Win a luxury Istanbul break worth up to £1,426 at Hovagimyan Hotel & Suites

Imagine stepping into Istanbul's Karaköy district, where centuries of trade and culture mingle with a modern cafe scene, and waking up to a shimmering Bosphorus view from a stylish rooftop space. This is your invitation to The Sunday Times Where Was I? competition, a playful, clue-based travel adventure that turns a city break into a story you tell for years. The prize centers on three dreamy nights for two in the 20-suite Hovagimyan Hotel & Suites, a beacon of comfort perched in a vibrant, historic corner of the city. You and your guest will enjoy a stay bathed in light and character, where period features mingle with contemporary comfort, breakfasts are generous, and every detail is designed to help you feel at home while you explore. Picture starting mornings with coffee as the sun climbs over minarets, wandering along cobbled lanes to the gallery-lined streets, then returning for sunset on a rooftop with cocktails or a soft breeze from the harbour. The prize also includes one dinner for two at Sen'den, a restaurant celebrating Turkey's culinary riches, with drinks on you to set the evening alight as the city glows. To help you get there, the package includes return economy flights to Istanbul up to £400, letting you focus more on markets, mosques, and the sparkling waterfront than on the logistics of travel. The overall value is up to £1,426, and travel must be taken before 31 July 2027, subject to availability and excluding certain holiday periods, so you can plan a getaway that fits your calendar. Entry is a simple yet engaging process: answer a few questions and complete the entry form by the closing date of Thursday, October 22, 2026, and you could be the next reader to write their own Istanbul tale. From the hotel, you can hop on a quick stroll to the Galata Bridge, wander through spice markets, glide along the Bosphorus on a ferry, or lose yourself in the maze of the Grand Bazaar, all while soaking up the city's unique blend of East and West, old world charm and new world energy. Whether you're a culture seeker, a foodie, or a curious traveler, this experience promises a blend of history, architecture, and hospitality that makes a city break feel like a celebration, with the comfort of a thoughtfully chosen hotel as your launchpad and the chance to collect memories that linger long after you return home.