Taking the subway here means doing so over a bridge located in the middle of an estuary.

A tiny park in the middle of some big power politics.

Housed in an old British jail, this spot serves up Georgian, Russian, and Ukrainian specialities with a side of Turkish history.

A section of the long chain that blocked enemy ships from entering Constantinople.

This crucial gathering spot along the "hippie trail" still displays old notes between traveling beatniks and backpackers.

A sixth-century Byzantine cistern hidden below a modern carpet store.

Climb a steep hill in 90 seconds on the second-oldest urban subway in the world.

This eatery re-creates dishes from the Ottoman Empire so you can dine like a sultan.

The most metal church of all time was built in record time because of an international, pious pissing contest.

Large miniature theme park with 100-plus models.

This museum was invented in a novel before being made real by the author.

Step back in time and witness the fall of Constantinople.

1513 Turkish world map, full of European state secrets and snarky commentary.

A small etching on the white marble parapet was written in runic script by a Viking mercenary.

Turkish adventurer antiques in the heart of the Grand Bazaar.

A marvel of Byzantine engineering under the streets of Istanbul.

Monastery complex at the location where bodies of the executed Romanov royal family were discovered.

Church built on the site where the last tsar of Russia and his family were killed.

Time capsule of a museum, in which the Soviet Union remains alive and kicking.

A brilliant turquoise lake in the mountains.

According to myth, there's a bloody explanation for the beautiful bright red color of this rock formation set amidst alpine vegetation.

Granny Smiths and Fujis can both be traced back to Kazakhstan, where apples still grow wild.

A stunning blue-green lake located in the Terskey Alatau mountain range.

The lovely lake that was naturally dammed, then naturally destroyed, then unnaturally saved.