Ankara sneaks up on you… unlike Istanbul, Turkiye’s capital is quieter and calmer and feels understated till you realise just how charming it is! A visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations (they actually have King Midas’s skull, pic 17), followed by a walk through the winding lanes of Ankara Castle with sweeping city views, feels like travelling through centuries in a single afternoon.
Dine at Uludağ Kebapçısı @uludagkebap1956 (pic 2 and 17), and Safranhan Brasserie for both good food and ambience and for a proper Turkish comfort-food moment, head to Acıktım @aciktim1995 for kumpir — a giant baked potato fluffed with butter and cheese, then piled high with toppings ranging from olives and corn to sausages, pickles and salads (pic 4). Oh and don’t miss a night out at Tunali Hilmi street packed with pubs, restaurants and shops.
[Ankara, Turkey, History] #travelwithsmita
Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar… just another gorgeous day in Istanbul, discovering 1700 years of history!
[Istanbul, Turkey, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia]
#travelwithsmita
I am back in #Istanbul after 22 years and wondering why I did not return earlier. Today was all about eating some spectacular Turkish food and drinking Raki, a highly potent local alcoholic beverage, made of grapes and fennel. I spent the day walking down İstiklal Caddesi, Istanbul’s most famous pedestrian street surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants, perfect for people watching!
[Istanbul, Turkey, Turkiye, travel] #travelwithsmita
@turkishtourism
One of the highlights of Ho Chi Minh for me was the @chaoshow.vn — a beautiful musical performance showcasing various traditional instruments. The 90 minute performance is accompanied with dinner of traditional food covering both North and South Vietnam. The show takes place every evening except Monday. I highly recommend it!
[Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Chao Show, Musical performance]
#travelwithsmita
In Hanoi, you don’t need to be a trainspotter to wait with hordes of other people to see a train pass by, you just need to be a tourist!!
[Train Street, Hanoi, Vietnam]
Those who know me, know how much I love draping sarees. So when @meghnamumbai asked me to drape this gorgeous violet jamdani saree handwoven in organza mulberry silk for Rekha Bhardwaj’s recent baithak at @ibtida_ek_mehfil_ I was happy! The saree is part of @surmaye_ latest collection. Like all handwoven, traditional sarees this one too is for keeps, moving away from seasonal trends. I do think, the saree is an extremely sustainable garment and this one draped like a dream.
[saree, jamdani, Surmaye]
![Ankara sneaks up on you… unlike Istanbul, Turkiye’s capital is quieter and calmer and feels understated till you realise just how charming it is! A visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations (they actually have King Midas’s skull, pic 17), followed by a walk through the winding lanes of Ankara Castle with sweeping city views, feels like travelling through centuries in a single afternoon.Dine at Uludağ Kebapçısı @uludagkebap1956 (pic 2 and 17), and Safranhan Brasserie for both good food and ambience and for a proper Turkish comfort-food moment, head to Acıktım @aciktim1995 for kumpir — a giant baked potato fluffed with butter and cheese, then piled high with toppings ranging from olives and corn to sausages, pickles and salads (pic 4). Oh and don’t miss a night out at Tunali Hilmi street packed with pubs, restaurants and shops.[Ankara, Turkey, History] #travelwithsmita](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6727421318284767211726_0_d8747e0e5ffa5169424e50990432a88a.jpg?o=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&h=0b22408d4db0ffaac9237976f7e74b97)
![Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar… just another gorgeous day in Istanbul, discovering 1700 years of history![Istanbul, Turkey, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia]#travelwithsmita](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6727203568143549573027_0_ececec2b90c9dbd85e866a2d1005bd90.jpg?o=aHR0cHM6Ly9zY29udGVudC1sZ2EzLTIuY2RuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS92L3Q1MS44Mjc4Ny0xNS82OTYyODU3NDNfMTg1Nzc5NTc2MjQwMzczMzNfMzYzMDQ3NDgxOTEyMzc0ODUyMF9uLmpwZz9zdHA9ZHN0LWpwZ19lMzVfczY0MHg2NDBfc2gyLjA4X3R0NiZfbmNfaHQ9c2NvbnRlbnQtbGdhMy0yLmNkbmluc3RhZ3JhbS5jb20mX25jX2NhdD0xMDUmX25jX29jPVE2Y1oyZ0dDTFJBcm94UFJydWRNb19YUG1oTTJTanpzbmZBUlFneUROR05SU1daSFhwZkNaY0kzMG5WR1Y0dTlYS2VVejJjd2lEeDh6akxaX2xLTVlnTVNxc25HJl9uY19vaGM9TV9TXzF4NWpmSVFRN2tOdndHNDNIbk0mX25jX2dpZD16OUFMMzA5V0g1MmJ6V2lhcGlWUlZnJmVkbT1BUFU4OUZBQkFBQUEmY2NiPTctNSZvaD0wMF9BZjdUV2RTN041cTF0VkNrTWRVeThLY29tTFV1aVY1bXJYQ0JrQ0p4c1VMQXVBJm9lPTZBMEYzQzk0Jl9uY19zaWQ9YmMwYzJj&h=1ebe78fd48982a8e35940369ca0f2d06)
![I am back in #Istanbul after 22 years and wondering why I did not return earlier. Today was all about eating some spectacular Turkish food and drinking Raki, a highly potent local alcoholic beverage, made of grapes and fennel. I spent the day walking down İstiklal Caddesi, Istanbul’s most famous pedestrian street surrounded by shops, cafes and restaurants, perfect for people watching![Istanbul, Turkey, Turkiye, travel] #travelwithsmita@turkishtourism](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6727226335211867162312_0_14ec4fb120d9fb3eb8fd1ec57b5851a4.jpg?o=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&h=6d69df642641d313d2e65a94f63d8841)
![One of the highlights of Ho Chi Minh for me was the @chaoshow.vn — a beautiful musical performance showcasing various traditional instruments. The 90 minute performance is accompanied with dinner of traditional food covering both North and South Vietnam. The show takes place every evening except Monday. I highly recommend it![Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Chao Show, Musical performance]#travelwithsmita](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6727513827106856605336_0_530d7771e484efdb8816b6208d9cd31f.jpg?o=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&h=4f695de9c57473d1bb54e913f4426e03)
![A look at some of the timepieces launched at Watches & Wonders this year.My story in @business_today@vacheronconstantin @panerai @iwcwatches @bvlgari @tudorwatch @rolex[luxury watches, watches and wonders, rolex, tudor, bvlgari, iwc, vacheron constantin]@watchesandwonders](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6727684262351956306967_0_d2289cbce968471370d831d179224fcf.jpg?o=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&h=c7fead7db154917b0dab5a5e096b777e)
![While travelling is always fun, it is the people who add that extra spark! Thank you @mr.everywhereist @msjunebug0 @_anshukashyap and @jhanviiiiiie for making the trip memorable![Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6739182370186456354561_0_06c45e20cc3ee7d27876756877a85280.jpg?o=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&h=442720bc4ed1de7334c91d1e6da53a6c)
![Couldn’t resist pretending to play the piano while all dressed up in a black chiffon saree. Very old Bollywood vibes![piano, Bollywood, saree]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6739614535623555166928_0_6379071ce9c6061ead580f2e679d236e.jpg?o=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&h=ab6a88a1ec27d02bbfa5c51a82f63598)
![A day in Saigon…[Saigon Central Post Office, Saigon Book Street, Landmark 81, Cafe Apartment, Ho Chi Minh]#travelwithsmita](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6739251027376056291822_0_43e336b7e6b9dcae1ea2d7a62600c0b8.jpg?o=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&h=08d32e61e5aac9f0058ea6a0d90a1b13)
![Another day in Hanoi…[Hanoi, Vietnam, Train Street, Vietnamese coffee, Michelin Star]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6739402242577156296824_0_254b8997da465d0b3ea05c4a2f0d36e8.jpg?o=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&h=0af31ae029009703ed26bfda90e61f79)
![In Hanoi, you don’t need to be a trainspotter to wait with hordes of other people to see a train pass by, you just need to be a tourist!![Train Street, Hanoi, Vietnam]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6739401451555158233015_0_9c032f01858254abdc826618a0f7e9c9.jpg?o=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&h=bd54d378c6c6f453552c715e93389387)
![Those who know me, know how much I love draping sarees. So when @meghnamumbai asked me to drape this gorgeous violet jamdani saree handwoven in organza mulberry silk for Rekha Bhardwaj’s recent baithak at @ibtida_ek_mehfil_ I was happy! The saree is part of @surmaye_ latest collection. Like all handwoven, traditional sarees this one too is for keeps, moving away from seasonal trends. I do think, the saree is an extremely sustainable garment and this one draped like a dream.[saree, jamdani, Surmaye]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6739323472546338314340_0_5965ccf5006cd6ea44147cd264d272fe.jpg?o=aHR0cHM6Ly9zY29udGVudC1sZ2EzLTIuY2RuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS92L3Q1MS44Mjc4Ny0xNS82ODIxMzgyMDhfMTg1NzM2MzI1NzIwMzczMzNfNDc0MjY0Njc3NjM1OTgyNjUwOF9uLmpwZz9zdHA9YzAuMjQwLjE0NDAuMTQ0MGFfZHN0LWpwZ19lMzVfczY0MHg2NDBfc2gyLjA4X3R0NiZfbmNfaHQ9c2NvbnRlbnQtbGdhMy0yLmNkbmluc3RhZ3JhbS5jb20mX25jX2NhdD0xMDUmX25jX29jPVE2Y1oyZ0dDTFJBcm94UFJydWRNb19YUG1oTTJTanpzbmZBUlFneUROR05SU1daSFhwZkNaY0kzMG5WR1Y0dTlYS2VVejJjd2lEeDh6akxaX2xLTVlnTVNxc25HJl9uY19vaGM9eG5TRlVjSkE2QW9RN2tOdndGY0VUblYmX25jX2dpZD16OUFMMzA5V0g1MmJ6V2lhcGlWUlZnJmVkbT1BUFU4OUZBQkFBQUEmY2NiPTctNSZvaD0wMF9BZjZHWm1nM0hlSlp1TjBNTURtNWhTR0EzTnF0aHdOTTVxNUFTMzBNQ2k1elpBJm9lPTZBMEYzOTdDJl9uY19zaWQ9YmMwYzJj&h=8572cb3293ef1afa0457de62a0da35e2)
