10 Romantic Things to do in Istanbul, Part 1

1 - Emirgan Park.  Beautiful woodland which has survived from the Bosphorus' ancient era. the gardens were a gift from Sultan Murad IV to his battlefield friend Emir Gune Han, the Prince of Iran, in the 17th century. Now publicly owned, the park boasts pretty pavilions, tranquil lakes and cafes with impressive tulip fields. 

Emirgan Park

2 - Belgrade Forest. Perfect for romantic picnics and a break from the city. The forest has plenty of paths for walking and cycling in any season. enjoy the scenery around the reservoirs built during the Ottoman era to feed the city's water supply.

Belgrade Forest, Istanbul

Image:Trekearth 

3 - Camlica Hill. Situated in Uskudar on the Asian side of Istanbul, the hill is 268 metres above sea level with sweet smelling pines and magnificent views of the Bosphorus. A favourite winter spot, there are Ottoman style tea-rooms at the top where you can sit cozily and sip hot Sahlep. In the summer, you can enjoy sitting amongst the rose bushes.

Camlica Hill, Uskudar

Image: Points of Turkey

4 - Aya Nikolat, Buyukada. One of the Princess Islands, even travelling to the island itself is romantic. Reached via ferry, vehicles are banned on the island so you can only cycle, walk or use the horse-drawn carriages. The Aya Nikolat Boutique Hotel boasts the most romantic 11 rooms in all Istanbul! Yilmaz Turk Cad, No: 104, Aya Nikola Mevkii, Buyukada, Istanbul Tel: 0.216.382 41 43

Aya Nikolat Boutique Hotel

5 – Ortakoy Square. Located along the Bosphorus in the district of Besiktas, the square is symbolized by the famous Ortakoy Mosque built on the seafront. Stroll around the street craft bazaars, enjoy baked potatoes or sit on a bench and feed the pigeons.

Ortakoy, Besiktas

The Hidiv Pavilion - romancing the Asian side

The Hidiv Pavilion

A city of two continents, it's often difficult to pick which side - Asian or European - is nicer. Turks have their own, very deep-rooted preferences and a person who has grown up on the Asian side will rarely ever want to move their home to the European side and vice versa. It's all about nostalgia, community and roots.

Yet, as travellers to Istanbul usually focus on the major sightseeing attractions of the European side, too often the more elegantly calmer Asian side can be overlooked by visitors. Full of little palaces and pavilions built as retreats for sultans and pashas, the green, lush hills and parks are just waiting to be discovered as the other, more romantic face of Istanbul.

The Hidiv Pavilion is a large mansion nestled in lush woods on the hills overlooking the Bosphorus. It was built by the Ottoman Governor of Eygpt, Abbas Pasha. Governors appointed by the Ottoman government to Eygpt were called 'Hidiv' (Khedive) and this particular handsome and Swiss-educated young Governor contracted the Italian architects, Antonio Lasciac and Delfo Seminati, to build a minor palace in 1907. The gardens were designed by his second wife, Hungarian Countess May Torok von Szendro, who also directed the building of the pavilion. Its tower houses one of the first steam elevators to be used in Istanbul.

The Pavilion was restored to it's exact former glory in the 1980's and is now operated by the Istanbul Municipality as a hotel, restaurant and tea garden. Many childhood summer vacations included five o'clock tea and cake in the gardens of the Pavilion and, although prices are very reasonable, the quiet and regal atmosphere is such that you are transported to the heady and luxurious Ottoman days.

Perhaps due to its endearing love story, the Hidiv Pavilion is also a beautiful and romantic setting for weddings and banquets. As someone who chose to be married in an equally beautiful historical building on the Asian side just opposite The Maiden's Tower, I would say Istanbul is the location for romance!

All Hidiv Pavilion Images: Beltur A.S.

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Welcome to Behind the Bazaar

Centuries-old artisan workshops

Behind the Bazaar is the enfolding of a story which takes two expat women from a providential meeting in the nostalgic quarter of Istanbul known as Beyoglu on to a journey of friendship, partnership and creative discovery. Tara is an American and came to Turkey seven years ago when she married. She is a successful entrepreneur in her own right with company Citara's and blog Turquoise Poppy. Figen is half British/half Turkish and came to Turkey 16 years ago from London, also through love and marriage. She has built a very successful online business of her own, The Knit Box and also publishes her own designs.

With many similar passions and ideas, it only seemed right for us to join forces to create Intarsia Concept, which supports artisans, small businesses and creative endeavours. Behind the Bazaar was born out of a joint passion for Turkish arts - both traditional and modern and particularly those created by women, as well as our desire to share the many secrets of Istanbul with people who will appreciate them. For Behind the Bazaar, we will always be grateful to Linda Alepin.

A modern twist on traditional art by young, women designers

So, anyone who is a traveler, a discoverer, an entrepreneur or simply a lover of arts, crafts and design; welcome again to Behind the Bazaar.