It is extraordinary that Europe's most populous city has scarcely had a mention in hidden europe. Istanbul is a veritable metropolis - a great city that flanks the Bosphorus and extends along the northern shores of the Sea of Marmara. Laurence Mitchell, who is a regular contributor to the magazine, writes about the Turkish city in our November issue. We also return to Croatia with a look at the hills above Zagreb. And we review an anthology of new writing by women who share our affection for the Welsh hills. We try to feature an island or two in every issue of hidden europe, and next time round we turn our attention to the Scilly Isles off England's southwest coast. hidden europe 23 is published on All Saints' Day.

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