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Istanbul
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Where to Stay
To get to Hôtel Les Ottomans from the airport, you travel by yacht down the Bosphorus. Once at the hotel, you’ll find candy bracelets with silk tassels instead of chocolates on your pillow. It’s also home to a Caudalie Vinothérapie Spa.
Muallim Naci Caddesi 68, Kurucesme, 90-212-359-1500, lesottomans.com
Our favourite suite at the new Sofa Hotels & Residences was the Umar; it’s outfitted with an
in-room hammam.
Teşvikiye Caddesi 123, Beyoğlu, 90-212-368-18-18, thesofahotel.com
Where to Eat
The views of the Bosphorus are as fine as the art at the Istanbul Modern café. Meanwhile, young Turks mingle at tucked-away Aşşk Café, northeast of Beyoğlu.
Aşşk Café Muallim Naci Cadessi 64, Kurucesme, 90-212-265-47-34, asskcafe.com
Istanbul Modern Meclisi-Mebusan Caddesi Antrepo 4, Karaköy, 90-212-292-26-12, istanbulmodern.org
Choose a catch of the day at Cibalikapi Balikçisi, a modern meyhane-style restaurant near the Golden Horn. Or try Musa Dağdeviren’s family recipes at Çiya Sofrasi (we liked the saffron-flavoured pilaf). Then go sky-high at Mikla, in the Marmara Pera Hotel, or head to the hipster hangout 360 Istanbul.
360 Istanbul 32-309 İstiklal Caddesi, Misir Apt. K8, Beyolu, 90-212-251-1042, 360istanbul.com
Cibalikapi Balikçisi Abdülezel Pa St. 7, Haliç, 90-212-533-28-46, cibalikapibalikcisi.com
Çiya Sofrasi Caferaa Mah Günelibahçe Sokak 43, Kadiköy, 90-216-330-31-90, ciya.com.tr
Mikla Mesrutiyet Caddesi No. 167/185, Tepebasi, Beyoğlu, 90-212-293-8686, themarmarahotels.com
Ask nicely and the staff at Müzedechanga may share the recipe for their best dish: spiced pear with mastic resin ice cream and sugar floss.
Sakıp Sabancı Caddesi 22, Emirgan, 90-212-323-09-01, changa-istanbul.com
What to Do
When the Donna Karan and Jean Paul Gaultier design teams visited the Grand Bazaar, they stopped at Sivasli Yazmaci, good for scarves and Ottoman print fabric. Go beyond the bazaar to shop for more homegrown fashion, design and art.
Addresistanbul Akin Plaza 2, Şişli, 90-212-320-6262, addresistanbul.com
Autoban Gallery Merutiyet Cadessi 64A, Tünel, 90-212-252-67-97, autoban212.com
Galerist İstiklal Caddesi Mısır Apt. 311/4, Beyolu, 90-212-244-8230, galerist.com.tr
Machka Abdi pekci Cadessi 29, Nisantasi-Maçka, 90-212-219-1936, machka.com.tr
Sivasli Yazmaci Yalğkçilar Cadessi 57, Beyazit, 90-212-526-77-48
Ottoman Empire T-Shirts Kanyon Shopping Mall, Büyükdere Cadessi 185, Levent, ottomanempiretshirts.com
For early risers (or those who never made it to bed), fishermen at Eminönü Port just might take you for a sunrise boat ride on the Bosphorus for about 10 lires.
Istanbul’s best concert hall, Babylon, has everything from local folk bands to big-name jazz acts. Latin jazz star Poncho Sanchez rolls in April 25.
Şehbender Sokak 3, Tünel-Asmalimescit-Beyoğlu, 90-212-292-73-68, babylon.com.tr
Almost all sellers of lokum (Turkish delight) claim to be descendants of Bekir Effendi, the Ottoman sultanate's confectioner. Our favourite is the iconic Hacı Bekir. There are numerous locations, including the main one below.
İstiklal Cad. No. 83A, Beyolu, 90-212-244-28-04, hacibekir.com.tr
Travel Planner
What to Pack in April
Sweater, umbrella
The Expert
Istanbul Official City Guide istanbul.com
Time Difference From EST +7
Getting There
Air Canada offers daily non-stop service to Frankfurt from Vancouver*, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
Connections are available to Istanbul with Star Alliance™ member Lufthansa. In June, Air Canada will start non-stop service to Frankfurt from Ottawa.
*With Star Alliance™ member Lufthansa
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