To Istanbul

 

 

Historical Visit

These are all around Sultanahmet , which is the main historical touristic area. It’s just 10 minutes away by Taxi from Taksim.

This one is my favourite:

Basilica Cistern

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g293974-d294555-Reviews-Basilica_Cistern-Istanbul.html

The Topkapi palace is a place to see,  this area needs a whole day to walk around.

http://guidepal.com/istanbul/see–do/galata-tower

The Galata Tower  (also my favourite shopping area)

http://guidepal.com/istanbul/see–do/galata-tower

the most 2 famous mosque’s to visit:

http://www.hagiasophia.com/

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/turkey/istanbul-blue-mosque

the very famous grand bazaar for traditional shopping;

http://www.grandbazaarturkey.com/

and the spice market:

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Sights/GoldenHorn/EgyptianMarket.html

the Hammam, must do!

You should, for sure go to the Cagaloglu Hammam for a nice warm bath and a good massage.

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g293974-d524121-Reviews-Cagaloglu_Baths-Istanbul.html

Some hammam tips:

They will povide you a bath –wrap but still you can take a bikini, or just a bottom with you.

Don’t forget to take your slippers, and a hammam is a great place to put on a beauty mask on your face.

Shopping

Beside the Istinye park shopping mall which I mostly enjoy shopping but not authentic for sure  ( only well known world brands);    for some cool and vintage stores on streets here are the areas both around Taksim:

Galata Area

This area is also where the very famous historical Galata tower is. I go here very often for the cool shops and having a coffee break. It’s a must visit area.

Serdar-ı Ekrem street is the area to find following stores:

Here are more details;

http://www.theguideistanbul.com/news/view/531/a-day-on-serdar-i-ekrem-caddesi-in-galata/

These are my favourites

Lunapark, Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi No. 17/B, Galata; P: (0212) 245 94 14 

290sqm, Serdar-ı Ekrem Sokak No.27, Galata; P: (0212) 249 01 21

Fifth Ave Galata, Serdar-ı Ekrem Caddesi No.17/B, Galata; P: (0542) 647 11 03

and dont’t forget to have a coffee with a beautiful view of Istanbul on top of Georges Hotel. This hotel doesn’t have a sign in front, better check the location:

http://www.georges.com/

Cihangir & Cukurcuma area

The Çukurcuma area is just around the corner of the Galatasaray high school.  You can find stores for tailor made clothing and vintage clothes. Cihangir is an area next to it. It’s surrounded with cozy, hip cafes and stores to visit.

Here is a link mentioning about it:

http://www.mydestination.com/istanbul/shopping/110965/cukurcuma-street

Gallery

Sergi Kultur Salt

http://www.saltonline.org/en/anasayfa

Lately the most famous gallery to visit is Salt, it also has a nice restaurant.

It has 2 addresses:

SALT Beyoğlu
founded by Garanti
İstiklal Caddesi 136
Beyoğlu 34430 İstanbul Türkiye
View on the map

T +90 212 377 42 00

SALT Galata
founded by Garanti
Bankalar Caddesi 11
Karaköy 34420 İstanbul Türkiye
View on the map

 

Sanatorium

This is  a lately popular gallery:

http://www.sanatorium.com.tr/php/index.php?mid=8764385769887&dl=2

 

Istanbul Modern

It also has a beautiful restarant, with a wonderful sea view.

http://www.istanbulmodern.org/

 

Food 

Naif

Lately my favourite restaurant. All local food. Very fresh and all ingredients come originally from there own hometowns. The area  around Naif is top to have drinks and dance for late night. Reservation will be needed.

http://www.theguideistanbul.com/spots/view/3932/naif/

Phone Number: (0212) 251 53 35

Address: Mumhane Caddesi No. 52

 

 Yeni Lokanta 

At Taksim/Beyoğlu area. Small cozy atmosphere, best food ever! Definately need a reservation.

http://www.deliciousistanbul.com/blog/2013/06/30/yeni-lokanta/

Address:İstiklal Caddesi Kumbaracı Yokuşu No 66 Beyoğlu Telefon: 0090 212 292 25 50

 

Duble Meze Bar

On the top of Palazzo Donizetti  Hotel in Taksim area. Newly  opened,  beautiful Istanbul view. They have various Meze’s, I go here very often. Again a reservation is needed.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293974-d4346227-Reviews-Duble_Gurme_Meze_Bar-Istanbul.html

 

Maya ( Karaköy area)

This place is for Turkish/Mediterranean food. The Meze’s are one of the best in town.  Definitely needs a reservation.

http://www.lokantamaya.com/lokanta.html

reservation;0 212 252 68 84
Kemankeş Cad. 35 A
Karaköy İstanbul

 

Unter  (nice for drink, dinner, dancing…)

 http://unter.com.tr/home

Adres: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mh., Karaali Kaptan Sk No:4, Karaköy

Telefon:(0212) 244 5151

Closed on mondays

 

Karabatak (morely a cafe just across Unter)

A veery nice and comfy cafe to visit.

http://www.theguideistanbul.com/spots/detail/2639/-Karabatak-Karakoy-Julius-Meinl

Address: Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mahallesi Kara Ali Kaptan Sokak No.7
District: Karaköy

 

Mum’s Cafe

A great place to have a cup of coffee, good desserts, and they also serve Turkish breakfast.

Adres: Kemankeş Mah., Fransız Geçidi Sok. No:1 D:16-17, Karaköy/İstanbul

Telefon:(0212) 245 9848

 

Hamdi Restaurant 

It’s in the heart of Istanbul, in a very historical place near the Grand Bazaar the mosque’s, the traditional food is great. Lots of tourist go there and also local people, I advise it for Turkish cuisine and of course Kebap.

Tahmis Caddesi Kalçın Sokak No:17 Eminönü – İSTANBUL
Tel: +9(0533) 658 80 11 – +9(0555) 992 38 78 – +9(0212) 528 03 90

 

Zuma Restauant (Contemporary Japanese Cuisine)

The internationally known Zuma. Next to the Bosphorus. Best in summer time.

Salhane sokak no:7 Ortaköy- İSTANBUL

Tel: +90 212 236 22 96

To Paris…

Prescription Cocktail Club

23 Rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris, Fransa

+33 9 50 35 72 87

      

We just loved cocktails. not easy to find a bar dedicated only for cocktails. The Prescription Bar is a quirky yet fancy bar in a 1930’s style. All cocktails are unique and innovative. It has a relaxing vibe and being surrounded with all candlelights is so sexy and makes you look just as fab as like you’re living in the 1930’s.

 Collete

213 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, Fransa

+33 1 55 35 33 90

      

Collette is the coolest and  most hip store I have ever been to. It’s a must when I visit Paris. It’s cult merchandise from all ranges is a must see even if you don’t want to buy anything.

Pont de l’Archevêché /  Love Locks

5e Arrondissement, 75005 Paris, Fransa

            

 

 

 

 

 

Love…In French Style. A bridge symbolizing the everlasting spirit of love. Parisians dont remember when this even started but it sure is a place to visit if you’re in love. Bring a lock with you, or you can buy it there, write a note on it with a permanent pen, after you lock up just throw the keys to the river of Seine. What a wonderful way to celebrate your immortal love.

 Harry’s New York Bar

 5 Rue Daunou, 75002 Paris, France (Opera / Bourse)

 00 33 1 4261 7114

          

Now having a more than 100 years of history, this bar has been Ernest Hemingway’s favourite.

Can you imagine that Bloody Mary ( a cocktail mixed with Vodka, lemon juice, tomatoe juice) was first found in this bar back in 1921? Yes that’s right. Well having this reputation, you expect a big line in front and even some entrance fee. Well, non of them happened. It’s a very quiet place with humble bartenders. The Bloody Mary drink was definately delicious.

La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre

Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/l%C3%BCksemburg+bah%C3%A7esi/@48.846222,2.33716,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x791dd61b089f98b?sa=X&ei=iDjrVM3tL6GWygOd0IGIAQ&ved=0CKUBEPwSMA8

  

Sacré-Cœur’s is a magical place. The view from its parvis is one of those perfect Paris postcards. More than just a basilica, Sacré-Cœur is a veritable experience, from the musicians performing on the steps and the groups of friends picnicking on the hillside park. Best time is to visit right before the sun sets. And during the sunset, sit on the steps in front of it and enjoy the sun going down as well as you view Paris its most beautiul face .

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/paris/sights/religious/basilique-du-sacre-coeur#ixzz3SZxT7QQp

Sacrée Fleur ( Formerly named Marquerite)

0 rue de Clignancourt – Paris 18 – restosacreefleur@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

On the day you visit  La Basilique du Sacré Cœur you should arrange a reservation here for the evening. The beef, onion soup, frog legs…all French and all delicious. Having frog legs wasn’t my kind of thing at first but our very cool Turkish waiter Mahmut strongly recommended it, and we did enjoy it. The service was first class, wine quality and most important, the food was delightful.

Leon de Bruxelles

63 Avenue des Champs-Elysees, 75008 Paris, France (Champs-Elysees)
+33 1 42 25 96 16

In Turkish we have a saying “denizden babam çıksa yerim” referring that you’ll even eat your own dad if he comes out of the sea. This clearly does explain my love for seafood. We fell in love with the food here. Easily can drop by while you’re walking on Champs Elysee.

 Having a picnic at Jardin du Luxembourg

Map:https://www.google.com/maps/dir/”/luksemburg+park+paris/data=!4m5!4m4!1m0!1m2!1m1!1s0x47e671db36de687b:0x791dd61b089f98b?sa=X&ei=VSHrVO3bHcPOyQOeroCYAg&ved=0CJgBEPUXMA8

What can be better than having picnic with wine, macarons, croissants and your loved on on a beatiful day in Paris. This park has been open to public since the 17th century. We bought out wine from a local liquer shop and got the munchies from the famous Parisian patisserie Paul.