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Get Romantic in Istanbul

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"I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed; At first there blows a gentle breeze And the leaves on the trees Softly flutter or sway; Out there, far away, The bells of water carriers incessantly ring; I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed. I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed; Then suddenly birds fly by, Flocks of birds, high up, in a hue and cry While nets are drawn in the fishing grounds And a woman's feet begin to dabble in the water. I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed. I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed. The Grand Bazaar is serene and cool, A hubbub at the hub of the market, Mosque yards are brimful of pigeons, At the docks while hammers bang and clang Spring winds bear the smell of sweat; I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed. I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed; Still giddy since bygone bacchanals, A seaside mansion with dingy boathouses is fast asleep, Amid the din and drone of southern winds, reposed, I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed. I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed. Now a dainty girl walks by on the sidewalk: Cusswords, tunes and songs, malapert remarks; Something falls on the ground out of her hand, It's a rose I guess. I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed. I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed; A bird flutters round your skirt; I know your brow is moist with sweat And your lips are wet. A silver moon rises beyond the pine trees: I can sense it all in your heart's throbbing. I am listening to Istanbul, intent, my eyes closed." From Orhan Veli, a Turkish poet...

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Author: aisha

Day 1 - Istanbul

Check our some of the romantic options for a romantic stay in Istanbul as presented below. Les Ottomans is located by the coast in Kurucesme. Les Ottomans derive its name from a reputable seaside mansion that used to belong to Pasha Muhsinzade in the 1790s. The mansion was burnt down in a fire in 1933. It has been reconstructed recently along the coast of Kurucesme and is now being managed as a hotel. For more information on this luxury stay option visit: http://www.lesottomans.com Yet another palace option would be Ciragan Palace between Ortakoy and Besiktas. "This 5-star luxury Imperial Palace hotel, lovingly restored and ideally located on the shores of the magnificent Bosphorus overlooking the ancient city of Istanbul, provides a one of a kind experience with its historical ambiance, luxurious facilities, award-winning cuisine and impeccable service including a personal Butler for all Palace guests." This description as taken from the Palace's official website describes the essence of a stay at the Palace. Again for more information and pictures of this magnificent resort visit http://www.kempinski-istanbul.com/en/home/index.htm There are also boutique hotels, which are more homely and cozy, yet still very very romantic on the coast. Sumahan Hotel is located on the Asian Bosphorus in Cengelkoy. Suma is the essence of the spirit used to make raki -a fine Turkish and Ottoman tradition with regards to alcoholic beverages. This late Ottoman alcohol factory was converted into a hotel by the Turkish-American owner-architects Nedret and Mark Butler. For more information visit: http://www.sumahan.com/ Ajia Hotel is located in Kanlica, not very far away from Sumahan Hotel. Owned and managed by the Istanbul Doors Group, same as that of the Anjelique nightclub, Wanna, Kitchnette, Da Mario and many other elitist clubs and restaurants, Ajia is a little pearl on the deep blue waters of the Bosphorus. It is not a place meant for the tourists only. Locals also make use of its fine atmosphere on special occasion, such as the Valentine's Day, business celebrations, events, dinners, annual family celebrations etc. To see the pictures of this beautiful place: http://www.ajiahotel.com/ Finally there is the Bebek Hotel. Founded in 1947, Bebek Hotel differs from its counterparts by its location. It is located in the lively, elitist little town of Bebek, and hence offers its quests the ease of movement during day and night. Depending on your time of arrival on this day, after you check in you may take a little walk by the coast along the side of your hotel and let Istanbul introduce itself to you for the first time. Later you may travel towards the old city. If you are interested in sightseeing you could visit the Topkapi Palace, otherwise, for something more on the romantic side, hire a fisherman's boat from Balat until Eyup. From Eyup climb up to the Pierre Loti Hill -named after the famous poet who ised to watch the sunset from here. Do as Loti did in the old times and enjoy a glass of wine, a cup of tea or coffee as you watch the sunset from the little cafe up on the hill. Go to Feriye Restaurant for dinner and later visit the Istanbul Jazz Center which is in the proximity of the restaurant (in Ortakoy, across from Anjelique) and listen to the notes of jazz or go to Anjelique for a wild night out. If you are arriving later in the evening, enjoy a tranquil dinner inside of your hotel and rest for the upcoming day.

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Ottomans (Les)

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Mualin Naci Caddesi No: 68 Kurucesme
Muhsinzade Yalisi
34345 Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 359 1500

Radisson SAS Bosphorus Hotel, Istanbul

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Ciragan Cad 46, Ortaköy
Ortaköy
34339 Istanbul, TR

Phone:

90 212 3101500

Sumahan on the Water

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Kuleli Caddesi no: 51 Çengelköy
Cengelköy
34684 Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 216 422 8000

Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

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Çiragan Caddesi 32
34349 Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 326 4646

Topkapi Palace

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Sultanahmet Meydanı
34122 Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 522 4422

Feriye

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Çırağan Cad. No: 40
Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 227 2216

Anjelique

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Muallim Naci Caddesi Salhane sokak no. 5
Ortaköy
Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 327 2844

Day 2 - Istanbul

Wake up to the day with a long breakfast at your hotel. If in summer sunbathe a little to enjoy the view and the sea. For lunch and a little diversion go to Mia Mensa or Ask Café (less expensive) for lunch. If you are staying on the Asian Bosphorus, you can arrange for a boat to take you from your hotel directly to Kurucesme where these cafes are, or you can use public transportation, or private taxi /car also private sea taxi. Afterwards, take the boat from Ortakoy and do a ferry ride across the Boshphorus. Return early to your hotel to get ready for your pre-dinner massage. Dinner recommended at Reina (arrival by boat possible) in the summer. There are various choices from Kosbasi (kebab) to Dragon (Asian). Winter alternative: Ulus 29 You can rock into the night inside Reina which becomes a heated club after 11 pm.

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Aşşk Kahve

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Muallim Naci Cad. 170/A
34975 Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 265 47 34

Mia Mensa

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Muallim Naci Cad. No. 64/C
Kuruçeşme
Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 263 4214

Istanbul Ferry

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Various locations
Istanbul, Turkey

Reina

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Muallim Naci Caddesi 44
Ortaköy
Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 30 212 259 5919 / 90 30 212 259 5921

Ulus 29

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Ahmet Adnan Saygun Caddesi
Ulus Parki No.1, Ulus
Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 358 2929

Reina

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Muallim Naci Caddesi 44
Ortaköy
Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 30 212 259 5919 / 90 30 212 259 5921

Day 3 - Istanbul

Wake up to a day start in Bebek. The elite little town of Istanbul. Enjoy breakfast or lunch (however you prefer) at Mangerie (beautiful view from the roof), Lucca (trendy spot for the local hangout) or the Bebek Kahve (the upscale Turkish Kahve of the old times located across from Lucca, behind McDonalds). After your breakfast walk by the sea as far as you can. If you walk far enough you shall see the Rumeli Fortress, which has surrounded the old city when the city was called Constantinople. Take the ferry from Arnavutkoy to Kandilli. From there go to Beykoz and visit The Hidiv Pavillion. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee inside at their new cafe. For dinner make reservations at Sunset in summer, or Mikla in winter. Sunset has the most astonishing view from the top of the Ulus hill. Arrive early to enjoy a pre-dinner drink by the bar. They prepare very smooth and nice cocktails. If you are wishing to go out for the night try Anjelique in summer, and Wanna in winter. Both clubs are owned by the same group and substitute each other in different seasons.

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Mangerie

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Cevdetpasa Caddesi 69 Bebek
80810 Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 263 51 99

Lucca

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Cevdetpasa Caddesi No:51/B
Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 257 12 55

Bosphorus tour on foot

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Çırağan Caddesi, Yıldız, İstanbul 34349, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey

Hidiv Pavilion

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Çubuklu Korusu Çubuklu Yolu No:32
Cubuklu-Beykoz
Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 216 413 96 44 / 90 216 413 96 64

Sunset Grill & Bar

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Adnan Saygun Caddesi, Yol Sokak No:2
Ulus Park
34340 Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 287 0357

Mikla

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Meşrutiyet Caddesi Tepebaşı
The Marmara Pera
34430 Istanbul, Turkey

Phone:

90 212 251 5656 / 90 212 251 4646 (Hotel)

11.11

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Tepebasi Mesrutiyet Caddesi No: 69/B
Beyoğlu
Istanbul, Turkey

Day 4 - Istanbul

When in summer visit Suada, and spend your day sunbathing and swimming in this elitist little island in the middle of the Bosphorus. Alternatively, you may use this day to go to Taksim. Here walk on the one of the only pedestrinian streets of Istanbul, the Istiklal Caddesi. Visit the old passages and the inns located on the Istiklal Caddesi, and shop for ethnic clothes, jewelry, antiques, books and music records. Visit art galleries in the Misirli Apartment (the same building of the 360 Istanbul Restaurant), and the other galleries along the way. You may have lunch in Litera or 360 Istanbul, both of which offer a panoramic view of the city from a rooftop. When you are on the Istiklal, make sure that you also visit the Dervish Lodge for a taste of the philosophical cultural features of Istanbul. Or, if you would rather to keep on sightseeing, go to the Dolmabahce Palace in the morning and then to Istanbul Modern Museum. Have a coffee break in the beautiful cafe of the Museum. For dinner go to Iskele Restaurant between the Rumeli Fortress and Emirgan and eat fish the way that the Turkish people do: long and at ease. Typically, the Turkish people never use a menu in a fish restaurant. They go into the kitchen and pick what they would want to eat from the look of the products inside. Alternatively, some restaurants bring a huge tray of daily prepared apetizers and let you choose from the tray. Start with the cold appetizers. The trademark cold appetizers include aubergine puree, sea-greens with olive oil, pickles, red peppers salinated, white feta cheese with melon, and assorted marinated fish. Move onto hot starters gradually. Try grillled or fried calamari, and the oven-made stewed shrimps. For main course share any fresh fish stewed in a covered pot with vegetables. For desert the Turkish people's favorite is baklava or chocolate suffle.

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