My boyfriend and I just got back from a memorable trip to Europe. Our travels brought us to Istanbul, Turkey, a bustling city famous for seamlessly merging cultures of the East and West. Istanbul is a hot travel destination – and for good reason. The contrast between the magical lit-up skyline of centuries-old mosques and minarets contrasted with trendy, Ibiza-style nightclubs lining the Bosphorus shores, is simply unparalleled. Istanbul is the only city in the world that encompasses both Asia and Europe, and so vividly showcases the ancient and the progressive, the conservative and the fashionable. Be prepared to spend the morning being transported back to a time when Sultans ruled opulent Ottoman palaces and spend the night enjoying a thrilling nightlife and restaurant scene rivaling New York and London. Welcome to Istanbul.