Day One: Istanbul Tours

If time is tight, focus on Istanbul's Big Four: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and shopping at the Grand Bazaar. This comprehensive one-day tour provides the perfect introduction to the fabled city. Or get your bearings on the 90-minute Istanbul City Tour, hopping on and off at several stops, before taking a half-day tour highlighting an aspect of Istanbul's millennia of history. Compare the city's European and Asian faces on the Istanbul Two Continents Tour, or focus on the city's Ottoman past on an Ottoman Relics Tour taking in Topkapi Palace, Rustem Pasha Mosque and the Grand Bazaar.

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Day Two: Private & Custom Tours

Why not take a private tour of Istanbul, for hassle-free touring and personalized attention? With private transport and a local guide to lead the way and answer questions, you'll find it easier to make sense of the city's layers of history and enjoy an insightful visit of this magical place. The private tour of the Egyptian Bazaar and cruise on the Bosphorus combines shopping for spices with beautiful views from the water. The private tour of Hagia Sophia and Grand Bazaar blends history and shopping at two of Istanbul's most famous sites. And in the evening, when the city's mosques and monuments are floodlit, take a private tour of Istanbul by night and stay on for a Turkish dinner and floorshow with belly dancers!

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Day Three: Day Trips from Istanbul

Gallipoli is a popular excursion from Istanbul, and a place of pilgrimage for relatives of the men from Australia and New Zealand who fought there in World War One. The Gallipoli Day Trip takes you to ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and the trenches on a fascinating full-day tour from Istanbul. If you have two days to spend, the two-day overnight Troy and Gallipoli Tour includes a visit to the ancient city of Troy to see the re-creation of the Trojan horse. You also have the option to spend a leisurely free afternoon in Canakkale. The Bursa Day Trip takes you to a traditional Ottoman city, the birthplace of modern Turkish culture. The tour includes visits to 14th-century mosques and tombs, the Bazaar and Uludag Mountain by cable car.

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Marmara Pera

This funky little sister of the landmark hotel in Taksim Square opened in 2004 and has been a popular choice with glam globetrotters ever since. Rooms are small-ish but extremely well appointed, featuring quality touches such as a magazine selection, pillow menu and stylish white linen. Book a top-floor room for sea views. Stand-out amenities include one of the best restaurants in the city, Mikla, a rooftop pool bar with spectacular views, and a 24-hour fitness centre.

Vardar Palace

Behind Vardar's gorgeous Seljuk-inspired facade are a range of surprisingly top-grade rooms given the price. And it's well located just a few steps off Taksim Square. Upon entering, look up to see the gorgeous ornate ceiling and sparkling chandelier. Inside, the modernised rooms are spacious and there's a rooftop terrace with views.

Lush Hip Hotel

One of a fast-sprouting crop of boutique hotels around town, this self-consciously hip hotel has 22 attractive rooms of varying sizes, all of which are individually decorated and presented with nice touches such as French toiletries and CD players. The hotel takes up a lovely old building on a busy street near Taksim Square, so ask for a room at the back.

Flamm

Flamm has morphed into a well-priced Turkish eatery that has retained its sense of style but lowered its prices. In the centre of the hopping dining precinct, its outdoor tables are good spots to soak up the scene and sample simple dishes such as grilled meatballs.

Ciya Sofrasi

The decor is simple and modern, the staff are ever-friendly, and the food - well, let's just say you won't have ever tasted kebabs this good before. The self-service meze array is a fabulous idea (and so cheap!) and the milk puddings and crystallized fruit are perfect finales to a meal. No alcohol.

Leb-i Derya

The ideal spot for weekend brunch, with magnificent views over the Bosphorus from the open-air terrace. The menu has international touches, including pastas and meat dishes, highlighted with Turkish flavors.