The portal of East and West, Istanbul draws visitors from near and far with its unsurpassed historical venues and vestiges, vibrant and scintillating nightlight, fashion-setting shopping opportunities, top-notch accommodations, and dining choices based on natural ingredients that thrill both the gourmand and those searching for healthful and delicious fare. Visitors who flock to the city from around the face of the globe are astounded and delighted by the sights and sounds of this remarkable and bustling urban center.  Each corner one turns seems to present another historical monument or landmark, all attesting to the fact that Istanbul has served throughout history as the capital city of diverse cultures and civilizations and one that today is a leader in tourism, finance, and fashion.