Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey is bustling with tourists in the summer months, and it certainly has many reasons why. A day’s exploration of the Princes’ Islands, having tea at the Topkapi Palace and rocking to the city’s chaotic and yet exciting nightlife keeps tourists on their feet. Istanbul may not be the coolest as far as temperature is concerned, but it’s easy not to be bothered when you’re walking alongside the Bosphorus. The 20-mile long waterway connects the sea of Marmara to the Black Sea. Morning walks along the Bosphorus is a fresh, yet fishy wake up call. Touring down the port is also a great place to grab a freshly grilled sardine sandwich before getting on the metro to Sultanahmet, where you’re get your fill of museums, palaces and souvenir shops. Once there, walk to Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque for its blue tiles that embellish the walls of its interior. A fusion of Byzantine elements and Islamic architecture, it’s considered a majestic splendour to behold. The massive courtyard feels as large as the mosque itself, but it’s the interior that puts many in awe. More than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles engraved with a variety of tulip designs line the mosque’s interior. Features such as the heavy iron chain that hangs in the upper part of the court richly illustrates some of the mosque’s history. A good tour guide will tell you that sultan was the only one to enter the courtyard on horseback. The sultan had to lower his head under the chain to avoid getting hit, but it was also to ensure a sense of the ruler’s humility in the face of divinity. A couple of blocks down the street, the Topkai Palace is where grandeur overwhelms the eyes and captures the heart. Bountiful with lush greenery, hundreds of posh, decorated rooms and a terrace café (madly expensive), the palace smacks of royalty. You can easily spend the rest of the afternoon searching through the artefacts and reading the history of each room. But if you’d rather not, Sultan Ahmet District also offers Haga Sophia, Byzantine Hippodrome, Great Palace Moasic Museum and a row of delightful cafés that satisfy urges for a Turkish doner, tea and shisha. For a full-day adventure, take a short ferry ride to the charming Princes’ Islands. The islands became home
20
to exiled princes and other royalty during the Byzantime era. Later, family members of the exiled Ottoman sultan also sought refuge on the nine islands, which is what coined its name. Büyükada, which means big island, has the most fame and probably the biggest tourist footprint. Leon Trotsky lived in Büyükada for four years after being deported from the Soviet Union – he picked it as his first residence in exile. The islands are blissfully quiet, due to the lack of cars. Horse buggies and bikes are the only means of transport on the islands. Historic homes are well preserved as well as their gardens that bloom and burst with vivid colours. On the island, tourists and city dwellers lay back on restaurant patios and café benches, sipping a cold drink (or mocktail) and snacking on Turkish delight. Once back to the city, cool your mind and heat your body in a hamam. After all that relaxing, the party happens on Iskele Street and Kadife Street on the Asian side. If you prefer to stay on the European end, Taksim is crowded with pubs, fancy bookstores with wine and balconies filled with people cheering to life with a shot of raki, Turkey’s national drink.
Stay
Eat
Amedos prides itself for having great Ottoman dishes, even though it’s classified as an Euro-style bistro. It’s in walking distance to major historical sites and tourist attraction in Sultanahment. Dinner is the best time to experience the restaurant’s atmosphere. Candle light tables are set up in the cobble alley with an air of romance and intimacy. Hoca Rustem Sokak 7 0212 522 8356
Hotel Les Ottoman On the banks of the Bosphorus, this gigantic hotel was once a pasha’s 18th century mansion. Reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire’s golden era, rooms are furnished in a boutique style and its architectural restoration is a picture of grandeur. The rooms like its original inhabitants are fit for royalty – red and golden draped curtains and posh style pillows are plump softly on couches and beds. Muallim Naci Cad No: 68 34345 Kuruceseme, Istanbul +90 212 359 1500 info@lesottomans.com
FACT QATAR MAY
Qatar march Issue.indd 20
29/04/2012 13:26