Flying Houston → Istanbul at the front of the plane
Booked well, Houston to Istanbul in First Class is not an indulgence so much as arithmetic: a flat bed out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), hours of genuine sleep, and a first day in Istanbul you don't lose to recovery.
Lufthansa First Class sets the tone here, though British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates and Qatar Airways each bring serious hardware to this market. Your choice usually comes down to schedule, aircraft, and which ground experience you value most.
Bush Intercontinental's international wing hosts comfortable premium facilities: Emirates First passengers are hosted in a premium lounge before the Dubai departure, and Lufthansa First travelers receive dedicated handling ahead of the Frankfurt flight. The ground experience is pleasant rather than showpiece — the destination-grade luxury begins at the aircraft door.
April and May — tulip season, fittingly, since the flower came from here — and September through early November are ideal: warm light on the water, comfortable sightseeing, and full ferry schedules. July and August are hot and heavily touristed at the major sites. Winter has a moody, tea-and-ferries appeal and the best fares of the year, though pack for rain and real cold.