Discover Istanbul’s Timeless Allure: Where Ancient Splendor Meets Modern Charm | 1st Look Travel

Описание: Ready to explore the vibrant tapestry of Istanbul — a cosmopolitan city that blends ancient culture with modern sensibility — in a fresh way? Join 1st Look guest host Sibley Scoles on a mesmerizing foray through the City on the Seven Hills and all its historic landmarks, spiritual communities, and contemporary luxuries.

First stop in this episode: We start off this adventure with a mouthwatering traditional Turkish breakfast, while also soaking up local insights from our expert tour guide, Koray Süren. With her belly full of savory treats and a thirst for adventure, Sibley ventures into the heart of Istanbul's historic peninsula. With majestic architectural masterpieces such as the Hagia Sophia, a marvel that spanned empires, the mysterious Basilica Cistern, which is known as the “underground wonderland”, and the breathtaking Blue Mosque. However, Sibley's journey doesn't stop there! She hops on a scenic ferry ride across the Bosphorus Strait, symbolically venturing from Europe to Asia. The destination? Farhi Konsolo, a hidden gem where owner and bartender Burak Ayaz crafts the perfect cocktail — which includes a special cracker to share with a nearby seagull.

2. Buckle up as our next stop is a shopping extravaganza through Istanbul. As Sibley and local style guru Meriç Küçük give you a fashion rundown. First stop: the legendary Grand Bazaar. Prepare to be dazzled by a maze of shops overflowing with everything from hand-woven carpets and glittering jewelry to aromatic spices and handcrafted ceramics. Meriç helps Sibley navigate the bustling market and find one-of-a-kind treasures. The adventure is just getting started, as we delve into the charming Çukurcuma Street, a haven for vintage enthusiasts. Here, Sibley and Meriç will hunt for unique antiques and hidden gems, each piece imbued with a story, as well as try their hand at the deft art of bargaining with a textile cloth owner. Finally, they'll head to the newly revitalized Galataport, a waterfront district boasting chic boutiques and trendy stores.

3. When Sibley decides to indulge in a sweet treat, she receives a delicious Turkish Ice cream cone along with a show! After this, Sibley seeks out a place to unwind. Bathhouses existed to serve a myriad of purposes during the time of the Roman Empire. Today, Sibley enjoys the soothing tranquility of a classic Turkish bath at an elegant Çukurcuma Hamamı, or a modern bathhouse. We watch as she receives not only a full body scrub, but a relaxing bubble massage and steam bath in the beautiful designed architectural feat. Sibley then gets to enjoy a delicious meal at Giritli restaurant, cooked to perfection by chef Ayşe Şensılay. This restaurant is known as a “modern meyhane”, which is a new take on the prohibition-era meyhanes, also known as taverns, that were present during the Ottoman Empire. Chef Ayşe Şensılay chats with Sibley about the inspiration for Giritli restaurant, and introduces her to a variety of classic Turkish dishes that are served at the restaurant.

4. Istanbul’s history comes to life at the beautifully curated Atatürk Cultural Centre. Art Director Remzi Buharalı shows Sibley around the landmark and explains each of the unique fixtures inside. Inside, you can find everything from a library, cinema hall, cafes, to even a children’s art centre. Sibley enjoys the classic cultural opera, Carmen, at the Centre before heading over to the Michelin starred restaurant, Neolokal, for a delicious meal. Chef Maksut Askar explains how the innovative restaurant is able to seamlessly blend comfort food and art in order to create dishes that look like art pieces on a plate.

And that concludes our whirlwind adventure in Istanbul! Thank you all for joining us for this incredible ride and feel free to drop us a comment telling us what you enjoyed most about this travel episode. Also: which city in Turkey should 1st Look TV and Sibley visit next?

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