Minahil Hussain takes us along on a trip with her family to Türkiye
As the plane made its descent, I peeked outside my window to catch a glimpse of Istanbul’s skyline. It was almost midnight, thus my hopes of catching a bird’s-eye view of the Bosphorus were dashed. Instead, looking out, I witnessed millions of stars, shining like diamonds. I couldn’t complain. As we stepped out of the aircraft, I realised the airport was huge- one could spend hours just exploring it. However, by the time we were done with immigration, all we really wanted to do was get to our hotel and call it a night!
Before our trip, we were warned by friends about Turkish cab scams, but we had to experience this ourselves to figure out how real it was. We were completely drained by this point though, so just agreed to give in- God knows, how desperately we wanted to reach our hotel. Entering the Sheraton, we immediately forgot about the unpleasant experience with our cab driver. The hotel was welcoming and warm, exactly what we needed on that cold December night. The staff too, was friendly and super accommodating.
After a hot shower we were ready for a good night’s sleep.
The next day, we woke up with renewed energy, ready to explore the city and it’s diverse culture. After devouring the hotel’s indulgent breakfast spread- from freshly baked bagels and perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs, to crunchy leafy salads and an array of different flavours of rich yoghurt- we began putting together
an itinerary for the day. We decided our first stop in this vibrant megapolis was going to be the historic Sultanahmet District, which is often referred to as the “heart of Istanbul.” Home to iconic sites such as the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, large bazaars and multiple hidden gems, visiting this area was going to be the perfect start to our trip.
As we headed out, we all wanted to avoid another disappointing encounter with taxi drivers, hence, decided to take the Metro and were pleasantly surprised by how good it was. Having travelled on tubes in London, we found the metro here to be much better and cleaner! On our way, we could see the city’s alleys and shops; crammed together, selling everything from traditional Turkish teas to designer knock-offs. We enjoyed observing the hustle and bustle, as shoppers made their way in and out of the marketplace. We left at our stop and began walking towards the famous Blue Mosque.
We could see the grey/blue soaring minarets from afar as they reached for the clouds. This majestic mosque evidently dominates Istanbul’s skyline. Since we were visiting on a Friday afternoon, the mosque had queues of people walking inside for prayers. We decided to roam around and explore the adjoining area. Right across the mosque is it’s architectural rival, Hagia Sofia. Built as a cathedral during the Byzantine empire, the opulent building has been subjected to many transformations over the centuries; from church to mosque, to museum and finally, a mosque again as ordered by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2020. Once inside, you can’t help being mesmerised by the domed design with its wide windows that allow in ample light from all directions. The exterior is captivating to say the least, with massive chandeliers suspended from the high ceilings, walls adorned with exquisite mosaics, huge calligraphic wood-panel medallions, smooth marble floors, and rows of thick green carpets. We spent hours just taking in the sheer beauty of this masterpiece, admiring its splendour and rich cultural significance.
Right outside both these marvellous structures are benches, filled with tourists. Some were taking pictures against the beautiful backdrops, while others were enjoying the street food. We had heard a lot about the delicious local offerings, especially the loaded potatoes we were quick to spot. The stalls had long queues, confirming the popularity of what was being sold. We knew we couldn’t leave without trying these loaded potatoes; I’m happy to report, each bite was worth the hype! Creamy mashed potatoes, topped with spicy sauces – yum!
Continuing forward, we found ourselves in the famous Grand Bazaar, which in my humble opinion – and I realise many would disagree- is definitely overrated. It’s filled with shops selling designer copies, so unless that’s something you’re into, I don’t think it has much else to offer. Spice Bazaar, on the other hand, was a lot fun as we got to discover lots of traditional Turkish teas and spices.
The next day we wanted to enjoy some retail therapy so chose to check out Zorlu Mall. The mall had all the shops one could think of, with great products and an enjoyable vibe. We had a great time picking up items for our winter wardrobes that’ll be loved for a long while. Perhaps the best part of this spree were the cute Christmas shops that had been set up all around. Another mall that’s worth going to is Istinye Park. It’s a little outside the main city, but a lovely and relaxing place to shop. The high-end shopping area of Nişantaşı is also worth the trip. It has some very elegant shops and restaurants.
Over the next few days, we explored Galata Tower which I personally thought was one of the best places we visited on this trip. The tower is high up so it’s quiet a trek, but it’s one you will love. As we made our way up, we explored the surrounding shops, particularly the ones selling tempting Turkish delights. By the time we reached the top, we had completely lost count of how much we had eaten!
We also took the afternoon Bosphorus cruise, which made for the most unforgettable 45-minute ride that I’ll always cherish. It was a sunny but windy, beautiful day, with the perfect views while we looked out into the clear deep blue water, sipping on aromatic coffee. Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared fascinating facts about this amazing city.
During our ten-day holiday, Taksim Square was a constant go-to as our hotel was nearby. We took the local shuttle and went to Taksim everyday, enjoying the liveliness and activity around us. It had some amazing restaurants and shops as well. Also, if you’re in Istanbul, it’ll be next to impossible to not make multiple trips to Hafiz Mustafa. We heartily consumed their baklava and other deserts on offer as many times as we could manage and have no regrets!
Each day spent in this remarkable city had a unique experience awaiting us. A perfect combination of the old and modern world, there’s a special, distinctive charm Istanbul has. Full of history, culture, great food and people, this is an ideal vacation spot that unifies the east and west.
My advice to anyone thinking of planning a trip to Turkey would be that they must hurry up! I guarantee you’ll come back feeling refreshed with a truck load of fond memories.
