul, provided us with all the best recommendations the city has to offer. It’s certainly inspired me to return.

All the best,