7AM : Wake up in the heart of the Old City at the most elegant and sophisticated hotel in town, the Four Seasons Sultanahmet – paradoxically set in an old prison. Have breakfast in the courtyard, beneath the erstwhile guard tower.

8AM: Soak up the essence of the city. Start with the Egyptian Bazaar, for its colours and smells and teas. Stop by the Rüstem Paşa Mosque and the Hacı Bekir lokum store, ending up at the Grand Bazaar. Visit Dhoku for traditional rugs and stroll around the bazaar to make a few purchases.

9AM: Head around the corner to Topkapı Palace. After the heady delights of the Treasury and palatial formal spaces, make sure to tour the extensive and evocative grounds of the Harem, the inner sanctum of the sultans and their families.

NOON : Take a lunch break. After a morning of walking and shopping, take the tram to Tophane for lunch and head to Galataport. There are plenty of options here, but Liman Istanbul is an Istanbul landmark serving exquisite Istanbul cuisine with a panoramic view of the Bosporus.

2PM: Tour art galleries. The lower side of Tophane and Karaköy are well known for their galleries showcasing young talent and international names. SALT Galata is a platform for contemporary art forms located in a former Ottoman bank.

3PM: Discover the bohemian Çukurcuma area, and explore the work of Turkish interior designers and cabinetmakers. The antiques stores and vintage shops are filled with exciting finds and rare furniture. Knock on the door of A La Turca kilim house, a must for carpet collectors.

5PM: Stop for coffee. Head over to Kronotrop, the first micro-roaster in Istanbul, located in Cihangir. The coffee shop serves single-origin coffee and house blends, using a variety of state-of-the-art techniques such as Hario V60, AeroPress and siphon. An alternative to traditional kahve.

8PM: Sip on pre-dinner drinks at the Mikla restaurant and contemplate the stunning 360° view of Istanbul that takes in the Bosporus, the Old City and the islands beyond (on a clear day), and the city lights below. Order a Cosmopolitan, the best in town, or a good bottle of Turkish red wine.

9 PM : Share Turkish-Asian fare. Stellar award-winning chef Fatih Tutak’s collab with Peninsula on the top floor of the former ferry terminal has a showstopping Bosporus view as well as hearty, delicious Silk Road-inspired fare designed to share with friends.

11PM: Party on into the night with a live jazz session at Nardis. Then head to Mitte, in the port of Karaköy, for some dancing.