Istanbul is a city built on layers of empire. Spanning two continents, it was once the capital of three major empires: Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Visitors walking through the Sultanahmet district can witness this timeline firsthand, from the Roman-era Hippodrome to the Byzantine mosaics of Hagia Sophia, and the towering minarets of the Blue Mosque. At nearby Topkapi Palace, rooms still display the jeweled swords, ceremonial robes, and handwritten Qurans once used by Ottoman sultans.
Bad Ischl is a spa town in Upper Austria's Salzkammergut region, set along the Traun River and surrounded by wooded mountains and alpine valleys. The town is known for its historic spa tradition, elegant villas, parks, and strong connections with the Habsburg imperial family.
Valladolid is the name of both a province and the city that is its capital. It is the current capital of Castilla y León and the largest city in the region. It is famous for its beautiful gardens and the solemnity and grace of its Holy Week celebrations. The people of Valladolid claim to speak "the pure Spanish."