Instanbul during the first week of January 2016

( The Grand Bazar, Instanbul )

DAY 1 – Friday 01.01.16

( Night at: Tan Hotel, Istanbul )

We welcomed the New Year in the most relaxed way possible—at home with my boyfriend’s family, enjoying a cozy evening together. Shortly after midnight, we headed to the airport for our early morning flight with Alitalia, departing at 6:35 AM from Rome Fiumicino. Our destination? The timeless city of Istanbul.

After a brief layover and a long travel day, we finally arrived in the evening. Tired but excited, we took a taxi straight to the Tan Hotel, our home for the next few days. But nothing could’ve prepared us for the surprise that awaited us: Istanbul was completely blanketed in snow—and I mean completely. It wasn’t just a gentle snowfall; the entire city was buried in white, to the point where walking through the streets felt like an adventure on its own.

DAY 2 – Saturday 02.01.16

( Night at: Tan Hotel, Istanbul )

We woke up around 8 AM and headed up to the top floor of the hotel for breakfast. The view was absolutely stunning—from the breakfast room, we could see the majestic Blue Mosque, just a short distance away. It was surreal, especially with the snow-covered rooftops and palm trees adding a magical touch to the scene.

A few minutes later, we bundled up and walked over to the Blue Mosque. As you can see in the photo above, the atmosphere was truly enchanting—a blend of ancient beauty and winter charm, with snow blanketing the ground around the mosque and palms swaying gently in the cold breeze.

Afterward, we visited the Topkapi Palace, which was just as beautiful. The palace itself is rich with history, and from its grounds, we had an unforgettable view of the Bosphorus River, shimmering in the winter light.

Later in the day, we wandered through the Grand Bazaar—one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world. It was a colorful, lively maze full of treasures, from handmade ceramics to spices and textiles. It truly lived up to its reputation.

To end the day, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Hamdi Restaurant, famous for its traditional Turkish cuisine and panoramic views over the city—a perfect end to a perfect day.

DAY 3 – Sunday 03.01.16

( Night at: Tan Hotel, Istanbul )

The next day, we went on a cruise along the Bosphorus River, which offered an entirely new perspective of the city. The boat took us past stunning waterfront mansions, ancient fortresses, and elegant mosques, until we reached the Asian side of Istanbul, where we stopped to visit the beautiful Beylerbeyi Palace. Exploring the ornate rooms and lush gardens of the palace felt like stepping into a different era.

After returning to the European side, we headed up to the famous Pierre Loti Café, taking the funicular up the hill. At the top, we were rewarded with an incredible panoramic view of Istanbul—the city stretched out below us, framed by snow and winter light. It was peaceful, picturesque, and definitely one of the highlights of our trip.

DAY 4 – Monday 04.01.16

( Night at: Tan Hotel, Istanbul )

We woke up early to explore more of Istanbul’s city center, where the streets were buzzing with life and lined with shops and local vendors. Around lunchtime, we stopped at Konak Kebab to try the famous original Turkish kebab. Honestly, I didn’t love it—the flavor of the meat was a bit too strong for my taste. Personally, I prefer the Italian-style kebab, but it was still fun to try something authentic!

After lunch, we made our way to the iconic Galata Tower, stopping to admire it from below before heading inside. Later, we visited the New Mosque (Yeni Camii), taking time to explore both its impressive exterior and beautifully decorated interior. The quiet inside offered a peaceful moment to reflect.

As the day came to a close, we wandered around the neighborhood near our hotel. Even though it was only around 5:30 PM, the sky had already gone dark. But thanks to the snow, the streets were still glowing with soft, magical light—it felt like walking through a scene from a winter fairytale.

DAY 5 – Tuesday 05.01.16

( Night at: Tan Hotel, Istanbul )

On our final day, we started the morning with a visit to the Dolmabahçe Palace—a place we had admired from the water during our Bosphorus cruise. Seeing it up close was a completely different experience. The palace was absolutely stunning, with its grand architecture, crystal chandeliers, and richly decorated rooms. It’s a true symbol of elegance and history.

After the palace, we headed back to the Sultanahmet area to visit the Basilica Cistern. The underground space, with its soft lighting and rows of ancient columns reflected in the still water, had such a mysterious and atmospheric feel—definitely one of the most unique places we visited in Istanbul.

Later in the day, we finally stepped inside the Blue Mosque, and it completely took our breath away. While the New Mosque was beautiful in its own way, the Blue Mosque was on another level—grander, more intricate, and deeply peaceful. It was the perfect way to end our journey through the city’s rich history and culture.

DAY 6 – Wednesday 06.01.16

( Night at: Tan Hotel, Istanbul )

On our last day in Istanbul, we woke up early to make the most of our remaining time. We revisited some of our favorite spots, stopping by local markets to pick up a few souvenirs—small pieces of the city to take home with us.

One of the best moments was spending time in the Sultanahmet Gardens, nestled between the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Museum). The sun was shining, the air was crisp, and the whole area had this peaceful, almost timeless feel. It was the perfect spot to just pause and take in the beauty of Istanbul one last time.

Before leaving, we grabbed a coffee at Starbucks (a little modern comfort before the journey ahead), then headed to the airport. After a layover in Rome, we finally landed back in Milan later that night, tired but filled with memories of a truly unforgettable trip.