Day 1 I love Istanbul, there is something magical and mystical about this city, exciting and unique with the closeness to all cultures and the fact that you are where east meets west, Europe bordering with the Middle East and Asia, you can combine, history with culture-art-gastronomy and wellness an a lot of shopping of course.
I started my trip at Arlanda in The Pontus Frithiof’s Amex Centurion lounge, I love the oatmeal there.
Stockholm Istanbul in a little more then three hours, Turkish Airlines businessclass is one of the best. Here below are my ”must-do-see”
We arrived at our lovely well located Grand Hyatt in the Taksim neigbourhood, greeted by our lovely guide Arzu, so sweet and extremely knowledgeble, we had dinner with a view at Izaka, with Michelin mention we had turkish traditional food served in a new more minimalistic modern way.
Day 2 Turkish traditional breakfast is unbeatable, then off to the amazing historical sites the beautiful Hagia Sophia mosque, a bysantine masterpiece, then the Basilica cisterns from the 6th century where many movies were filmed, and the Topkapi Palace museum where you can see stunning jewelry.
In the Grand Bazaar we met with world famous turkish jeweler Sevan Bıçakçı, his jewelry are true masterpieces I am a huge fan and so is also Brooke Shields, Gwyneth Palthrow, Catherine Zeta-Jones amongt many more. Then lunch at traditional Pandeli in the Spice market. I bought fresh saffron and red citrusy sumac spice that I like on my rice at the Spice Market and some turkish delight from the oldest maker, still family owned, from 1777, tasting Haci Bekiri’s delights is a must. My turkish hamman experience at 16th century Cagaloglu Hammam from 1741, designed by Mimar Sinan, was very diffrent from the hammams I have tried previously I got taken care of by Suzan, that washed me in clouds of bubbles, and light massage so well needed and lovely.We had a fabulous dinner at home cooking style restaurant Ali, a typical kebab house, and we tried some great local wines.
Traditional breakfast at Olden 1772
Haci Bekir turkish delight
I love Simit turkish bagel style bread
Spice market
Oldest coffee merchant
Me and amazing fine jewelry designer Sevan
I had a great walk over the bridge back to the European side
Typical turkish mezze
Cutest christmas patisseries at Grand Hyatt Taksim, I also enjoyed a great massage at the hotel spa Gaia
Day 3 we visited the Galata tower that offers a 360 views of Istanbul, and I walked around the quaint area, where they have a cat museum and the fish market. Turkish coffee at renowed Pera Palace, the home of Agatha Christie when she wrote The Murder on The Orient Express, they have the oldest elevator in Istanbul. I enjoyed shopping at the new mall at Galataport and amazing visit at the new Modern Museum designed by Renzo Piano. I really enjoyed the bulding the view and the turkish modern art collection.
My favorite areas in Istanbul are Bebek and Nişantaşı the luxury shopping area and visit with famed couture designer Özlem Suer. Last Dinner at fun and delicious restaurant Club Ruby, located in Bosporus, on the water, with breathtaking views, connected to The Black Sea and Marmara sea, I had a great time at Ruby with fantastic coctails and international food and a great DJ.
Before I left for Stockholm I had brunch at ”Little House”, with my dearest old Istanbul swede at Aliée a new luxury hotel on ”The Golden Horn” by the water.It was a true pleasure to discover this absolutely amazing hotel, with a great curated art collection, and an oustanding spa.
The Cat museum
Fish market
Turkish coffee at iconic Pera Palace
Pera Palace elevator, the first one in Istanbul
The incredible new Modern Museum
Mansur Al-Hallaj by Erol Akyvavas (1932-1999)
The Magnificent Age by Muhtesem Cag (1929-2013)
Favorite celebrity turkish couture designer Özlem Suer, Özlem dressed celebrities like Shakira, Paris Hilton and Princess Märta of Norway amongs many more
Last night at Michelin mentioned bar-restaurant-club Ruby
Fun with newfound friend Nicole Kavander from ELLE Sweden
A room with a view at new Hotel Aliée
Hotel Aliée’s superb outdoors pool
One of the pretties spa’s I have experienced
Turkish coffee break
My swedish/ turkish ”sister”
I will be back soon Istanbul
