Exiled to paradise

Originally the home of exiled princes during the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, Princes’ Islands has blossomed into a wonderful holiday destination. Made up of four major and five minor islands, the area allows an in-depth look at modern Turkey’s multicultural society. You can choose to visit the various islands, but it’s best to stay on either Buyukada or Heybeliada.

The boutique Ascot Hotel embraces the chilled-out island lifestyle with hammocks, a private pool and a Finnish sauna. The Ideal Pansiyon provides one of the cheapest places to stay on Buyukada, even though it’s housed in a historic mansion.

Turkish nightlife in Beyoglu

Beyoglu is a well-known bar and club hotspot in Istanbul. Most of the nightlife is located on Istiklal Caddesi, a pedestrian street that also has boutique stores, art galleries, cinemas and cafes. If you’re looking for an extravagant night out or a wild party, then you can find exactly what you need by staying in this area.

Hostels are great for saving money and meeting fellow travellers to party with. The Rapunzel, Stray Cat, Sumo Cat and the Chillout Classic all provide a friendly and safe environment. 5-star hotels such as The Marmara Taksim and the Swissotel are two of the world’s leading hotels and deliver utter elegance to complement your trip.

Modern hotels in the oldest part of Istanbul

The Old City of Istanbul, known as ‘Sultanahmet’ is where you can find almost all of the city’s historic sites including various museums, the Topkapi Palace and numerous mosques. Just walking through the streets gives you the feeling of stepping into a foreign and wonderful land.

Hotels in Sultanahmet typically reflect the city’s strong ties to history and culture, but also provide modern luxuries. Stay at the award-winning Millennium Suites, an oasis of culture and comfort that’s designed to make you feel right at home. The Hotel Sapphire positions you within walking distance of the attractions and has a lobby bar to relax in after a busy day of sightseeing.