Istanbul The Travel Show

Now on BBC News, time for the Travel Show.

This week on the travel show I am in a city that spans two continents and

3000 years of history. Also on this week was make travel show, we are

shaking things up in Singapore. We are at a bar in London where the

stereo costs more than a house. If you like music it will blow your

mind. And our global guru chap -- tackles the choice of rail, road or

plane. Take the train. Istanbul really is a city like no

other. On the banks of the mighty Bosporus Strait, it was founded over

Greeks, who named it by Zandi. Later, the Romans made the capital

of their Eastern Empire, changing its name to Constantinople in honour

of the emperor constant time. For over 500 years it was the seat of

power could assault on civil the Ottoman Empire. Built at the

crossroads of Europe and Asia, it is Turkey's largest and best-known

city. I got in on the redeye flight, which is 11 hours from Singapore,

but had a bit of a rest and I'm ready to explore the city. I'm going

to meet up with a man called Seddah, who promises to take me around.

Wohling a spate of terrorist attacks and a failed military coup, 3016 was

dubbed the year that tourists forgot Turkey. Traditionally around 10

million people visit Istanbul every year, but those numbers have fallen

drastically. Now the city is keen to do all it can to reassure tourists

and entice them back. How are you? You must be Seddah. To meet you.

What do you plan to me? We will be exploring the city, going to some of

the major sites, trying some different Turkish foods. And also a

hamam, which is a Turkish bar. You like to freshen up? I think that

would be good, I have a five Dock shadow. -- five o'clock. Tucked down

many sidestreets in Istanbul you will find plenty of old school

Barbours like this one, where you can get a haircut are a traditional

shave with a cutthroat razor and hot towel, all at a knockdown price.

Dating back to the days when many homes in Istanbul had no running

water, they are still popular with the locals who come here to meet,

socialise and freshen up. This is the bit I get worried about. Now,

this is something I haven't experienced. A nostril haircut. So

this is the way to take the little has that you probably can't even

see. -- little hairs. He is burning the hair in the years. I can smell

it! Much better. A brand-new man. As the centre of the Ottoman Empire

for around 500 years, Istanbul's wealth and influence grew, and each

new ruler or salt and was keen to leave his mark on the city. --

Sultan. Seddah has offered to show me perhaps the most impressive. This

is the mosque of Sulemain. Sulemain was the Ottoman Emperor who ruled

for 47 years. This is the biggest imperial mosque in Istanbul. This

mosque was financed by the Sultan. They were all built in seven years.

This stands on the slopes of the hill, so from most parts of the

city, you can see this mosque. Napoleon once said that if all the

world were one country, then this city would hear its capital. Running

through the heart of Istanbul is the mighty Bosporus. On one side sits

Europe, on the other, Asia. For thousands of years, it has carried

cargo and passengers between the two, and also served as a gateway

between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, making this one of

the most important stretches of water in the world. And a nice view,

as well. Yes. Tragically, it was here on the banks of the Bosporus

that terrorists struck on New Year's Eve, 2016, when they attacked an

open-air nightclub. It was just the latest in a series of incidents that

should confidence and badly affect the city's already struggling

tourist industry. But Seddah says he is hopeful things will improve.

Well, those very unfortunate attacks made everybody scared, you know? It

scared us as well. It scared the people who were thinking of coming

here. The only way I think we can overcome this is to not be scared,

and continue our lives. That will be the first art in point, I think for

things to get better. -- starting point. Istanbul is not the only

capital city that has suffered a downturn because of terrorism.

Hotels and restaurants in Paris were badly affected following a spate of

attacks on there which kept tourists away, although things are slowly

improving. People here in Istanbul hope that the introduction of a new

tourist police force will hope to rebuild confidence in a number of

hotels are also offering substantial discounts during courage travellers

to return. This is the spice market, built on the 16th century, for the

trading of spices. I can smell that spice in the hour. It is making me a

bit hungry, actually. Let me introduce you to my friend here. She

is going to introduce you to traditional Turkish cheeses. I will

see you soon, then. OK. This place is packed, isn't it? Yes, it is

always packed. Look at the choice. And all of this is from Turkey, is

it? These are all from Turkey, different regions. They are from

different cities, they all have different textures, different

tastes. This is our main staple for breakfast. This is our most

favourite cheese. So breakfast cheese, I would imagine it being a

little bit easier, lighter? We are never lighter with cheese, no.

Totally wrong! This next she's actually reminds me of Parmesan or

something like that. -- cheese. This one was made in July, when we had a

south-west wind. It is just a little details. Just changing the profiles.

This one is usually made around springtime. They are made exactly

the same, but they have different texture, different tastes. This is

probably one of my favourites, actually. You should eat this with

some crunchy bread. Yeah, a bit of olive oil. Some olives, perhaps.

Perhaps, why not. To make those, even. When in Rome. Yes, when in

Rome. When in Istanbul. As my day comes to an end here in

Istanbul, Seddah tells me he has one last treat in store for me. We are

off to one of the oldest Turkish baths, or hamams in the city. This

is rather grand. First opened in the 16th century, it is built on a site

that dates back to Roman times. Beautiful. The first thing you

really notice is that fit this in there. -- thickness in the air. It

is so humid in here. Cold water! He has got what looks to be a pillow

sack and has just filled it with soapy water. Once you squeeze it

out, these subs come out. I have enjoyed my day here in

Istanbul. Its history, food and culture are remarkable. But for me,

it is perhaps its location which makes it special. On the border

between Europe and Asia, there is undeniably something beguiling about

a place that has seen so much change during its almost 3000 years of

history, but remains unique whatever current problems it may face.

Next on the travel show, the first in a series of films exploring the

food and drink of my hometown, Singapore.

We are starting with a taste of its most famous drink, the Singapore

Sling. My name is Leslie. I am the resident historian of Raffles hotel.

I have been with this hotel for 45 years. Singapore was founded by

Raffles and we were under British administration as a British colony.

Most of the British air came to Raffles hotel for their meals and

drinks. They were meeting here very often. The young British men would

sit under the veranda, drinking their whiskeys or virgin and tonics.

At the British ladies were not supposed to be seen drinking

alcoholic averages in public. The bartender saw this and said, I must

do something for the ladies. He finally reached the conclusion that

he would take Jim, cherry liquor, pineapple juice, lime juice, a dash

of bitters, and he used the Grenadine to give it a pink hue. It

was created in 1915. We just celebrated the 100 anniversary in

2015. -- hundreds. It is a camouflage drink, you know? Because

of the Grenadine, it has a sweet taste.

Still to come on this week's Travel Show, we are pulling the plug on

modern tech to listen to music the old-fashioned way. This is like I

have just flown first class. Why would I want to go back to economy

now? Welcome to the part of the show that

looks at your questions and getting the best out of trouble. Coming up,

Memphis to New Orleans by train, plane, or automobile. And the best

European city break at Christmas. But first, Jon Kay asks... Even

though Mauritius is south of the equator, it is at its best in the

northern summer. And it is easily combined with South Africa, thanks

to frequent flights from London and Johannesburg. But I think Mozambique

is also very accessible and equally rewarding. The eastern boundary of

the Kruger national park is the frontier between Zambia and

Mozambique. Head for Maputo, then up the coast to see some of the best of

the beaches on the Indian Ocean. Accommodation is improving all the

time, and prices up pleasingly low. Michelle Ables asks... -- Abels.

Take the train. The distance between these two cities is almost 400

miles. You would imagine there would be direct flights between the two

cities, but I can't find any. A connection at Atlanta would involve

a big detour. The road journey is straightforward, south along the i55

Freeway and take six or seven hours. But it is not one of the great

American drives, and when you arrive in your limbs covered the parking

can be challenging. So I recommend the train south at 6:50am any data

you like. You would arrive at just under nine hours later. -- New

Orleans. You can experience the marvellous American railroad Frizell

is $49, available on most days, if you book in advance. -- for just

$49. Mrs Shaker asks... Amsterdam is my choice, because of the wonderful

Rijksmuseum. Christmas Day is an excellent time to see the collection

without the usual crowds, and for my money, the finest distillation of

the Golden age on the planet, with Rembrandt's Nightwatch getting price

place. Many shops will be close on Christmas Day, but in all the usual

tourist areas, most cafes and restaurant will be open. Intel is

getting there, Amsterdam has excellent links from across Europe.

And you also can travel around happily. Dutch Railways operates the

same basic schedule every day of the year. Whether you watching in London

or Mogadishu, e-mail us at... And I will do my best to find you the best

deal. Goodbye -- could to now, and the next.

Finally, on the Travel Show, we all used to storing and streaming

endless amounts of music on our phones. But we look for places in

London where the records take centre stage. When I am not on the Travel

Show, I do this on Monday to Friday. I play songs in talk in between. The

music that I play comes from a server. Their attacks are there, but

I hardly use. On my way into the radio show, elicited musical my

phone. But today, aimed am there to meet some people who believe that

music should be appreciated and enjoyed the fashion way. -- there

are some deck. -- the old-fashioned way. Is the old technology really

better than the new? This is -- this is Gearbox Records. All this

couldn't work. We are producing sounds from analogue and from

Digital, which are really the best one can do at the moment. So we are

mixing the best of ancient and modern to greet sound. Normally, you

hit it was a final is best for sound quality. When we do a plant between

analogue and digital in here, almost a body can tell the difference. The

music sounds a little bow together. Digital is quite crystalline, and

immediately quite beguiling, but over time, I think it is easier to

listen to. I am my way now to a place in King's Cross, with a

classic bitter vinyl, as well, because I have heard that this place

has got a money is no object to its attitude -- money is no object

attitude to it sound system. I had to check it out. We went into this

with a no, me 's approach. It is going to improve the sound, we will

go for it. That is that every level. -- nothing is too expensive

approach. The equipment is off the scale. It is in deep audiophile

territory. You are unlikely to hear or see anything like this in public,

but if you like music, it will blow your mind. If you close your eyes

and just focus on one of the instruments, or you can hear just

that in absolute clarity. It is like you could move your way around

through the band. This is like I have just flown first class. Why

would I want to go back to economy, now? I just express the good life. I

do want to go back. Just leave me here. Now, I always think that music

is best when it is a shared experience. You think of a concert

or a nightclub Danazol. Nothing beats it. But there are a bunch of

people they get together in one of London's coolest neighbourhoods and

listen to an entire album on final from start to finish. -- dancehall.

I love vinyl. I been collecting records for either want Italy tell

you how many decades, but for long time. I wouldn't say it is all about

audio. It is always about the music first and foremost. People want to

come here to listen to what their favourite outings or one they don't

even know, because they want to spirited a different way, get behind

it, get its context, and have a shared listening experience with

other people. They also want to take time out of their week where they

can sit back, telephone off, and just listen to music. I often listen

to music that has a lot of memory for me from when I was growing up.

Normally, you might listen to a song or something, but to listen to an

album from start to finish, and is really focus on that, that is a real

treat. I think is good to listen to it with other people, too. That is

why people go to live performances. Is interesting to go to... Is I go

to the cinema, really, isn't it? 1967 was the completely

transformative year and rock and pop. Piper at the Gates of Dawn,

named from the wind in the Willows. -- Wind. Just lately me go to a

tasting restaurant for little flavours, you gathered together here

to share in music and people are stimulator to their ears. Tomorrow,

I will be back, playing songs from a computer server. But as for today, I

have never heard music sound quite so alive as it does on these

records. I'm afraid that is all the time we have this week, the coming

of next week, Christa has two Chile to visit a town gazetted by an

earthquake and tsunami seven years ago, but has been rebuilt and reborn

and is welcoming tourists. Catch that if you can, but for me, and the

rest of the Travel Show team here in Turkey, it is goodbye.

We'll do the easy bit first and then I'll give you the forecast,

which is probably the bit you're after, anyway.

A mixture of sunny spells and showers.

Friday was not just as straightforward.

You'll see why go back to Friday in a moment.