I’ve been to Istanbul twice now and like its cosmopolitan feel. My last trip was with my friend Zac [Posen, the designer] who was there creating a range for the Turkish label Vakko.
We stayed at A’Jia, right on the shore of the Bosphorus. It’s a really cool boutique hotel and I loved the minimal design of the rooms. Istanbul is a perfect mix of city and beach. We visited historical sights and museums, like Hagia Sophia and Basilica Sistine, and had a meal on the terrace at the Istanbul Modern, which has amazing views of the Bosphorus.
One of my favourite mornings was spent at the Grand Bazaar, a huge covered market selling all sorts of traditional Turkish fare. It has a crazy atmosphere — I found all the colours and spices really inspirational. I don’t always succumb to holiday souvenirs but I couldn’t resist buying a traditional Turkish doll from a shop called Deli Kizin Yeri.
We had some great meals, including one on a friend’s yacht, but my favourite restaurant in the city is 360. Set on the top of a 19th-century building, it has panoramic views of the whole city. There’s also a chain of cafés called The House Cafe. I went to the one in Tesvikiye, which does lovely salads and cakes, and the vintage décor is to be admired. Istanbul was a really fun city and the perfect place to get away from the daily grind. daisydevilleneuve.com
WAY TO GO
BA flies to Istanbul. Visit ba.com.
