We have arrived in Split, Croatia and getting ready for a weeks sailing.

Yesterday was a long day – we got here at about 12.30 last night – but we did make the most of our time in Istanbul.

Landing at at 13:15 and leaving at 20:20 left us with enough time to hop on the metro and then a tram to get to the heart of old Istanbul and see the Hippodrome, the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

We have been here before so this time we visited the Basilica Cistern.

Well worth the effort. Stunning underground columns and vaunted ceilings with water covering the tiled floor.

Back above ground we had time to wonder between the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque and have a bite to eat in a cafe between the two.

A great way to kill time between flights. A metro ride, a tram ride, entrance to the Cistern, lunch and the most expensive part of the day was 30 euros to leave our bags in the left luggage at the airport!