A layover so random it deserves its own blog post

Two-week trips are for people who still believe in rest, not addicted travellers like us. Since we were already in Africa (see Uganda posts), we figured—why not hop to another country on the same continent with a completely different vibe? Morocco had been on our radar since our Portugal trip, but time wasn’t on our side back then. This time, it was. Different culture, different history, different landscapes, different cuisine (we’ll get to that later—spoiler: tagine is involved).

Getting there, however, was a logistical masterpiece. Entebbe is not exactly a bustling airline hub. To reach Casablanca, we had to fly Turkish Airlines through Istanbul. That meant 7 hours eastward only to boomerang 5.5 hours westward. Not really efficient.

We landed in Istanbul at 1 PM, with our next flight scheduled for noon the following day. That gave us almost 24 hours to explore the city—just enough time to fall in love and get mildly frostbitten.

First Things First: Surviving the Layover

Turkish Airlines knows how to milk a layover. They even offer city tours for passengers with more than 8 hours to kill—because as Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy wisely reminds us, “time is an illusion; lunchtime doubly so.” But here’s the kicker: once you check in your luggage, it disappears into the airline’s version of the Infinite Improbability Drive until your final destination. So pack your toothbrush (luckily, no need to bring a towel if you’re staying at a hotel), clean clothes, and whatever else you need to survive a day wandering around without your suitcase. Because trust me, regret makes a lousy travel buddy—worse than a Vogon poem.

February in Istanbul: Not Exactly Beach Weather

Istanbul in early February is less “romantic fog” and more “bone-chilling drizzle.” No snow, but plenty of rain and temperatures that flirted with freezing . Still, we’re Canadian. Cold is our love language.

We aimed for the Big Four — Istanbul style, as opposed to the Big Five we marveled at in Uganda. This time, our wild adventures involved Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. We managed two out of four, which given the weather, felt like a pretty impressive safari of its own.

The drive from the airport to downtown takes about an hour, even when traffic is behaving. We booked with Istanbul Airport Private VIP Transfers, and they delivered: clear instructions, a clean Mercedes minivan, and a driver who didn’t try to sell us a carpet. Punctual, polite, perfect. Honestly, more reliable than what you expect from certain governments.

Istanbul on a rainy day in February

Sultanahmet Hotel: Location Over Luxury

We stayed at Sultanahmet Hotel, located—shockingly—in the Sultanahmet District. It’s not fancy, but it’s the obvious choice for first-timers who want to stay in the historical and cultural heart of Istanbul. It’s the oldest part of the city, in the European part. If you’re into clubs and shopping, head to Beyoğlu. We had limited time and prioritized Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, both within a 10-minute walk.

The entrance to the Blue Mosque

The Blue Mosque at night

We started with the Blue Mosque, which was on the way to Hagia Sophia. In retrospect, we should’ve reversed the order and hit the Hagia Sophia museum first—it offers context for both sites. These mosques are massive, and majestic (also not cheap to visit). But they’re worth every lira. Pro tip: get the audio guide. It’s like having a historian in your pocket.

The cupola of the Blue Mosque from inside

Hagia Sophia

Inside Hagia Sophia

The Byzantine relics still very vivid inside Hagia Sophia

More Byzantine art from Hagia Sophia

Lokum: Turkish Delight or Sugar Trap?

On the way back, we stumbled into a small bazaar and bought some rahat lokum. Because when in Istanbul, you eat the candy they claim to have invented. Pistachios, nuts, raisins, rosewater—all suspended in a gelatinous cube of sweetness. Delicious, but not bingeable. Think of it as dessert with a built-in portion control.

Dinner at Albura Kathisma: Warm Food and Warming Raki

Dinner was at Albura Kathisma, recommended by the hotel receptionist. We obeyed, and it paid off. The food was hearty and spiced with great flavours, the atmosphere cozy, and the service genuinely kind. We wrapped up with raki and beet brine—because nothing says “Istanbul in February” like fermented root vegetables and anise-flavored firewater. Not all restaurants serve alcohol, so if you’re craving a drink, check before you sit down. Or risk an evening of sparkling water and existential dread.

Breakfast? Skipped. Lounge Feast? Absolutely.

I’m not a breakfast person. But I skipped it for a noble cause: the Turkish Airlines business class lounge. Reviews are mixed, and you can read them if you want. They will tell you about the amenities, the sleeping suites and who can get them, the kids’ area and anything else you’d like to know. The lounge is enormous, noisy, and crowded, but the food is a great. Seven live cooking stations were open dishing out borek, shawarma, moussaka, omelettes, pizza, cookies… it’s like a culinary fever dream. I ate enough to make skipping breakfast feel like a strategic life decision.

Final Thoughts Before Casablanca

In less than 24 hours, Istanbul gave us wet socks, beautiful architecture, sugar bombs disguised as candy, and a lounge buffet worth skipping breakfast for. Was it efficient? Not so sure. Was it unforgettable? Definitely. Proof that even a layover can turn into a mini‑adventure—just take Arthur Dent’s recommendation and pack a towel (dry socks would also be useful).

We boarded the flight to Casablanca with full bellies. I fell asleep before takeoff and woke up wondering if Istanbul had been a dream. A cold, but fascinating and delicious dream.

Think you could do better in 24 hours? You can prove it if you leave a comment now. Sarcasm is encouraged.