May take pets - please enquire Suitable for children Not suitable for elderly or infirm No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Heybeliada is the 2rd largest of the 4 Princess Islands in the Marmara sea just 20KM from Istanbul. The fast boat which runs in the summer season takes just 50minutes to Kabatas (then one stop by metro to Taksim) or 30mins to Bostanci (Asian side of Istanbul). Living on the Islands is like taking a step back in time as motorised transport is not allowed and the only way around the Islands is by foot, bicycle or horse&carriage. The Islands are decorated by fantastic wooden mansions built at around the end of the 19th century. This apartment is in one of the biggest and most spectacular mansions on the main street of Heybeliada which is known as 'Street of the Mansions'. Nearby there are small-pebbled coves (beaches), which you can walk down to, or Two Beach Clubs with restaurants, bars, cafes, swimming pool with seawater, a marina for yachts and water amusements for children.
The apartment itself is on the first floor of a four story building (Basement, Ground Floor, First Floor & Penthouse). The house is situated opposite the old Monastery which can be seen in the distance on top of the hill from the covered balcony. There is a south facing 100m2 garden at the back of the house which is divided into two parts between the First Floor and Garden Flat (Ground Floor).
This Apartment is perfectly situated if you want peace and quiet whilst being just a short boat trip away from a busy and eclectic metropolis full of history and attractions. There are two main bedrooms (one with the covered balcony) and a third smaller room with a Queen size bed. The Apartment is 90m2 and the Beautifully ornate ceilings are around 4.5m high. The entire house was interior designed and decorated by fashion designer Hinks Taylor, who kept all of the original detail of the house whilst introducing contempary elements of design and decor to make the apartments both stunningly beautiful and comfortable at the same time.
The apartment is centrally located and is a 10 minute walk in varying directions to the Beach Clubs, Monastery, Village or the Port and Promenade lined with cafes and fish restaurants.
The two main Bedrooms have ceiling fans.
Views of The Monastery on the Mountain opposite the mansion can be seen from the covered terrace and Bedroom 1. There are Tree and mountain views from the Lounge.
All Beds&Mattresses, Linen, Duvets, Towels, Plates&Crockery, White Goods(Fridge, Oven etc), Sofas Are BRAND NEW!
First Floor Apartment (Two Main Bedrooms and Covered Balcony)
Lounge overlooking south facing back garden, Trees and mountain View
Impressive Front Facade (built in 1875)
Kitchen/Diner. All new and premium Fridge, Cooker, Diswasher etc
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/79374
The Marmara Sea region
Istanbul a busy shipping port and on the weekends is also full of small private sailing boats. It's an awesome scene, to see the huge Tankers drifting along the Bosphorus and then everything zig zags across each other with chaotic precission around the Golden Horn with the Giant Mosques of Sultanhamet adorning the skyline like a scene from Star Wars! (it is Unique experience!). The sea is relatively clean and rich with sea life. You can often see pods of dolphins from the ferry as you travel across between the Islands and the Mainland.
It's much quieter and relaxed around the Islands, only the ferries dock and the port is on the other side from the Beach Clubs and Beaches (on Heybeliada). There is a small marina for the yachts in the Beach Club area but its never busy and only adds to the beautiful setting.
Istanbul / Princes Islands area
Connecting the Middle East with Europe, Istanbul's important sites include Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.
However, 'The Princes Islands' are a little know tourist attraction even to the Turks living in Istanbul. The main reason for this being that the islands were initialy inhabited by a wave of Greek and Armenian Bankers who built Holiday mansions there at around the turn of the 19th Century. This made for a truly odd paradox, these tiny little Islands have almost no Islamic influence and so its quite out of place in Turkey and so close to Istanbul. It also means that to this day Many Turks still won't embrace these Islands because of their History and this is what makes them such a remarkeable secret and unspoilt gem in the crown of Istanbul's tourist destinations! I have been lucky enough to travel the world, but when i got here, by chance i might add, i stopped and said, 'I wana buy a Mansion'! In fact now that i remember, It wasn't the Turks that i was working with at the time that told me about 'The Princes Islands', It was an Arab that i had met out there from Dubai, he said you have a weekend here, go to the Islands, 'It's another world'.
Tips:
Visit the Monastery on the hilltop opposite the mansion. Visit Buyukada (the biggest island which has even more beautiful mansions, but many tourists and day trippers). Istanbul itself is built across 7 mountains on two continents and is the only city in the world which has a sea running through the middle of it! It's an enormous sprawling city with attractions such as the giant mosques in Sultanhamet creating a stunning and unmistakable skyline and rooftop bars and restaurants of Taksim, Beyoglu and Tunel which are packed with good natured drinkers and dinners every night! This is a fantastic city with a dramatic clash of cultures and history prevelant at every corner. Take a boat trip up the Bosphorus, or a day trip to Ortakoy which is a lovely neighbourhood by the huge suspension bridge.
The Princess Islands are a complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, so enjoy a unique experience of culture and relaxation.
FOR MORE INFO AND LOADS OF PICS: Right click the link below (for Mac, ctrl click) and choose Download File.
www.pimpfilm.tv/TheKaramanyanHotel.pdf
How to get there
There are two airports: Attaturk and Sabiha. From Attaturk you can take a taxi to Kabatas (Sea Port) which should cost about 40Lira and take 30-40 minutes.
Then you take the fast boat to Heybeliada (should take about 50mins, cost 7/8 lira). The Boat is quite regular but the summer timetable is not available yet. You can also take the Open Top Ferry which has fantastic views and costs less but it takes longer (1hr20), so its better to take the ferry when you aren't in a hurry.
From Sabiha you can take a taxi to Bostanci Sea Port (40 Min or so). From Bostanci It is just a 30 minute Boat crossing. Easyjet fly to Sabhia. other airlines are: Pegasus, Turkish, British AirFrance etc
Finally when you arrive on the Island its a short walk into the town where you'll find a Taxi rank of Horses and Carriages which will take you and your luggage to the Apartment (5mins). Or you can easily walk it if your luggage rolls!
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Attaturk or Sabhia: 30 km
Ferry:
Kabatas: 20 km
Activities near Istanbul
Sports: Tennis in town Watersports Fishing
Great for: Beach or lakeside relaxation City breaks Cycling holidays