If first impressions count for anything, my friend and I were wondering what we had let ourselves in for when the driver who picked us up at airport zigzagged through the heavy traffic, took a short cut through a garage forecourt ignoring the red traffic light!
Fortunately we arrived in one piece and our week-long visit to Istanbul in the first week of September 2015 turned out to be a memorable experience. As usual the hotel we chose played a great part in our enjoyable stay
Ayasofya Hotel
Ayasofya Hotel was recommended to us by my friend’s friend. It was homely rather than luxurious. Its location in Sultanahmet District was fantastic with all the major sights within walking distance. What really made it special was the friendliness and helpfulness of staff and guests alike. It was like staying with friends
From the moment I made enquiries I knew we wanted to be there! I enquired how much the 6-night package plus free airport transfers would cost so that I would start spending less in handbags. With his response Greg the manager added that there would be a discount if paid by cash or cheque so the savings could go straight to my handbag fund!!
Gaye the Australian owner also organised personalised trips for small groups in and around Istanbul and we kept in touch afterwards. My friend and I seriously thought about a return trip (something I rarely do) to Istanbul. Unfortunately a series of terrorist attacks started barely 4 months after our visit, to be followed by the military coup which totally decimated Istanbul’s tourist industry. It was a sad day when I received an email from Gaye and Greg informing me that low occupancy forced the closure of the hotel.
Fine Dine Istanbul
My friend and I had dinner at Fine Dine Istanbul on the ninth floor of Arcadia Hotel on our first night in Istanbul on the hotel’s recommendation. We were immediately captivated by the views!
It was not cheap but the food was good and the service excellent But the view from our table on the balcony was exceptional.
It was mesmerising to see Blue Mosque and distant buildings first shimmered in the early evening sun, then sparkled against a deep blue sky which finally turned velvet black.
We enjoyed the experience so much that we went back there on our last night in Istanbul
Day 2 – We joined a full day walking tour which included lunch. The tour was well organised and it saved us a lot of time and from getting lost, or “getting our bearings” as we preferred to call it.
We started off with Hippodrome, then Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum and (after lunch) Topkapi Palace. The tour was great as an orientation and since our hotel was so near we went to to Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia for a more leisurely visit on other days
Hippodrome (front & back)
It was relatively early so there were not a lot of people!
Blue Mosque – a beauty outside and inside (these photos were taken over 2 days)
Hagia Sophia Museum (these photos were taken over 2 days)
Topkapi Palace – the courtyard and interiors
Views from the terrace
Day 3 – Galata Tower & half day cruise
It’s almost customary that I climb at least one tower when I visit a new place! My friend and I took the tram to Galata Tower following some useful instructions from a fellow guest! We were there nice and early before it became crowded. The view was great and it was nice to have our mid morning coffee in the café before heading back to the hotel for our half day cruise which included lunch onboard!
Galata Tower and the great views from it
Half day cruise
The cruise took us on the Golden Horn onto the Bosphorus (the world’s narrowest strait used for international navigation) then the Black Sea.
Galata Tower from the boat
Views on the Bosphorus
When we got to Anadolu Kavagi (the last stop on the Asian side and the intersection of Marmara Sea and Black Sea) there was a stop for an hour so that some people could swim. We got off the boat to look around the fishing village and had a coffee.
If we had known that we could stay on the boat we would have, as there was not much on the island!
Day 4 – Yeni Cami (New Mosque), the spice market & the grand bazaar
As advised by our fellow hotel guests who had been there a couple of days before us we bought one travel card for 10TL. We could have one card between us (we just handed the card to the other after one of us got in). A trip using the card would cost 2.5TL instead of 4TL.
Yeni Cami (New Mosque)
There’s a cafe overlooking a pretty square at the back of the mosque.
Istanbul University
Day 5 – a full day tour of Bosphorus & Dolmabahce Palace
As we had undertaken the half day cruise the first part of the cruise seemed similar but it took us only as far as Rumeli Fortress and then turn back.
We were then taken to Pierre Loti Hill and took the cable car down. Then we went to Dolmabahce Palace. The interiors were extremely opulent and could only be viewed with a guide and no photos were allowed.
The tour took us to Asian Hill via Bosphorus Bridge to the Asian side.
Views from Pierre Loti Hill
More from the cruise
Dolmabahce Palace
Day 6 – Suleymaniye Mosque
Suleymaniye Mosque was easily the most beautiful of the mosques that we visited, probably because we were early and there were not a lot of people! The interiors were exquisite! And the boasted a great view across the water.
Views from the terrace
Views from under Galata bridge
Day 6 – Farewell to Istanbul
We were due to get back to the UK in the late afternoon. however there was time in the morning for us to have a stroll down to Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia before spending an interesting couple of hours at Islamic Arts museum.
Got the fridge magnet 😁
