ISTANBUL CALLING

I have flown with Turkish airlines a few times going to Europe via Istanbul and have always found the staff to be exceptionally friendly and warm. This trip was no exception.

I was greeted with a lovely smile and shown to my Business Class seat - right away offered something to drink, an extra blanket and my little onboard flight bag which contained a much required eye mask, toothbrush and earplugs.

Before the flight took off, I was out like a light. Having rested comfortably, Istanbul Ataturk airport is the next thing that I see. Upon arrival, I headed straight to the Business Class arrivals lounge, to meet with our Turkish Airlines Host, Kemal. Whilst waiting, I scoffed my face with a fresh Turkish breakfast, containing different types of cheese, fresh fruit, eggs and freshly baked bread - topped off with endless cups of Turkish Tea.

After breakfast at the arrivals lounge – we make our way to the Vialand Palace Hotel to rest and freshen up.

Day 1: Our first stop exploring is Ortaköy, where we head for the Bosphorus tour. But first, we fuel up on the famous Kumpir - which is a wood-fired baked potato. The waiter hands me a two-page list of toppings, I tick all the boxes and opt for all of the trimmings. After our quick lunch we head off on the boat; even though there was heavy rain for several hours, Istanbul carries a different kind of beauty with the dark clouds and historical backdrop. We have tea on board and take in the sites of this enthralling city.

Once the tour is over, we have some free time, so I go hunting through the Ortaköy markets to see what goods I can buy and end up purchasing some fresh honey and sundried tomatoes.

Once our bus arrives, we head straight to Nisantasi for dinner! We are greeted with the most magnificent view of Istanbul and take a seat for our grand supper. Our host has ordered for us all, so we know this is going to be huge. And, luckily, I have a big appetite! Our table was filled with mezzes, fresh breads, salads and grills. Lots of it.

Day 2: We awake early for a tour of the hotel and then swiftly head into town for a tour of the Sultanahmet Camii (also known as the Blue Mosque). It is one of the most magnificent buildings in Turkey. Its interior filled with Arabic calligraphy, giant antique lights and the most luxurious Turkish rugs. From here, we make our way to Topkapi Palace.

A visit to the palace’s opulent pavilions, jewel-filled treasury and sprawling harem gives a fascinating glimpse into their Ottoman lives. Filled with ottoman armour, swords and artifacts, this palace maintains an extensive collection of books and manuscripts in its library. The Topkapı Palace is notable not only for its architecture and collections but also for preserving the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire.

Next up is the lively Kapalı çarşı (Grand Bazaar) in the Sultanahmet area where I haggled for some lovely handcrafted ceramics and prints of whirling dervish to take back home. You can also find lots of gold, fresh Turkish tea, antiques, rugs, ornaments and even furniture!

After stopping for a much-needed Turkish coffee and baklava for a pick-me-up, we headed to The Basilica Cister, not more than a 10 minute walk away. This is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul and once stored the city’s water. The cistern has the capacity to store 100,000 tons of water. It is virtually empty today with only a few feet of water lining the bottom and tourists admiring in awe.

We then head over to Galata area, and have free time to wander the streets of Galata and Istiklal Avenue and up towards Taksim Square. Galata has an array of quirky shops and independent