1. Stroll around
Consider standing at the spot that was the centre of the fabled empires of Byzantium and Constantinople. Yes, your hair will stand on end. This swathe of Istanbul has more history, drama, mystique and intrigue than you can soak up in a day, so set aside enough time for this. It will not be a disappointment. Sultanahmet is the ancient name for the walled city and it’s where all the big historical sights are: the awe-inspiring Hagia (pronounced Aaya) Sofia, the exquisite Blue Mosque, the hedonistic Topkapi Palace, the ancient Hippodrome, the mildly spooky Roman cistern, more mosques, churches and museums. Plus cafés, boutiques and bazaars. This is where the action is and always has been.
2. Hop on and off a Bosporus cruise
Asia on your left, Europe on your right and the blue sea stretched out before you. It happens nowhere else on the planet. Just get yourself the seat with
the best view on a Bosporus cruise and let it all wash over you. Buy a hop-on hop-off ticket so you can see the gorgeously ornate Dolmabahçe Palace mid-way and get off at the stop for the fascinating Spice Bazaar, from there graduate to the Grand Bazaar.
3. Drink up
Turkish coffee, be warned, can be an acquired taste. It is very strong, intense and bitter and not for the faint of stomach. Apple tea, on the other
hand, can be oversweet. But you’ll get used to both soon. And you’ll get some excellent grape beverage as well.
4. Let off steam in a hammam
You’ve got to make time for this exotic experience, which will make you feel like a wet rag to begin with, but leave you with a feeling of indolence and
relaxation. The hammam works on pretty much the same principles as the Western sauna — it starts with a steamy session in the warm (or hot) room, followed by a vigorous scrub and massage before finally cooling off in your cubicle or the cold room. Some hotels offer this service in-house, but there are plenty of clean, hygienic public hammams as well. In case you’re wondering, men and women have separate sections or timings.
5. Experience Ephesus
“Turkey has more Greek monuments than Greece,” boasted our Turkish guide. I wouldn’t go that far, but yes, Turkey has some impressive monuments and ruins from the Greek as well as Roman eras. Ephesus, about 370 kilometres from Istanbul, was once a major Greek city, before becoming part of the Roman Empire and later a base for early Christianity. Today it’s famed for its many breathtaking structures.
6. Shimmy with a belly dancer, dance with the dervishes
Belly dancing is for the hedonists, Sufi whirling for the more spiritually inclined. (Here’s a tip to help you decide: you’re not expected to shower the dervishes with lira, but the belly dancers sort of expect it). Both forms of dancing are not as simple as they look, as you’ll discover when you try them out
(there’s invariably a session when guests are invited to join in). Belly dancing obviously needs you to shed some inhibitions, but who cares when you’re a tourist? Sufi whirling, on the other hand, requires an inner quietude. Relax and just surrender to the mood.
7. Soak in the Turkish sun
Touring Turkey need not be an expedition from one historical sight or set of ruins to another. The country has some stunning seaside resorts where you can relax on a budget or in top-end luxury. The sea and sky are a Mediterranean blue, the weather is perfect, the living is easy. Top picks include Antalya, the Turkish Riviera; the Bodrum Peninsula (your history book might have called it Halicarnassus); Kusadasi, jewel of the Turquoise Coast; and Marmaris, meeting point of Aegean and Mediterranean waters. Sun, sand, seafood and grape beverage — can you resist that?
8. Stay in a cave hotel
These are not faux cave hotels, the unique caves of Cappadocia are the real deal, where natives lived, worshipped and resided for millennia. The area’s USP is the soft malleable rock that makes up the cave interiors. The cave hotel is only the starting point for the exploration of one of earth’s strangest landscapes, dotted with what are called fairy chimneys. A bird’s eye view from a hot-air balloon comes highly recommended.
9. Go local
Take time out to experience Turkish hospitality by staying in any of Turkey’s many small, clean, family-run hotels. Breakfast on a terrace with a view of the Sea of Marmara more than compensates for some glass-and-chrome luxuries.
10. Get a taste of varied cultures
Turkish cuisine reflects the nation’s amalgam of cultures. Middle Eastern, Ottoman, Mediterranean and European influences merge in this region’s food.
Get started by tucking into some mezze, the Turkish platter of snacks. Relish the kebabs and pilafs. Round off with baklava, the traditional Turkish dessert
