A leading player in every epoch and a contributor to humanity’s vocabulary for all that is magnificent and untrammelled, Turkey is a triptych carved by nature, history and culture.

Not to be missed

• Grand & Spice Bazaar
• Istanbul
• The world’s largest covered market, the Grand Bazaar is every bit as grand as its name suggests.
• Grand Bazaar
• Words like enormous and huge don’t begin to describe the Grand Bazaar. Dating back to the 15th century, today it has 21 gates, 56 streets, over 4,000 shops, hamams, innumerable cafés and restaurants. Spread over 76 acres, it employs nearly 30,000 people. Enough to power a small town!
• Crimson, burgundy and the ubiquitous turquoise assault your senses the minute you enter. Take a minute to get your bearings, it’s not as confusing as it looks! Like most souks, alleys are grouped by products. You can find your way to jewellery, silk scarves, fake designer bags, tea sets, kilims, carpets, antiques and even kitchen ware. Bargain away to your heart’s content.
• For a glimpse into the soul of the Grand Bazaar, take a turn into the quieter lanes and duck into a ‘han’. These courtyards were dedicated to crafts and you will still find craftsmen working with gold & silver. You are also likely to find shops owned by people from different countries, all of whom have succumbed to the indescribable charm of Istanbul.
• Spice Bazaar
• Continue the sensory overload at the Egyptian or Spice Bazaar. From the somewhat dubious ‘Ottoman spice mix’ to authentic Turkish delight, this market sells its wares with practised ease. Traditionally a place to pick up imported spices, you can find (with a little persistence), quality Iranian saffron, Indian curry, Chinese flower tea, Russian caviar, medicinal herbs, aromatic incenses, oils and more. Don’t leave without trying fruit leather (sheets of thickened fruit paste) and lesser known variations of Turkish delight.
• Painting Class
• Gokcebel
• The Old Stone House (250-years-old) at Gokcebel, serves as the perfect backdrop for the quintessential artist's adventure.
• There are some places in the world that you never want to leave. Every sight, sound and smell remains with you like a haunting memory. Such is the magic of the Gokcebel.
• The Old Stone House (250 years old) serves as the perfect backdrop for a quintessential artists’ adventure. This week long retreat is not just about the brush strokes, the perfect lighting and finding the right vantage points, but it’s also about finding a place under the sun, taking in the unmistakable scent of jasmine and mint, enjoying peaceful strolls in the sleepy town, experiencing the Turkish way of life and digging into some delicious traditional cuisine and fine wines.
• That’s not all. For those who want to take home some local flavours, pick up spices, seasonal produce and trinkets from nearby shops and markets.
  

Must Dos

• Admire the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Basilica Cisterns.
• Hop across to the Asian side of Istanbul for the markets at Kadiköy, the Beylerbeyi Palace and the Bagdat Caddesi for restaurants, cafes and shops.
• Catch a sundowner at Istanbul’s legendary array of watering holes along the Bosphorus like Reina, the award winning Muzedechanga & the ultra modern 360.
• Team up with a Turkish cooking expert to explore the myriad influences that have shaped the lip smacking Turkish cuisine.
• Wander around Istiklâl Caddesi, Istanbul’s chief shopping area with many quaint covered ‘passages’ and alleys.
• Catch a boat to any of the islands near Istanbul. Walk, bike or take a carriage to see these unspoilt areas, as no motorized transport is allowed.
• Get on the Ottoman trail to the capital cities of Bursa and Edirne and then hop to Iznik, famed for its tiles.
• Spin with the whirling dervishes of Konya.
• Snap the travertine cliffs at Pamukkale.
• Take a Gulet cruise (traditional Turkish wooden boat) and sail past villages, sandy coves and rugged shoreline mountains, while feasting on Turkish fare and raki.