Trendy Travelista» Istanbul

saying goodbye to seabourn odyssey

trendytravelista — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:14:06 +0000

I just disembarked Seabourn Odyssey and as my little suitcase and I trundled down the gangway, I felt a palpable sense of sadness. Not only was I going to miss the luxurious life I was living on board this incredible cruise ship, but I was going to miss the friends I’d made in a mere seven days. I knew I’d miss the friendly crew members, each one always ready with a smile, most of them addressing me by name, though I’d never spoken to them before. And I’d miss my afternoon call to order room service – tea, cherries, crackers and cheese – whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it. Yes, Seabourn spoils its guests and it’s easy to get accustomed to the life they roll out from the moment you board the ship.

And of course, I’d miss waking up each morning in a new port of call. This cruise I just completed stopped every day at ports in Turkey and Greece. From Istanbul, we visited the ports of Dikili, Bodrum, Santorini, Mylos, Navplion and finally Athens. Each was special in its own way and I’ll tell you about them soon. But for now, I’m back on terra firme and missing the Seabourn experience. I wonder if I’ll be back on board one day. I hope so – this ship sails the world and I definitely hope to join them on another voyage, wherever that may be.

sailing on seabourn odyssey

trendytravelista — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 10:21:08 +0000

Checking out of the spectacular Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul was tough! It’s such a beautiful hotel and every time I saw the Bosphorus flowing gently outside my window, I had to rub my eyes and make sure I wasn’t dreaming. But our time there had come to a close and it was time to jump in a taksi and head to the port. Next up: Board the Seabourn Odyssey for a cruise that would take us from Istanbul to various ports throughout Turkey and Greece. Let’s go!

Cruise ships never cease to blow my mind. This was my second time aboard a cruise ship but this would be my first real cruise. The sheer size of these vessels is mind-boggling. Like not-so-small cities that float, cruise ships are fascinating and oh-so-much fun to be aboard. Especially one like the luxurious Seabourn Odyssey.

First, let me start with my stateroom. It’s huge. Seriously. It has so many creature comforts in here, I could spend a month. The marble bathroom features his and hers sinks and mirrors and has both a stand-up shower and separate tub. There’s a sizeable walk-in closet with more than enough room for two people to hang up their clothes and there’s ample additional storage … drawers and cupboards, ahoy! Suitcases fit neatly under the bed, so they take up no space once you’ve unpacked. There’s a stylish striped sofa in the room, a desk with custard-coloured leather club chairs (perfect for working, checking emailing or Skype-ing family back home!) and the generous wooden balcony is the ideal place to eat breakfast or dinner if you’re in the mood for something quiet and intimate. There’s a small but modern flat-screen TV, a free mini-bar and Molton Brown toiletries in the bathroom. I love the crisp white cotton duvet cover and sheets, the fresh white towels and the fluffy white bathrobes. The bed is superbly comfortable and features a bone-coloured, stitched leather headboard. A stewardess is assigned to each room and ours, Marlena, is delightful. She’s ready to help or answer questions at any time.

There are 11 decks on the Seabourn Odyssey. There are plenty of restaurants, including The Colonnade, The Restaurant, Restaurant 2, The Patio Grill, The Observation Bar, The Sky Bar, The Patio Bar, Seabourn Square, The Grand Salon and The Club. Point is, there are tons of options – whether you’re looking for a New York striploin, a snack of crackers and olives or an ice cream sundae. But remember: reservations are necessary at most of the restaurants for dinner. Plan accordingly.

There are four washers and dryers on board the ship. Amazing. So you don’t have to pay outrageous prices to have your clothes laundered if you’re willing to do it yourself. There’s a casino if you’re feeling lucky, two pools and four whirlpools. There are meeting rooms (if you must), a card room and shops. Seabourn Square features a library and computer centre if you’re traveling sans laptop.

The Spa at Seabourn is a two-deck health spa and salon and features seven treatment rooms, saunas, steam rooms and fully-equipped gym. The spa menu is extensive though the prices are a bit steep. But after a day in the hot sun, after a shore excursion, sometimes the spa is just the perfect thing.

This ship, which took its maiden voyage in June, is brand-spankin’ new and has had cruise enthusiasts waiting in great anticipation to board. And all those I’ve spoken to are thrilled. Seabourn Odyssey, it seems, was worth the wait.

the turkish bath at the ciragan palace kempinski istanbul

trendytravelista — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:14:07 +0000

What’s the perfect way to relax after a long day of sightseeing? Well, when you’re in Istanbul, the answer is a Turkish bath. Unfamiliar with Turkish baths, I expected the hammam at The Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul to include a massage, followed by a series of pools in which to relax. Umm … not quite. The Turkish bath was, quite literally, a bath. Laying on a marble slab, you’re more comfortable than you might imagine and you find yourself succumbing to the surrounding heat. Using a coarse glove, a “therapist” scrubs your skin within an inch of its life, sloughing off every last bit of dirt and dead skin that may dare to reside on your body. First, she scrubbed one side and then covered me in layers and layers of soft and soapy bubbles. Flip. Repeat. She even washed my hair. I stumbled back to my room in a state of complete relaxation, not to mention, I don’t think I’ve ever been so clean in my life. It’s been a few days since my Turkish bath and my skin is still just as soft and smooth as that first day. The intense exfoliation and cleansing process is definitely good for the skin. I’d do it every week, (OK, every day) if I could! As the treatment ends, you’re wrapped in towels, dabbed with aromatic oils and handed a cup of tea or glass of water. All in all, the Turkish bath was another one of those essential local experiences you just have to try.

The spa also features an extensive menu of other treatments including Ayurvedic treatments, massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Check out the hotel website for a full list of services and prices.

turkish delights

trendytravelista — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:53:28 +0000

Our afternoon in Istanbul was more laidback but just as insightful when it came to seeing, living and better understanding Turkish culture. I love spending time in a foreign city doing what the locals do, not necessarily traipsing from one museum to another, though of course, the historical sites and museums are musts. But I much prefer mixing and mingling with locals and getting caught up in their daily activities.

So after lunch, we strolled.

First stop: Sevan Bicacki. The local jewelry designer is rapidly gaining international attention and his pieces are exquisite. He currently has stores in Istanbul and Dubai with plans for expansion into the United States. Visit sevanbicakci.com for more information.

Strolling the streets of Istanbul, vendors selling all kinds of food are everywhere. From fresh fruits and vegetables to pretzels, bagels and these fragrant roasted chestnuts, the options are plentiful.

The Grand Bazaar is nothing like I had expected. Anticipating a typical souk, I was surprised to see that not only was the market fully covered (not open-air as I’d thought), but that it was relatively quiet and … orderly. I anticipated something more chaotic, more aggressive but the Grand Bazaar is a lovely and uniquely Turkish place to explore. You’ll find vendors selling all kinds of wares like handmade, hand-painted dishware, souvenirs, and bigger-ticket items like handmade carpets, THE thing to buy in Istanbul if you can afford it and aren’t intimidated by the prospect of getting it home.

The Spice Market sells every manner of fresh and fragrant spice. I couldn’t help myself … I had to stop and purchase a small and pricey amount of saffron for a risotto dish I love to make. You’ll find more than just spices here; stop for an ice cream or a freshly baked dessert like lokma or Turkish baklava.

As I mentioned, handmade rugs are one of the most popular souvenirs to bring home from Turkey. Punto of Istanbul (Tel: 0212-511-08-53) sells fine rugs and artifacts. To describe the reception I received there as friendly would be an enormous understatement. Customers are offered tea and a comfortable seat to view and choose the rug that’s right for them.

sightseeing in istanbul

trendytravelista — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:35:54 +0000

Jetlag, schmetlag! My BF and I are only in Istanbul for about 48 hours, which means time is of the essence. This city is packed with ancient history and modern (Turkish!) delights. So if we want to see it all, we’ve got to get a move on. Which is what we did, despite a somewhat sluggish start in the morning on my part. Our first day in Istanbul started at 9:30am, with a tour guide par excellence. Askin Aydin with New Faces Travel (+90-212-227-4660) was exactly the kind of tour guide we’d hoped for. After determining up front what we wanted to do and see, Askin proceeded to tailor our day-long tour to suit our interests.

We began by seeing the historic sites of the city. We visited the Blue Mosque (natch), which rises most impressively over the city, grand in both its commanding presence and its architecture. Its English nickname comes from the cobalt tiles that adorn the interior’s soaring domes though the mosque’s true name is The Sultan Ahmed Mosque. Built between 1609 and 1616, it is a sacred place of worship and is the starting point for many pilgrims who make the journey to Mecca. There’s a back entrance for visitors, so as not to disturb those in prayer and it is essential for everyone to cover up shoulders, arms and legs before entering. You will be handed a piece of fabric for a makeshift skirt if your legs are bare and a shawl to wrap around your shoulders if necessary. The rules apply to both men and women, though I saw a man inside the mosque in a tank top. Hmmm.

Next up: Hagia Sofia. This beautiful place is a basilica turned mosque, turned museum. Mostly recognized for its enormous domed ceiling, this structure is said to epitomize Byzantine architecture. It’s dark inside but beautiful, adorned with Islamic calligraphic roundels, marble floors and imposing archways. There are Christian mosaics on the domes, the largest and most beautiful, one of the virgin and child. Hagia Sofia is an interesting meeting place of the Muslim and Christian faiths and is a must-see stop on a tour of Istanbul.

There’s lots more to see: The Topkapi Palace and the Roman Hippodrome, to name just two. After a full morning of sightseeing, we took a break and enjoyed some local food for lunch. This is another one of the advantages of having a great local tour guide. Askin knew exactly where to take us for good food. We lunched at Onur et Lokantasi (Nuru Osmaniye Cd. Alibaba, Turbe Sk, No: 21/7 Cagaloglu, Istanbul, 0212-527-12-29) starting with a fresh green salad, followed by a traditional Turkish meal of grilled beef and chicken, rice, tomatoes and French fries. It was all topped off with a traditional Turkish coffee. I’m no coffee drinker (tea for me, please!) and this coffee is S-T-R-O-N-G. Like a double espresso, Askin said. But a shot of this stuff is not only part of the local experience, it sends enough caffeine coursing through your veins to see you through the rest of an action-packed afternoon of sightseeing. I’ll tell you about what we did in the afternoon later! I’m off to take in my last view of the beautiful Bosphorus.