A little over five years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the finest girls I know while interning at Harper’s Bazaar magazine. Her name is Christina Pryor, and she is such a gem who brings out the best qualities in everyone she meets. Recently, she took a fabulous trip to Istanbul, Turkey with her sister, Toni, and was sweet of enough to share with Bonjour + Hola about her favorite things while visiting this incredible place!
Travelin’ Through the Eyes of…Christina Pryor
I can’t think of a better way to mark a big milestone than to take an amazing trip. My sister Toni and I recently returned from two weeks in Turkey and Greece to celebrate her graduation from college. The highlight of our trip was without a doubt our final stop, Istanbul, a city that is both historical and contemporary, at the threshold of Europe and Asia. With famous sites, delicious food and endless streets to explore, it’s not hard to see why it topped the New York Times Readers’ 2010 Wishlist as the most-desired travel destination of the past year. Here are a few of my Istanbul highlights!
SEE
Toni & Christina in front of Aya Sofya
· The Big Three. Any guide to Istanbul has to include the iconic sites of Istanbul – the Aya Sofya, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. While these are well-known, they should still be essential stops on any itinerary. A few tips:
-Get up early or go during lunch time to avoid the tourist throngs!
-Read a guidebook before you go, so you can put what you’re seeing into context. None of the sites are well-marked, and although you can get an audio or live guide, it’s worth investing in a book that can give you the full scoop on the sultans who went mad in Topkapi or the Aya Sofya’s transformation from church to mosque to museum.
-Remember that although Turkey is a largely secular country, the Blue Mosque and other mosques around the city are still closed at various times during the day for prayer. Look online or ask your hotel to be sure.
· Museum Moment. If you’re interested in contemporary art, make sure to check out the Istanbul Modern, the first modern art museum in Turkey, located in a converted warehouse on the waterfront, and the galleries in the nearby trendy Beyoglu neighborhood. Istanbul was named a European Capital of Culture in 2010, and its thriving arts scene is not to be missed.
DO
View of the Bosphorus
· Boat ride on the Bosphorus. Whether you’re on a luxurious private yacht or on a student budget, the best way to see the city is by water. On our last day, we took the ferry from the European side to the Asian side for lunch. At under $2 for a round-trip ticket, it’s the ultimate Istanbul experience.
· Visit the Grand Bazaar. The endless hustling from vendors can be overwhelming and many of the stalls sell cheap knock-offs, but you can still find beautiful bargains to bring home for yourself or as presents for family and friends.
-Turkey is famous for carpets, but we especially liked the bath stalls (look out for handmade soaps and towels), the jewelry booths (beautiful earrings!), and the scarf vendors (the best ones have hand-stitched embroidery).
-Make sure to haggle, starting by offering half of whatever a vendor wants for an item.
-When you’re shopped out, take a break at one of the many tea stalls within the Bazaar and admire your purchases.
Turkish Bath
· Take a Turkish Bath. While we actually did this in Bodrum (a resort town on the Aegean Sea), you can’t leave Turkey without going to a traditional Turkish hamam.
-It’s not for the modest, as you’ll strip down and leave your clothes in a locker room before soaping up (Don’t worry, there’s usually a separate ladies’ entrance!).
-Pay extra to have an exfoliating scrub and a soap massage from the resident masseuse, leaving you with a fresh vacation glow.
-The most famous hamam in Istanbul is Cagalogu Hamami, which counts visitors such as Florence Nightingale and Harrison Ford in its 300+ year history.
EAT & DRINK
Turkish Tea
· Rooftop Cocktails. Grab a drink pre or post-dinner at one of the rooftop bars in Beyoglu. They offer postcard-worthy views of the Bosphorus and fun people watching.
-Try a mojito – the “it” beverage for young Istanbulites these days!
-Alcohol is highly taxed in Turkey, so expect to pay New York prices. But don’t worry if you’re on a budget – restaurants in Istanbul are very reasonable.
-If you’re feeling adventurous, order a glass of raki, the traditional Turkish alcoholic drink. Make sure to mix it with cold water, as it is quite strong!
· Street Treats. I generally stay away from the hot dogs and nuts at home in New York City, but couldn’t resist the street food in Istanbul. Start your morning off with a simit (a pretzel-like bagel with sesame seeds) or have a kebab wrapped in durum (bread) as a late night snack.
· Restaurant Recs.
-If you’re looking for fresh fish and a posh scene, head to Poseidon, located in the upscale area of Bebek. You may even see some local celebrities, although you’ll probably have no idea who they are!
-My favorite Turkish meal is iskender kepab (grilled lamb, spicy tomato sauce & warm pita – yum!). Try it at Konak, located on Istiklal, Beyoglu’s main drag with shopping, cafes and galleries.
STAY
Most tourists stay in Sultanahamet, which is near the sites but devoid of local flavor. A better bet is to stay near Taksim Square, an area with the city’s hippest bars and restaurants that is an easy taxi or trolley ride from Sultanahmet. We loved Lush Hotel, a boutique property that has an extensive complimentary breakfast buffet, helpful staff and reasonable rates if you book online.
xoxo Christina
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