| İstanbul Tips
and Suggestions
3rd Day, "Traces of Great
Architect Sinan"
Ask
the Reception for a taxi and visit the Sehzade Mosque, built by the master
architect Sinan in memory
of Suleyman the Magnificent’s elder son Prince Mehmet, who died of smallpox
at the age of 21 in 1543. Stroll around the perimeter for more extensive
views of Istanbul. Then walk downhill or take a taxi to see Rüstem Pahsa
Mosque, another impressive design of Sinan for Damat Rüstem Pasha (husband
of one of the daughters of Suleiman the Magnificent, Princess Mihrimah).
Its building took place from 1561 to 1563. The Rüstem Pasha Mosque is
famous for its large quantities of exquisite İznik tiles, set in a very
wide variety of beautiful floral and geometric designs. Now came the time
to see the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, originally
a trading center for spices brought by the Venetians to Constantinople,
later Istanbul. A vast array of spices can still be purchased here today,
along with ‘Turkish Delight’ and a mouth-watering assortment of nuts,
dried fruits and other foods.
If the exotic aromas of the spices and foods are making you hungry, lunch
is nearby…
Lunch
 Our
recommendation is Pandeli, the historic restaurant just inside the main
entrance to the Spice Market, which offers classical cuisine and is famous
for its sea bass cooked ‘en papillote’, puff pastry with aubergine
and the famed meat dish, Döner kebap, grilled on a vertical skewer.
Pandeli: Mısır Çarşısı 1, Eminönü
Phone: 00 90 212 527 39 09
Afternoon
After leaving Pandeli take a taxi to the Kapalı Çarşı, or Grand Bazaar,
one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. The Grand Bazaar houses
over 3000 shops, and even if you don’t intend to buy anything, it is worth
the visit to appreciate its architecture and to observe and experience
the "real art of salesmanship."
Are you tired?
What about a Turkish bath at the Çemberlitaş or Cağaloğlu Hamam? Ask the
reception staff for details, or take a taxi there from the Bazaar.
Dinner
Now that you are feeling squeaky-clean and refreshed…how about a delicious
dinner? Head for the Develi Restaurant in Samatya!
Here, specialties of the cuisine of southeastern Turkey await you. We
recommend: Çiğ Köfte (spicy tartare meatballs), Lahmacun (small Turkish
pizzas), İçli Köfte (crispy meat and nut-filled bulgur rissoles), Gavurdağı
Salad (mixed salad with pomegranate molasses dressing), and Kebab with
eggplant or Kebab with pistachios. And for dessert, Künefe – a surprising
sweet made of pastry strands baked with cheese and soaked in syrup. One
portion is enough for four people.
Develi: Samatya… Gümüşyüzük St. 7
Phone: 00 90 212 529 08 33
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