ISTANBUL, TURKEY

The ancient destination is getting all the love on Instagram

IN ISTANBUL, water taxis ferry people in and out of the city, bypassing rush-hour traffic, and it’s not uncommon to travel by yacht to your hotel. While you might for a second think you’re on the canals of Venice, Istanbul is instead nestled on the Bosphorus, a waterway that forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia. With its old-world-meetsnew-world charm, Turkey’s most populous city (and one of the world’s most hashtagged cities on Instagram), is worth discovering. Here’s the social media brag-worthy highlight reel…

DO

Aside from a reverent visit to the awe-inspiring Blue Mosque, and an Instagram-friendly flight in one of Cappadocia’s hot air balloons, no Turkish trip is complete without a stint in an

authentic hammam. One of the best in Istanbul is Kilic Ali Pasa Hamami (kilicalipasahamami.com), a 400-yearold spa that was recently restored.

Just heading through the white marbled entryway to the baths is guaranteed to make you instantly more relaxed, and that’s before you lie down on a warm marble slab ready for your treatment. The attendants use techniques passed down through generations to cleanse, exfoliate and massage, in a treatment that leaves skin baby soft. You’ll fall in love with the feeling of being scrubbed like you’re six years old again and want to recreate it at home. Good news: Duru, the soap used, is inexpensive and can be easily snapped up online.

SHOP

Like the city itself, the Istanbul shopping experience is both traditional and forward-thinking. Forget the image of busy street markets brimming with stalls, smells and music and replace it with malllike shopping destinations stocked with local goods. (No Celine here, sorry.)

For unique finds, hit local designers like Sevan Bicakci (sevanbicakci.com) who creates one-off jewels (Farfetch and Barneys New York carry this line). And don’t miss Zen Ceramics (zenceramics. com) – it gives Anthropologie a run for its artisanal money. For a sensory overload, visit the

Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar for colourful meze dishes, hammam towels, carpets and a riot of spices and sweets.

EAT

If there is one thing Turks know how to do, other than hammam, it’s serve up fantastic meze. The starter course (which can feel more like the main), is made up of sharing dishes like hummus and muhammara. (The latter is a dip made from roasted red peppers and walnuts.)

For a stand-out dining experience that’s putting Istanbul on the foodie map, try Neolokal (neolokal.com), an Anatolian fusion eatery housed in a former Ottoman bank. Chef Maksut Askar’s photogenic dishes are based on traditional food from his youth – done with an artful twist.

For an incredible meal with an equally fantastic view, make a dinner reservation at (murverrestaurant. com). This restaurant uses different fire methods to cook local seasonal food. Request a table on the lavender-scented balcony overlooking the river.

STAY

The star treatment (think fresh flowers in your room and a jasmine-scented warm cloth) on offer at the Ciragan Palace

Kempinski Istanbul is a fitting gesture given that the boutique property, located on the banks of the Bosphorus in the leafy Besiktas district, is beloved by Hollywood (and actual) royalty. Photos of princes and princesses embellish the lobby walls along with snapshots of A-listers, and Madonna and Oprah have both stayed in the Sultan Suite (one of the largest hotel suites in Europe). Rest assured the views on offer from the other (slightly smaller) suites serve up lavish scenery like manicured grounds and an infinity pool. kempinski.com/en/istanbul/ ciragan-palace