It was a brief summer respite from work and the city that got fashion designer Arjun Khanna and his wife Shefali to pack their bags and head off on a holiday they’d find to be “a truly memorable experience.”
“We are are passionate travellers,” Arjun says, “so the decision wasn’t too tough. More than just a break in terms of work, the vacation gave us an opportunity to rejuvenate our bodies and minds.”
As good as it gets
They stayed in a few boutique hotels. “Plus a cosy cave,” he laughs. “It was so charming and offered personal service. Capadoccia especially, was a truly surreal experience. The Serinn Hotel was a mix of the quaint and modern. It had rooms which were carved into rocks, that had been weathered and shaped by the wind over centuries,” informs Arjun.
Out and About
For someone who enjoys riding holidays, “Where I can commandeer a vintage motorcycle and just ride off into the horizon,” Turkey proved to be adventurous. “We rode vintage motorcycles through the streets of Istanbul. I even met a collector of vintage WW2 BMW motorcycles.”
Mornings were set out for the cultural tour of the city. “The first thing you notice is the architecture — harems, bazaars and the grand baths. You must stop at the Bosphorus bridge which connects the continents of Europe and Asia, he advises. And all the colours, textiles, and ornaments which dates back thousands of years were so beautiful. I could already visualise new garments inspired by the Ottoman Empire,” admits Arjun.
If you wondered if it was easy to get about, Arjun affirms the same. “It’s quite a friendly place, though we did almost get conned by a cabbie; I think taxi drivers are the same all over the world.”
Shopping
They did cart some souvenirs back home. “That, after Shefali and I spent hours going through the vintage, hand-woven carpets, small ornaments, leather and semi-precious stones and accessories, spices too; it was an absolute riot!” he laughs.
“Though I have brought back some intricate hand-woven carpets from Turkey, which now adorn my loving room, it certainly won’t be the only keepsake as I am sure I’ll go there soon,” he says.
