ISTANBUL – DAY ONE 🇹🇷
The one where we devoured a breakfast banquet, wandered beneath ancient streets, and ended the day with music, mezze, and maybe a little too much Raki…
🥱 After a long and rather chaotic travel day, we all collapsed into our beds and slept like logs. So, when morning rolled around, we were ready for a good breakfast. And what we got was so much more than breakfast… it was a full-blown Turkish banquet. Our hotel pulled out all the stops: fresh-baked breads, crunchy cereals, salty olives, peppery salamis, paprika-dusted fries, juicy tomatoes, and more varieties of cheese than I thought existed. And just when we’d all declared ourselves done, along came the eggs — scrambled, fried, and even served in tiny, sizzling omelette pans. I boldly announced, “That’ll do me for the day!” (Spoiler alert: it didn’t.)
🕌 Outside, our fabulous local guide Sey gathered us up and whisked us into the heart of this mesmerising city. A quick tram ride later, we were walking through time, from Roman emperors to Ottoman sultans — as Sey painted stories of Constantine and the many layers that make up Istanbul’s rich, chaotic charm. Some of us marvelled at the grandeur of the Hagia Sophia, its domes catching the sunlight just so, while others discovered a little café in a tower, where we fed seagulls and took in sweeping views of the city’s skyline.
💧 Then came the real magic… the Basilica Cistern. Built in 532 AD under the reign of Emperor Justinian (who, fun fact, started life as a stable boy!), this underground reservoir was like stepping into another world. Quiet, cool, and a little eerie, with rows of ancient columns rising from the water and soft lighting casting dancing shadows on the ceiling, it felt more like a forgotten temple than a water storage facility. It quickly became a favourite moment for many of us.
🚇 From the cool silence of the cistern, we zipped across the city on the world’s second-oldest metro system (London, you’re still top!) to the buzzing energy of İstiklal Street. This 1.6km pedestrianised stretch is retail therapy on steroids, from knock-off Louis Vuittons to familiar high-street favourites, the shops seemed endless. We strolled, we browsed, we occasionally got lost.
🍽️ When hunger struck, we found solace in sizzling kebabs and Kumpir — imagine a baked potato gone wild, stuffed to the brim with melty cheese, tangy salads, and mysterious toppings I couldn’t name. While most of us opted for a cheeky beer, Rebecca went bold with a traditional Turkish drink made from turnip and purple carrot. Let’s just say… it tasted like pickled beetroot juice and leave it there. 10/10 for bravery though — I stuck to my trusty Efes.
🛍️ The Grand Bazaar was our final assault on the senses — in the best possible way. With over 6,000 shops tucked into a maze of alleys and arches, it was a riot of colour, noise, spices, lamps, leather goods, and the occasional shout of “Lady, you dropped something — my heart!” (Classic.) Haggling was half the fun, even if some of us were better at it than others!
🎻 We ended the day with dinner at a cosy local spot, where the food kept coming and the entertainment… well, kept entertaining! A fiddler and his very enthusiastic mate played lively tunes while we tucked into plates of mezze. Claire W wasn’t entirely on board with the serenade, but it made for a good laugh. Cristina bravely ordered Raki — a strong aniseed spirit that’s basically Turkish Pernod — and quickly discovered it’s a drink best sipped very slowly. We wrapped things up with a lovely round of roses and thorns, sharing the best bits and little challenges of the day.
What struck me most is how each of us experienced the same city in totally different ways — and that, to me, is the real magic of travel. Same streets, different stories. Same sunset, different hearts full.
More Turkish tales coming next week… and trust me, it only gets better!