Istanbul

Our Istanbul trip was a reunion with one of my partner’s friends who currently lives in Serbia, and what a whirlwind it turned out to be! We landed at 4am, groggy but excited, and managed to sleep off the flight before heading out for a much-needed coffee and our first taste of Turkish lunch.

One of the first things I did — and one of the most memorable parts of the trip — was try a traditional Turkish hammam. The experience included an oil massage, time in the sauna and steam room, and a full-body soap scrub with a muslin cloth. I hadn’t realized beforehand that part of the scrub is done without a wrap, which caught me off guard at first, but the staff were very professional and I had chosen a women-only hammam. Overall, it was incredibly relaxing and something I’d definitely recommend if you ever visit.

Meanwhile, the boys went off exploring and found a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city, where we spent the remainder of the night.

The next morning, we made our way to the Grand Bazaar — though the indoor part was closed due to Eid, which also meant the beautiful and haunting call to prayer echoed through loudspeakers every hour.

Unfortunately, our next stop — coffee at a seaside café called Louisiana Coffee — took a turn for the worse. We suspect it gave us food poisoning, and I ended up spending the rest of the afternoon in bed, completely wiped out. We’d also planned a river cruise with bottomless food and drinks that night, but sadly had to cancel as my partner started feeling ill too.

Thankfully, we were all well enough the next day to visit Topkapi Palace, and it ended up being the highlight of the trip. We joined a guided tour and I was blown away by how rich and complex Ottoman history is — something I was never taught at school.

We explored the lavish rooms, saw centuries-old clothing, and religious relics, and visited the Harem, the private quarters of the women in the palace. It was fascinating (and a bit haunting) to learn how girls from all over the empire were brought here, trained, and sometimes selected to become empress — chosen by the Sultan’s mother. We also learned how for centuries, the Sultan would kill his brothers to eliminate rivals for the throne. Palace cats wandered through the gardens, and we found out they each have Instagram accounts (?!) adding an endearing charm.

We ended that day with dinner at another rooftop bar, this time overlooking the majestic Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, both glowing softly in the evening light.

Afterward, we strolled through the historic centre one last time and visited the Blue Mosque before ending at the Arasta Bazaar, where I picked up the most beautiful white pashmina to remember the trip by.

A moment to talk about the cats. They are EVERYWHERE! I loved it.

The cats of Istanbul are as much a part of the city as its mosques and minarets. Known as “kedi” in Turkish, these feline residents roam freely and are adored by locals and tourists alike. Their presence is deeply rooted in Turkish and Islamic culture — cats are considered clean and spiritually significant animals in Islam, and stories even tell of the Prophet Muhammad cutting his robe rather than disturbing a cat that had fallen asleep on it. In Istanbul, you’ll find bowls of food and water set out on street corners, café steps, and palace gardens, showing just how beloved they are. Some neighbourhoods even build small “cat houses” to shelter them. These street cats are well-cared-for, independent, and belong to the whole city rather than individuals — a perfect symbol of Istanbul’s blend of history, hospitality, and heart.

Despite a bout of illness, Istanbul was a beautiful trip away. It’s a city of contrasts — where centuries of tradition sit alongside vibrant modern life. From steaming hammams to palace gardens, rich foods, ancient architecture and warm people, we left with unforgettable memories.