SULTAN'S WELCOME

Our first hotel in Istanbul, the Sultan Tughra, had quite the interior. The gold and brocades seemed a bit over the top, until I found out this was a former Pashas' mansion. I guess those Pashas liked their gold decadence! It's a historic mansion in the heart of the old city, welcoming us with Turkish delights and wine. Luckily we had the room without the mirror on the ceiling! The breakfast was delicious and the staff was inseanely gracious and helpful.