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Istanbul cracks the top 10, Berlin is on the rise, and this city remains No. 1 in Resonance’s annual best-in-Europe rankings.

The latest luxury hotel to open in Istanbul has become one of the city’s most coveted places to stay.

Dreaming of a vacation in Europe? Get inspired by AFAR’s Next List, a new series revealing the next great places to visit this year.

Our AFAR cofounder reconnects with a beloved city and discovers what’s new and notable from Istanbul to Cappadocia.

Tempting dishes, inventive cocktails, and several art exhibits await travelers.

The new additions include some familiar brands as well as some homegrown boutique options.

Snowbirds, allow me a minute to change your mind?

Kaymak, a rich buttery cream, is often eaten at breakfast time. But Istanbul is down to just one dairy shop that produces it traditionally, with their own fresh water buffalo milk.

A Guide to the Istanbul Biennial’s Most Unusual Installations

Sylvia Kouvali’s Istanbul: Tophane

If you love ‘experiential learning’, the Galata museum is a great winter option for exploring the maritime history of the port of Genoa. With great ‘hands-on’ exhibits, and a beautiful roof top observation deck, this museum is one of the best in Genoa. And at only 11 euro, it is priced quite effectively. Make sure you don’t miss the “Tempest” exhibit -- a 4D experience of surviving a massive storm in a tiny life boat off Cape Horn. You can also pay a supplemental fee to explore the submarine parked in the harbor in front of the museum - but if you suffer from claustrophobia at all, I’d steer clear, as the space inside is incredibly small.

Recently opened, the Galata Lavazza Coffee Shop is becoming the meeting place for tourists who appreciate traveller’s timeout with a good cup of Italian coffee. The café faces the Galata Tower and square where all manner of people and laid back activities can keep you entertained as you sip on your favourite blend and say, "Çok lezzetli!” (Turkish for, very delicious). Lavazza coffee was first served in Turin in 1895 and is now touted as Italy’s favourite coffee and brewed all over the world. If you’re missing your daily cappuccino, double espresso, Americano, macchiato or latte, then drop by Galata Lavazza and order a cup to drink on their provincial street-side terrace. Italian pastas, desserts and café snacks are also available. Afiyet olsun / Bon appetit

The medieval round Galata Tower built in 1348 has played many roles for Istanbul over the years: A watchtower for Bosphorus trade, an observation deck for spotting fires, the setting of a legendary flight across the Bosphorus, and now a tourist attraction offering 360 degree views of Istanbul. Hands down, it’s the best way to see how the city spreads across its European and Asian sides. Go for sunset, but arrive early to beat the queue.

There’s no cost attached to one of Istanbul’s most distinctive photo ops, and the only lines are from fishing poles. Cross the historic Golden Horn via the Galata Bridge, where fishermen from every walk of life jostle for space, and tourist restaurants line the lower level (stop in for a drink if you’d like, but the food tends to be overpriced and mediocre). Galata Bridge isn’t beloved for its architecture (fun fact: It is supposedly the bridge for which the card game is named), but rather its views: Topkapı Palace and several domes and minarets in the Old City on one side, and the Galata Tower on the other.

Spend the day indulging your senses with experiences as diverse as this vast and wondrous city. Wake up early to wonder at the Christian and Islamic architecture then cross the Galata Bridge for modern art, a baklava break, and an indulgent soak at a hammam. Later, relax on a popular rooftop restaurant and hear the call to prayer echo throughout the city. Just one perfect day in Istanbul will leave you craving more.