Day 1: Discover the European side
Morning: Guaranteed to give visitors an instant flavour of Istanbul is breakfast at the family-run Café Kale overlooking the Bosphorus in the neighbourhood of Bebek. Enjoy a feast of local specialities including crumbled cheeses, olive paste, sesame breads, honey, and tahini with a pot of steaming Turkish tea. Wander along the riverbank where fishermen catch tiny silver fish and a continuous stream of ships cruise the strait from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
Afternoon: Those with an eye for some sparkle will be thrilled by the host of upscale designer and jewellery shops across the fashionable Nisantasi district. Turkey has become synonymous with modernity and style and this neighbourhood is evidently meeting the demands of Istanbul’s rich and famous.
Enjoy the waft of roasting chestnuts from street stalls before diving into Vakko – a huge designer store where the wealthy love to loiter.
The cosmopolitan metropolis of today, with its contemporary arts scene and gastronomic heritage, lies in contrast to the great Ottoman dome of the Blue Mosque which dominates the skyline.
Evening: Watch the city come to life with street stalls and lively cafes. Dine on the rooftop of the Novotel at the Murver Restaurant, with views over the city, and enjoy a traditional menu of mezes and fish or lamb grilled on the open woodfire.
Day 2: Across the Bosphorus
Morning: For an altogether calmer and less frenetic day, cross the suspension bridge to the Asian side of the city to Kadikoy Market, where the locals buy sweets, pickles, coffee, fish, olives and cheese. Stroll among the strings of peppers and sun-dried tomatoes; taste the local honey and sit outside the Ciya Restaurant to be served simple regional Turkish cuisine in abundance. The plates keep coming!
Afternoon: Walk down to the busy ferry terminal and return to Gelataport. It’s a fun journey across the busy water with views of the Blue Mosque.
Take in some culture at the Museum of Modern Art, which is a gentle stroll from the hotel.
Evening: The award-winning Frankie Restaurant in the Galataport serves a MediterrAsian menu in sophisticated surroundings. Enjoy a bold menu of fresh local ingredients deliciously blended with Asian spices.
Having discovered a city where history and culture meets modern flair, enjoy a restful night in The Galata Istanbul Hotel MGallery in the Galata area, with easy pedestrian access to the centre, and close to the tram and metro lines – before leaving Istanbul feeling re-fuelled and energised with a new-found taste for exotic spicy delights
Book it with…Turkish Airlines
A two-night stay at The Galata Istanbul Hotel MGallery, including breakfast, starts from £300. Return flights from London to Istanbul start from £150.
