💭 🧳 This city is in Asia and Europe

🤔 What if I told you…

You could eat breakfast in Europe, lunch in Asia without ever leaving the same city! Or eat at Michelin-starred restaurants for less than a pair of shoes! Or be over-run by cats 😺 

Today, we’re diving into the secrets of Istanbul, Turkey—the only major city in the world that straddles both Europe and Asia.

Keep reading for secrets.👇

Read time: 4.5 minutes of travel gold ⚡

Bet You Didn’t Know...(1 Fun Fact)

Istanbul has the 2nd-oldest subway in the world—built in 1875.

^{(It’s called the Tünel Funicular and the ride lasts 90 seconds)}

🏡 Boutique beds and bold brews

Check In. Chill Out. Coffee’s Waiting.

Don’t let the cozy vibes fool you, the World House Boutique Hotel isn’t just another “Instagrammable” spot. Nope. This gem is tucked right next to Istanbul’s iconic Galata Tower, meaning you’ll wake up with killer views.

Why It’s Special:

• 🌍 Location, location, location: Steps from Galata Tower—aka the Eiffel Tower of Istanbul, but with fewer proposals.
  ☕ World House Coffee Co.: On-site coffee shop serving up unique Turkish brews and sweet delicacies—because sightseeing is better with caffeine in hand.
  👋 24/7 Reception Heroes: Need help at 3 AM? They’ve got you covered (probably with a smile and some tea).

• 💸 Starting at: $120/night (your budget just sighed in relief)

And here’s the kicker: Step outside, and you’re in one of the city’s coolest neighborhoods, with cafés, local art, and cobblestone streets.

⭐ Guest Grade: 4.5 ★★★★½ | 340+ Reviews

🔥 Istanbul’s Coolest Airbnb (No, Seriously)

Stone Walls, Cozy Nooks, No Filter Needed

Forget cookie-cutter hotel rooms. This two-story loft in the heart of Galata is like stepping into a 19th-century time capsule.

🎯 Why You’ll Want to Click (and Stay):

• 🪨 Real history, not faux vibes: Built in the 1880s with stone walls that have seen more than your Instagram ever will.

• 🚪 Private entrance: No awkward hallway chats. Your space, your rule

• 🪜 Reclaimed stone stairs: Like walking on history (but with comfier socks).

• 🛁 Turkish bath vibes: Spa-style bathroom minus the strangers in towels.

• 🛏️ Sleep situation: 1 Bedroom | 1.5 Bathrooms | Sleeps 4

• 💰 Price: Starting at $180/night | 3 Night Minimum

📍 Location: Galata, Istanbul
🛏️ 🛁 1 Bedroom | 1.5 Bathrooms | Sleeps 4
⭐️ Guest Grade: 5.0 ★★★★★ | 68+ Reviews

👉 Take a Peek Inside—It’s Even Cooler Than It Sounds

👑 Stay like royalty - Çırağan Palace 

Sultans slept here, now you can too

Once upon a time, Ottoman sultans ruled from the halls of Çırağan Palace, fast forward to today: you don’t need royal blood to stay here—just a booking confirmation (and maybe a flexible budget).

Why It’s Fancy AF:

• 🏰 Royal Suites: The same halls where big decisions were made. Now with flat screens instead of war councils.

• 🌊 Infinity Pool Goals: Feels like you’re swimming straight into the Bosphorus.

• 🍳 Breakfast Fit for Royalty: You’ll need a nap after. Worth it.

• 💸 The Price: Let’s just say it’s more “I’m celebrating something big” than “casual weekend getaway.”

And no, don’t even ask about staying in the Sultan Suit, unless you’ve got a spare fortune or recently discovered buried treasure.

⭐ Stay Scorecard: 4.5 ★★★★½ | 2,733+ Reviews

🍽️ 🍷 For The Foodies

Istanbul is one of the cheapest Michelin-star dining cities in the world. Here’s how to eat like royalty without spending like it.

• 🥙 Best Local Eat: Balik Ekmek (Fish Sandwich) – Freshly grilled fish straight off a boat for $3. 📸 Instagram pics here 

• 🍖 Where the Locals Go: Ciya Sofrasi – A Turkish food institution serving dishes from every region of Turkey, Netflix approved, "Chef's Table”. 📸 See the feast

• 🍷 Michelin-Star Meal for Cheap: Neolokal – Modern Turkish cuisine with Bosphorus views. Prix fixe menus start at $40 (yes, really). See the dinner experience 

• ✨ Classy Yet Chill: Biz Istanbul – a boho-chic rooftop with panoramic Bosphorus views. Perfect for date nights. Catch the Vibe

 🌟 🧭 The Must See & Do’s

You’ve landed in Istanbul—where the continents flirt, the tea flows endlessly, and your camera roll is about to explode. Here’s your cheat sheet for the must-dos, the hidden gems, and the “eh, maybe skip it” spots.

🌟 🧭 Out & about

1. 🌊 Must-Do: The Sunset Cruise! Skip the sidewalk—glide the Bosphorus with Europe on one side, Asia on the other. 🚤 See it in action

2. 🕳️ Unique Experience: Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, aka the ancient underground lair you didn’t know you needed. 👀 Get spooked (in a cool way)

3. 🕌 Free Icon: The Blue Mosque—stunning, iconic, and free. Just avoid prayer time unless you love polite side-eyes. 📸 Peep the the pics

4. Hidden gem: Topkapi Palace—one of the world's largest surviving palaces and was built between 1460 and 1478. 👑 Sneak a peek inside
   

Local Inn-sights 🗞️

^{Quick, super useful travel tips that make visiting easier.}

🚕 Heads up: Skip regular cabs—Uber works great in Istanbul (but it’ll call a yellow taxi for you).

• 💸 When to Visit (based on your wallet)

  • Save Big: Dec–Feb

  • Splurge Season: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

  • Sweet Spot: March & November

✨ Don’t miss: Galataport—Istanbul’s shiny new waterfront promenade with killer Bosphorus views, fancy shops, and cafes.

🚩 Istanbul Mistakes Tourists Keep Making (But You Won’t After This Video)

💬 🫵 What They Don’t Tell You

❓ It’s walkable, but… Istanbul is basically a workout disguised as sightseeing. Prepare for steep hills, uneven cobblestone streets, and random staircases appearing when you least expect them.

• 🚇 Get an Istanbulkart, it’s one card for all trams, ferries, & metros.

• 🛍️ Tourist Trap Alert: The Grand Bazaar is cool to see, but it's chaotic and overpriced, head to Kadıköy Market for authentic vibes and local prices.

• 💰 Haggle Wisely: Bargaining is expected in bazaars. Do NOT try this in regular stores unless you want confused stares.

💬 ✨ Where You Should Stay if:

• First-time visitors? → Sultanahmet (close to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, etc.)

• Love nightlife? → Beyoğlu (think rooftop bars, late-night eats, and live music)

• Trendy cafes & artsy vibe? → Karaköy (hip coffee spots + street art)

• Authentic local life? → Kadıköy (Asian side charm with fewer tourists)

• Seaside luxury? → Beşiktaş (fancy hotels with Bosphorus views)

📸 Post of the Week

Pop Quiz: Maiden’s tower, pictured above, is part of which continent? 🌍🌏

(Keep scrolling for the answer!) 👀👇

🫵  | Before you go…

Next stop, You Choose!

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🗺️ Answer: It’s on the Asian side of Istanbul! 🌏