Description Strait & Narrow: Üsküdar

As is the case with other cities with a famous river or a stretch of coastline, homes in Istanbul with a view of the Bosphorus are highly coveted. This apartment in a historic building in the Beyoğlu neighbourhood is one such example. Step out onto the balcony, take a seat and gaze out the iconic waterway and the Turkish capital's rooftops.

However, to say that this home is nothing more than a vantage point is borderline insulting. There's a real air of grandeur to the interior, an impression aided by the tall ceilings, open-concept layout and smart parquet flooring. Artwork hanging on the walls and house plants add some colour, as does the blue kitchen complete with floral windows. We're also keen on the wood-panelled bar area, too.

When it comes to seeing a little more of Istanbul, you don't have too far to walk. Both the Pera Museum and the Galata Mevlevi Lodge can be reached in five minutes on foot, while the city's Museum of Modern Art is more like a quarter of an hour.

Home truths:
*There's a lift in the building to reach this single-level apartment
*The building has no private parking available, but Odakule tram stop is three minutes' walk away
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace
*The host provides a welcome pack including Turkish treats, as well as twenty-four-seven support