Posts tagged Türkiye

The Bank Hotel Istanbul: A Remarkable Combination of deep-rooted History with Eclectic Architecture

Adventure Travel Turkey in my eyes 3 Comments

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual trips, welcome to a new post on the Mr.M blog. People who have been following the Mr.M blog for years know that traveling is my passion and an integral part of my job, and it is always necessary to have reliable partners. During my last visit to the imperial city on two continents, I accepted the invitation of an interesting hotel that represents an extraordinary combination of deep-rooted history with eclectic architecture – The Bank Hotel Istanbul.

The story of this hotel began in the famous street in Istanbul – Bankalar Caddesi (Banks Street), where The Bank Hotel Istanbul is located. This is no ordinary street because it hides a rich and unusual history. Once known as Voyvoda Street, it has always played a central role in Galata’s life. The importance of this axis, which was formed as a road together with the inner city walls of Galata, can be recognized as the building of the Parliament of Genoa Palazzo del Comune and the square Piazza Market.

The Genoese community (Magnifica Comunita di Peira) continued in semi-private status until 1682. In the mentioned years, European merchants developed and improved because there were various shops and banks in that area, and local Ottoman administrations were also located there. This street has retained its importance as it did in the Ottoman era. Hence, it can be understood that the street was named after the apartments and residence of the Duke, the local administrator responsible for public order in Galata. In the street below Voyvoda is Mahkeme Street, where Galata Court was located. The name Voyvoda Street was given by Evliya Çelebi, who at that time was a famous explorer in the 17th century, and the street became the center of finance and trade of the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century.

The unusual meeting of Yılmaz Ulusoy Holding and the hotel building As mentioned earlier, the Bank Hotel building was built in 1867 by Antoine Tedeschi in the Neo-Renaissance style and still emphasizes the importance of the historical value of the city. It is a perfect reflection of the eclectic architectural style of the 19th century. In 2010, their property was bought by Mr. Yılmaz Ulusoy and they started a new adventure in their story that continues since the 1860s. Moreover, the hotel building was created as a combination of two buildings; The Sümerbank building and the Cemaathan building, the former community center of Neve Shalom.

The Bank Hotel Istanbul is located on Banks Street, formerly known as Voyvoda Street and is the center of jewelers and bankers. The trademark of Yılmaz Ulusoy Holding “The Bank Hotel Istanbul” is his first step in the restoration of the building, which has historical and cultural values, with the aim of keeping it alive from the past to the present. After the hotel building was bought by Mr. Yılmaz Ulusoy, the restoration works were carried out by the architect Han Tumertekin.

The building still today reflects the identity of the region where it is located, since its creation in the 19th century. The Bank Hotel Istanbul building, which has been restored on the principle of restoring it by preserving its original condition and protecting its artistic value, continues to host its guests with its meeting rooms, historical calculators, cash registers and life experiences. Who is Mr. Yılmaz Ulusoy? Yılmaz Ulusoy, whose business life for more than half a century has been crowned with the story of a productive, this hard-working and highly positioned businessman is still in the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yılmaz Ulusoy Holding A.S., which operates in many sectors, especially in the branches of tourism, shipping, energy and construction.

During my stay I had the opportunity to stay in a Deluxe King room with a usable area of 29 square meters. These rooms feature colorful ceilings, a green Carrara marble bathroom with a rain shower, specially designed furniture and lighting, a wide sofa and a motorized curtain system. Most rooms have large windows and 5 meter high ceilings. What is important to know about all room categories in this hotel:

  • All rooms are designed by Sinan Kafadar in warm and organic colors, special interior decoration
  • Workable ceilings and parquet floors
  • The radiators are protected in their original condition
  • Blackout curtains and LCD TV
  • Blankets and pillows made of goose feathers
  • All rooms have a work desk
  • Loccitane bathroom products
  • Bathrobes and slippers
  • Mini bar
  • Free internet
  • There is a free coffee machine as well as tea making facilities.

The story of Serica restaurant is inspired by the Silk Road, which brings us traditional recipes of ancient civilizations that sprung from the Mountain of the Gods thousands of years ago and stretched to Istanbul. Although the legacy of the food culture of the Gokturks civilization, which is a nomadic and conquering society to which Turkic communities feel a sense of belonging, is very extensive, other nomadic civilizations that left a mystical gastronomic path to the Silk Road also have different storage and cooking techniques. Serica’s menu was created by the famous chef Tolga Atalaj, bringing together the flavors that the Silk Road gave to the world of gastronomy. The historian of gastronomy, Ozge Samanci, is also a major contributor to the research. Every detail of the recipes that make up the menu contains emotions, tastes, smells and colors that reflect this historic giant road.

In addition to the exceptional Serica Restaurant, this hotel also has the Bank Roof Bar, located in Karakoy, one of the most beloved areas of Istanbul’s history, offering its guests an unforgettable experience with signature cocktails and unique flavors with a magnificent view of the historic peninsula.

Of course, there is also the Lobby Bar & Restaurant in the warm and sophisticated aura of The Bank Istanbul Hotel, located in the center of the bohemian Karakoy, offering its guests the tastes of world cuisine and buffet breakfast options, as well as various cocktails and drinks.

The Spa at The Bank Hotel Istanbul offers modern and traditional care with a classic Turkish hammam in white marble, a fitness center, sauna, steam room and three massage and facial rooms (including a couples room). The spa is available to hotel guests and visitors by appointment.

The Bank Hotel Istanbul represents the pearl of the Marriott International hotel design brand with a rich history and an example of eclectic architecture. This hotel is located in the immediate vicinity of Galata Tower, Galata Bridge and the famous Taksim Square.

Taksim Square located in the Beyoglu area (Beyoglu) in the European part of Istanbul is a major tourist and recreational area known for its restaurants, shops and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, with the central station of the Istanbul Metro network.

Do you perhaps know where the word Taksim comes from? The word Taksim means “division” or “distribution” in Arabic. Taksim Square was originally where the main waters from the north of Istanbul collected and branched off to other parts of the city (hence the name.) This use was established for the area by Sultan Mahmud I. The square takes its name from an Ottoman-era stone reservoir that located on one side of the square.

Today, Taksim is a cultural center with numerous places for entertainment and relaxation, that part of Istanbul never sleeps!

Istiklal Caddesi (Independence Avenue) historically known as Pera Grand Avenue in Beyoglu (Pera) historical district, is a 1.4 kilometer long avenue, a famous pedestrian street and one of the most famous streets in Istanbul. It got its modern name after the proclamation of the Republic on October 29, 1923, Istiklal (Independence) in commemoration of Turkey’s triumph in the War of Independence. The street starts at the northern end of Galata at Tunel Square and goes to Taksim Square. This street features buildings from the late Ottoman era, mostly from the 19th and early 20th centuries in a variety of styles, including Neo-Classical, Neo-Gothic, Renaissance Revival, Beaux-Arts, Art Nouveau, and the first Turkish national architecture.

There are also several Art Deco buildings from the early years of the Turkish Republic, as well as a number of more recent examples of modern architecture. This street used to be mostly residential blocks, but today most of it is now occupied by boutiques, music stores, art galleries, cinemas, theaters, libraries, cafes, pubs, night clubs with live music, hotels, historic patisserie, chocolate bars, restaurants and a growing number international chains of well-known stores. There is even a branch of Madame Tussauds Istanbul on this street.

The Galata Tower (Turkish: Galata Kulesi), officially the Galata Tower Museum, is an old Genoese tower in the Galata section of the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, Turkey. Built as an observation tower at the highest point of the (lost) walls of Galata, the tower is now an exhibition space and museum and a symbol of Beyoglu and Istanbul.

During the Byzantine period, Emperor Justinian ordered a tower to be erected in what was to become Galata. This tower was destroyed during the Fourth Crusade in 1204. In 1267, a Genoese colony was founded in the Galata part of Constantinople. It was surrounded by walls, and the Galata Tower was first built on their highest point as the Romanesque Christ Tower in 1348 during the expansion of the colony. At that time, the Galata Tower, at 67 meters, was the tallest building in the city. After the Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453, the Genoese colony was abolished and the walls demolished. The tower was allowed to survive and was turned into a prison.

There is a legend that in 1638 Hezarfen Ahmed Çelebi allegedly tied his wings and made the first intercontinental flight from the roof of the Galata Tower, landing in Dogancılar Meidanı in Uskudar on the Asian side of the city, a story of dubious authenticity told by the Ottoman travel writer Evliya Çelebi. From 1717, the Ottomans used the tower for fire protection (on the old Istanbul side of the city, the Beyazit Tower had the same function). In 2020, the Galata Tower was restored and then reopened as a museum. The tower is mainly popular for the 360-degree view of Istanbul from the observation deck.

The Galata Bridge is a bridge that spans the Golden Horn in Istanbul. Especially since the end of the 19th century, the bridge appears in Turkish literature, theater, poetry and novels. The current Galata Bridge is only the latest in a series of bridges that have connected Eminonu in the Fatih district and Karakoy in Beyoglu since the early 19th century. The current bridge, the fifth in the same place, was built in 1994. The bridge was named after Galata on the northern coast of the Golden Horn.

My dear travelers, we have come to the end of this special travelogue about The Bank Istanbul Hotel and I believe you will take the opportunity to stay at this hotel during your next visit to the imperial city on two continents. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the world’s Turkish airline – Turkish Airlines and The Bank Istanbul Hotel, which allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Turkish culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey my impressions about this unusual experience from Turkey.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I would like to give special thanks to the staff of The Bank Hotel Istanbul for their warm welcome and hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, a unique experience that I will remember!

I am honored to have the opportunity to work with companies that are at the very top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank Turkish Airlines and The Bank Hotel Istanbul once again for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to experience it in a very different way. I feel the beauty of this unusual Turkish culture.

How did you like my story about the unusual The Bank Istanbul Hotel and the presentation of the imperial city on two continents? Have you had the chance to visit Istanbul yet?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With love from Istanbul,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by world airline Turkish Airlines and The Bank Istanbul Hotel as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Turkish Airlines: Take Advantage of the Stopover in Istanbul!

Adventure Travel Turkey in my eyes Turkish Airlines Adventure 6 Comments

My dear travelers and lovers of unusual trips, welcome to a new post on the Mr.M blog. I would like to thank you for the many messages and emails you have sent me regarding the adventure in China. I am pleased to know that you liked your adventure in China and that you enjoyed my travelogues during May. Today’s story will be dedicated to the new service of the leading Turkish airline, Turkish Airlines, with which you will have the opportunity to enjoy the charms of Istanbul.

If by any chance you missed reading travelogues from China or you want to remind yourself of some interesting things, take the opportunity to visit the following links:

  1. Letters from China: Explore the Peal of the Far East with Turkish Airlines
  2. Letters from China: The Peninsula Beijing, explore the first luxury hotel in the heart of Beijing
  3. Letters from China: Tiananmen Square, let’s explore The Gate of Heavenly Peace together
  4. Letters from China: The Temple of Heaven, the Imperial Sacrificial Altar in the Heart of Beijing
  5. Letters from China: The Summer Palace and The Great Wall of China

As I promised you in the first travelogue from China, today I will explain in more detail the new Turkish Airlines program called – Stopover in Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines is the Turkish national airline, which from 2022 operates regular flight services to 340 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa and America, which makes it the largest major carrier in the world by the number of passenger destinations. Interestingly, Turkish Airlines serves more destinations with direct flights from one airport – Istanbul, than any other airline in the world and flies to 126 countries, more than any other airline.

Today I will introduce the Istanbul Stopover program, which offers all Turkish Airlines passengers the opportunity to explore Istanbul. Passengers connecting via Istanbul Airport can enrich their trip by discovering the history and cultural life of the city with the Istanbul Stopover program and enjoy free accommodation in partner hotels.

What exactly does the Stopover in Istanbul program enable? Turkish Airlines provides 1 free night in a 4-star hotel for economy class passengers and 2 free nights in a 5-star hotel for business class passengers on a bed and breakfast basis. Free accommodation in the Istanbul Stopover program is available for flights from different cities, so you can check the LIST and find Stopover departure & destination points.

NOTE: If you are traveling to distant destinations, you can contact Turkish Airlines and find out about the possibility of using this program depending on the final destination.

Conditions that must be met in order to be able to use the Stopover in Istanbul program:

  • Travelers who wish to take advantage of this benefit of free accommodation in Istanbul should choose a connection with a minimum 20-hour waiting time.
  • Free accommodation is only valid for passengers who purchase a return ticket and can only be used in one direction during the trip, on the way out or on the way back.
  • Free accommodation is only valid for Turkish Airlines flights with tickets.
  • The entire procedure of booking and issuing the hotel voucher must be completed 72 hours before the trip.
  • The costs of the transfer between the airport and the hotel and the Turkish visa (if required) are covered by the passenger.
  • Travelers using the free accommodation service cannot use the TourIstanbul service at the same time.
  • The departure and return country of the round trip must be the same for a stopover to apply.
  • The boarding pass and hotel voucher must be shown when checking in at the hotel.
  • Travelers who do not have a hotel voucher with them cannot use the free accommodation service.
  • Passengers with reissued tickets due to flight cancellation or any other irregularity cannot use this service.
  • Free accommodation is subject to hotel availability and Turkish Airlines has the right to change conditions at any time.

Turkish Airlines has two programs for passengers TourIstanbul and Stopover in Istanbul. What is the difference between these programs?

The Touristanbul program is for all Turkish Airlines passengers who have an international flight with a stopover in Istanbul and the connection time is between 6 and 24 hours. In that case, you can take advantage of Turkish Airlines’ free Touristanbul service to discover Istanbul. You can choose one of the eight tours offered by Touristanbul according to the time frame that best suits your flight’s arrival and departure schedule. During the tours, you can visit the most prominent historical sights of Istanbul and enjoy authentic Turkish cuisine. In the city that never sleeps, Touristanbul offers an unforgettable experience. After landing at Istanbul airport, a vehicle will pick you up and return you to the airport at the end of the tour. Although the tour time is carefully arranged and planned, if the guest is unable to take the flight in cases that are our responsibility, we will ensure that the passenger arrives at the destination smoothly on the next flight.

The Stopover in Istanbul program provides a free overnight stay in partner hotels on a bed and breakfast basis. Turkish Airlines provides 1 free night in a 4-star hotel for economy class passengers and 2 free nights in a 5-star hotel for business class passengers on a bed and breakfast basis.

THE DIFFERENCE: Touristanbul is a program of a short visit to Istanbul with a provided meal and a tour of Istanbul, while Stopover in Istanbul is a program that exclusively provides bed and breakfast in partner hotels without the tour of Istanbul, you are free to discover Istanbul on your own.

How to apply for the Stopover in Istanbul program through the Turkish Airlines office? At least 72 hours before the first flight, all Turkish Airlines passengers who meet the above conditions of this program can make a reservation by emailing their first and last name, reservation code (PNR) and ticket number, desired dates of accommodation, desired room type , phone number and e-mail address. For all departures, you can check the LIST and find Stopover departure & destination points and contact information.

When Turkish Airlines receives your request, you will receive a hotel voucher that must be presented at hotel check-in.

If you want to apply for this program through the Turkish Airlines website, you can do so at this LINK.

Partner hotels participating in this program are:

Stopover in Istanbul partner hotels for Turkish Airlines passengers with economy class tickets (1 free night with breakfast):

Stopover in Istanbul partner hotels for Turkish Airlines passengers with business class tickets (2 free nights with breakfast):

Since you have successfully qualified for the Stopover in Istanbul Turkish Airlines program, I would like to share with you some suggestions of what you should visit during your visit to the city on two continents that never sleeps – Istanbul.

Misir Bazaar – Spice Bazaar – Egyptian Bazaar

One market, many names, a place where all your senses will delight. This market is one of the biggest bazaars in the city. Located in the Eminonu district of Fatih district, it is the most famous covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi). Why was this bazaar named “Egyptian bazaar”? It got this name because it was built with revenues from the Ottoman Eyalet of Egypt in 1660. The word mışır has a double meaning in Turkish: “Egypt” and “corn”. That is why the name is sometimes wrongly translated as “Corn Bazaar”.

The bazaar was (and still is) the center of the spice trade in Istanbul, but in recent years shops of other kinds have gradually replaced the spice sellers. The building itself is part of the New Mosque complex. The income obtained from the rented shops in the bazaar building was used for the maintenance of the mosque. The structure was designed by the court architect Koca Kasım Aga, but construction work began under the supervision of another court architect, Mustafa Aga, in the last months of 1660, after the Great Fire of Istanbul in 1660.

After the fire, a major restoration and reconstruction began in the city, which included the continuation of work on the construction of the New Mosque in 1660, the work was temporarily stopped between 1603 and 1660, the construction of the mosque was finally completed in the period between 1660 and 1665. and the beginning of the construction of the mosque. the construction of the Spice Bazaar in the same year, as well as all the buildings in the Kulliie New Mosque, including the Spice Bazaar, was ordered by Sultania Turhan Khatija, Valide Sultan (Queen Mother) of Sultan Mehmed IV.

SULTANAHMET – HAYA SOFIA – BLUE MOSQUE

Sultanahmet Square, once known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, is today a square in Istanbul, in the immediate vicinity of which are the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Previously, it was a circus that was the sports and social center of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos (ippos) – horse and dromos – road. For this reason, it is sometimes called Atmeidanı (“Horse Square”) in Turkish. Horse and chariot racing were popular pastimes in the ancient world, and hippodromes were common features of Greek cities in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.

The Blue Mosque of Istanbul, also known by its official formal name, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a historic Ottoman-era imperial mosque located in the center of the old part of the city. A functional mosque, it also attracts a large number of tourists. It was built between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Ahmed I.

Its Kulije contains Ahmed’s grave, a madrasa and a hospice. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the interior walls of the mosque, and at night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame the mosque’s five main domes, six minarets and eight side domes. It is located next to Hagia Sophia, the main mosque in Istanbul until the construction of the Blue Mosque and another popular tourist spot. In 1985, the Blue Mosque was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name “Historic Areas of Istanbul”.

Hagia Sophia (literal translation ‘Holy Wisdom’), officially the Great Mosque Hagia Sophia is a mosque and the main cultural and historical site in the old part of the city. The cathedral was originally built as a Greek Orthodox church that lasted from 360 AD until the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire in 1453. It served as a mosque until 1935, when it became a museum. Two years ago, in 2020 to be exact, Hagia Sophia became a mosque again.

The current building was built by the Eastern Roman emperor Justinian I as a Christian cathedral in Constantinople for the state church of the Roman Empire between 532 and 537, and was designed by the Greek geometers Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralus. The official name of the church was the Church of the Holy Wisdom. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is considered to have “changed the history of architecture”.

The current Justinian building was the third church of the same name to occupy the site, since the previous one was destroyed in the riots in Nicaea. As the episcopal seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, it remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, until the Cathedral of Seville was completed in 1520. Beginning with later Byzantine architecture, the Hagia Sophia became the paradigmatic form of the Orthodox Church and its architectural style modeled on Ottoman mosques a thousand years later. It has been described as “occupying a unique position in the Christian world” and as an architectural and cultural icon of Byzantine and Orthodox civilization.

Eminönü

Eminonu, historically known as Perama is a predominantly commercial coastal area in Istanbul within the Fatih district near the mouth of the Golden Horn with the southern entrance to the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. It is connected to Karaköy (the historic Galata Tower) via the Galata Bridge over the Golden Horn. From 1928 to 2009 it was part of the Sultanahmet district when Sultanahmet was absorbed into Fatih. The bustling main square of Eminonu is overlooked by the New Mosque (Ieni Cami in Turkish) and the Spice Bazaar (Mısır Carsısı in Turkish). Eminonu is an important transport hub.

Several ferries have terminals along the Eminonu coast, and the T1 tram has a stop here. In the southeast, Eminonu flows into Sirkeci, while in the northwest it joins the commercial areas of Tahtakala and Kuchukpazar. Inland from Eminonu is another shopping district, Mahmutpaşa. In Turkish, Eminonu means “in front of justice” (“emin” meaning “justice” and “onu” meaning “in front”). The name probably came from the Ottoman courts and customs houses on the docks; “Emin” was the title of an Ottoman customs official.

Taksim Square – Istikal Street

Taksim Square located in the Beyoglu area (Beyoglu) in the European part of Istanbul is a major tourist and recreational area known for its restaurants, shops and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul, with the central station of the Istanbul Metro network.

Do you perhaps know where the word Taksim comes from? The word Taksim means “division” or “distribution” in Arabic. Taksim Square was originally where the main waters from the north of Istanbul collected and branched off to other parts of the city (hence the name.) This use was established for the area by Sultan Mahmud I. The square takes its name from an Ottoman-era stone reservoir that located on one side of the square.

Today, Taksim is a cultural center with numerous places for entertainment and relaxation, that part of Istanbul never sleeps!

Istiklal Street (Independence Avenue) historically known as Pera Grand Avenue in Beyoglu (Pera) historical district, is a 1.4 kilometer long avenue, a famous pedestrian street and one of the most famous streets in Istanbul. It got its modern name after the proclamation of the Republic on October 29, 1923, Istiklal (Independence) in commemoration of Turkey’s triumph in the War of Independence. The street starts at the northern end of Galata at Tunel Square and goes to Taksim Square. This street features buildings from the late Ottoman era, mostly from the 19th and early 20th centuries in a variety of styles, including Neo-Classical, Neo-Gothic, Renaissance Revival, Beaux-Arts, Art Nouveau, and the first Turkish national architecture.

There are also several Art Deco buildings from the early years of the Turkish Republic, as well as a number of more recent examples of modern architecture. This street used to be mostly residential blocks, but today most of it is now occupied by boutiques, music stores, art galleries, cinemas, theaters, libraries, cafes, pubs, night clubs with live music, hotels, historic patisserie, chocolate bars, restaurants and a growing number international chains of well-known stores. There is even a branch of Madame Tussauds Istanbul on this street.

If you want to feel modern Istanbul and enjoy the charms of shopping, my sincere recommendation is to visit the famous Nisantasi district. Nişantaşı is an upscale, mostly secular residential neighborhood in the Şişli neighborhood on the European side of Istanbul. From Osmanbey and Pangalti in the west to the bustling Halaskargazi Caddesi, it is a popular shopping district, full of boutiques, department stores, cafes, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. Many of the streets are still lined with fine apartment blocks from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Directly to the south is the large and green park Mačka, and to the east is the city district of Besiktas.

After a successful shopping therapy, you can go down to Macka Park and enjoy the view of the beautiful Bosphorus! Yes, it is that famous landscape that we can see in many famous Turkish TV shows! Istanbul is full of wonders and believe me, every time I go there I always discover and learn something new, so I always get excited and fall in love with this imperial city on two continents!

My dear travelers, we have come to the end of this special Istanbul travelogue and I believe you will take advantage of the Turkish Airlines Stopover in Istanbul program where you will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this imperial city on two continents. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the world’s Turkish airline – Turkish Airlines, which allowed me to feel the spirit and beauty of Turkish culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey my impressions about this unusual experience from Turkey.

A person is rich in soul if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad that I always manage to find partners of my projects who help me to discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way.

I am honored to have the opportunity to cooperate with companies that are the very top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank Turkish Airlines once again for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual Turkish culture in a completely different way.

How did you like my story about the Istanbul Stopover program, the presentation of the imperial city on two continents? Have you had the chance to visit Istanbul yet?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With love from Istanbul,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by world airline Turkish Airlines as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Nisantaşi: Istanbul Luxury Shopping Guide

Fashion Lifestyle Travel Turkey in my eyes 6 Comments

My dear fashionistas and travelers, I hope you are well and ready for a new (fashion) adventure. Today’s post will be slightly different compared to the previous travelogues that you have had the opportunity to read on the Mr.M blog. The travelogue you will be able to read today will be written in the form of an interesting shopping guide where I will introduce you to some interesting places to shop when you are in Istanbul. In addition to the luxury places to shop, I’ll also give you some tips on where you can buy good quality designer stuff at significantly cheaper prices, so this guide will cover all fashionistas with all budgets, because everyone deserves to be stylish dressed according to their budget.

If you forgot to read my travelogue about Istanbul or you want to remind yourself of some interesting details, before you continue reading this guide, spare a few minutes of your time to read my latest travelogue in this imperial city on two continents – LINK. Let’s remind some of the most important details about this Turkish metropolis.

Symbol of Istanbul: A red cart with a glass window where you can always find fresh simit (bagels) and other pastries.

Istanbul, the imperial city that has remained known throughout history as Byzantium and Constantinople, is the most populated city in the Republic of Türkiye. This city is also the economic, cultural and historical center of the country. Istanbul is a transcontinental city in Eurasia, located on the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Europe and Asia between the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The commercial and historical center of the city is located in the European part, while about a third of the city’s population lives on the Asian side. The city is the administrative center of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, which has more than 15 million inhabitants. Istanbul is one of the most populated cities in the world, the seventh largest city in the world and the largest city in Europe. Istanbul is considered a bridge between East and West.

The fairy tale view from the terrace of the presidential suite of the Divan Taksim Istanbul hotel

I will try to list the parts (districts) of the city for you, so that you can find your way around when you come to this magical city. Istanbul is divided into the following city districts:

  • Sultanahmet – the old part of the city
  • Galata – Beyoglu area, where Taksim Square and the famous Istikal Street are located
  • New City – The main business district of the city with many modern shopping centers and districts such as Elmadag, Nisantaşi and Etiler.
  • Bosphorus area – The European shore of the Bosphorus dotted with numerous palaces, parks, waterside villas and bohemian districts such as Beşiktaş and Ortakoy.
  • Golden Horn area – The banks of the Golden Horn, the estuary that separates the European side into characteristic areas. Here is Eyüpsultan, with an Ottoman ambience.
  • Prince’s Islands – A convenient place for a perfect break from the city, consisting of an archipelago of nine car-free islands – some of them small, some of them large – with beautiful wooden villas, green pine gardens and beautiful landscapes.
  • The Asian part of Istanbul – The eastern half of Istanbul, with beautiful neighborhoods on the banks of the Marmara and the Bosphorus.
  • The Western part of Istanbul, the western suburbs – are a collection of Istanbul districts, which lie west of the city walls of the old city. Bakırköy is the main center of this part of the city.

The center of our shopping guide today is the famous Nisantaşi district. In the immediate vicinity of this famous shopping paradise is the Divan Istanbul hotel, where I stayed during this visit to Istanbul. By staying at the Divan Istanbul hotel, a visit to Istanbul takes on a new dimension and definition of travel, relaxation and an idyllic vacation. Hotel Divan Istanbul offers its visitors a complete travel experience that will exceed all their expectations.

Hotel Divan Istanbul, thanks to its extraordinary location, dominates the different rhythms of Istanbul. Just a few steps away from Taksim Square, the hotel is intertwined with the vibrancy of the city and is conveniently located to be inspired by Istanbul with all its historical and cultural texture. Don’t forget to listen to the legendary story of the Galata Tower located in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, mingle with the colors of the Grand Bazaar, open the doors of history in Topkapi Palace and visit important places that reflect the spirit of the city in order to make new discoveries or rediscover them.

As I mentioned a little while ago, near the Divan Istanbul Hotel is the most famous shopping district where there are many famous international fashion and other brands that you can find on Nisantaşi. Nişantaşı is an upscale, mostly secular residential neighborhood in the Şişli neighborhood on the European side of Istanbul. From Osmanbey and Pangalti in the west to the bustling Halaskargazi Caddesi, it is a popular shopping district, full of boutiques, department stores, cafes, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. Many of the streets are still lined with beautiful apartment blocks from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Directly to the south is the large and green park Macka, and to the east is the city district of Besiktas.

Nisantaşi is the right place for all those shopping lovers who are looking for something more and want to feel an extraordinary luxury shopping experience that is truly unique. How did this today’s paradise for shopaholics get its name? The name “Nişantaşı” is among those whose origin is based on a sign in the typology of district names of Istanbul. One of the two engagement stones in the courtyard of Teşvikiye Mosque, The oldest belonging to Selim III, 1790-91, II. The second, which belongs to Mahmud, bears the date of 1811. Another stone dated 1811 remained in the front garden of an apartment building on Nişantaşı-Ihlamur Road in Topağacı today.

There is information that Selim III had a small mosque built in 1794-95, on the site of today’s Teşvikiye Mosque, after the first engagement stone was erected. This masjid must have been built for daytime prayers on the days when the sultan went on engagement practice in large groups.

Interest in this district increased even more when Abdulmedid moved to the Dolmabahçe Palace, and in 1857 he ordered the weddings of his princes to take place in Nişantaşı. The following year, the weddings of their daughters Cemile and Munire Sultan were again held in Nişantaşı. A decade later, the records show that Nişantaşı was opened for development and that the construction of the first villas began. Starting in the 1860s and 70s, Nişantaşı would develop as a neighborhood of villas and palaces, and apartments would be added to it from the 1910s.

The development of Nişantaşı is in complete accordance with the development of Istanbul in the second half of the 19th century. Two main developments affected Nisantası on two main axes. First, the palace was moved to Dolmabahce, and then to Yildiz. This phenomenon attracted members of the dynasty and high state officials to this quarter. Second, Nişantaşı is close to Pera (Beyoglu), the most modern part of the city. Living near Pera in Istanbul, on the road to westernization and modernization, was also an opportunity to mix with the lifestyle there. The two main axes that express this are Macka-Osmanbei and Taksim-Nisantaşı.

Nişantaşı developed around these two axes from the beginning of settlement, but this development continued in the form of village-town intertwining until the 1950s. Topagacı and the end of today’s Vali Konagi street, that is, the valley of the Fulya stream, preserved its rural appearance until the 1970s.

Development after the 1930s went towards housing, as in all of Istanbul, and it became one of the fastest growing residential districts in Istanbul, along with districts around Nişantaşı such as Taksim, Harbiie, Osmanbey and Sisli. However, this residential area continued as an elite neighborhood, the district preserved its identity as a neighborhood preferred by the upper income group, and the shops lining the main streets also supported this identity. In the 1970s, the fact that Istiklal Street began to lose its old quality attracted famous shops to Nişantaşi.

Another important and striking event in the same period is that clothing and textile factories began to settle in this district (especially in Meshrutiet district). This development, which began in the 1970s, continues today. This development, which undermined the distinctiveness of the district, also affected the society in Istanbul.

Today, Nişantaşı is still a vibrant, overpopulated area of Istanbul with heavy traffic and an elite neighborhood with its luxury shops, galleries and restaurants. Nişantaşı is known to many as an area where more than one activity can be done in the same day and a quality time spent is almost guaranteed. Abdi Ipekci, Tesvikiie and Vali Konagı streets are among the streets with the highest rental property prices in Istanbul. Abdi Ipekci Street, which is the most famous street where world-famous brands that appeal to high-income fashionistas first look for a place when they start their activities in Turkey, is the 25th most expensive street in the world in terms of issuing prices per square meter as of 2009.

Nişantaşı, which until the 2000s was widely known as a shopping district, has recently been mentioned with entertainment facilities, and since 2002 it has become one of the centers of New Year’s celebrations in Istanbul. In Nişantaşı, where shopping takes on a new dimension with the lighting of the streets, liveliness reigns not only on New Year’s Eve, but throughout all four seasons. It is an undeniable fact that Nişantaşı, where many street activities, fashion shows, fashion and shopping festivals are held, especially during summer and spring, is a very important and valuable district for Istanbul.

In one of the main streets of Abdi Ipekci there is also the famous Turkish fur and leather brand that you had the opportunity to meet in January of this year on the Mr.M blog – PUNTO.

PUNTO is a well-known Turkish brand founded in 1994 as a manufacturer of clothing and fashion accessories made of leather and fur. Punto is today a leader in its sector both in Turkey and on the world market.

Over the past years, Punto Group has risen to an eminent position in the luxury fashion industry. Through unique collections, this unusual Turkish fashion house always tries to follow all the current world trends, as well as to set new tasks for entering new avant-garde fashion territories. In Abdi Ipekci they have two PUNTO stores where you can find clothing and accessories for women, while a few meters down the street is their fashion paradise for men PUNTO UOMO. If you want to know more about this famous Turkish brand, read my previous fashion story in the following link.

Vakko is a Turkish company that manufactures and sells luxury ready-to-wear products. It was founded in 1934 under the name Sen Hat in Sultanhamm on the initiative of Vitaly Hako. After the 1940s, it continued its production under the name Vakko and opened its first large store in Istanbul’s Beyoglu district in 1962.

In 1981, the show “Anatolian Sun” was held, which combined Anatolian cultures and Western fashion concepts. The exhibition, which was exhibited in Rome, Vienna, Brussels, Paris and London, presented Vakko in Europe as a representative of contemporary Turkish fashion. In 1982, Vakkorama, Turkey’s first youth store, opened in Istanbul. In order to bring New York fashion to Istanbul, Vakkorama introduced a new team called V2K Designers in 2000 with the slogan “Two cities, one brand”. Over time, V2K Designers, which has also become a designer and brand of other fashion cities like Paris, London and Milan besides New York, is today the first concept store in Turkey where different world brands meet under the same roof. Above you can see how the New Year’s colorful window display on Nisantashi looks like.

CENGIZ AKTURK has been playing a role in the fashion industry for more than 20 years and has adopted an approach as a strategy of continuous customer satisfaction and a sustainable vision leading a retail store where it designs and manufactures its fashion products. Exceptional design, I believe that the dear lady readers of the Mr.M blog will be delighted with this recommendation. In addition to its stores in Turkey, CENGIZ AKTURK also has boutiques in London, Dubai and Paris, so my dear ladies, if you go to some of these destinations, see for yourself the beauty of the creations of this Turkish designer.

GIZIA is a special brand that is appreciated in our home because my dear mom loves this Turkish brand. They had a store in Belgrade for a while and it closed soon, which was hard for my mom because she really loves this brand and likes to wear their stuff. Gizia, as one of the pioneers of the concept of affordable luxury both in Turkey and in the world, continues to expand its customer base in the fashion and retail sector day by day thanks to its sophisticated and elegant collection, special cooperation with designers, successful merchandising. networks and online sales services.

GIZIA creates collections that offer timeless style and embrace the vision of haute couture thanks to its strong, striking, sophisticated and feminine approach to design. There are several brands in the Gizia group: Gizia, Gizia Gate (a fashion line and also the name of a special concept store), Kiwe, 4G Classic and Mani Mani. Gizia Gate is the first exclusive multi-brand concept store in Turkey, it gathers a selection of the most innovative Turkish women’s fashion designers under one roof. A two-story store featuring collections from local designers, including Erkan Demiroglu and Deniz Berdan, as well as brands from the Gizia Group.

Mani Mani took its first step in the world of fashion in 2021. Launched for the needs of the Spring Summer 2021 collection, with its first collection, the brand attracts attention with its experimental, innovative and flawless designs. Mani Mani brand from GIZIA Group, which opened its first store on Nisantası Abdi İpekci street, reflects the integrity of many styles and its collections contain intriguing and new designs. The choice of textures and materials, the colors used and the carefully crafted handicrafts symbolize an unexplored planet. Integrating with different styles, Mani Mani begins its journey with the aim of creating trends.

BEYMEN – a fashion paradise for shopaholics in Turkey. Beymen is a chain of luxury department stores in Istanbul, Turkey with its flagship store in the Nisantasi district. It has department stores in Istanbul in Akasia, Akua Floria, Atakoi Plus, Istinie Park and Zorlu Center malls, as well as two stores along Bagdat Avenue on the Asian side of Istanbul.

Beymen also has stores in Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Gaziantep, Izmir and Bodrum. In Beymen you can find the world’s most famous luxury brands, but there is good news for fashion lovers who are not on a high budget, which is that Beymen has several outlet stores in Istanbul where you can buy the collections of famous world brands from previous seasons at significantly more affordable prices. Beymen outlets really have a great offer and I have seen it many times because every time I go to Istanbul I visit their outlet stores, my favorite is in the Optimum outlet center.

OUTFIT

Jacket: Marco Pescarolo

T-Shirt: Loro Piana

Trousers: Marco Pescarolo

Backpack: Bric’s

Sneakers: Jacob Cohen

Now I have a recommendation for a fashion brand for men that comes from Italy. Stefano Ricci is a private family Italian brand that fosters a luxury lifestyle. This exceptional brand produces men’s clothing and fashion accessories and has several lines, including a line for the youngest “SR Junior”, a home improvement program “SR HOME” and lifestyle products. This luxury Italian brand also offers bespoke services and interior design for yachts and residences.

Tacettan Seker, who started his journey in a humble tailor shop in Istanbul in 1998, created one of Turkey’s leading tailor-made brands under the name “Taji Giyim” in the following years and became a pioneer in menswear with innovative steps. Taji, who stands out not for temporary fashion trends, but for personalized design, launched the merchandising sector with the Nisantası store in 2002, then in New York in 2006. Today, Taji stands out for its unique merchandising model that combines special tailoring with leading world brands. This is a real fashion paradise for men who love extremely high quality custom clothing.

John Paul Ataker prides himself on creating impeccable, high quality clothing. Each garment is overseen by a single tailor and sent through three rounds of quality control before the collection is ready for the customer. A luxurious experience that includes structured dresses, intricate details and modern shapes for the most discerning customers. The John Paul Ataker collection exudes confidence, elegance and a feminine identity that is known around the world.

For customers who dare to be different, the John Paul Ataker atelier offers a haute couture experience by creating unique clothes. This fashion journey begins with a detailed sketch that is sent to pattern making, creating a simple moulage and combining the customer’s personal concept with the signature John Paul Ataker design process. The results of the collaboration give the customer a sense of old-world luxury and exclusivity. The name John Paul Attaker was chosen for the lavish eveningwear and ready-to-wear brand to pay tribute to Attaker’s roots, and is also the name of Numan’s son.

Numan Ataker is a native of Turkey and the designer behind the John Paul Ataker collection. The luxury evening collection is based on his childhood and experience growing up in the family fashion business. His family worked on all aspects of the creation from tailoring, fabric development and patterns. Creating unique shapes for a significant clientele seeking unique silhouettes. These formative years honed his flair for design as he developed a love for textiles, precise cuts and the draping of the female body.

These are some of my recommendations from the shops I noticed in the Nişantaşı district, of course there are many more brands and designers that have found their place under the sun of Turkish luxury called Nişantaşı. In addition to Nişantaşı, there are several other fashion destinations for luxury shopping in Istanbul.

Istinye Park is a shopping center in the district of the same name – Istinye in Istanbul with almost 300 shops of numerous international luxury brands and designers. In addition to the numerous luxury brands in Istinye Park, you can also find everyday street fashion brands, so there is a balance of low-budget street brands, through mid-range brands to luxury brands. This shopping center has indoor and outdoor parts, the open part of the center is reserved for luxury brands and has a green central park.

Mall of Istanbul is Turkey’s largest shopping, entertainment and lifestyle center, chosen as the ‘Best Mall in the World’ by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), located in Başakşehir, one of Istanbul’s new developing areas. It is home to 350 stores and thousands of brands operate in the Mall of Istanbul, which was established on May 23, 2014 by Torunlar REIC, Turkey’s largest domestic real estate investor.

Offering shopping, culture, art and entertainment under the same roof, Mall of Istanbul, where Turkish and global brands are exhibited, Europe’s largest indoor amusement park MOIPARK, Turkey’s largest cinema complex Cinetech adds value to the understanding of shopping across Europe, especially in Turkey.

Emaar Square Mall is the largest shopping center in Turkey with 415 stores, 52 restaurants and parking for 4,200 vehicles. Within the shopping center on 6 floors you can find shops that will appeal to all tastes, enjoy fun areas for yourself and your child while enjoying a meal and drinking coffee. Emaar Square Mall has plenty of fun for kids and adults alike! Emaar Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Emaar Skyview viewing terrace with the longest glass terrace in Europe at 27 meters, Museum of Illusions, Museum of Entertainment, revolutionary entertainment The Jump, 4DX cinemas, VR ROOM that takes your breath away with its games, PlayBowling, which will make you experience team spirit with your friends and increase the excitement of the competition…

As I promised at the very beginning of this post, I will also share with you some shopping destinations where you can buy a number of luxury and premium brands at much cheaper prices in Istanbul outlets. Outlets in Istanbul are in the form of outlet malls not so much as outlet villages which you can find in Europe.

Outlet malls in Istanbul:

Optimum Outlet Center (my favorite) – one of the most visited outlet centers in Istanbul and Turkey in general. You can easily reach this outlet mall directly from Taksim Square by bus 129T. This line connects Taksim to Bagdat Caddesi, another luxury shopping destination, considered by many to be Turkey’s version of Rodeo Drive. Returning from Bagdat Caddesi to Taksim, you can get off at Yenisahra station. The outlet is great, it has a lot of well-known brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, Diesel, but you also have luxury brands that are part of multi-brand stores like Beymen, which I wrote about in this post. Be prepared to take your time as Istanbul is a big city and expect traffic jams, on one occasion I traveled one way from Taksim Square to Optimum outlet for an hour and a half, but it was really worth it!

Viaport Asia outlet center has become one of the most visited outlet centers in Turkey today. Viaport Asia has become the heart of social life thanks to its 250 shops, parking for 4000 vehicles, entertainment centers, cinemas and other facilities that cater to all other needs. Designed in a street concept with its open-air architecture, Viaport Asia offers quality to its customers at affordable prices in its stores designed in an “outlet” concept. Offering an atmosphere in touch with nature in restaurants located by the lake far from the hustle and bustle of the city, Viaport Asia opens the door to natural life in contact with peacocks, rabbits, dogs and cats.

Olivium Outlet Center opened its doors to visitors on April 1, 2000 and was the first and only outlet center in Istanbul for a long time. Since its opening, it has been offering trendy brands and quality at an affordable price. Appealing not only to Zeitinburn, but also to the whole city for 20 years with its concept to continue as a real outlet center, Olivium Outlet now promises its visitors a much more modern, simpler, more spacious and brighter environment with its renovated premises. Housing 132 stores of Turkish and international brands, Olivium Outlet offers customers an affordable shopping experience seven days a week.

Kale Outlet Center quality, affordable shopping in a modern outlet center with 127 stores of well-known world brands. Kale Outlet is located in a very convenient location with close proximity to major traffic routes and extremely easy access to public transportation. Kale Outlet Center, located in the most populated districts of Istanbul, attracts attention as the only shopping center on the Kabatas-Bagcılar tram line.

There are many outlet malls in Istanbul and I believe you will find the perfect place to shop! All you have to do is book your ticket to Istanbul and enjoy the charms of shopping in the imperial city on two continents.

My dear travelers and fashionistas, we have come to the end of this first special guide for shopping in Istanbul where we had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of luxury shopping in the imperial city on two continents. Today’s travelogue would not be possible without the selfless help of the national Serbian airline – Air Serbia and Divan Istanbul Hotel in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye, which enabled me to feel the spirit and beauty of Turkish culture and tradition. Of course, as always, I tried my best to convey my impressions about this unusual experience from Turkey.

I would like to give special thanks to the staff of Divan Istanbul Hotel for their warm welcome and for hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, where I felt the warmth of home!

How did you like my Istanbul shopping guide and introduction to the Divan Istanbul Hotel that graces the heart of Istanbul? Have you had the chance to visit magical Istanbul yet?

If you have any question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you at the same place in a few days, with some new story!

With Love from Istanbul,

Mr. M

This post is sponsored by the national airline Air Serbia, Ministry of Tourism of Republic of Türkiye and Divan Istanbul Hotel as well as other local partners. This post is my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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