Istanbul in Winter: The Cold That Seeps Into Your Bones

Many tourists assume Istanbul is always warm because of its Mediterranean links. But winter here (December to February) can be brutally cold. It's not the temperature on the screen—it's the damp wind blowing off the Black Sea and down the Bosphorus. It seeps right through your coat. But it has its charms: riding the ferry with hot tea and watching the misty skyline, or warming up in a historic cafe with a cup of hot salep. Just bring a windproof coat and thick socks.