It was a perfect family weekend – just three hours on an aeroplane and we were in a different world.

Istanbul was pulsing with life and history, warm hospitality, colourful bazaars and gorgeous food.

Sultanahmet Camii, The Blue Mosque

Seriously good Turkish coffee

We wandered around with the boys, eating hot mussels in the street, tasting Turkish delight in the Spice Market, ogling artistic and architectural masterpieces of the Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, skipping along the rocks beside the Bosphorus and haggling over the price of a chess set in the Grand Bazaar.

We felt safe at all times (some people thought we were crazy to go), the Turks were delightful to our children (and us) and we are keen to return and explore more of the country.

Yet.

Yet I found myself trying to commit every beautiful sight, every perfect moment, to memory.

Because I am not sure that we will always be able to return here.

Religious extremism is rising in Turkey and the secular democracy created after the First World War by Turkey’s visionary founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is under threat.

I hope very much that this country, pulled so strongly toward both the East and the West continues to hold itself together and keep its people and its heritage safe.

For now though, normal life continues in this fantastic city. We plan to be back before the end of summer to see a lot more.

“Love tea” in the Spice Market

Ataturk – one of many statues of the man who imagined a secular future for Turkey

Street stall

Gözleme – Turkish bread rolled out, filled with deliciousness and cooked right in front of you.

Turkish delight

Istanbul’s wild cats are adored and cared for by residents

Guess where Holland got its tulips from back n the 16th century when the craze first took off?

Scenes in the Grand Bazaar

Street scene on the Asian side of the Bosphorus

A Turkish tradition – barbecued fish served in flat bread.

Spice market

Grand Bazaar

Cat on the rocks

Tea stall

More tulips

The classic Turkish lamp

More spice market

Street market, Asian side

Quiet Sunday morning at Spice Market

The 15th Century Rumelihasari (the Fortress of Europe) was constructed just four months and 16 days .

Fish stall

Sunday afternoon fishing, picnicking and walks on the Bosphorus

Chilled out street dogs are seen everywhere in Istanbul – goofy, cheerful, well-fed, tagged and vaccinated by city administrators.

Pomegranate anyone?

Traditional wooden architecture – largely replaced by less flammable structures

Wearing a headscarf remains a personal choice in Turkey