SETTING THE SCENE
Istanbul is a vibrant city brimming with culture and charm. Straddling Europe and Asia across the meandering Bosphorus Strait, it’s a magical melting pot of modernity and minarets, museums and cosmopolitan living. Ideal for holidaymakers wanting to sate varied interests, you can step back in time at the Byzantine Hagia Sophia, the Roman-era Hippodrome, which was once used for chariot races, or the Blue Mosque; shop up a storm at the Grand Bazaar, haggling your way round the world’s oldest historical bazaar; admire Turkish art at Topkapi Palace and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts; unwind in a traditional Ottoman hammam, and so much more. In fact, part of the charm of Istanbul is simply walking around the city with no destination in mind, exploring cobbled back alleys to find locals sipping coffee over games of backgammon, watching people casting a rod on the Galata Bridge, and discovering the green side of the city at Gülhane Park or Belgrad Forest.
WHEN TO VISIT
Spring and autumn to beat the heat and crowds.
WHERE TO EAT
For something special, book dinner at Turk Fatih Tutak. This two-Michelin star restaurant focuses on age-old culinary traditions adapted for a modern palate while celebrating the freshness of regional produce.
THE HOTEL
When it’s time to bed down, Raffles Istanbul is a glorious reflection of a city that stitches its many European and Asian cultural influences into one awe-inspiring tapestry. Located on the European side, in the Zorlu Center, a cutting-edge hub for fashion, food and culture that beats to its own rhythm, the very best of the city is at your fingertips. A place to soothe, thrill and excite, it has majestic views of the Bosphorus, the recently restored Maiden Tower, the Princes’ Islands, and the Old Town. But it’s not all about the outside. Inside the hotel, you’ll find 185 rooms and suites – some of the largest in the city – all with glorious floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies, with sleek modern interiors complimented with a large contemporary art collection, most of which is specially commissioned from local artists. If you’re after a touch of that signature Raffles refined grandeur, check into the Raffles Royal Suite, with 416 square metres of elegant, modern Turkish design for only the most distinguished of guests. The suite includes airport transfer via helicopter and the legendary Raffles Butler Service, meaning you won’t have to lift a finger during your stay. When hunger comes calling, the award-winning Isokyo will take you on an Asian adventure, from Tokyo to Istanbul. Each dish is bursting with traditional flavours, from Japan’s umami, to Thailand’s sweet and spicy, and Korea’s pickled and fermented to Turkish spices. The sommelier at the ever-beautiful Champagne Room then awaits to help you toast your holiday in high style.
WHAT TO SEE
The Night Museum Project allows visitors to explore some of Istanbul’s key cultural venues by night, offering a completely new spin on the city.
WHAT TO DO
Soak up the city from a unique vantage point – cruising down the Bosphorus Strait on a private yacht. Time it well for sunset for the most beautiful views.
And On Your Wrist?
Philipp Plein Crypto King Flying Tourbillon
Istanbul may be a deeply historic city, but it also has a wildly avant-garde energy and a taste for the daring. Show a flash of inspiration with the new Crypto King Flying Tourbillon, unveiled during this year’s Watches and Wonders, which is a virtuoso effort from start to finish. Inside its irreverent red-striped and transparent-strapped exterior beats a coaxial tourbillon in a bespoke calibre, with the wide-open window dial giving a close-up view of all the action. Take in the past with a symbol of the future on your wrist.
