From Santorini we went to Istanbul, whose lively streets were a great contrast to the isolated island life. It’s easy to forget about the significance of Istanbul in world history: such a focus goes to the Greek and Roman civilizations, especially in schools, so there’s an unfortunate negligence towards the Ottomans and the Byzantines.

Istanbul, the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, has been a center of civilization for around 1500 years. It’s a metropolitan teeming with history and culture, and as a Muslim, it was awe-inspiring to experience Islamic influence and history and to understand where elements of my culture have come from. Moreover, for meat lovers like myself, Istanbul is like heaven with its plethora of kebab houses and its famous grilled meatballs.

There was so much to see in the city — from Topkapi Palace to the Hagia Sophia to the Grand Bazaar. The city’s landscape was beautifully framed by the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Being on the water as the sun set was a breathtaking way to bring our amazing trip to an end.