For the record, I have got nothing to do with the Dracula. The diabolic figure in the movie is a myth after all. Since I use the name for my blog, I think it would be fair to give some background about who the real Dracula is.
The blood sucking Dracula that we know is nothing more than a product of popular imagination, featured in the classic Gothic horror story Dracula (1897) written by Anglo-Irish novelist, Bram Stoker. The real Dracula was Vlad Tepes, born in Transylvania, the center part of Romania in 1431. His princely father, Vlad III, was known as Vlad Dracul, means Dragon after he received chivalric Order of the Dragon by Sigismund of Luxembourg in 1431. The Draculea in Romania, means “son of the Dracul / Dragon”, was given by his father, and was used as a term of honour.
Vlad (Dracula) had an unhappy childhood. He spent many of his youthful years in a Turkish prison, Perhaps, this was the reason why Vlad Jr. a.k.a Dracula famous for his ruthless and cruelty. His notorious and brutal punishment methods were ranging from decapitation to boiling and burying people alive. He gained the name “Tepes, which means impale, after his favourite form of punishing his enemies. A wooden stake was carefully driven through the victim’s anus, to emerge from the body just below the shoulder, in such a way as to not pierce any vital organs. This ensured at least 48 hours of unimaginable suffering before death. Tepes had a habit of having his meal while watching his Turkish and Greek Prisoners writhing on stakes in front of him.
It is important to note that despite his brutality, Vlad Tepes is known as a strong ruler of his time and is seen by some Romanians as a national hero and brave defender of his principality. In memory of Vlad Tepes, his statues were erected in several significant towns in Romania.
Istanbul needs no introduction. For 16 centuries it was a great imperial capital, first of the Byzantine Empire and then of the Ottoman sultans. Nowadays, Istanbul is a frenetic city filled with a wealth of culture, history, monuments and nightlife. There are more than 100 places worth visiting in Istanbul, thus one should spend not less than 4 days to give more justice to this magnificient place. If you are short of time, perhaps you could concentrate on the famous places around the Sultanahmet area as shown below.
Haghia Sofia a.k.a the church of holy wisdom. More than 1,400 years old, a testament to the 6th century Byzantine Capital. In 15th Century, the Ottoman converted it into a mosque. Has spectacular patterned mosaic ceilings.
Blue mosque, the most famous landmark built between ( 1609-1616). Personally I find it a bit over-rated but worth visiting. Tour guide is not necessary to visit this place. Interesting light and sound show in the evening.
The interior of Blue Mosque.
The bridge spanning the Bosphorus, the straits separating Asia and Europe, which join the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Cruising Bosphorus straits is one of the must-to-do trips in Istanbul . Usually half day tour.
Shopping frenzy at Grand Bazaar. Everywhere goods tumble out of shops onto the pavement. Lots and lots of jewellery, leather products, souvenir items, imitation goods, textile etc. Bargain is a must. Dont be tempted by their persuasive skills.
Entrace to the Topkapi Palace. The principal Palace of Sultan Mehmet II, a big compound with enormous pavilions and courtyards. Dont miss the Harem, the section where sultans' wives and concubines lived. At it height, the Harem used to accommodate 1000 concubines. The tour guide told me that all the concubines were not turkish but from the countries conquered during the Ottoman empire. Can be on guided tour or as an option, visitors can also rent a listening device in order to have their own tour. Dont forget to visit the Treasury where all the gifts and jewellery of the Sultans are kept. The biggest diamond in the world is on display too. 
Ritual spinning dance of Mevlevi Sufi. It is believed to be a form of meditative ritual to bring the practitioner into direct communication with god. 30 minutes show performed at a hall in the train station in downtown.
