Istanbul (on our own)

Day 1 – Arrival
We landed at the airport around 6:30pm - it was hot, crowded, and the air was full of smoke. We people watched while waiting for our driver, who arrived about 20 minutes later. The drive to the hotel took about 50 minutes. Once we arrived and checked in, I crashed almost immediately as I hadn’t slept much on the way over. Pete, on the other hand, had a complimentary beer or 2 and unpacked, bless his cotton socks!
Day 2 – First Explorations
We woke up in our room to realise it’s absolutely stunning - decadent, even. The walls are painted a deep forest green, with a high, ornate ceiling, a sparkling chandelier, and heavy, floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains. It was very fancy. We both slept well, but still a bit lethargic from the trip.
We started the day with breakfast on the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant - great food and a view that made us feel like we were right in the heart of it all, then with our trusty map in hand, we set off.
We walked along the foreshore to Gülhane Park, which was absolutely beautiful. The gardens are well-maintained, full of colour and life. There were several museums nearby, but most were under restoration, so not much to see on that front. The park itself had a mix of people - some tourists, some locals napping on benches, a few evidently homeless. There were a few lovely fountains which made for a peaceful and scenic stroll. From there, we made our way to the famous Blue Mosque. It was packed - so many people! Definitely a tourist hotspot. The weather was warm, about 28°C, but a slight breeze kept us cool. We sat on the grass to rest and people watched for a while. Next, we stood in line for about half an hour (a small line compared to some of the others going to see the various mosque’s or museums) to buy tickets for the Basilica Cistern -and it was well worth the wait. After descending a few steep flights of stairs, we entered a vast, cool, underground chamber that once served as a water storage and filtration system for the palace. It was breathtaking. Many of the columns used were scavenged from older ruins, giving the place an eerie and majestic feel. From here, we wandered over to the Grand Bazaar - an endless maze of stalls offering the same ten or so wares on repeat. It was absolutely enormous, a labyrinth of sights, sounds, and smells. I wasn’t in the market for another fake designer handbag, but we did pick up a beautiful decorative glass pendant as a souvenir – which we’ll add to our wall when we get home. Eventually, we stopped at a charming little café on a corner for a cold drink and a bite to eat. We sat for a while, soaking in the atmosphere - the perfect pause from the bustle of the bazaar. Afterward, we headed back to the hotel for a quick rest and a much-needed shower before dinner. Taking the concierge’s recommendation, we walked to a rooftop bar and restaurant nearby called Mezze 360. We shared a delicious platter for 2 along with sizzling doner beef, tender lamb, and golden, grilled halloumi. Yummo!
Stuffed and happy, we strolled back to the hotel and capped off the night with a cheeky rooftop cocktail while checking out at the glowing city skyline. The highlight of the day? No contest - the Basilica Cistern. Completely mesmerizing.
Day 3 – The Turkish Bath Experience (Hammam)
Our last day on our own before boarding the ship, and I was determined to experience a traditional Turkish bath - something that had been highly recommended by several friends. While most were quite pricey, the hotel concierge found one that was both reputable and reasonably priced, complete with pick-up and drop-off service. Soon enough, a lovely young man arrived in a golf cart to collect me, and I was whisked away through the streets - feeling slightly like a VIP and slightly like luggage. And 5 minutes later, we arrived at another hotel where the hammam was located. I was handed a small cotton wrap (think tea towel, not beach towel), a pair of foam slippers, and a locker for my belongings. First up: a 15-minute dry sauna, followed by 15 minutes in the steam room - although I tapped out at 10; it was intense and I was on the verge of melting. Then the real experience began. I was led into a private room centred around a massive marble slab, with water basins dotted around the edges. My masseuse, who was lovely - asked me to remove the towel and lie face-up on the marble. Um, okay then. If I’ve ever felt like an offering to the Gods, this was it. What followed was pure bliss: warm water was poured over me using a silver bowl, the sensation instantly soothing. She then scrubbed me from head to toe with a loofah and salt scrub - both front and back - before rinsing me off again in great theatrical splashes. A cooling clay face mask came next, followed by a lavender-scented foam massage that filled the air (and my hair) with bubbles. Just when I thought it couldn’t get more luxurious, she washed and conditioned my hair - right there on the marble like I was a goddess of some ancient spa temple. The final rinse was like standing under a warm, gushing waterfall. I floated out of that room a new woman. It was hands down the best, most indulgent treatment I’ve ever had. 10/10, I would become a hammam regular if I lived here!Read more