( 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.

( Istanbul Cerrahi Hastanesi clinic, Turkey )

Booking the surgery was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. After months of thinking, doubting, and going back and forth, I finally scheduled it through the PST Group around March 2023. From that moment on, the anxiety started building — the two months leading up to the surgery were mentally exhausting. I kept questioning myself: Am I doing the right thing? Is this really what I want? It was a constant internal battle. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone. After a group trip in Jordan, my dear friend Ilaria came with me to Turkey to stay by my side during the first days after the surgery.

She eventually had to fly back to Italy for work, and a few days later, I followed — this time traveling alone. It was a quiet, introspective trip back, but it marked the beginning of a new chapter for me. This experience challenged me in ways I hadn’t expected — emotionally, mentally, and physically — but looking back now, I’m proud of myself for facing it.

DAY 1 – Sunday 21.05.2023

( Night at: Radisson Blu Hotel, İstanbul Şişli )

The day started early — 6:00 AM, to be exact. Ilaria and I got up, had a quick breakfast, and by 6:30 AM, our driver had arrived to take us to the airport. Everything felt surreal. I was trying to stay calm, but the nerves were slowly creeping in. Our first flight was with Wizz Air, departing at 10:00 AM to Budapest. We landed at 12:50 PM and had a quick lunch at the airport while waiting for our next flight. At 3:00 PM, we boarded again for the final leg to Istanbul, where we arrived around 5:50 PM. As soon as we landed, the PST Group team was there to greet us. They took us directly to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Istanbul Sisli, where we checked in and finally had a moment to breathe. To relax a bit, we treated ourselves to a Jacuzzi and a traditional Turkish bath at the hotel — a perfect way to unwind after a long travel day. Despite the calm atmosphere, I couldn’t shake off the anxiety. I knew surgery was waiting for me the next morning, and even with Ilaria by my side, I felt a mix of nervousness and anticipation that made it hard to sleep.

DAY 2 – Monday 22.05.23

( Night at: Istanbul Cerrahi Hastanesi, Istanbul )

The morning of the surgery, I woke up feeling incredibly nervous and anxious, with low energy from the hours of fasting. I tried to stay calm, but my body felt heavy and tense. Around 10:00 AM, I went down to the lobby with Ilaria to wait for the shuttle that would take us to the clinic, Istanbul Cerrahi Hastanesi, which was conveniently located just a short distance from our hotel. Once we arrived, everything started to move quickly. I met with the doctors, completed all the necessary pre-surgery tests, and then waited to be taken into the operating room. At 1:00 PM, it was time. I said goodbye to Ilaria and was taken in for a three-hour surgery. The procedures included an otoplasty and breast augmentation with 390cc Nagor implants, performed by Dr. Ayberk Akçay. When I woke up around 5:00 PM, I was back in my room, and Ilaria was there waiting for me — it was such a relief to see her. At first, I felt surprisingly okay, just groggy and a bit out of it. But things quickly changed when they brought me dinner — I ended up vomiting, probably from the anesthesia and lack of food. The nurses helped me clean up and get changed, and they encouraged me to get up and take a short walk, which was tough but necessary. Later that evening, Ilaria and I tried to get some sleep, but the pain made it impossible for me to rest properly. I felt overwhelmed, exhausted, and deeply uncomfortable — it was a hard night, both physically and emotionally. But even through the pain, I knew this was a step I had chosen, and I was beginning to face it with courage.

DAY 3 – Tuesday 23.05.23

( Night at: Radisson Blu Hotel, İstanbul Şişli )

I woke up early the next morning, still feeling weak and in pain. After a light breakfast, the surgeon came in to check on the results of the operation. It was a difficult moment — he had to remove and check the dressings, which was extremely painful — but he confirmed that everything had gone well, and that the surgery was successful. After some additional check-ups and monitoring, I was finally cleared to leave the clinic. A private shuttle arranged by the PST Group picked us up and brought Ilaria and me back to the hotel. I barely remember the ride — I was completely drained and in a lot of discomfort. As soon as we arrived, I went straight to bed. While I rested, Ilaria went out to explore the city a bit — I honestly don’t remember much from that part of the day, it’s all a blur. Later that evening, she came back to the hotel and we had dinner together, quietly, just the two of us. Her presence continued to be a comforting anchor during such a vulnerable time. The pain was still intense, but being back in a familiar and cozy hotel room, away from the hospital lights and sounds, made a difference. I knew the healing process had just begun — both physically and emotionally.

DAY 4 – Wednesday 24.05.23

( Night at: Radisson Blu Hotel, İstanbul Şişli )

I slept almost the entire day. My body was clearly asking for rest, and I had absolutely no energy to do anything else. The pain was still there, but manageable, although I started to feel some discomfort in my stomach, which made it harder to fully relax. After breakfast, Ilaria left — she had to fly back to Italy for work. Saying goodbye felt a little heavy; having her with me during the first few days made such a difference, and now I was alone in the hotel, left with my thoughts and my healing body. I spent the whole day chilling in bed, drifting between naps, quiet moments, and occasional pain. There wasn’t much to do, and I didn’t want to push myself — this day was about rest, stillness, and listening to what my body needed.

DAY 5 – Thursday 25.05.23

( Night at: Radisson Blu Hotel, İstanbul Şişli )

I woke up alone today. It was quiet, and the emptiness of the room hit differently without Ilaria around. I slowly made my way downstairs for breakfast, by myself — it felt like a small milestone, even though I was moving slowly and carefully with every step. I had actually slept on the sofa. The night before, I realized that getting in and out of bed was just too painful, so I set up a little recovery nest on the couch where I could rest more easily. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but it made things a bit more manageable. Throughout the day, I took a few short walks around the room, just to keep my body moving. Each step felt like a challenge, but also like progress. I don’t remember doing much else — I mostly drifted in and out of rest, listening to my body. The nurse should come either today or tomorrow for a check-up, which gives me a bit of reassurance. For now, it’s just me, the quiet, and the slow rhythm of healing. It’s not easy, but I’m doing my best — one small moment at a time.

DAY 6 – Friday 26.05.23

( Night at: Radisson Blu Hotel, İstanbul Şişli )

Today was another very slow day. I spent the entire time in the room, letting my body rest as much as possible. The energy wasn’t really there, and the pain still made it difficult to move freely — but I knew staying completely still wouldn’t help either. So I made the effort to take a few short walks around the hotel floor. Just quiet laps, step by step, listening to my body and trying not to push too hard. It wasn’t much, but it felt like something. Each little walk was a small reminder that I was healing, even if it was happening slowly. The rest of the time, I stayed in my room — resting, breathing, being with myself. It’s strange how the days blur together when you’re recovering, but I’m learning to honor the stillness, even when it feels endless.

DAY 7 – Saturday 27.05.23

( Night at: Radisson Blu Hotel, İstanbul Şişli )

Today, the nurse came to check on me, and thankfully, everything looked good. They confirmed that I was healing well and that I’d be able to leave tomorrow — finally, a bit of light at the end of this slow, heavy tunnel. The rest of the day passed much like the others — I slept a lot, trying to give my body the rest it clearly needed. I made an effort to eat a little, even if my appetite was still off, and I continued with short walks around the hotel floor, just to keep my body moving. Even though the pain is still present, hearing that I’m on track and almost ready to leave brought me a quiet sense of relief. Recovery is still a process, but this was a small but meaningful step forward.

DAY 8 – Sunday 28.05.23

It was finally time to go home. I had my last breakfast at the hotel, which — surprisingly — was amazing, but I wasn’t feeling well enough to enjoy it. My body was still recovering, and even something as simple as eating felt like too much. I slowly got ready, packed up, and made my way downstairs to wait for the clinic’s shuttle. They had organized everything, which made things easier in my fragile state. At the airport, I found a small bar where I sat quietly, just waiting for time to pass before boarding my flight. I flew with Turkish Airlines at 9:50 AM, and landed at Orio al Serio at 11:18 AM. The moment I stepped out, I saw my mum waiting for me. That simple sight — her familiar face — brought a sense of comfort I didn’t realize I had missed so much. She drove me home, where I could finally relax in a space that felt safe and still. I spent the rest of the day resting and recovering, letting go of the tension and stress I had been carrying for days. This chapter is officially closed, and now begins the next: healing, slowly, day by day — at home.