There’s a certain thrill in chasing status, and for us, the pursuit of Elite standing with Turkish Airlines’ Miles&Smiles programme became the perfect excuse for a spontaneous weekend escape.
The idea was simple: secure a four-month status match, take just one international flight to extend it by another eight months, and in the process, open the doors to a world of travel privileges. And so, with the crisp promise of December in the air, we set our sights on Istanbul—a city where East truly meets West, both in spirit and on the plate
Getting There: Flights and First Impressions
Flights to Istanbul were hardly a bargain, even in Economy, we choose seats right up front, just behind the curtain separating us from Business Class. We departed Manchester at 11:05am, and settled in for the four-hour journey. Turkish Airlines did not disappoint—our inaugural flight with them was smooth, and the service attentive.
When the meal arrived, curiosity piqued. The offering: a lamb kofta crowned with cheese and tomato (not quite my go-to, but intriguing nonetheless), accompanied by fluffy rice, earthy chickpeas, warm bread, creamy hummus, and a decadent chocolate mousse to round things off. It was a far cry from your standard in-flight fare and hinted at the culinary adventure awaiting us in Istanbul.
Arrival and Accommodation: Casa Foscolo
We touched down just after sunset, the city’s lights twinkling as we began our journey from the airport.
The transfer was anything but ordinary—a slightly eccentric Uber driver insisted we walk nearly half an hour to the airport perimeter, then tried to tempt us into a pit stop for dinner. We politely declined, our minds set on reaching the centre of Istanbul. The city unfolded before us during a 40-minute ride from Tayakadin, revealing a tapestry of contrasts as we navigated narrow, winding streets towards our hotel.
My original plan was to stay at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti, a towering hotel in Şişli with sweeping Bosphorus views. A last-minute change of heart, however, nudged me towards something more boutique and central — a decision that pivotal to our whole trip.
Casa Foscolo, part of the Marriott group, awaited on a leafy, atmospheric side street. The check-in was seamless, the staff warm and welcoming.
Our corner suite had a bay window and a kitchenette, which made things comfortable. The room itself was all understated luxury — plush bedding, a rainfall shower. The interior designer of this hotel had considered pretty much every detail.
First Night: Arrival & Guney Restaurant
We wandered over to the Galata Tower area, which was busy with tourists — not really our usual scene, but we were hungry and wanted Turkish food.
Guney Restaurant had a laid-back feel and views of the tower. We started with dips: muhammara (walnuts, peppers, pomegranate molasses, breadcrumbs), hummus, and mamzana.
For mains, there was kebab with yoghurt served over cubes of pita, plus a chicken skewer wrap with mustard, caramelised onions, pickles, and chips.
Several feral cats kept us company as we ate, occasionally trying their luck for a sample.
Exploring Istanbul: Sights, Sounds & Surprises
We only had a day to see the main sights, so we bought an Istanbul travel card and set off from Sishane on the metro. The signage wasn’t the clearest, but eventually we got above ground and crossed the Golden Horn.
First stop was the Shehzade Mosque, then a walk to the Central Bazaar, which was chaotic and full of sellers hawking knockoffs. I’m not sure we got the real spirit of the place.
From there, we wandered to the iconic Blue Mosque, its interior washed in a cerulean glow, and then on to the majestic Hagia Sophia.
Food Adventures: Baklava & Beyond
Baklava at Karaköy Güllüoğlu
No visit to Istanbul is complete without a visit to Karaköy Güllüoğlu, the city’s legendary baklava emporium. The display case gleamed with golden pastries, and I opted for a sampler: pistachio, walnut, chocolate, each one flaky and syrup-soaked. It was pure bliss — sweet and sticky.
Dinner at Pera Thai
Later on, we went to Pera Thai for something different: chicken spring rolls, prawn wontons, spicy minced chicken with basil, and red curry chicken in coconut milk. Portions were modest, so we ordered extra rice. The food was solid and satisfying.
Final Day: Turkish Airlines Lounge Luxury
Our last morning was relaxed. After a slight flight delay, we made our way to the airport to spend time in the Turkish Airlines lounge, thanks to our Elite status. The lounge was spacious, with plenty of food options — I tried the freshly fried eggs and a few varieties of Turkish pide.
Return Journey: An Unexpected Upgrade
Boarding our return flight, we was greeted with a surprise: a last-minute upgrade to business class!
The inflight drinks included fresh orange juice and homemade lemonade with mint.
I chose the Mediterranean prawn salad for my final meal, and Adana kebab with roasted vegetables and rice.
Reflections and Highlights
All in all, Istanbul was lively and layered with history. The food was interesting, the people welcoming, and the sights worth the walk, even if we only scratched the surface.