At present I wish to share my itinerary for 48 hours in Istanbul with you. This metropolis in Turkey sits on the border of Europe and Asia, and it has rather a lot to supply on and across the Bosphorus. I’m right here as a visitor of 4 Seasons Lodges and Resorts, and I’m excited to share this promoting characteristic with you. I’ve included a map of my itinerary, too.
48 Hours in Istanbul
I’ve been invited to Istanbul to spend time at two 4 Seasons resorts. One is true on the Bosphorus, and the opposite is within the historic coronary heart of town. I’m trying ahead to staying at each on the identical journey.
I’m right here to expertise a number of the genuine ‘Do It Like A Native’ experiences 4 Seasons has to supply. They’ve created a variety of curated actions to supply visitors with a real style of town.
From conventional Turkish baths to guided strolling excursions, they’ve lined a variety of issues guests can do and see. I can’t wait to find the highlights.
Day 1
I’m touring with a pal, and we arrive in Istanbul at 5pm after a direct flight from London. As quickly as we step off the airplane, we discover a person holding an indication with my identify and the 4 Seasons brand.
He greets us and whisks us off on a buggy to fast-track us via passport management. It’s a formidable begin to the journey.
Outdoors baggage declare, he arms us off to our driver, who ferries us into Istanbul in a saloon automobile with comfy seats, a WiFi hotspot, and loads of water bottles to maintain us hydrated.
4 Seasons Lodge Bosphorus
We arrive on the 4 Seasons Lodge Bosphorus simply after dusk. The resort has graciously put us up in a collection with views over the water. With a grand bed room, a front room, and two bogs, there’s sufficient area for us to unfold out and settle in.
After unpacking our luggage, we head downstairs to dinner. We’re eating at Yali Lounge, a waterfront restaurant with glass partitions and beautiful views of the boats exterior.
For dinner we tuck into a world feast. We begin with sushi, then work our means via every thing from grilled rock sea bass to slow-cooked lamb tandir. It’s all scrumptious, and it units the tone for an excellent journey.
Day 2
The subsequent morning we proceed our 48 hours in Istanbul with a spectacular dawn and a leisurely breakfast on the resort’s huge buffet.
The Spa
Subsequent we head to The Spa. With excessive ceilings and marble columns surrounding the pool, it’s some of the stunning spas I’ve been to in a very long time. Add to {that a} scorching tub and a steam room, and it’s exhausting to beat.
We’ve been supplied a hammam remedy, one of many ‘Do It Like A Native’ experiences. After taking a dip we head right into a marble room to get a scrub by the resort’s professional therapists. Our pores and skin feels nice afterwards, and we really feel able to see extra of Istanbul.
Land Shuttle
We try of our suite and board the 4 Seasons land shuttle. This complimentary van service transports passengers from the 4 Seasons Lodge Bosphorus to the 4 Seasons Lodge Sultanahmet a number of instances a day.
4 Seasons Lodge Sultanahmet
As soon as in Sultanahmet, we examine into our room on the 4 Seasons there. The resort is uniquely housed in a former jail, however our suite looks like something however a cell. It has stunning decor, views of the inside courtyard, and many area to calm down.
After getting settled in, we head to lunch at Lingo Lingo. This informal restaurant provides a collection of international dishes in a classy environment. We order a variety of small plates to share, then select decadent pastries from the resort’s in-house candy store for dessert.
Tour of Istanbul
After lunch we head off on a non-public tour of Istanbul the resort has supplied us. Together with our information, we’re excited to wander via the labyrinthine streets of the historic metropolis and uncover hidden gems, historical secrets and techniques, and timeless tales.
Our first cease is the Hagia Sophia. This attractive Byzantine church-turned-mosque is wonderful to see. As our information takes us round and factors out the necessary inventive and historic parts, I hold eager about what number of centuries they’ve endured.
This place is fascinating with its mix of Byzantine Christian and Ottoman Muslim spiritual imagery and decor.
From the Hagia Sophia, we stroll over to the Blue Mosque. It’s identified for its beautiful domed ceiling, which has us trying up the entire time we’re inside. The intricate designs and patterns are mesmerizing, and we wish to stare at all of them night.
However we’ve extra to see. Our information leads us down a number of streets to get to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. The minute we stroll inside, we embark on a journey of the senses.
There are gold necklaces, silver platters, gem-studded containers, and spices throughout.
We flip a nook and see scarves in each colour, stacks of shiny bowls, tall cones of spices, turkish delight, and different issues that dazzle our eyes.
Forging deeper into the Grand Bazaar, we discover ourselves in a labyrinth of antiques sellers. It opens into a large stretch of stalls promoting keychains, necklaces, coasters, and trinkets with the enormous blue, white, and black eye that by no means stops watching us as we make our means via the market.
We stroll again out into the night time and emerge from the Grand Bazaar on sensory overload. Our information takes us round to a number of different factors of curiosity, together with Sultanahmet Sq. and a guide market.
On the finish she exhibits us into a store that sells every thing from natural teas to Turkish Delight. We purchase some, solely to comprehend later we’ve paid over 8 instances the worth we might have paid within the markets (30 kilos for a small bag of tea is dear even by London requirements). It’s the one disappointment of the journey.
Dinner
After the tour we head again to the 4 Seasons Lodge Sultanahmet for dinner. We settle in at AVLU, the resort’s primary restaurant. Set in a glassed-in room within the inside courtyard, it serves trendy Anatolian delicacies with a up to date aptitude.
We take pleasure in every thing from pan roasted Black Sea turbot to slow-cooked duck tirit and a dessert that’s so fairly we really feel responsible consuming it. It’s a fantastic finish to our day in Istanbul.
Day 3
The subsequent morning we take pleasure in breakfast at AVLU earlier than heading out for a free day of exploring the previous city.
Previous City
We begin on the Topkapi Palace. I toured it on my final journey to Istanbul, however we solely have time to walk via the gardens on this go to.
The palace is nothing lower than sprawling Ottoman opulence at its best, and even the gardens are spectacular.
After strolling alongside the paths, we make our means over to the Basilica Cistern. We purchase tickets on the counter, head underground, and journey again in time to Sixth-century Byzantium.
The area itself is otherworldly. Its excessive arches are supported by Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns, and the low gentle and sculptures add a surreal impact.
As we stroll alongside the platform, we come to the 2 mysterious Medusa heads within the cistern. One is the wrong way up, and the opposite on its aspect.
After touring the Basilica Cistern, we proceed our 48 hours in Istanbul by strolling to the spice market.
Just like the Grand Bazaar, it’s residence to an enormous central corridor lined with distributors promoting each spice conceivable. As well as, we discover teas, sweets, and different mouth-watering delights.
After looking the market, we begin making our approach to the 4 Seasons Lodge Sultanahmet. We cease at a neighborhood restaurant for a fast lunch, then head again to our room to pack up.
48 Hours in Istanbul
A driver takes us to the airport, the place we board our flight to London with heavy hearts. It’s been a fantastic journey to Istanbul, and wonderful to expertise town with 4 Seasons Lodges and Resorts.
Istanbul Map
As promised, I created an interactive Google map of all of the spots we visited on our journey to Istanbul. You may see it right here. I hope it helps you comply with in our footsteps and have an excellent time in Istanbul.
Discover this submit useful? Purchase me a espresso!
New right here? Be part of 1000’s of others and subscribe to the A Woman in London weblog through electronic mail.
Among the hyperlinks on this weblog submit are affiliate hyperlinks. For free of charge to you, I earn a small fee if you click on on them and make a purchase order. It doesn’t have an effect on the best way you store, and it’s a good way to assist the A Woman in London weblog.
Pin it!