Istanbul & Mauritius

About the destination: Istanbul's historical significance and its incredible cultural and architectural legacy can be attributed to its ideal strategic location, spanning the Bosphorus straits that divide Europe and Asia Minor. Throughout most of its 2,500-year history, the city (initially known as Byzantium, then Constantinople, and since 1930, Istanbul) has been a cultural melting pot. Today, its population of over 13 million is predominantly Turkish, with many of its residents being recent migrants from rural Turkey, drawn by the prospect of employment and career opportunities in this dynamic, rapidly expanding city. Although Istanbul is no longer the capital of the country, it remains Turkey's economic and cultural hub - a status emphasized by its designation as a European City of Culture in 2010 and the UNESCO World Heritage recognition of many of its key landmarks. These range from breathtaking Ottoman mosques and Byzantine churches and catacombs, to the pillars of Hellenistic temples and the remnants of enormous medieval city walls. However, Istanbul offers more than just Byzantine and Ottoman heritage. A rapidly growing economy has led to a thriving arts and music scene, with an abundance of new bars, clubs, private art galleries, restaurants, and designer fashion stores.

About the destination: Mauritius, officially known as the Republic of Mauritius, is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeast coast of the African mainland. The nation encompasses the island of Mauritius, Rodrigues, the Agalega islands, and the Saint Brandon archipelago. The islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Réunion are part of the Mascarene Islands. The capital and most populous city is Port Louis. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Grand Bay • Pereybere. • Balaclava Ruins. • The Triolet Shivala. • The Labourdonnais Orchards. Explore a wide range of tropical fruit trees, and vibrant and fragrant exotic flowers. • The Caudan Waterfront. • The Bazaar of Port-Louis. • The SSR Botanical Garden • Aquarium.