Turkey and UAE Plans

We arrive in Istanbul early on April 20, fresh on a red-eye from Johannesburg, South Africa.  We are staying at the Park Hyatt using points, of course.

First order of business is to head from Kabatas Pier (in Europe) to Uskudar Pier (in Asia), expect obnoxious Foursquare checkins.  On the Asia side, we will visit Leander's Tower and 3 notable Mosques in the area.  Then back to Europe via another Ferry to the Eminonu pier.  We plan to visit Suleymaniye Mosque, then Beyazit Square, and Constantine's Column, built in 330 AD.  We are definitely saving the best for last, spending the afternoon at the Grand Bazar for shopping, shopping shopping.  Then dinner at Juno near the hotel before we crash.

We have a full itinerary in Sultanahmet the following day which may sound ambitious but everything is located very close, so I think we can manage.  We start at the Blue Mosque, then Hague Sophia, Bascilica Cistern, Hippodrome, Arista Bazaar and then the Mosaics Museum.  After lunch, we will visit the Topkapi Palace and the Archaeological Museum.  Dinner tonight is at the Pasazade Restaurant.

We are taking a full day private tour of Ephesus, about a 1 hour flight from Istanbul.  Ephesus was a city since ancient Greek times, through Roman times and has some of the best preserved ruins in the world.  Located nearby is House of the Virgin Mary, where it is said Mary spent her last remaining days on earth.

Our last  day in Istanbul begins with a traditional Turkish Bath experience,  then a quick stop at the Pera Palace Hotel, originally the end of the line of the Oriental Express,  and the Galata Tower, for a last great view of Istanbul before we head to the airport and our flight to Abu Dhabi.

Once we land in Abu Dhabi, we head to Park Hyatt Capital Gate, a new hotel with typical UAE amazing design.  Then off for dinner and drinks with our friend Jen and maybe a bit of sleep before we head off to the Maldives.