Les Ottomans (It was a former wooden mansion / Genuine Ottoman Mansion after the restoration turned into a luxurious boutique hotel )ON THE EUROPEAN SIDE OF ISTANBUL
http://www.luxuryistanbul.com/itemDetails.aspx?id=19

A`jia (It was a former wooden mansion / Genuine Ottoman Mansion after the restoration turned into a luxurious boutique hotel )ON THE ASIAN SIDE OF ISTANBUL
http://www.luxuryistanbul.com/itemDetails.aspx?id=20

THE MOST STRIKING BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN THE OLD CITY

AYASOFYA KONAKLARI http://www.luxuryistanbul.com/itemDetails.aspx?id=117

THE YESIL EV (THE GREEN HOUSE HOTEL) http://www.luxuryistanbul.com/itemDetails.aspx?id=118

THE MOST STRIKING HAMAMS (TURKISH BATHS) IN THE OLD CITY

Hurrem Sultan Hamami (Built in 1556 / Newly Restorated – Men & Women sections are seperated) http://www.ayasofyahamami.com/en/index1.html

Cagaloglu Hamami (Built in 1741 / Men & Women sections are seperated) http://www.cagalogluhamami.com.tr/

Cemberlitas Hamami (Built in 1584 / Men & Women sections are seperated) http://www.cemberlitashamami.com/

BEST SPA EXPERIENCE IN A UNIQUE MANSION

Les Ottomans http://www.luxuryistanbul.com/itemDetails.aspx?id=53

BEST TERRACE VIEW HOTEL
Ceylan Intercontinental http://istanbul.intercontinental.com.tr/en/general/default.asp

BEST BUSINESS RESTAURANT

Topaz Restaurant http://www.topazistanbul.com/sayfalar_eng.asp?ID=5

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Paper Moon http://www.papermoon.com.tr/

BEST FAR EASTERN CUISINE

Zuma http://www.zumarestaurant.com/zuma_tr_lingo.html

BEST FISH RESTAURANT

Kiyi Restaurant http://www.kiyi.com.tr/en/index.htm

BEST OTTOMAN PALACE CUISINE

Asitane Restaurant http://www.asitanerestaurant.com/English/index.php

BEST NIGHT CLUB

Club Reina http://reina.com.tr/en/index.html

EXCLUSIVE NIGHT OUT

Dinner & Live Music at Maiden`s Tower (Leander`s Tower) http://www.kizkulesi.com.tr/en/Default2.asp

HIGH END TRAVEL AGENCY FOR DISCERNING TRAVELERS

Luxury Istanbul;  “Luxury Istanbul com” features exclusive private tours, holiday packages & luxury hotels all around Turkey for those times when you are looking to spoil yourself with a romantic getaway or special experience. With Luxury Istanbul, go beyond the ordinary itinerary and experience the bests of Turkey, Europe’s one of the most striking Mediterranean gems.
http://www.luxuryistanbul.com

Hagia Sophia no doubt that one of the most striking and important landmarks of Istanbul. Can be visited individually or regular tours or private tours during your visit in Istanbul. LuxuryIstanbul recommended travel agency in Istanbul

Check out my review of Hagia Sophia – I am luxuryistanbul – on Qype

Luxury Istanbul features luxury hotels & holidays whole around Turkey for those times when you are looking to spoil yourself with a romantic getaway or special experience.

They offer private and customized accessible tours in Istanbul for individuals, families and groups, you can customize the tour of your dreams and the choices are virtually endless.

Does your group want to explore Lycian history, walk in the footsteps of St Paul, taste regional cuisines or experience a culturally rich ‘lifestyle’ tour?

Luxury Istanbul allows travelers to create their vacations based on special interests. Luxury Istanbul specializes in Tours for Cruise ship Passengers…

You may want to check it; http://www.luxuryistanbul.com

Luxury Istanbul is highly recommended by IstanbulTripAdvisor

One of the renowned three cuisines The Turkish tribes that once took the long trek from Asia to Anatolia had carried with much success this rich culture which stemmed from the Far and which they had enriched with the materials gathered from every country along their pathway to their new homeland cradling so many civilisations. It was quite logical that the culinary culture would receive its right place in this process.

The origin of the Turkish cuisine dates back to the golden age of the Ottoman Empire (1453-1566) when Istanbul was the center of culinary culture. This was due to new produce and cooking techniques coming from vastly scattered imperial territories.

Turkish cuisine includes beef, lamb or chicken, as well as all sorts of seafood. The most common preparations are grilling or roasting, which produce the famous Turkish kebaps.

Meals in traditional Turkish restaurants start with a large selection of cold starters named meze. You can choose between fresh vegetables in olive oil, salads, white cheese, yogurt with herbs, sweet melon and many others. Hot appetizers include: soups, pastry, cheese rolls. As main dish you can choose meat kebab or Doner Kebab (tomato sauce lamb meat with yogurt).

Deserts are delicious: baklava type or pastry ones (flour dipped in rich syrup), milk pudding . At the end of your dinner we recommend you to drink a Turkish coffee.

For Traditional Turkish Cuisine(Gourmet Restaurants Istanbul) I would say:

ASITANE

It is located near the Chora Church in Edirnekapi. Asitane lies in the shadow of the mighty Chora Church which is one of the most important and well kept buildings of the Byzantine era and serves imperial Ottoman cuisine, incorportating Centeral Asitan, Anatolian, Middle Eastern and Balkan flavours. The restaurant, whose dishes reflect the eclectic nature of the Turco Ottoman neighbourhood. I would recommend to try “Gerdaniye, Lor cheese, Mutancana and Helatiye as dessert”

Address:
Kariye Camii Sokak No: 6 34240 Edirnekapi, Istanbul
Tel: (212) 635 7997 Fax: (212) 521 6631
asitanerestaurant. com

FERIYE

Once a 19th century Ottoman police station, Feriye constitutes one of the rare examples of 19th century classical Ottoman architecture. The restaurant has a fantastic angle when looking towards the Bosphorus. The menu is mostly from the Ottoman cuisine; it was selected as, “The Best Turkish Cuisine” by 100 world-famous gourmets.

Address:
Çırağan Cad. No: 40 Ortaköy – 34347 İSTANBUL
Tel : 0 212 227 22 16 – 227 22 17 – 236 25 22 – 236 25 23
Fax : 0 212 236 57 99
feriye. com/english/index.asp

CIYA SOFRASI

Located in the Fish Market district of Kadiköy. Çiya like its name, brings to mind high mountain peaks and mountain flowers. The creators, will take you for a journey in their kitchen, rich in “dishes from a broad geographical space, spanning from Mesopotamia to the Ottomans, from the Balkans to the Caucasus and from Asia to the Arabian Peninsula.

Address:
Caferağa Mah.Güneşlibahçe Sk. No:43 Kadikoy(Asian Side Istanbul)
Tel: (216) 330 31 90 – Faks: (216) 349 19 02
ciya. com.tr

HACI ABDULLAH

The adventure of Haci Abdullah Restaurant started in 1888 and still survives from the master to the apprentice. Haci Abdullah Restaurant is a great symbol of Beyoglu’s history, and Ottoman hospitality still survives here. Here lightens history and memories. Visiting Beyoglu but not dropping by Haci Abdullah is not just missing something but beyond this, it means you do not really pass through Beyoglu. Because Haci Abdullah helps us to remember our forgotten values with its place, culinary, food and service. Haci Abdullah is the ultimate culinary destination for foodies wishing to satisfy their curiosity about authentic Turkish cuisine.

Address:
Aga Camii, Atif Yilmaz Cad. (Old Sakizagaci Cad.)
No: 9/A 80070
Beyoglu / Istanbul
Tel: +90212 293 85 61 – 293 08 51 Fax: +90 212 244 32 97
haciabdullah. com.tr/wp-content/English/

KONYALI TOPKAPI PALACE RESTAURANT

Konyali has been serving celebrity royalty for more than 100 years. They reflect on traditional Turkish cuisine with a wide selection of appetizers and desserts. Some of the specialties of the house are Low temperature oven baked tandir lamb, aubergine caviar, borek and orange baklava should be tried. The Bosphorus views are priceless.
Address:
In the Topkapi Palace Museum
Sultanahmet / Istanbul
Tel: 0212 513 96 96
konyalilokantasi. com/english/eindex.html

You may ask assistance from Concierge Deluxe by LuxuryIstanbul.com for individual reservations or group dining organisations.

Luxury Istanbul; most innovative & exciting luxury holiday specialist and a luxury travel company in Turkey creates custom luxury holidays, exclusive tours for business and leisure travelers. We recommend Luxury Istanbul.

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A traditional Turkish bath is one of the most important highlights in Istanbul.

Have you ever been in a Turkish Bath (Hammam)?

If you haven`t yet you have missed one of life`s great experiences and you will think never been cleaned before!

A Turkish bath just the thing to help you decompress. There are many in the city that offer a variety of amenities. There are still more than a hundred options to choose from but the best places are as mentioned below:

The traditions have been passed down from the Romans to the Byzantines to the Turks. The Islamic emphasis on personal cleanliness resulted in hundreds of baths being built throughout Istanbul during the years (1400). Traditional Turkish baths have separate sections and entrances for men and women. It was intimately bound up with everyday life, a place where people of every rank and station, young and old, rich and poor, townsman or villager, could come freely.

Famous Visitors of Hammams from the history; King Edward John VIII, Kaiser Wilhelm, Franz Liszt, Florence Nightingale,

Celebrity Visitors of Hammams; such as King Fahd, Tony Curtis, Rockefeller, Richard Harrison, Omar Sehrif, Harrison Ford, Jenson Button, John Travolta, Cameron Diaz, Kate Moss…have all been for a royal experience.

Usual session lasts an hour or 90 minutes, but you’re welcome to stay as long as you desire. You can rest on the platform as long as you like before completing your bath when you have felt so clean or been so relaxed…a lot of it has to do with the ambiance of the bath house.

Beautiful tile work, hot, steamy rooms, a wonderful gentle massage, a long sauna and discrete loofah washing. Big fluffy towels, more soap lather than you’ve never seen lavender soap and a rub down with oils completed the sultan’s treatment.

Take your first bath the very first day you arrive- it will relieve the stress and tension from travelling and the best “cure” ever with jetlag. You will sleep like a baby. Like having a luxurious bubble bath without the tub and being pampered for approximately an hour. Bring lotion and condition if you have dry skin.

Historical Hammams in the Old City-Sultanahmet;
Sure for the best and well known hammam by celebrities also is Cagaloglu Hammam,The most famous Turkish Bath men&women sections are seperated.
cagalogluhamami. com.tr/
Cemberlitas hamam, second important Turkish Bath men&women sections are separated
cemberlitashamami. com.tr/
Suleymaniye hamam, which is the only hamam for both sex (men&women) can use together.It is specially suitable to families and couples.The haman is suitable for families and couples only. Single males or females will not be admitted.
suleymaniyehamami. com.tr/
Gedikpasa hamami, dates from the 15th century and is one of Istanbul’s oldest hamams.Turkish Bath men&women sections are seperated.
gedikpasahamami. com/

Historical & Well known Hammam in Beyoglu-Taksim district;
Galatasaray Hamam in Beyoglu also very popular and old. For Group organizations, the men’s section is opened to men and women.
galatasarayhamami. com/

If you interested in a trip back in historic ottoman hamams you may want to check www.luxuryistanbul.com offers exclusive tours to the historical hamams in Istanbul.

Enjoy your reading & sharing it!

Best Hotel in Taksim; Ceylan Intercontinental
Best Hotel in Besiktas; Ciragan Palace Hotel Kempinski Istanbul
Best Hotel in Sultanahmet; Four Seasons Hotel in Sultanahmet

Best Hotel at Bosphorus; Four Seasons Hotel The Bosphorus

Best Design Hotel in Istanbul; W Hotel Istanbul

Luxurious Boutique Hotel in Istanbul; Les Ottomans Hotel

For more options and professional assistance we recommend Luxury Istanbul.

Luxury Istanbul; most innovative & exciting luxury holiday specialist and a luxury travel company in Turkey creates custom luxury holidays, exclusive tours for business and leisure travelers.

Specialties
Concierge Deluxe, Tours & Holiday Packages, Business Travel, Accommodation, Events Planning, Unique Weddings Planning, Personal Shopper, Blue Voyage & Yachting

http://www.luxuryistanbul.com

1) Best fish restaurant at Asian Side of Istanbul nearby famous Bosphorus (One of the top fish restaurant under the bridge)

http://www.lacivertrestaurant.com/eng/

2) Best fish restaurant at European Side of Istanbul nearby famous Bosphorus

http://www.kiyi.com.tr/en/index.htm

3) Best fish restaurant in Sultanahmet (in the old city next to the famous Cagaloglu Hamam)

http://www.sultanahmetfishhouse.com

Traditional Ottoman Cuisine:

4) One of the best at Asian Side of Istanbul

http://www.ciya.com.tr

5) One of the best at European Side of Istanbul (next to the famous Chora Church museum)

http://www.asitanerestaurant.com/index_eng.php

6) One of the best Kebab Restaurant at European Side of Istanbul.Traditional receipes of South Anatolia (for meet & spice & pepper lovers…)

http://www.kosebasi.com.tr/

7) One of the best Turkish cuisine & kebab restaurant at European Side of Istanbul

http://www.develikebap.com/eng/index.html

Best & most famous International restaurants

8) Ottoman and Mediterranean cuisine; recommended for business dining in Istanbul

http://www.topazistanbul.com

9) International Cuisine; by a stunning view of the Bosphorus

http://www.sunsetgrillbar.com/en/index.htm

10) Best and famous Italian restaurant in Istanbul; Papermoon Istanbul is popular among Istanbul high society and famous people

http://www.papermoon.com.tr/

Luxury Istanbul; most innovative & exciting luxury holiday specialist and a luxury travel company in Turkey creates custom luxury holidays, exclusive tours.

Check our their awesome website for information and tips about Istanbul

Also follow Luxury Istanbul on Twitter

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Spices

Copper Ornaments

Turkish Delight

For First Time Visitors of Istanbul ( A Timeless City irresISTanBlue! )

• Hagia Sophia Museum (AyaSofya) ( Sultanahmet )

     The magnificent Hagia Sophia was originally built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537AD, and it was used as a church for almost 1000 years. After the conquering then turned into a mosque for 481 years, and Turkey’s first President, Atatürk, declared it a as museum in 1935.

• Blue Mosque ( Sultanahmet )

      Foreign tourists call as  Blue Mosque because of the colour of its tens of thousands of interior blue iznik tiles, this masterful early 17th century building with its many domes and six minarets was built to compete with the Hagia Sophia across the street that had been erected almost a millenium earlier. Enjoy the peacefull atmosphere  of its wide courtyard which is the biggest of all the Ottoman mosques. Free to visit except praying times.

• Topkapi Palace (  Sultanahmet  )

      This great palace was the imperial residence of Ottoman Sultans for almost 400 years. Although much of the palace is not allowed to access, the daily tours of the Harem are of great interest to tourists. Open Wednesday to Monday from 9.00am to 17:00pm.

• Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı) ( Sultanahmet )

      Lost  in crowd! in narrow streets of The Grand Bazaar. This huge market place started out as a warehouse and named as shopping Mecca for shopaholics – the largest covered bazaar in Turkey which comes from old times. Haggling for anything from rugs to jewels to pottery is part of the culture and it is rumoured to contain over 4,000 small stalls.The bazaar is open Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 7.00pm. You may enjoy the authentic shopping experience by personal shopper Istanbul, while exploring the secrets of this timeless city, 

• Spice Bazaar ( Egyptian Market ) ( Eminonu )

      Take a deep breath in the heady mix of colorful spices and herbs in the vivid Egyptian Bazaar,

• Dolmabahce Palace ( Dolmabahce Sarayi ) ( Besiktas )

       Located on the best shores of the Bosphorus.May translate as  “filled garden”, an imperial building that for the first time looked like Western style rather than to the more traditional Ottoman style of structures. The chandelier in the Throne Room is one of the largest  in Europe at about 4.5 tons definetely worth to see.

• Underground Cistern ( Sultanahmet )

      The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı – “Sunken Palace”,  ”Sunken Cistern”) is located in opposite of Hagia Sophia. It is a nice, mysterious place, in which you feel you are in old epochs you will be amaze.It is a Roman building made 532 AD.There are lots of columns and different column heads romans recycled that columns from temples of Pagans . However many of the travel agencies don’t put underground cistern into their schedule.

• Sema Ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes( Semazens ) ( Sirkeci )

           Sufi whirling ceremony(Sufi spinning), persian is an active meditation  which originated among sufi dervishes, and which is still practiced by the Sufi’s of the Mevlevi order. It is a customary dance performed within the Sema as worship ceremony, through which sufi dervishes aim to reach the source of all perfection (kemal).

• Istanbul by night at Dinner enjoy The Turkish Night on Galata Tower, ( Karakoy )

          Galata Tower is one of the oldest tower in the world history, which is one of the most important landmarks and  a symbol of Istanbul for hundreds of years. It was constructed by Justinianus in 6th century to monitor the harbours and the city. This outstanding building was controlled by Genoese during 13th century. From the upper side of the tower there is a panoramic view out over the whole city can be seen.Enjoy the oppurtunity of watching authentic Turkish Show.Harem entertainments in old Ottoman houses, rich folklore dancing of Anatolian and caucasian, various shows and oppurtunity of dancing at the roof of Istanbul.

• The Bosphorus 
       

      This waterway passes along the shores of Istanbul is about 20 miles in length and is the physical divider between the continents of EuroAsia. Catch a ferry from Karakoy (from Eminonu) to Kadikoy. This way you can enjoy a romantic night-time by a nostalgic ferry over the waters while taking in the unique view of the Old City. Thus you may get a chance to see geniune wooden ottoman mansions and summer palaces.

• Princes’ Islands

       No doubt that one of the best place to experiment the resort life of Istanbul. The Princes Islands are where Istanbul’s mainly non Muslim elite built their summerhouses , pleasure palaces and resorts.Buyukada is one of the biggest islands of marmara sea where royalty were exiled during the byzantine times and laterly during the Ottoman period , no autos are allowed and various ferries leave from the European side and Asian side to the Island. A good day out to walk around, ,after a nice meal take a horse carriage around the Island enjoy it`s tranquility .Learn the Schedule of the ferries, If you miss the last ferry keep this in mind or else you may have to swim back.

• At the end of the Turkey Break, before leaving the country Don’t forget to Relax in one of famous Turkish Baths (Hamam) you may choose Cagaloglu Hamam or Cemberlitas Hamam.

 Enjoy it! See you on next Turkey travel tips!

Luxury Istanbul  Travel is highly recommended by IstanbulTripAdvisor
http://www.luxuryistanbul.com

Here below you can find some useful insider tips for Istanbul during your istanbul trip;
Sure you will find them pretty beneficial ,
One night you must do fish:

Sarıyer Iskele Restaurant Yeniköy Address Köybaşı Caddesi Vapur İskelesi Sokak No:15 Yeniköy Istanbul
Telephone “0212 262 35 49

Bebek Balikcisi Address Cevdet Pasa Cd.No:26 /A Bebek
Telephone +90 212 263 3447
Web http://www.bebekbalikci.net/indexenglish.html

Poseidon Address Cevdetpasa St. No.58 Küçük Bebek-Istanbul 
Telephone “0212 – 263-3823
Web http://www.poseidonbebek.com

Tarabya Kıyı Address Kefeliköy Caddesi No:126 Tarabya İstanbul
Telephone (212) 262 0002
Web http://www.kiyi.com.tr/en/index.htm

Balikci Sabahattin- Fish restaurant Address Cankurtaran, Sultanahmet (behind Armada Hotel) Eminonu
Telephone +90 212 458 18 24
Web http://www.balikcisabahattin.com/iletisim_eng.asp

ASIAN SIDE

Lacivert (One of the top fish restaurant under the bridge) Address Korfez Cd.No:57 / A Anadoluhisari Istanbul
Telephone 0 216 413 4224
Web http://www.lacivertrestaurant.com/eng/

Nice concept
1 Suada(Galatasaray island) just in the middle of the sea in Kurucesme area is not only a restaurant but also they have swimming pool, cafe, pub…etc some of their facilities,
http://www.suada.com.tr/
kuruçeşme GS.Adası
2122637300

Traditional Ottoman Cuisine I would say:
Borsa
Feriye
Ciya Sofrası
Caferağa Mah. Güneşlibahçe Sk. No:43
Kadıköy www.ciya.com.tr
Beyti
Orman Sokak No:8
Florya
+90 212 663 2990
www.beyti.com.tr
Hünkar
Mim Kemal Öke Caddesi No:21/1
Nişantaşı
+90 212 225 4662
Kosebasi
Kasibeyaz
Develi
Hamdi
Tahmis Caddesi Kalçın Sokak No:17
Eminönü
+90 212 528 0390
www.hamdirestorant.com.tr/hamdien.htm
Changa
Sıraselviler Caddesi 47
Cihangir
+90 212 249 1348
www.changa-istanbul.com/v2/changataksimmain.asp
Topaz Restaurant
İnönü Caddesi 50
Gümüşsuyu
+90 212 249 1001
www.topazistanbul.com
Expensive restaurant serving modern Turkish cuisine, fabulous views over the Bosphorus bridge, good for business dinners or for celebrating a special occasion
ASITANE
PHONE:  (90) 0212 – 534-8414  
http://www.asitanerestaurant.com/index_eng.php
Hacı Abdullah
Address
Sakızaĸacı Caddesi 17,
off Istiklal Caddesi,
Beyoglu
Telephone 0212 293 8561
Sarnic Restaurant offers an unique experience in a romantic ambiance
Address
Kuçuk Ayasofya Caddesi 26,
Sultanahmet
Telephone 0212 518 2323

For the best boutique hotels;

Genuine ottoman summer palaces,mansions turned into luxury boutique hotels
Ajia,
Sumehan on the water
Les Ottomans

Sure for the best and well known hammam by celebrities also is*cagaloglu hammam,The most famous Turkish Bath men&women sections are seperated
http://www.cagalogluhamami.com.tr/
*cemberlitas hamam,Second important Turkish Bath men&women sections are seperated
http://www.cemberlitashamami.com.tr/html/es
*suleymaniye hamam,which is the only hamam for both sex,men&women can use together.
http://www.suleymaniyehamami.com.tr/spanish.htm
Additional;
Galatasaray Hamam in Beyoglu also very popular and old.

For further more assistance pay a visit to www.personalshopperistanbul.com and send your request to Ask to Istanbul Trip Advisor section or personalshopperistanbul@msn.com