A great day in Istanbul by Barbara Taylor Bradford

During her interview, Justine Nolan asked Anita "when you're away, not here, and you think of Istanbul what comes into your mind?"

Anita didn't really have to think about this. Immediately she said, "Sounds and smells."

Istanbul is a remarkable city, and the primary location of my latest novel LETTER FROM A STRANGER, where Justine Nolan's search for her beloved grandmother Gabriele takes her. When I began writing this book I had traveled to Istanbul with my husband Bob at least five times, but I made it a point during my last trip to really walk the European side of the city–taking in all of the marvelous sights and sounds.

For those who've been – you know those lush sights and sounds…You seem to hear the animals first. Seagulls squawking. Cats, caterwauling.  A lot of barking dogs.

Ferries crossing the Bosphorus. Lots of music – Kurdish, Armenian and Turkish Pop — on Istiklal Street.

The smells are divine – from the fish stands to the fresh flower stands and the fresh gardens at the yalis. You go into the Turkish bazaars and they sell all these wonderful oils from Bulgarian rose to jasmine.

For a great day in Istanbul, wake up in the Ciragan Palace Kempinski, a beautiful hotel that was once a sultan’s palace.

Take in a few of the churches and palaces, including the Hagia Sophia Church, one of the world's greatest architectural achievements, the little Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, famous for its Ottoman architecture, had six minarets, a number of golden domes with spires, and 250 windows. Not to be missed s the Topkapi Palace Museum, once the residence of the Ottoman sultans. After a lunch of börek, pastry triangles with cheese and herb filling at Pandeli's, hit the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market for textiles, ceramics, spices, jewels and oils.

Barbara Taylor Bradford was born and brought up in England, and started her writing career as a journalist. She has written twenty-six international bestsellers. Letter from a Stranger is her twenty-seventh novel. In 2007 Queen Elizabeth awarded her the Order of the British E for her literary achievements. She lives in New York with her husband, tv and film producer Robert Bradford. For more information, visit www.barbarataylorbradford.com.