Inside Turkey A guide to Turkey’s most extraordinary destinations DESTINATION SUPPLEMENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH 1 ADVERT ContentsContents Istanbul 8 Bursa 26 20 Antalya Bodrum 14 30 Golden Book Ortakoy Mosque, Istanbul 8 Visit Turkey Istanbul Turkey’s most visited city is home to its most treasured historic monuments and the hottest new luxury attractions stanbul is a legendary city, one whose name conjures up images of bustling bazaars and scenes Istraight out of 1001 Arabian Nights; but there’s much more to the city today than spices and incense. Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, and Byzantium long before that, was the seat of power for the consecutive Roman and Ottoman Empires – a place long accus- tomed to providing culture, comfort and entertainment for the local populace and visiting dignitaries. Today the city straddles two continents – Europe and Asia – a geographical idiosyncrasy that helpfully splits it into two distinct parts, divided in half by the Bosphorus Strait. You can find some of the country’s most iconic historical attractions and modern nightspots on the European side, while some of the city’s top residential districts are located on the Asian half of the waterway, which is connected by the mighty Galata Bridge. Istan- bul is also home to a stunning collection of traditional and contemporary restaurants, winning international attention from food critics worldwide. From the ancient Hagia Sophia Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the resplendent Blue Mosque, to the mod- ern luxury hotels that line the banks of the Bosphorus, the city is bursting at the seams with attractions to lure visitors from all corners of the globe. 9 Tastes of Turkey 1 stanbul’s gourmet scene has exploded 1 ZUMA 2 TUGRA I over the last few years, as more and German chef Rainer Becker’s hugely For what might well be the best Turkish more chefs and restaurateurs realised the successful Zuma was an instant hit with cuisine in town, head to Tugra Restaurant city’s huge potential as the world’s next locals and visitors alike when it opened in and Lounge at the elegant Kempinski major tourism hotspot. Big names in the 2008, and it remains one of the hottest Ciragan Palace and ask for a table on the global gourmet scene like Rainer Becker’s restaurants on Istanbul’s buzzing restau- terrace. The views of the Bosphorus are Zuma concept have found new homes in rant scene. The menu offers a vast selec- among the most romantic in the city, and Istanbul, inspiring others to follow in their tion of modern Japanese concoctions and the restaurant’s team of Turkish chefs footsteps and encouraging chefs to bring a beverage menu to match. At lunchtime prepare mouthwatering dishes from the new ideas to the table. From traditional it’s full of businessmen in suits, and at night “modern classic” menu, which features Turkish cuisine to contemporary Asian it’s packed with trendy locals and hungry a sumptuous collection of Turkish and fusion, there’s something for everyone. tourists eager to be a part of the action. Ottoman cuisine. With so much to choose from, it’s hard to Tel: +90 212 236 2296 Tel: +90 212 236 7333 pick a favourite. www.zumarestaurant.com www.kempinski.com 10 2 3 4 5 3 DRAGON AT REINA 4 CIPRIANI ISTANBUL 5 SAFRAN RESTAURANT The city’s most popular open-air club The Istanbul branch of super-trendy For some of the finest traditional Turkish is also home to one of its favourite Cipriani restaurant has quickly established and Ottoman cuisine in town, look no fur- restaurants, which occupies a perfect itself as a favourite among the city’s upper ther than Safran Restaurant and Terrace spot on the edge of the Bosphorus, on the crust. Serving a mixture of classic dishes at the Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul. European side of the river. Enjoy the finest from the company’s original Harry’s Bar in Enjoy an authentic Turkish experience in Chinese cuisine in town, either inside the Venice, and contemporary fusion dishes sophisticated surroundings, with tradi- stylish venue or al fresco under the star-lit reflecting traditional Turkish cuisine, the tional live Turkish music and one of the Turkish sky during the summer months. restaurant is known as a hangout for the most panoramic outdoor terraces in town, As well as the fabulous food, you’ll enjoy city’s social elite. Sit inside among exqui- where you can look down on the minarets seeing and being seen by the celebrities site Italian design, or out on the terrace to and domes of countless mosques dotted and high-flyers at trendy Reina after. soak up the atmosphere. all over the city. Tel: +90 212 259 5919 Tel: +90 212 317 7787 Tel: +90 212 368 44 44 www.reina.com.tr www.cipriani.com istanbul.intercontinental.com.tr 11 Istanbul heritage Istanbul’s historic buildings are centuries-old reminders of distant empires and benevolent rulers who created some of the world’s most iconic structures s the former seat of the Ottoman 1 BLUE MOSQUE 2 TOPKAPI PALACE Aand the Roman empires, Istanbul The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, or the Blue For more than 400 years, the sprawling has welcomed some of history’s greatest Mosque, is one of Istanbul’s architec- Topkapi Palace was the home of the rulers architects and designers, who have created tural masterpieces. Built in the early 17th of the Ottoman Empire, as well as the some of Turkey’s most iconic buildings century when Istanbul was the heart of setting for all of Istanbul’s official events and landmarks. From the glorious domes the Ottoman Empire, the Blue Mosque and ceremonies. The palace was also of the Blue Mosque to the soaring spires is considered to be one of the last great the centre of the Muslim world and still of the Hagia Sophia, the city’s religious mosques built during the classical period, houses some of Islam’s most important monuments are some of the most dazzling with six towering minarets and eight relics. Within its massive walls, visitors in the world. Other sites like the magnificent smaller domes below the vast main today can walk the cool corridors of the Topkapi Palace and the winding alleyways domed roof. It remains one of the city’s palace and visit some of the Ottoman of the Grand Bazaar are well-preserved most important places of worship, but it empire’s most treasured relics, standing windows into times gone by. is also open to visitors, who marvel at the where sultans once directed the political blue tiles that decorate its interior. and religious life of the empire. www.bluemosque.co www.topkapipalace.com 2 3 12 1 3 HAGIA SOPHIA 4 THE BOSPHORUS 5 GRAND BAZAAR The Hagia Sophia Mosque stood as a Every great city of old is built around a Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar has been the symbol of the might and talent of the suc- water source, and Istanbul is no different. heart of the city’s trade and commerce cessive empires that ruled over the city. It The mighty Bosphorus Strait, which since the 15th century, when it was the started out as a cathedral when Istanbul carves the city in two and separates central market for traders who came from was still called Constantinople, the seat the continents of Asia and Europe, all over the Ottoman Empire. Today, it is a of power of the Byzantine Empire. When connecting the Black Sea and the Sea must-see on any itinerary. The maze-like the city fell to Ottoman invaders in 1453, of Marmara, has been a vital trade route streets and alleyways are home to more the cathedral was turned into a mosque, since the city was first settled. Today, than 5,000 stalls selling arts and crafts, and remained a place of worship until the boats that run up and down the wa- rich fabrics and silks, antique jewellery and it was turned into a museum in 1935. terway carry tourists on cruises that give other souvenirs. There is no better way to The stunning building remains one of them the chance to see both sides of immerse yourself in the Turkey of old than the best-preserved pieces of Byzantium the city from a different angle, from the by wandering through the vast covered architecture in the world. palaces that line the banks of the river to bazaar and talking to the traders. www.hagiasophia.com the grand mosques in the distance. www.grandbazaaristanbul.org 4 5 13 14 Visit Turkey Antalya Antalya is Turkey’s own version of the French Riviera, full of unique Mediterranean spirit and coastal charm trategically located on the Mediterranean Sea, Antalya is sometimes called the Turkish Riviera. SLike the French equivalent, Antalya and the surrounding coastal villages are home to an array of mouth-watering restaurants serving fresh fish and seafood, with rows of yachts and sailboats jostling for space in busy marinas or moored in idyllic bays, and a laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere that seduces visi- tors into staying a little bit longer than planned. The city boasts a rich ancient heritage with Greek, Roman and most recently Turkish influences. Once a trading hub, it is now best known for its beautiful beaches, natural waterfalls, and luxury resorts, as well as its proximity to more than its fair share of historic sites, from the ancient cities of Perga and Aspendos to the Antalya Archaeological Museum and its collection of marble statues. Antalya’s mild climate makes it one of Turkey’s lead- ing agricultural centres, with fragrant orange groves flourishing beneath centuries-old aqueducts, and mouth-watering strawberries bursting with flavour sold at roadside stands.