miss b loves .....Princes' Islands, Turkey

Princes' Islands (Kizir Adalar) in the Sea of Marmara, off the coast of Istanbul, are a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the city. A couple of Sundays ago we visited the largest island Büyükada (Big Island!)

The catamaran from Kabatas soon transported us to another world ... a bygone era ......

As there's no traffic on the islands (except for service vehicles) the only way to get around is on foot, horse and carriage(fayton) or bicycle and we thought it would be fun to hire bikes and ride to the top of the island. 

During the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, members of the royal family who fell out of favour were exiled here and gave the islands their name.

The bike ride took us past impressive villas and wooden mansions set in the most beautiful lush gardens along flowery lanes. No skyscrapers here!

During the first half of the 20th century, wealthy families built elaborate houses. For a time it fell out of vogue with affluent Turkish people who preferred holidaying on the Mediterranean, in resorts such as Bodrum, but many are now returning to Büyükada.

In the last decade, investors have been renovating run down old properties and many Istanbul residents have holiday homes on the island to escape the summer city heat. This pretty villa is in a perfect spot with gorgeous sea views .....

If we ever decide to come back and stay on the island, then this is the hotel we would choose .......... Naya

We stopped regularly to admire the views - a good excuse to have a quick rest from pedalling in the heat!

Along the way, vendors were selling their wares ... day trippers were buying floral headresses, pretty coronets to wear on the island .... What a lovely tradition!

and I bought a pretty souvenir bracelet too .......

We walked the last section - a steep hill up to Ayia Yorgi (St George) a lovely Greek church ........... and the sky really was this blue!

At the top we were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views.......

On the ride back down, we spotted the abandoned and delapidated four storey Greek Orphanage nestled in the hills. It's apparently the second largest wooden construction in the world .....

We had certainly worked up an appetite and took a welcome break  at the contemporary Bahçede Sinek Kafe. We loved the quirky touches.... especially the colander lampshades .....

The all day Turkish breakfast was beautifully presented and included the most delicious home-made pear and apple jam and fig too ...

....... followed by refreshing mint lemonade and mozaic pasta .... a delicious biscuit and chocolate dessert (a version of what we call tiffin in the UK.)

Having returned the bikes, there was just time for a stroll around the town ........  

The Splendid Palas Hotel, with its twin cupolas and bright red shutters, has become a landmark of the island and apparently Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII once stayed here. 

We stopped to admire the ferry terminal, an attractive domed building ..

and nearby there's an impressive number of fish restaurants .....

Time to board the ferry.........

Views of The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
in the distance

...... and fifty minutes later we were back in the city heading over to Beşiktaş ..... to Aşşk, a beautiful restaurant with a romantic garden on the banks of the Bosphorus and more stunning views .... 

.... a carafe of refreshing and fragrant iced tea ......  a perfect, relaxing way to end the day! 

If you missed Day One, including a  visit to the Asian side of Istanbul, click here

More Istanbul posts here and here