Istanbul, Turkey

A Business Trip That Rekindled My Love for Traveling

My employer sent me to the so-called FIT Academy. I work full-time as a flatbed die cutter operator in the production of cardboard packaging, and I've been doing this job for six full years now.
To improve my skills and learn something new, I was sent to the FIT Academy. My employer is part of one of the largest groups in Europe, and for the second year in a row, they organized the academy for selected employees. Last year, I was one of those selected. Hard work pays off.

The start was all about getting introduced to the academy program and meeting the other FIT talents, specifically 170-something selected individuals from various parts of Europe.
The previous meeting was held in Greece, in Athens, while this time it was in Istanbul. I was fortunate to take part in this unforgettable journey of gaining knowledge and skills.

I had never traveled by plane before this trip. Was I scared, as many people are on their first flight? Not at all. I was more excited about the experience. Early in the morning, we went to the airport and met with other participants in the FIT program. We checked in, and I asked the woman at the counter to give me a window seat since it was my first flight, and I wanted to experience everything, even looking through the window.

The feeling was magical. I took so many photos and videos that day that I seriously started to fill up the memory on my phone. We had a direct flight from Zagreb to Istanbul. The flight lasted two hours, even though we crossed into a different time zone, specifically one hour ahead. A strange but interesting feeling. Without going into too much detail, we landed and checked out. A bit lost at Turkey's massive airport, we found a sign held by our private driver. He took us in a party bus to the hotel, which was about a 45-minute drive from the airport.

The weather was different compared to ours; even at the end of September, it was still summer there—pleasant and warm. We arrived at the hotel, where the organizers greeted us and gave us instructions. We checked into the hotel and got our room keys. Everyone had their own room, and I was lucky enough to get a room on the 22nd floor. I had never been that high up. The view from the bed was directly facing the sea. The hotel's name was Renaissance Polat Istanbul Hotel. A modern-style hotel with warm hospitality.

We settled into our rooms and started exploring the hotel right away. Shortly after, it was time for lunch. Turkish specialties were served in front of me. Yogurt soup, which surprisingly was amazing, a main dish full of vegetables and fish, and for dessert, baklava with ice cream and the region's famous sweet rolls. A bit too sweet for my taste, but unsweetened tea balanced the sugar intake.

After lunch, we began familiarizing ourselves with the routes that would take us to the center of Istanbul. Since we were partly outside the European Union, roaming was expensive, but I came prepared and had printed maps of the routes we wanted to visit over the next four days.

We started exploring abruptly, not knowing how much time we would spend or lose at the planned locations. Amazed by the speed of the trains and their absurdly low prices, we arrived at Sirkeci Station and continued on foot to the Grand Bazaar.

Oh my God, the variety there. One of the best places to visit in Istanbul. A massive marketplace that prides itself on its unique reputation. From gold, silver, carpets, and coffee pots, it was hard to choose souvenirs. We spent the rest of the day trying various teas, buying souvenirs, and exploring nearly every part of the Grand Bazaar. We had dinner in the city and returned to the hotel late.

The second day's program awaited us, starting quite early.

The first day of the program was mainly about introductions, motivational speeches, and presentations by our group's senior management. After that, we had a group lunch at the hotel. After lunch, there was a 30-minute break before continuing the program with a motivational speech by Andreas Onea, a world-class Paralympic swimmer.

It included an engaging workshop designed to help us connect and get to know each other, starting with a random selection of partners by the organizers.

After the Program: A Dinner on a Party Boat
The evening continued with dinner on a party boat, featuring fish specialties and great company. After dinner, we went up to the rooftop of the boat, where a surprise from the organizers awaited us. Of course, I’m talking about a party, but not just any party. The evening opened with Turkish performers who began with traditional melodies. Accompanied by drums and dancing, a performer with light sabers followed, dancing as lights projected various patterns.

The boat took us to the bridge and even underneath it. This is the bridge that connects the European and Asian parts of Istanbul—a bridge between two continents. The stunning views of this architectural marvel, paired with hit songs played by the DJ, made for an unforgettable 3.5 hours. We also had the chance to connect with people who do the same or similar work as I do, but in other branches and countries.

Late in the evening, we returned to the hotel and went straight to bed. The next morning, we started with the second part of the program, where everyone was truly engaged. The workshops were brilliantly designed to encourage networking, even with the group’s top executives. We all felt united, regardless of the positions we held outside of Istanbul.

As the workshops came to an end, the journey concluded with farewells and motivational words.

Exploring the City’s Famous Landmarks
After lunch, we headed back to the city center. This time, we visited major landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Basilica Cistern, squares with obelisks, and, of course, a walk through Gulhane Park.

When it comes to food prices, they are very reasonable. As for entrance fees, most landmarks are free for tourists, though there are some rules to follow. Women must cover their hair with a scarf and wear dresses that fall below the knees, while men are not allowed to wear shorts when entering sacred sites. If you forget, items for covering are available for rent or borrowing at each entrance. Before entering the sacred sites, you are required to take off your shoes, as their floors are covered with carpets.

The entrance to the Basilica Cistern, however, was paid, as it is considered a museum. This is the same location where a scene from the famous movie Inferno was filmed. As a fan of the film, experiencing this place in person was magical and worth every penny. The entry fee was €40 per person, making it the only expensive thing we encountered on this trip.

Turkish Culture and Cuisine
Regarding Istanbul and Turkish culture, as well as their religion, they do not consume pork. Additionally, alcohol is hard to find, almost impossible in stores or street stands. We tried some of their specialties, including the universally beloved kebab. I must say, I wasn’t particularly impressed; I would argue that we’ve perfected it here in the Balkans.

The Final Days in Istanbul
Late at night, we caught the last train back to the hotel and went to bed. The final day arrived. In the morning, we had breakfast and then went to a nearby café for coffee or tea. After that, we stopped by a shop to grab some items we could take on the plane and then headed to a beach just three minutes away on foot from the hotel. We enjoyed the warm sunshine there.

The beaches weren’t particularly clean, but we assumed this was because it was off-season. By late morning, we returned to the hotel, packed our things, and checked out. A party bus arrived to take us to the airport, where we checked in and waited for our flight.

That feeling of returning from a fairytale to reality overcame all of us. It was beautiful while it lasted. We returned home in the evening, sharing the souvenirs we had bought for our loved ones.