Happy Fri-Yay!! Another long overdue 2016 travel diary today… Istanbul! Waseem & I traveled to Greece and Turkey last spring for our third wedding anniversary. All of my Greece posts went up in a somewhat timely fashion but I really dragged my feet with sorting through my photos from Istanbul. I feel like I’ve mentioned it so many times already but I got so sick in Greece that our few days in Turkey were such a delirious blur. I slept almost the entire time and barely got to sightsee so TBH looking at these photos makes me a little sad too! I’ve always wanted to visit Istanbul and while I’m so happy to have visited, I do really wish I was able to soak it up a little more! We did get to check off two of our top sights to see though – The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet was so generous in hosting us and we really couldn’t have picked a better location! Sultanahmet is the heart of old Istanbul and many of the major attractions are all here and in walking distance. The cobblestone roads were so charming and it must have been a little off season when we went (maybe?!) because nothing seemed to be crowded. It was very quiet & serene, we loved just strolling.
The Four Seasons is actually a century-old former jail! Who would think something like that would be converted into a luxury hotel?! The jailhouse was the first in Istanbul and was built in Turkish neoclassical style and underwent redevelopment in the 90s to preserve its history and architecture. The property now has 65 hotel rooms and suites with a gorgeous landscaped courtyard filled with flowers where we had breakfast every morning. The courtyard used to be the jail’s exercise yard, what a serious makeover! I love visiting places with tons of rich history, the property has so much character making our experience all the more unique.
We checked in at night and there was a yummy platter waiting for us (Waseem gobbled up all the Turkish delights!); we room service’d some tea for my throat and I went right to sleep. I woke up to such a lovely view of the Blue Mosque right from our balcony in the morning! You’ll see everything I’m describing in the photos below 🙂
Enjoy!
Mashallah! This is sooo beautiful. I dream of traveling to different places like this. I hope you are enjoying your travels. So breath taking!!
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Beautiful pictures! What kind of camera lens do you use?
These are a different level of beautiful!!!! I need to visit Istanbul!
Love the travel diary! Your pictures are so beautiful. Istanbul has been on my list but now even more so. Thank you for the inspiration, I look forward to your future ones 🙂
Hi Irene!
Loved the blog, such amazing pictures and lovely place to visit, but just a thought, would you mind linking in where you purchased most of your outfits?? please?? I just love, love the way you style everything! (:
I’m so impressed that you were able to take such gorgeous pictures while you were sick! Beautiful post, I’m sorry you weren’t feeling well! <3
Hi Irene,
Wow, such beautiful pictures and a wonderful read too.
I hear Istanbul and in fact, Turkey is famous for its food as well as the wonderful architecture. Can’t wait to visit it and tick it off my bucket list.
Thank you for sharing.