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TURKEY is misunderstood. After all these centuries, people still think it’s so exotic that you can’t discover it easily, that it’s not ‘Western’ or ‘European’ enough to just book a cheap flights to Istanbul with BTS and fly over for wonderful weekend. But it is. It’s the best of both worlds, the east and the west, the foreign and the familiar, spanning two worlds. Turkey’s population is super trendy, modern and hip, many of them, if not most, speak at least two to three languages, English being the most common second language. They are highly educated and are unique in that they feel very European but are also very much part of the East, which is just one of the many reasons they were honored with the 2010 European Capital of Culture award. Here like most great European cities, you have the old and the new. And neither should be missed. Your day can start enjoying a continental breakfast at the Pierre Loti Café with incredible views over the Golden Horn before pulling out your maps and diving in to the wealth of history here. First things first: Topkapi Palace. Part command centre for a massive military empire, part archetypal Eastern pleasure dome, the lavishly decorated Topkapi Palace was the seat of Ottoman power for over three centuries. If you have time for only one museum, spend it here. If you’re pushed for time, the must-see features are the Harem, Imperial Treasury and the views from the innermost courtyard. Next: The awe-inspiring, breathtaking Haghia Sophia. This was first a Byzantine church, then Ottoman mosque and now a Turkish museum. Today the mosaic walls and vaulted chambers merely hint at its former glory; the building is pretty shabby when compared with neighboring mosques, but its historical relevance shines through. Call it the Tate Modern of Turkey. Housed in a former customs warehouse on the waterfront in Karaköy, the two-storey Istanbul Modern has a whopping 8,000 square meters of exhibition space. A shattered glass staircase hung from steel chains and an installation of books suspended over the library are two of the most popular exhibits amongst the cutting-edge, primarily Turkish, art on display. The museum’s restaurant has proved a big hit in its own right with its stunning views across the Bosporus to the minarets of Sultanahmet and out to the Marmara Sea. The complex is surrounded by green recreational spaces and has two restaurants with bars. Order a Turkish coffee and salute yourself for exploring not just the traditional but also the contemporary side of Turkish culture. Grand Bazaar. Part entertainment, part tradition, part business, this is an experience not to be missed. And don’t be afraid, here bargaining, setting up prices and changing them in a moment’s breath, this is how it’s done here. Do not be afraid to stumble through. In the end any price you walk away with is probably better than you would have gotten at home. And the experience of it! A price cannot be placed on that. Just remember take your time, have fun! If you love souvenir shopping A La Turca comes highly recommended. Here, you will find an array of curios and antiques, not to mention the quaint Anatolian kilim. For toys and artistic representations from Central Asia, nothing works better than Ak Gumus. You might want to shop till you drop at the ancient Akmerkez area. An afternoon ferry around the Bosphorus is good for anyone’s soul. A truly relaxing way of getting across one of the world’s busiest waterways is to take one of the half-hourly commuter ferry services up the Bosphorus from Eminönü. Alight ashore at Besiktas, Ortaköy and Bebek along the way to take in the lush parks, palaces and yalis (waterside mansions). Okay now we’re done with the culture. This sun is dipping, it’s time to get dressed, and experience nightlife the way Turks do. And remember, pack your best clothes, here, people dress. Dinner has to be Turkish. Turkish food is also so sadly misunderstood. Great for vegetarians, pescatarians, meat eaters, and connoisseurs alike, Turkish food is clean, healthy and natural. For an early dinner, try the Istanbul Modern Opened in 2005 in a converted warehouse on the Bosporus. This restaurant has not only two floors of contemporary artworks by local artists, but also a sculpture garden, library and restaurant. Look for the work of Mubin Orhon and Fahrelnissa Zeid, both top sellers this past March when Sotheby’s held its first major auction of contemporary Turkish art. Lunch for two with wine, about 150 lira. Reservations strongly encouraged, especially if you want an outdoor table. Or, for lighter more casual fare, try meyhane, the age-old Istanbul version of a tapas bar, a place to indulge in meze, drink raki and listen to folk music. The city’s most famous meyhane district is the Çiçek Pasaji (Flower Passage), an elegant 19th century arcade located just off Istiklal Caddesi. We recommend Boncuk,which specializes in Armenian dishes and features live fasil music. And for those of you not familiar with meze, it’s a delightful plate of small starters, may of which are perfect for vegetarians. Think homemade hummus, feta, rice wrapped in grape leaves. Olives. Healthy and wonderful to snack on, along with warmed pita bread and the smell of the sea. As far as eateries go, there is none as funky or idiosyncratic as the Galata House, housed inside the erstwhile British Jail. Run by a husband and wife duo, its home-cooked food is absolutely delicious. Don’t forget to sample their hingali and roast beet salad. After Hours Boy, do the Turks know how to party. They make New Yorkers look boring, Londoners fatigued. The best way to see Istanbul is from above. Rooftop bars and restaurants are springing up everywhere, desperately trying to outdo each other with the most sweeping skyline and exotic cocktail list. Leb-i-Derya Richmond is a great perch from which to view the magnificent city and eat a late bite. But the real action remains close to the water. Reina and Sortie remain the superclubs of choice for the summer months. Anjelique is also a great place to watch the endless array of Channel and Prada. Wake up on a Sunday morning and set off for Fransiz Sokagi (known as French Street), where a two-year renovation project that started in 2004 pays homage to the many French who lived in Beyoglu in the 19th century. The stones on the street were arranged by architects from Paris, and the 100-year-old coal gas street lamps come from Paris. Enjoy French pastries and coffee at the outdoor cafes that are kept warm by heaters lining the streets. Then set off for the Princess Islands in the Marmara Sea off Istanbul's Asian Shore, where Istanbul’s mainly non-Muslim elite built their summerhouses and pleasure palaces. Today, they are one of the last places to offer a glimpse of the old ethnic mix of Istanbul in all its splendor: Greeks, Armenians and Jews still rub shoulders with Turks in the local squares, and churches are more numerous than mosques. Then it’s back to your hotel for a quiet dinner, perhaps a walk through the twisted streets where there is practically zero crime and a last look at the skyline of Europe’s most unique city. With tickets available online at BTS from every major city, seat selection, it’s as easy as one, two, three. Change your life this weekend. Book your trip with BTS travel. Best Travel Store site, an online travel agency committed to providing the best deals (in terms of cheap tickets) as well as dedicated and professional customer care. Whether you wish to change flights, revamp your itinerary, or cancel your tickets we would like to assure you of the best help possible every step of the way.
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