{"id":122,"date":"2021-03-04T10:42:51","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T07:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bridge224.qodeinteractive.com\/?p=122"},"modified":"2021-03-04T10:51:58","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T07:51:58","slug":"a-perfect-weekend-in-istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgatravel.co\/index.php\/2021\/03\/04\/a-perfect-weekend-in-istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"A Perfect Weekend in Istanbul"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Istanbul is an amazing city to visit with lots of unique historical sites, rooftop bars and restaurants, huge bazaars and so on. Even for locals of Istanbul, there are still undiscovered parts of Istanbul so there is never enough time to totally discover the city. You can still enjoy your long weekend break and experience the highlights of Istanbul.<\/p>

Day 1, Friday \u2013 Old City of Istanbul<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Morning flight to Istanbul is always ideal time to arrive Istanbul. Check in to your hotel in the old city (Sirkeci is a great place to stay which is a suburb in the middle of Sultanahmet and new part of Istanbul) Enjoy your lunch at \u2018Kasap Osman\u2019 which means \u2018Osman the Butcher\u2019 for one of the best kebap in town. If you don\u2019t prefer meat, try \u2018Ali Usta\u2019 for traditional \u2018\u00e7i\u011f k\u00f6fte\u2019 wrap which is raw meat kebap made from tomato paste.<\/p>

With your full stomach and happy soul, head to Sultanahmet \u2013 which was the center of the city for centuries during Roman, Byzantium and Ottoman Empire times. Highlights of Sultanahmet district are Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern Spice Market and Grand Bazaar.<\/p>

For the evening, try a rooftop restaurant in Karak\u00f6y suburb \u2013 our suggestion will be \u2018M\u00fckellef\u2019 which is a local tavern (meyhane) owned by the most famous Turkish chef, Arda Turkmen.<\/p>

Day 2, Saturday \u2013 Bosporus Cruise and Street Food Tour<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0Enjoy your Turkish breakfast at your hotel\u2019s breakfast lounge and head to the harbor of Eminonu. Experience the Bosporus Cruise and enjoy being in the middle of 2 continents, Asia and Europe. In the midday, experience a real historical tradition, a scrub and a soup massage in a Turkish bath.<\/p>

Try to pass the lunch and join SGA Travel\u2019s \u2018Street Food in 2 Different Continents\u2019 tour to try different samples of street food bites on both Asian and European side of Istanbul. Once you get to Asian side, stay at Kad\u0131k\u00f6y district and try Noasis Jazz Club to enjoy live jam sessions.<\/p>

Day 3, Sunday \u2013 Traditional Brunch, Walk on the Seaside and Final Shopping! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0Breakfast will be served at your hotel probably but we suggest you to experience a real \u2018Sunday Brunch\u2019 here in Istanbul. Take a cab to \u2018Bebek\u2019 district which is one of the fanciest area in Istanbul. Try \u2018Mangerie Bebek\u2019 lounge which has breathtaking views of Marmara Sea and amazing breakfast menu.<\/p>

\u00a0After breakfast, walk along the water and get to Ortak\u00f6y. Try to find a seat close to the water front and enjoy your tea (\u00e7ay), or taste \u2018kumpir\u2019 which is baked potato filled with salad, sausage and sauces, walk through the narrow streets where you find local artisans producing souvenirs.\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0Continue to Besiktas suburb through the water front and finish your walk at Dolmabahce Palace, which was the mansion of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk for over a decade. From the palace, take the traditional tunnel up the hill and get to Taksim square, center of modern Istanbul. Enjoy a walk on Istiklal Street, where you are able to find restaurants, pubs, shops and malls. Enjoy your last minute shopping, until the next time!<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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