Let the sea breezes envelope you as the stars look down when you cruise the Bosphorus Strait in the evening hours. Journey along the shoreline of this narrow waterway, which joins the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara for views of historical treasures dotted along both banks. Among the picturesque villas and villages, you'll see Rumeli Castle perched upon the strait's narrowest point. Constructed in 1452, it's a fine example of Ottoman military architecture. Across from Rumeli sits Anadolu, built in 1394 by Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I as part of his preparations for a siege on then-Byzantine city of Constantinople. As the motorboat continues, gaze upon Istanbul's grand Ottoman palaces including the 15th century Dolmabahce, Istanbul's first European-style palace; and 19th century Beylerbeyi, the Ottoman sultans' official summer residence. Before returning to the pier, you'll pass beneath the Bosphorus Bridge and views of curving domes and rising minarets.