STIL ŽIVOTA / LIFESTYLE
Where the past still shapes the present
In Istanbul, where layers of time intertwine like a patterned rug, the city’s true beauty is often revealed when we abandon our itinerary and simply start wandering
KARAKÖY LOKANTASI
WHERE TO FIND ACCOMMODATION Shangri-La Bosphorus
Housed in a former tobacco warehouse alongside Dolmabahçe Palace, this hotel offers views of the Bosphorus and has a jetty immediately in front – for cross- ing from one continent to the other. El- egant rooms decorated in neutral tones overlook the city or the sea, with mar- ble bathrooms, heated floors and Bulgari cosmetics. It also has a luxury spa centre with a large indoor pool and two restau- rants: Shang Palace for Chinese gastron- omy and Ist Too by the river, which is known for its unlimited selection of su- shi. This hotel also offers a range of local experiences – from workshops for mak- ing coffee to learning how to make bak- lava at Istanbul’s oldest pastry shop. Soho House Istanbul Hidden away in a green oasis of gardens, within an impressive 19 th -century pal- ace, Soho House Istanbul is one of the country’s most beautiful hotels. Its 87 rooms include some with polished con- crete pillars, parquet floors, freestanding bathtubs and locally produced textiles.
O ften described as tecture styles, just like the almost 16 million people who call the city home. From modern skyscrapers to ancient monuments, this city has so much to offer… Some famous sites are must-sees, but lurking behind every spot on the list of tourist spots are lesser-known plac- es, hidden somewhere in the labyrinth of streets, waiting to be discovered. Steep alleys and winding passageways the place where East meets West, Istanbul is a veritable mosaic of cultures and archi-
hide picturesque neighbourhoods where everyday life testifies to the im- portance of community and hospital- ity, which the Turks nurture with spe- cial care and attention. The best way to explore them is slowly – the kind- ness and warmth of the people of Be- bek, Çukurcuma and Cihangir ensure that these neighbourhoods are ideal for solo travellers (don’t be surprised if some random local offers you fra- grant tea and homemade biscuits). When one turns away from what’s ob- vious and apparent in Istanbul, these seemingly inconspicuous areas mark the start of your real adventure.
84 | Istanbul » Istanbul
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