The Amian

Hvar Island... The Mediterranean as it once was

2012-03-18T08:20:00.002-07:00

The island of Hvar is the queen of the Croatian Dalmatian islands. It has been famous since the antique because of its important strategic and nautical position, the rich of the various historical periods, the culture and natural monuments and the literature.
Thanks to the mild climate, the warm winters and pleasant summers Hvar receives many guests, scientists and travellers, who are attracted by the dense mediterranean nature, rich tradition and arhitecture, and nightlife.
Lately, the worldvide celebrities are coming here to see what is it about. And what is Hvar really about?

While separation from the mainland can sometimes be a handicap, it also provides some protection from the factory chimneys and other misfortunes which come with civilisation. Instead, there are vast fields of lavender, ancient olive trees and vineyards, in immaculate harmony between man and nature.

There are wine and olives, so a guest wishing to get closer to nature will stop at a small inn (Hvar "konoba") rather than a top quality restaurant. He will taste real home-made wine instead of some famous sparkling wine, he will sing the old island songs and forget the monotony of the everyday routine. Every guest is really a Guest here.

Through the centuries, an oasis of culture has remained here, a testimony to the identity.
Hvar has celebrated 140 years of organised tourism, and today it is considered to be one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world.

We invite you to explore this unique islandthat offers everything one needs for an unforgettable holidays.

Whatever you are looking for on your vacation, you may find it here; night life and cultural attractions of cosmopolitan Hvar town, boat excursions to Pakleni Islands, sandy beaches near Jelsa, the ancient townStari Grad in which past centuries mingle with modern tourist facilities, heavenly beaches under pine trees in Zavala, exotic atmosphere of south cliffs in Ivan Dolac, Sveta Nedjelja or MIlna, the "little Venice" ambient in Vrboska, drive trough and sense lavander fields near Zastrazisce, Gdinj and Bogomolje, peaceful secluded bays near Sucuraj ... this is just a fraction of it ... you need to explore it.

Rich cultural and historic heritage of Hvar, that dates back to pre-historic times, unique gastronomy, beautiful beaches and bays , crystal blue sea, high quality accommodation in apartments and rooms at private houses, hotels, and the hospitality of the local people are the guarantees of a holidays in Hvar you will always remember.

Malta... Simply relax

2012-03-17T13:18:00.001-07:00

One of the joys of being on The Maltese Islands is that, no matter where you are, you’re never far from one of the many magnificent beaches or secluded little coves.

There is a choice of both sandy and rocky beaches on the Islands, offering practical areas for the family, scenic spots for the romantics, serene areas for those in want of peace and spots for those who are interested in a bit of summer sports fun.

The Maltese coastal waters are generally clean and safe for swimming as there are no tides and the sea temperature averages around 22.8C in summer. Annual rainfall is low, averaging 578mm a year and the length of the dry season in summer is even longer than in neighbouring Italy.

Malta’s climate is strongly influenced by the sea so the Islands have a very sunny climate with a daily average of more than twelve hours of sunshine in summer and five to six hours in mid-winter.

Summers are hot but often mitigated by cooling sea breezes. June is the ideal time of year to come for sun and sea as the summer season is just getting into full swing and it’s not too hot. July through September are the peak summer months (temperature average: 30C/86F) while August is the hottest and busiest month of summer (average temperature: 40C/104F).

Swimming is possible well in to the winter months and the peak beach season can last until mid to late October, which is a great time to visit as the temperatures are bearable, the sun still shines, but the Islands are less populated and more serene.

Spring is a season full of surprises; a touch of rain, some beautiful crisp days and others that are perfect for spending on the beach.

Although winters are mild, swimming from November to February is not recommended as the water and air tends to be quite chilly, brought about by the north and north-easterly winds from central Europe.

Balearic Islands.. the best story of the Mediterranean

2012-03-15T09:35:00.005-07:00

Sun-soaked and skirted by golden sands, the Balearic Islands are one of Europe’s prime island getaways. This Mediterranean archipelago, leisurely sat off the coast of mainland Spain, is awash with leafy terraces, crumbling heritage sites, secluded coves and rolling hills.

Mallorca - the largest of the three – has, over the last few decades, become the archetypal sun-sea-and-sangria island adored by package tourists. Recently, the island has been given something of a facelift, with rundown resorts replaced with shiny modern facilities; Mallorca’s capital, Palma, is now one of Spain's most beguiling and trendiest small cities.

Party-hard Ibiza has long been famous for its club scene, concentrated in the charming hippy-chic capital of Ibiza Town, the high-rise canyons of San António, and in the resort of Playa d'en Bossa. Away from here, however, the island is remarkably rural. Both Ibiza and Mallorca offer excellent beaches, but it is the Balearic Island of Menorca that is renowned for its picture-postcard coves.

Could anything go wrong in a destination that gets, on average, 300 days of sunshine a year? True, the water is only warm enough for a dip from May through October—but the climate does seem to give the residents of the Balearics a year-round sunny disposition. They are a remarkably hospitable people, not merely because tourism accounts for such a large chunk of their economy, but because history and geography have combined to put them in the crossroads of so much Mediterranean trade and traffic.

Ibiza

Vibrant Ibiza (Eivissa, to the Catalan locals), with its powdery sands, glorious sunsets and flocks of first-rate DJs keeping crowds of revellers dancing round the clock, is one of the summertime party capitals of the world.

Away from pulsating lights and repetitive beats, Ibiza offers more than enough natural beauty spots and tranquil coves to keep those less interested in the nightlife thoroughly entertained.

The island has around sixty beaches, an abundance of hills, forests, cliffs, and pretty villages, as well as stunning architecture, traditional restaurants and an increasing number of chic eateries and hotels. Charming Ibiza Town bubbles with boutiques, bars and an enticing marina lined with clinking yachts and high-end cuisine. And whether there to dance til dawn or hike the greenery, all visits to Ibiza can be enjoyed beneath long hours of sunshine and one of the most breathtaking sunsets to be witnessed anywhere in the Mediterranean.

Menorca

Less developed and more tranquil than Mallorca, Menorca appeals to those in search of relaxed sunny days far from the hustle and bustle. Hazy beach life is well and truly at the fore of Menorca's draw, with an abundance of sandy strips perfect for lazing in the heat.

Menorca’s small-scale holiday developments are largely self-contained leaving most of the island uncommercialised and rural, dotted with reminders of an ancient Bronze Age civilisation.

At Menorca’s western extremity is Ciutadella, the island's most attractive town, while at its eastern extremity, just 32km (20 miles) distant, is Mahon, the capital and main point of arrival. The island's most striking feature is its beaches - a glorious girdle of golden white coves and aquamarine waters, particularly in the south - which attract young and not-so-young families year after year.

Mallorca

With a rugged backdrop and shiny new resorts, Mallorca remains an ever-popular island getaway.

A recent slathering of high-end accommodation has done much to broaden the island's appeal and help balance out the booze ‘n' bake package holiday associations. While these slick new resorts have injected many built-up beach areas with a touch of glamour, inland, the undulating landscape remains as rugged and striking as ever. The attractive capital Palma is a popular urban spot, boasting fashionable people, quality eateries and bubbling nightlife.

Away from the coast, particularly in the beautiful Tramuntana hills, the island has always been unspoiled. The capital, Palma, has developed into one of Spain's most beguiling and fashionable small cities. The package resorts still remain but their excesses have been curbed and the island is once again famous for its beautiful people and celebrated for its style.

Santorini Island, Greece

2012-03-15T07:38:00.003-07:00

Santorini is the last of the Cyclades islands to the South. The closests islands are Ios, Folegandros, Sikinos to the North, Anafi and Amorgos to the East and Crete to the South.

We refer to it as one, but actually it is a complex of five islands. Santorini (Thira) is the main island and around it Thirasia and Aspronisi (parts of the ancient Stroggili) and the two volcanic islands Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni.

It was one island named Stroggili (circle in Greek) until about 1645 BC, when the volcano in the middle of the island erupted and Caldera was created. The two volcanic islands appeared much later from various eruptions starting from 157 BC until the last one in the 20th century (1950).

Many reasons made this island famous worldwide and more or less we all have seen a picture of it (it was that picture the travel agency used for Greece). There is a talk about the connection between Thira and mythical Atlantis. Also Jules Verne made Santorini famous with its books "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" and "The mysterious island" where captain Nemo and his crew watch the volcano eruption. He was one of the visitors and scientists that came to Thira during the eruptions of 1866 - 1870 and wrote the well known book just after it. It is realy the mysterious island, the volcano rules, the caldera view is the most breathtaking one on the planet!

If you are after the caldera view have a look at Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, Megalochori and Akrotiri.
For the best beaches check Perissa, Kamari, Perivolos, Vlihada and Red beach.

The unique caldera, the energy and the beauty of the island are the most important reasons for being ranked as the top island in Europe and one of the once in a life time must see destinations of the world.

If you want to know how to reach it, Santorini is connected to Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Crete, Rhodes, Kos and all the major Cyclades islands (Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Sifnos, Milos, Tinos, Syros) by boat and Athens and many countries direct by plane.

Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic

2012-03-13T10:03:00.001-07:00

When Bernard Shaw wrote in 1929: "Those who wish to see heaven on earth should come to Dubrovnik", he was not only praising the glorious history of the Dubrovnik Riviera, Croatia, but also the natural features of the whole region. Dubrovnik is a city with a long and complex history, dominated by the numerous medieval buildings all perfectly contained within the ancient city stone walls. See below for information about wonderful Dubrovnik Riviera hotels.
Wander through the cobbled streets and admire the churches, monasteries, palaces and ornate houses which have remained unchanged for centuries. Picture postcard fishing village of Cavtat, even older than Dubrovnik, offers history and culture at a slower pace. Mljet is one of Croatia's most beautiful islands and offers an idyllic retreat for nature lovers.
The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', situated on the Dalmatian coast, became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO.

Mediterranean Cuisine: Macedonian

2012-03-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Macedonia is a country of sacred mysteries & unique beauties, that has no sea access, no world-wide known ski resorts, but Macedonia has wonderful lakes, untouched mountains, great history & wealthy cultural heritage.
Macedonia is the fatherland of the Cyrillic script and of the first Slavic University in the world.

Visit Macedonia - the undiscovered Europe!

Macedonians are big gourmands. The Macedonian cuisine, is a representative of the cuisine of the Balkans, reflecting Turkish, Greek and Middle Eastern influences and to a lesser extent Italian, Mediterranean and Hungarian ones. The relatively warm climate provides excellent growth conditions for a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits. Thus, Macedonian cuisine is particularly diverse.

Famous for its rich Shopska salad (diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, & white cheese), required at every meal, Macedonian cuisine is also noted for the diversity and quality of its dairy products, wines, and local alcoholic beverages, such as rakija and mastika. The Macedonian cuisine uses many spices; but usual in very small quantity.

Tavche Gravche (beans in a skillet) is a traditional dish. The boiled beans first and then mixed with onion, peppers, tomato, oil, flour and various spices baked in a pottery saucepan.

Ajvar (ayvar) is a relish made principally from red bell peppers, with eggplant, garlic and chilli pepper. It's traditionally homemade all over the country at the beginning of the fall. Ajvar can be consumed as a bread spread, in sandwiches, a condiment, or a salad.

Kaskaval is a specific type of yellow sheep's milk cheese; in Macedonia the term is often used to refer to all yellow cheeses (or even any cheese besides Sirenje-white cheese).

Tarator/Taratur is a liquid salad, made of sour milk/ sour cream/yogurt/, cucumbers, garlic, walnuts, and vegetable oil.

Kacamak is a traditional dish made of corn flour, potato and, sometimes, feta cheese. Similar to the Italian polenta, it is prepared by boiling the mixture thick or rare depending on taste, and then mashing while the pot is still on the fire. It is usually served with milk, plain Yogurt, sour cream or sometimes with bacon.

Moussaka (Musaka) is a traditional eggplant - based dish in the Balkans and the Middle East. The Macedonian variant of it, traditionally consists couple of layers of ground (minced) lamb or red meat, sliced eggplant and potato (optional ingredients include: tomato, green peppers).

Burek is a type of pie popular throughout the former Ottoman Empire. In Macedonia, burek is made from layers of thick dough, alternating with layers of other fillings in a circular baking pan and topped with a layer of dough. Fillings are stewed ground meat, white cheese, spinach, and the modern variants - pizza & chicken burek. Burek without filling is also made, and it’s known as Simit Pogacha when served into a roll.

Sarma is the name of a minced meat (usually beef, pork, veal, rice, onions, and various spices, including salt, pepper and various local herbs are mixed together and then rolled into large plant leaves of grape or cabbage.

The food from the grill (local: skara) - Macedonians and the rest Balkan nations are known as great lovers of the grill; especially the tasty “kjebapchinja” and grilled meat patty which go excellently with onion. Those are two most popular meals with younger and older population and they are found in the offer of many taverns.

Wine – Macedonian wines rank among the best value and most drinkable wines available anywhere. The Macedonian wineyards, especially the ones in Tikves valley area are characteristic by the exquisite grapes and even better masters for preparation of this strong alcoholic drink. The lengthy ripening process concentrates the sugar and acids in the grapes, ensuring rich colours and complex aromas in our wines.

Rakija - Scotland has whiskey, Greece has metaxxa, while Macedonia has rakija. Throughout Macedonia, people make their own rakija, which is similar to brandy, made by distillation of fermented fruits - a very strong alcoholic beverage that is typically 50 to 60%. One version of rakija contains walnuts, altering its aroma and taste, and others plums - Slivova rakija.

Mastika is originally a liquor made from the resin of the mastic tree. It is considered the national drink of the Republic of Macedonia containing 45% alcohol, has a hot taste not unlike that of brandy and is usually made from grapes, raisins, plums or figs. It is usually poured over ice and enjoyed with Meze (selection of appetisers or small dishes).

Beer – Skopsko today is a real trademark of Macedonia (4.9% pale lager introduced in 1924). With a taste on which much bigger producers in the world would envy it, today it is a regional leader when we are talking about the taste and the quality. It is made of barley malt; unmalted cereals; hops; and brewers yeast.

Acropolis of Athens

2012-03-10T06:08:00.001-08:00

The Acropolis hill (acro - edge, polis - city), so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens, is the most important site of the city and constitutes one of the most recognizable monuments of the world. It is the most significant reference point of ancient Greek culture, as well as the symbol of the city of Athens itself as it represent the apogee of artistic development in the 5th century BC. During Perikles' Golden Age, ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground.

The Propylaea are the monumental entrances to the sacred area dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Built by the architect Mnesicles with Pentelic marble, their design was avant-garde. To the south-west of the Propylaea, on a rampart protecting the main entrance to the Acropolis, is the Ionian temple of Apteros Nike, which is now being restored.

The first habitation remains on the Acropolis date from the Neolithic period. Over the centuries, the rocky hill was continuously used either as a cult place or as a residential area or both. The inscriptions on the numerous and precious offerings to the sanctuary of Athena (marble korai, bronze and clay statuettes and vases) indicate that the cult of the city's patron goddess was established as early as the Archaic period (650-480 B.C.).

Introduce Athens (2)

2012-03-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

The heart of Athens beats in Syntagma Square. Where Parliament and most of the Ministries are. Monastiraki, Kolonaki and Lycabettus Hill attract thousands of visitors all year round. A few kilometers from the historic center in Faliro, Glyfada, Voula and Vouliagmeni, you can enjoy the sea breeze. Or you can head up north and enjoy the fresh air at the more classy neighborhoods of Marousi, Melissia, Vrilissia and of course Kifisia.

Athens and Attica in general have the most important archaeological monuments (Acropolis, Odeion of Herodes Atticus, Olymbion, Roman Market, Panathinaiko Stadium or Kallimarmaro, The Temple of Poseidon in Sounio, etc). In the capital you will admire many imposing neoclassic buildings, true ornaments of the city (The Greek Parliament, Athens Academy and University, etc). Don't miss visiting the museums hosting unique treasures of our cultural inheritance (Archaeological Museum, Military Museum, Byzantine Museum, etc).

Athens has always attracted peoples' attention. During the 2004 Olympic Games proved that, despite all the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, she never - not once - lost the talent. The return of Olympic Games to their birthplace was a great success.

The capital is famous, more than any other European capital, for it's nightlife. Athens by night totally changes. The options for entertainment satisfy all tastes. The famous "bouzoukia" are the leaders in the Athenian entertainment. While the numerous theaters all around Athens offer a different type of entertainment. Athens is a divine city. Let it enchant you...

Introduce Athens (1)

2012-03-09T12:33:00.001-08:00

Athens. The city with the most glorious history in the world, a city worshipped by gods and people, a magical city. The enchanting capital of Greece has always been a birthplace for civilization. It is the city where democracy was born and most of the wise men of ancient times. The most important civilization of ancient world flourished in Athens and relives through some of the world's most formidable edifices.

Who hasn't heard of the Acropolis of Athens? Photos and history of the most famous archaeological monument in Europe have made the world tour causing feelings of admiration by thousands of people. Acropolis is nominated to be one of the 7 wonders of modern world. In fact the trademark of Athens is one of the favorites. The Holy Rock of Acropolis dates back to the 5th BC, the famous Golden Age of Periklis. Athens met times of bloom and decline, but still shines under the Attic sky gazing the future. Still sparkling like the marbles of Parthenon and the limpid white of Pentelic marble.

Athens is situated in the prefecture of Attica and extends to the peninsula that reaches up to Central Greece. It is surrounded by mountains Ymmytos, Pendeli and Parnitha, northwards and eastwards, and the Saronic gulf southwards and westwards. The sun is shining over Athens all year round. The climate is one of the best in Europe, with mild winters and very hot summers, ideal for tourism. It is located just a few kilometers from the port of Piraeus, the central commercial port of the capital, and the shores of southern Attica.

Athens is constantly inhabited since Neolithic Age. The 5th century was the time of its ultimate bloom, when moral values and civilization surpassed city limits and became the mother land of western civilization. In the centuries that followed, many conquerors tried to take over Athens. In 1834 Athens was chosen to be the capital of the newly established Greek State. The city that now hosts more than 4,5 million people, was constructed around the Acropolis walls. Today it is the political, social, cultural, financial and commercial center of Greece. Cheap flights make it affordable and easy to reach Athens for vacation or business.

Athens is a city of different aspects. A walk around the famous historic triangle (Plaka, Thission, Psyri) the old neighborhoods, reveal the coexistence of different eras. Old mansions, well-preserved ones and other worn down by time. Luxurious department stores and small intimate shops, fancy restaurants and traditional taverns. All have their place in this city.

Travelling Istanbul: Bon Appetit and enjoy yourself... (5)

2012-03-09T10:47:00.001-08:00

Eating fish on the Bosphorus is superb!
Turkey’s fairly sophisticated culinary culture involving fish, stems from the fact that the country is surrounded by seas on three sides. The Bosphorus is a particular fishing grounds in Turkey, where many different species of fish, with substantially different flavours, are caught. For this reason, the area of Istanbul that is most associated with seafood is Boğaziçi. You can sample both seasonal fish and seafood mezzes at any one of the many fish restaurants that are found all along the Bosphorus, on both the European side and the Asian side.

Istanbul, a “meyhane paradise”
Meyhanes are unique locations. In them, liquor is drunk, and special mezzes are eaten together with rakı. Beyond this, deep conversations occur from time to time, troubles are cast away, and, on occasion, the music starts up and the dance begins. Meyhanes are, above all, indispensable locations for conversations among friends.

The history of meyhane culture among Turks stretches back to the Fifteenth Century. In those times, this culture was particularly prevalent in neighborhoods such as Galata, Tahtakale, Ortaköy, Tarabya, Kumkapı, Balık Pazarı, Kadıköy, Yeniköy and Çengelköy, which were inhabited by non-Muslim communities. In the area near the Galata Tower alone, there were hundreds of meyhanes. Therefore, meyhanes are integral to the memory Galata.

“Meyhanes are establishments where liquor is drunk, food eaten, serious conversations come to pass, and people communicate with one another. The unique pleasure of meyhanes, where mezzes are served with rakı, one after another, is unchangeable.”

The king of the table: Rakı
Rakı, an alcoholic beverage with a history not as old as that of wine or beer, was first produced by the Ottomans. Because rakı was known as “lion’s milk”, it was served in containers decorated with embossed figures of lions. In fact, the colour of the rakı does indeed resemble milk. Rakı is produced from the razaki grape, and, in the past, was known by such names as “araka” and “araki”.

Rakı is made from grapes. First, water is added to both dry and moist grapes. After the mixture becomes must (unfermented grape juice), the process of fermentation begins.   Later, after this mixture is distilled, its extraction becomes a type of alcohol known as “suma” (in essence, rakı before it has been flavoured with anise). Finally, after aniseed added, the suma is fermented again, and turns into rakı.

Rakı, which has existed since the later half of the Nineteenth Century, must be drunk according to certain customs. Above all, rakı must be consumed slowly at a table set specifically for this purpose, adorned with mezzes, hot dishes, meats, and fruit. Rakı can either be drunk with water or dry, and ice may be added to it if so desired.

Travelling Istanbul: Bon Appetit and enjoy yourself... (4)

2012-03-08T12:53:00.001-08:00

As the night ends
It is already late in the evening...For the entire night you have danced and drunk without a break. Before your rendezvous with sleep in the early hours of the next day, perhaps you would like to ease your stomach with a garlicky bowl of tripe soup. After a night of exhausting entertainment, it has become something of a habit for Istanbul residents to dine at a tripe soup joint (işkembeci). Throughout the city, and especially near venues that serve alcohol, one can find tripe soup restaurants that are open for twenty-four hours a day.

In addition to this, if you care to eat something light with along with your liquor, you can fill your stomach with toast, hamburgers, döner or grilled sandwiches at any number of twenty-four hour buffets.

In addition to its historical and cultural heritage, the variety of culinary and entertainment choices that Istanbul offers make it an incomparable city. One can never tire from wandering through this city, nor can stop from describing it. In any case, one must experience the city; description is futile. Both day and night are busy without cessation...

•    Eating a crunchy sesame simit while sipping a hot cup of tea and enjoying the morning sunlight at a cafe facing the sea is one of Istanbul’s unique delights.
•    Don’t neglect to try some of the incomparable dishes of Mediterranean cuisine, such as stuffed grape leaves with olive oil (zeytinyağlı dolma), wrapped leaves (yaprak sarması) and cold red beans with olive oil (barbunya pilakiyi).
•    Entertainment establishments that offer traditional Turkish evenings and bars where every type of music is played both promise to provide you unlimited entertainment until the early morning ours of Istanbul’s nights.

Don’t leave without trying these flavours!
Turkish Cuisine maintains a place of great importance among the cuisines of the world. Indeed, the fame of Turkish dishes, whose flavours are unparalleled, is known throughout the world. Therefore, it would be a great loss to visit Istanbul without sampling these tastes while here. Come, then, take a look at the specialties we have listed for you, and try them yourself. And, above all, bon appetit!

To visit Istanbul without eating buttered döner is unthinkable!
Döner, which has been a crucial part of Turkish cuisine since the second half of the 19th Century, is a type of kebab prepared with lamb, which is turned and roasted on a spit over a coal fire. In addition to red meat, döner made with sausage and chicken is also widely consumed.

While different types of döner are typically served on a plate over rice, döner is also sold with pide (long bread) and as durum (a type of sandwich). However, the most famous and sumptuous way of preparing döner is probably the İskender Kebab in which döner is combined with salça sauce (a tomato sauce) and butter, and served with yogurt.

“İskender kebab is served with layers of thinly-sliced pide bread spread out on a copper oval dish. Is it possible to pass by this incredible dish, which is topped with melted butter and served with ample amounts of salça sauce and full cream yogurt?”

Travelling Istanbul: Bon Appetit and enjoy yourself... (3)

2012-03-08T12:34:00.000-08:00

I wish I were a fish in a rakı bottle
When one says ‘fish’, rakı immediately comes to mind. And when one says ‘rakı’, one can’t help but think of Istanbul’s “meyhanes”. For most people who live in Istanbul, rakı is not just a drink, but a common culture. The most important elements of a meyhane meal, of course, are mezzes. Greek, Armenian and Ottoman mezzes all go well with rakı. Above all, if a trio of musicians playing violin, clarinet, and tom-toms accompany your meal, your pleasure will be unparalleled...Well then, where does one take in the unique delights of the meyhane? In particular, the meyhanes of Kumkapı, and, in Beyoğlu, Flower Passage (Çiçek Pasajı) and Nevizade Street offer a complete meyhane experience.

One mustn’t forget desserts!
Now that you’ve eaten fish, and you’ve sipped rakı while dining on mezzes, you can add to your Turkish dining experience yet again with dessert. Among the desserts that you might try are sweetened quince with clotted cream, bread-pastries with clotted cream, baklava with butter, or rosehip pudding (güllaç), along with light sweets such as “kazandibi”, “sakızlı pudding”, and rice pudding (sütlaç).

Istanbul nights
Nights in Istanbul never end. After enjoying a comprehensive tour of the city’s unparalleled beauty and cultural richness and a superb dinner, Istanbul’s animated nightlife offers thousands of options should you care to dance or enjoy a few glasses of alcohol. All that you need to do is select among the many bars and night clubs according to your taste in music and atmosphere.

”For those who want to spend a romantic or exciting night overlooking the Bosphorus while listening to today’s most popular songs, we recommend the world-famous bars and nightclubs located along the seashore in the neighborhoods of Kuruçeşme and Bebek.”

In the world-famous bars and nightclubs that line the water in the neighborhoods of Ortaköy and Kuruçeşme, you can spend many a romantic moment while watching fireworks displays in the sky, or dance the night away while enjoying the Bosphorus view.

You might also take in a traditional Turkish evening by watching a folklore performance or an Oriental dance, or listen to Turkish folk music (türkü) at any number of different Türkü bars. If you prefer rock, punk, techno, jazz or alternative music, you can search for a bar of your choice along Istiklal Street and its side streets, on Sıraselviler avenue, on Kadife Street in Kadıköy¸or along the marina and seaside in Ortaköy.

For those who want to spend a romantic or exciting night overlooking the Bosphorus while listening to today’s most popular songs, we recommend the world-famous bars and nightclubs located along the seashore in the neighborhoods of Kuruçeşme and Bebek. On the other hand, if you would like to sing Turkish songs and dance along to live music until the morning’s first light, head straight for the neighborhood of Etiler.

Travelling Istanbul: Bon Appetit and enjoy yourself... (2)

2012-03-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

Are you ready to enter into Istanbul’s entertainment world, and entice your stomach with an unparalleled feast?

A tour of Istanbul’s flavours continues with sunset
An Istanbul sunset is an unparalleled event...the shadows grow long, the sun’s blinding light ends its shift as it sinks into the Bosphorus, just as it has begun to shine through the windows of Istanbul’s houses. Everyone empties into the streets in order to dispel the day’s exhaustion. Now is the time to meet with close friends for a fine evening meal, to sip from several cups of liquor, to listen to music and to dance.

Well then, where shall we eat dinner? For dinner, you might go to one of the fish restaurants along the shores of the Bosphorus, or you might prefer one of the restaurants in Kumkapı, on the New Galata Bridge (Yeni Galata Köprüsü) or Beyoğlu. Along with these options, the ‘meyhanes’, which offer both authentic Turkish cuisine and entertainment, are a tempting alternative.

World cuisine in Istanbul
If you would like to sample cuisines from around the world, you can do so at a variety of locations on both sides of Istanbul. In particular, restaurants offering different varieties of global cuisine are easily found in areas such as Beyoğlu, Etiler, Bağdat Street (Bağdat Caddesi), Nişantaşı, Levent and Maslak.

Fruits of the Sea
What do you think of dining on fish, accompanied by fantastic sea views? Clearly, it is impossible not to eat fish in a country that is surrounded on three sides by waters where fish, each more delicious than the last, are caught. We recommend that you try the fish in Kumkapı or restaurants that line the seashore in Bebek-Sarıyer. In particular, the number restaurants in the neighborhood of Tarabya are rapidly increasing. On the Anatolian side, Çengelköy, Anadolu Kavağı, Beylerbeyi and Adalar each offer ample opportunities for dining on seafood.

When choosing fish, what should one pay attention to? Above all, we recommend choosing a fish that is in season. It is also crucial that you choose a sea fish, rather than a freshwater fish. At certain restaurants, one has the opportunity to examine and to choose personally one’s fish. As for our specific recommendations, you can’t go wrong with bluefish, bonito, sea bream, whiting, “çinekop” or mackerel. Of course, one can’t forget Black Sea sardines, which are small but quite flavourful.

Travelling Istanbul: Bon Appetit and enjoy yourself... (1)

2012-03-08T08:29:00.002-08:00

Are you ready to enter into Istanbul’s entertainment world, and entice your stomach with an unparalleled feast?

When you turn your gaze to the historical-cultural richness and beauty of Istanbul, you cannot avoid the multitude of choices that the city offers, one after another, in both food and entertainment. Are you ready to enter into Istanbul’s entertainment world, and entice your stomach with an unparalleled feast?

Due to the fact that it has been the home to several different civilizations over hundreds of years, Istanbul’s culinary culture and cuisine are both rich and varied. As you choose among different gastronomic options, you can enjoy the assorted flavours of Turkish cuisine. In Istanbul, you can either sample the exemplary tastes of haute cuisine, or make a simple feast of a döner sandwich while standing on the street.

It is equally possible to discover this impressive variety of choice in Istanbul’s night life. Istanbul is a city of constant movement, twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week. Entertainment spaces suitable to every taste and lifestyle are found here, it only remains for you to choose among the many alternatives...Let’s now take a brief tour through the culinary and entertainment world of Istanbul.

At the start of the day…
For those who like to begin the day in Istanbul with a wonderful breakfast, we can recommend the tea gardens, bakeries, and börek sellers along the cool shores of the Bosphorus. While sipping your cup of tea, you might eat sesame simit with cheese, or sample the varieties of börek and pastries offered. For those who want to have a thorough, classic Turkish breakfast, there are restaurants which offer clotted cream and honey served with a variety of olives and cheese.

You can’t get enough of the taste of kebabs!
If you don’t insist upon eating on your feet, you can easily sample the tastes of traditional Turkish cuisine. You can find unique Turkish dishes, such as hünkârbeğendi (a meat dish made with puréed eggplant), Pilav üstü kuru fasülye (haricot bean served over rice), karnıyarık (eggplant with ground meat), etli dolma (vegetables stuffed with meat), and kebabs in the restaurants that you encounter along every street. In establishments known as wide ladle or artisan restaurants, you are able to choose from dishes that have already been prepared and are displayed in glass cases.

”Traditional Turkish kebabs are prepared in establishments known as “Ocakbaşı” (Grillroom) restaurants. The taste of these exquisite kebabs, which are grilled over a coal briquette, will certainly linger on your palate!”

Of course, kebabs have a unique place within Turkish cuisine. You might try Urfa and Adana kebabs, made from ground meat, Shish kebabs made from lamb, or kebabs with tomatoes, eggplant, or peanuts. Also, be sure not to forget to try the seasonal salads and mezzes that go along with kebabs.

A light alternative: Mediterranean cuisine
Without a doubt, one can distinguish elements of the Mediterranean palate in Turkish cuisine. In any case, Turkey is a Mediterranean country...One can’t leave without trying the unique tastes of such cold dishes as grape leaves with olive oil, wrapped leaves, black-eyed pea, green beans, artichokes, and red beans.
As another option, you might drink a frothy Turkish coffee after eating a light lunch at any one of the innumerable restaurants in the neighborhoods of Nişantaşı, Beyoğlu and Kadıköy.

A tea break in Moda
After a fantastic breakfast and a filling lunch, you might take a tea break at one of the seaside tea gardens in Moda, a quiet, pleasant neighborhood on the Anatolian Side. There, with an incomparable sea view as your companion, you can sip freshly-brewed tea. Later, while you are walking toward Kadikoy from Moda, don’t forget to buy an ice-cream cone from Ali Usta Ice-cream Maker, where you can find ice-cream made from ripe seasonal fruits.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Travelling Istanbul: Relish the season with ‘fish’!

2012-03-08T08:09:00.001-08:00

If you are an Istanbulite or you are visiting Istanbul for the first time, you should taste the fish dishes from the recipes of the masters.

The city of Istanbul, along with its historical and natural riches, attracts attention with its cuisine that emanates from various cultures. Especially the fish meals and mezes prepared from the delights of the sea that caught from the Black Sea or the Marmara constitutes an integral part of this cuisine. As well as the districts along the shores of Bosphorus, it is possible to reach these savours in the districts which are far from the sea but are the heart of the city.

Arşipel (The Archipelago)
Arşipel, which is serving in Bodrum Aktur for years, opened a new branch in SuAda last year. With its panorama and special flavours, in Arşipel, which has steady regulars, you can select any fish or lobster from the aquarium and you can enjoy the Bosphorus view and watch the preparations of the feast that you would taste soon. By the way, do not forget to enjoy the special mezes.

In Arşipel’s kitchen, fish are served without using any sauce, completely preserving their original tastes; and the mezes are broadened reminding of the old Istanbul dinner tables.

Address: SuAda, Kuruçeşme
Ph: +90 212 263 73 00

Asmalımescit Balıkçısı (Asmalımescit Fish Restaurant)
Asmalımescit Balıkçısı, as its name implies, is in Asmalımescit which is located inBeyoğlu, the heart of Istanbul. In this special restaurant, you can enjoy unique paintings which are exhibited on the walls, while ordering your 'fish of the day' to the chef. Yes, you can do this; because this place arranges periodical special exhibitions to appeal to its guests’ emotions as well as their taste buds with its peculiar flavours. By the way, let us remind you that Asmalımescit Balıkçısı was chosen by Time Out magazine as 'Istanbul 2005, The Best Restaurant'.

Address: Asmalımescit Mah. Sofyalı Sok. No: 5/A, Beyoğlu
Ph: +90 212 251 39 39

Bebek Balıkçısı (Bebek Fish Restaurant)
At Bebek Balıkçısı, the first place for the fish ‘addicts’ and located in the most beautiful district of Bosphorus, Bebek, you have the chance to taste all of the seafood, especially unmatched fishes of Bosphorus. This special venue, with its splendid scenery and its terrace cheek by jowl with the sea, for sure would fascinate you.

Address: Cevdet Paşa Cad. No: 26/A, Bebek
Ph: +90 212 263 34 47

Del Mare Ristorante
Del Mare, having the unique Bosphorus panorama of Çengelköy, is among the top fish restaurants with its service and special flavours. The restaurant which serves a cuisine of various special tastes, offers a special feast in a classy and tranquil ambience with its authentic and historical architecture.

Address: Kuleli Cad. No: 53/4, Çengelköy
Ph: +90 216 422 57 62

Doğa Balık
Doğa Balık, which stands out with its different flavours, is an indispensable venue for fish lovers. It is an extraordinary fish restaurant with rich fish species and rare and delicious herbs. Especially the broils, pilakis and steamings prepared from fishes like angler and scorpionfish; pilakis and steamings prepared from fishes like horse mackerel, blue fish and mackerel are among the indispensable flavours of Doğa Balık. In this place, as well as different fish mezes, fish salads and other mezes prepared from 35 different plants are waiting for the flavour hunters.

Address: Akarsu Yokuşu No: 46 Kat: 7, Cihangir
Ph: +90 212 243 36 56

Branch: Barbaros Mah. Barbaros Cad. No: 226, Yenisahra-Kadıköy
Ph: +90 216 470 66 80

Fishmekan
Fishmekan, located in the most beautiful district of Bosphorus, Arnavutköy, addresses your palate with its selected assortments from the traditional fish cuisine, specially-prepared cold and warm mezes, smoked fish choices, homemade pickles and desserts with clotted cream.

Also, let us tell you that you may enjoy the ‘fasıl’ on the weekends on Tekne by Fishmekan (a boat restaurant), the pearl of Bosphorus.

Address: Arnavutköy Cad. No: 60, Arnavutköy
Ph: +90 212 358 51 58
Tekne by Fishmekan: +90 212 263 76 42

Giritli Restaurant
In a restored old Sultanahmet mansion, Giritli Restaurant offers special Mediterranean flavours with its countless herbs served for four seasons, meals cooked with the olive oil of Antakya and Küçükkuyu, ever-fresh fishes and with the delicate work of Ayşe Şensılay. The restaurant runs on a fixed menu basis. This menu starts with the pilaf with seafood, which prepares the stomach for the drinks and delicious meals, and goes on with mezes, appetizers, main dish and desserts.

Among the most demanded Giritli classics are the grilled octopus, raw sea bass marinated and enriched with herbs, stuffed onions and Giritli meze prepared from goat cheese, walnuts, crushed green olives and spices; fried hot dumplings with ice cream in the summer; finger flans with halvah in the winter. In addition to that, unlimited domestic drinks and homemade Giritli liqueurs are also on the menu.

Address: Keresteci Hakkı Sok. No: 8, Cankurtaran-Eminönü
Ph: +90 212 458 22 70 – 71

Balıkçı Sabahattin (Sabahattin the Fisherman)
Balıkçı Sabahattin, which welcomes the regulars of Cankurtaran for long years, serves between 12.00 pm–02.00 am everyday. Some of the tables in Balıkçı Sabahattin, giving service in a historical wooden building built in 1927, offer the chance to have fish feast in the open air in the summer. The place is renowned with its special dishes like all kinds of seafood and fish salad, pilaf with mussel, fish flan and zucchini with yogurt.

Address: Seyit Hasan Kuyu Sokak No: 1, Cankurtaran - Eminönü
Ph: +90 212 458 18 24

Çengelköy Villa Bosporus
Çengelköy Villa Bosporus which has a wonderful view of Bosporus on the Anatolian Bank, with the first and only private beach in Istanbul, gives its customers full service with delicious fish dishes, its private pier and its garage for forty cars. Among the specialities prepared with fresh sea products taken from the fishermen’s boats daily, there are the sea bass on salt, fried calamari with soy sauce; and chocolate soufflé and kadayıf (a traditional Turkish dessert with syrup) as dessert.

Address: Albay Hüsamettin Ertürk Sok. No: 13, Çengelköy
Phone: +90 216 422 80 80 – 81

Mavi Balık
Mavi Balık, with its qualified service, hygienic kitchen and a staff working as delicate as an artist; and wonderful sea view, is mentioned as one of the best fish restaurants. Mavi Balık, with its capacity of four hundred in the winter, hosts five hundred in the summer with its terrace.

The restaurant serves for special group meals and parties with its open terrace for two hundred.

Address: Muallim Naci cad. No: 64/A, Kuruçeşme
Phone: +90 212 265 54 80–81

Laledan Fish Restaurant
The 300 years old story of the rakı-fish-meze which dates back from the Ottomans is re-created in Çırağan Palace Kempinski Laledan Fish Restaurant.

In the restaurant where mezes are offered in salvers, and the carefully selected by the Chef, the freshest fish of the season are prepared, one can not get enough of the exquisite flavours of the desserts. In Laledan Fish Restaurant, with Bosporus view, you may turn your meals into a feast with your beloved ones or colleagues. Laledan Fish Restaurant waits for its guests everyday between 7.00 pm and 11:00 pm.

Address: Çırağan Cad. No: 32, Beşiktaş
Phone: +90 212 259 03 94

Cibalikapı Balıkçısı
Cibalikapı Balıkçısı, the sequel to the old İstanbul meyhane tradition, which has started to serve in its three storied historical building almost eight years ago, opened its second branch in Moda, again a historical district of İstanbul, four years ago.

The decoration of these meyhane is mainly wooden... Wooden tables, wooden chairs and the Turkish Classical Music songs, old Turkish Films’ songs, rebetika that never covers the chat are taking you to the meyhane tradition of the old times.

Cibalikapı Balıkçısı, which serves almost twenty-five type of meze, prepared faithful to the original, most of them forgotten, shows the same diligence when it comes to fish. One should not forget the salad made of nearly fourteen ever-fresh plants, the special dessert made of sesame butter and grape molasses, and the liqueurs produced from fresh sour cherries, Satsuma mandarins and pomegranates.

Address:
Haliç: Kadir Has Cad. Kadir Has Üniversitesi yanı, No:5, Cibali
Phone: +90 212 533 28 46 – 533 27 89

Moda: Tarihi Moda İskelesi Yolu, Moda - Kadıköy
Phone: +90 216 348 93 63 – 418 59 73

Kıyı Fish Restaurant
Kıyı Balık, one of the first restaurants coming into mind to eat fish, opens in 1964. The wooden pane ornaments and the photograph and picture collection from Turkish artists gives the place a warm and cosy club air.

Kıyı, offers wide options for the ones who can not give up the traditional fish meals with its cold and warm mezze and daily fresh fish. In Kıyı Fish Restaurant, you have the opportunity to organize dinner and parties for your special invitations.

Address: Kefeliköy Cad. No: 126, Tarabya
Phone: +90 212 262 00 02

İskele Restaurant
The restaurant right on the shore, taking its name from the old pier of Rumelihisarı, may be an ideal choice for your business meals and for your foreigner guests. İskele, one of the most favourite fish restaurants in İstanbul with its delicious marine products, offers tasty alternatives of fish and meze from Turkish, Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.

You should in any case try the aubergine salad, octopus, salt bonito from the aperitifs and shrimp in butter, paçanga böreği (a fried pastry with pastrami) and anchovy in farina from the main dishes.

Address: Yahya Kemal Cad. No: 1, Rumelihisarı
Tel : +90 212 263 29 97

Set Balık
Set Balık, serving since 1967, is among the most qualifies restaurants of Istanbul. In the menu comprising of the marine products and meze, the most demanded tastes are fish salami, fish pastry, spinach clam, broiled angler and hard-boiled turbot. Set Balık offers a delightful ambience with its summer and winter lounges and decent prices.

Address: Kireçburnu Caddesi No: 18, Tarabya
Phone: +90 212 262 04 11

Tarihi Karaköy Balıkçısı
This charming restaurant, a place for neighbourhood workers and fish ‘addicts’ as regulars, serving for 74 years, offers Istanbulites the fish savour with its ambiance and delicious fish.

You should try the fish soup, the shrimp and the sea bass wrapped in paper of the Tarihi Karaköy Balıkçısı settled in the most energetic district of Istanbul, Karaköy.

Address: Tersane Cad. Kardeşim Sok. No: 30, Karaköy
Phone: +90 212 251 13 71

Papalina Fish Restaurant
Papalina Fish Restaurant, with its special flavours, is one of the hangout places for the fish ‘addicts’... You can taste here all the marine products as well as the secret savour of the historical Turkish, Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.

Papalina fish restaurant which serves with its terrace in the summer, gives a good head start for you with its café section where you can taste the aperitifs.

Address: Ataköy Marina - Sahil Yolu, Ataköy
Phone: +90 212 560 12 70

Travelling Istanbul: Dining Out

2012-03-08T06:08:00.001-08:00

Due to the fact that it has been the home to several different civilizations over hundreds of years, Istanbul’s culinary culture and cuisine are both rich and varied.

At the start of the day…
For those who like to begin the day, we can recommend the tea gardens, bakeries, and börek sellers along the cool shores of the Bosphorus. While sipping your cup of tea, you might eat sesame simit with cheese, or sample the varieties of pastries offered. For those who want to have a thorough, classic Turkish breakfast, there are restaurants which offer clotted cream and honey served with a variety of olives and cheese.

You can’t get enough of the taste of kebabs! You can easily sample the tastes of traditional Turkish dishes, such ashünkârbeğendi (a meat dish made with puréed eggplant), Pilau üstü kuru fasulye (haricot bean served over rice), karnıyarık (eggplant with ground meat), etli dolma (vegetables stuffed with meat), and kebabs in the restaurants. In establishments known as wide ladle or artisan restaurants, you are able to choose from dishes that have already been prepared.

Of course, kebabs have a unique place within Turkish cuisine. You might try Urfa and Adana kebabs, made from ground meat, shish kebabs made from lamb, or kebabs with tomatoes, eggplant, or peanuts. Also, be sure not to forget to try the seasonal salads and mezzes that go along with kebabs.

A light alternative: Mediterranean cuisine
Without a doubt, one can distinguish elements of the Mediterranean palate in Turkish cuisine. Turkey is a Mediterranean country... One can’t leave without trying the unique tastes of such cold dishes as grape leaves with olive oil, wrapped leaves, black-eyed pea, green beans, artichokes, and red beans.

As another option, you might drink Turkish coffee after eating a light lunch at any one of the innumerable restaurants in the neighborhoods of Nişantaşı, Beyoğluand Kadıköy.

A tea break in Moda
After a fantastic breakfast and a filling lunch, you might take a tea break at one of the seaside tea gardens in Moda, a quiet, pleasant neighborhood on the Asian Side. There, with an incomparable sea view as your companion, you can sip tea. Later, while you are walking toward Kadıköy from Moda, don’t forget to buy an ice-cream cone from Ali Usta, where you can find ice-cream made from ripe seasonal fruits.

A tour of Istanbul’s flavors continues with sunset
An Istanbul sunset is an unparalleled event... The shadows grow long, the sun’s blinding light ends its shift as it sinks into the Bosphorus. Everyone empties into the streets in order to dispel the day’s exhaustion. Now is the time to meet with close friends for a fine evening meal, to sip from several cups of liquor, to listen to music and to dance.

Well then, where shall we eat dinner? For dinner, you might go to one of the fish restaurants along the shores of the Bosphorus, or you might prefer one of the restaurants in Kumkapı, on the New Galata Bridge (Yeni Galata Köprüsü) or Beyoğlu. Along with these options, the ‘meyhanes’, which offer both authentic Turkish cuisine and entertainment, are a tempting alternative.

World cuisine in Istanbul
If you would like to sample cuisines from around the world, you can do so at a variety of locations on both sides of Istanbul. In particular, restaurants offering different varieties of global cuisine are easily found in areas such as Beyoğlu,Etiler, Baghdad Avenue, Nişantaşı, and Maslak.

Fruits of the sea
Undoubtedly, it is impossible not to eat fish in a country that is surrounded on three sides by waters where fishing is common. We recommend you try the fish in Kumkapı or restaurants in the seashore of Bebek and Sarıyer. In particular, the number restaurants in the neighborhood of Tarabya are rapidly increasing. On the Asian Side, Çengelköy, Anadolu Kavağı, and Beylerbeyi each offer ample opportunities for dining on seafood.

When choosing fish, what should one pay attention to? Above all, we recommend choosing a fish that is in season. It is also crucial that you choose a sea fish, rather than a freshwater fish. At certain restaurants, one has the opportunity to examine and to choose personally one’s fish. As for our specific recommendations, according to seasons you can’t go wrong with bluefish, seabass, bonito, sea bream, whiting, çinekop or mackerel. Of course, one can’t forget Black Sea sardines.

I wish I were a fish in a rakı bottle!
When one says fish, rakı immediately comes to mind. And when one says rakı, one can’t help but think of Istanbul’s meyhanes. For most people who live in Istanbul, rakı is not just a drink, but a common culture. The most important elements of a meyhane meal, of course, are mezes. Greek, Armenian andOttoman mezes all go well with rakı. Above all, if a trio of musicians playing violin, clarinet, and tom-toms accompany your meal.

One must not forget desserts!
You can add to your Turkish dining experience yet again with dessert. Among the desserts that you might try are sweetened quince with clotted cream, bread-pastries with clotted cream, baklava along with light sweets such as kazandibi, sakızlı pudding, and rice pudding (sütlaç).

Travelling Istanbul: Shopping in Istanbul for four seasons!

2012-03-08T05:43:00.001-08:00

Istanbul invites you to the enjoyable world of shopping with its shopping centers of world standards, modern districts with their shops covering many special brands and authentic passages.

Istanbul, invites you to the enjoyable world of shopping with its shopping centers in world standards, its modern streets where stores of very special trademarks are located and its authentic passages.

The colorful face of history and daily life in Istanbul is also reflected in the city’s shopping world. Istanbul addresses all the demands of both its residents and visitors with its reasonable prices and special stores. In all shopping places, either from a boutique in the odd corners of a passage or in the stores of world-famous trademarks, we are sure that you will absolutely find a product directly appealing to you.

If you have limited time to go for shopping, you should set your shopping route right because in Istanbul you can find some specific products only in specific places.

Now, we invite you to the most important shopping points in Istanbul through the shopping route prepared by Moda (Fashion) Turkey.

The Chirpy Grand Bazaar
Just next to the deluxe shopping malls where you can find world-wide famous brands all together, there is an alternative shopping center, unique to Istanbul and which describes Istanbul: The Grand Bazaar. Grand Bazaar is a place which keeps lots of vanishing professions alive with their unique culture. It is the world’s oldest, biggest bazaar where most variable products are exhibited. The bazaar includes more than 3 thousand shops and it is visited by approximately 400 thousand people.

During the Ottoman Empire era, jewelries and precious hand-woven textiles were gathered in Kapalıçarşı from all over the country to be sold, and it is a shopping paradise for the ones who appreciate traditional textiles and authentic jewelries.

Oktay Ekinci, President of the Chamber of Architects, says that “It is not just seeing a historical and mysterious place; it is the attractiveness created by the market tradition deriving from the past and by the human warmth intermingled with that, and even the feeling of `trust`.”

Eğin Textile
One of the oldest shops in Kapalıçarşı is the Eğin Textile. At the moment the shop is run by the 5th generation of the family and the shop has a history of approximately 140 years. The firm sells thousands of loincloths to the famous 7-star-hotel Bruj-El Arab in Dubai, and it is also frequently visited by famous designers such as Rıfat Özbek and Dolce Gabanna. In addition, the capes and special shawls used in the movie Troy were manufactured and sent by Eğin Textile. In Eğin Textile, the shawls cost around 4-22 YTL, and the woolen shawls (called şekerpare) are 20 YTL.

Address: Yağlıkçılar Street, No: 1

Dervish
In Dervish, you can find triple skirts, hand-woven textiles and colorful kerchiefs brought from Anatolia. The shop is followed up by many designers. In Dervish, the traditional shirts are approximately 35-150 YTL, the shawls are 20-45 YTL, the ethnical triple skirts are 150-400 YTL, and the loincloths are 15-60 YTL.

Address: Keseciler St. No: 33-35

Muhlis Günbatı
Another one of the interesting and attractive shops in the Grand Bazaar is Muhlis Günbatı. In this shop you can find colorful and appealing Ottoman style caftans and other traditional clothes. Among the customers of the shop are Güler Sabancı, Çiğdem Simavi, Yıldırım Mayruk and Dilek Hanif.

Address: Perdahçılar St. No: 48

Adıyaman Bazaar
In the Adıyaman Bazaar, you can find Gaziantep textiles and very beautiful shawls. The shop is frequently visited by fashion designers such as Rıfat Özbek and the students of fashion designing-patch work courses.

Address: Yağlıkçılar St. No: 74-76

Gülipek
Gülipek sells authentic clothes of dazzling colors, and it is closely followed up by fashion designers such as Özlem Süer and Cemil İpekçi. In Gülipek, you can find hundreds of alternatives to your taste and budget starting from 5 YTL to 350 YTL.

“Yazmacı” the favorite place of Dolce & Gabbana and Rei Kawabuko
Among the customers of this shop are people such as Donna Karan, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rıfat Özbek, Cemil İpekçi and Atıl Kutoğlu. Just like Eğin Textile, caftans and specially-woven textiles were prepared in Yazmacı for the movie Troy starring Brad Pitt. In the shop you can find authentic loincloths and stamped head kerchiefs.

Thousands of varieties in Beyoğlu
Beyoğlu is one the districts which depicts the cosmopolitan structure of Istanbul at best. In the past, while mentioning fashion, the first thing that came to mind was Beyoğlu which covered the area between the west of Kasımpaşa Valley and the Gazhane Valley, composed of 45 streets and had a population of approximately 225 thousand inhabitants. Now it contains Istanbul’s most important culture, entertainment and business centers.

In the past, Beyoğlu streets welcomed citizens from high-income levels most of whom were foreigners, and today it welcomes over middle-aged people with high cultural and artistic knowledge and the youth preferring alternative/ marginal dressing style along with the punk style side by side. In addition, you can also see an old group of people who are now called Istanbul gentlemen and ladies.

In Beyoğlu, you can find chain stores of brands such as Diesel and Vakko whose prices are above the average level, but there are also relatively smaller shops and costume-makers who are not discovered by the majority. Among those hidden shops are Raven, Porto Bello, By Rodo, Pulp, Bondea Fashion and Çantacı and Cem who is famous with the bags manufactured on order. The most important features of those shops are they contain all kinds of products either fashionable or not and that their price range is quite reasonable (in Pulp you can buy pants for 30-40 YTL, in Çantacı Cem you can find bead-embroidered bags for 25 YTL). Among the leading costume-makers are Garderobe and Merih Costume which can be visited for all kinds of occasions.

If you want to take a break and rest or have a nice dinner while shopping in Beyoğlu, which is also called "Pera" by the foreign tourists, the ideal places are the Arka Sokak, Fado Irish Pub, Sir Winston Tea House and Le Caprice in the French Street.

A journey to the center of elegance: Nişantaşı
Nişantaşı is doubtlessly the most important shopping and fashion center of Istanbul. Its name originates from the target stones which were built during the Ottoman period. Today the district hosts hundreds of boutiques and stores of all sizes.

Nişantaşı reminds one of the popular cities such as Paris and Vienna with its magnificent historical buildings, luxurious shops and cafes. There you can you can see the most luxurious cars and the most elegant people of Istanbul of course along with the special stores of the most expensive brands.

The district has 4 main streets: Teşvikiye Caddesi (street), Vali Konağı Caddesi, Abdi İpekçi Caddesi and Rumeli Caddesi. In Teşvikiye Caddesi which starts in Maçka and goes to Valikonağı, there are the stores of the brands such as Emporio Armani, Gucci, Zara and also there are the special boutiques of the designers such as, Gamze Saraçoğlu. Armani Cafe and Teşvikiye Cafe are among the ideal alternative places where you can take a break and have a rest.

The most popular street of Nişantaşı is the Abdi İpekçi Caddesi. On this street, you can see the shops of many famous brands such as Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Roberto Cavalli, Hugo Boss, Alexander McQueen one after another. Dozens of shops, restaurants and cafes which compete with each other in luxury and magnificence welcome the most distinguished and the wealthy guests of the district. The cafes in the Reasürans Arcade, Beymen Cafe, Buz Bar, The North Shield and Niş are some of the alternatives we can recommend you for your breaks.

While you are shopping in Nişantaşı, you can use the entrances of the Vali Konağı and Teşvikiye streets, the municipality street parking garages in Abdi İpekçi Street and Maçka Park, multistory car parks in Teşvikiye Street or the private car parks in the side streets as parking spots.

Elegance of the Anatolian side: Bağdat Street
The road that the Ottoman army once used while leaving Istanbul has new become one of the most popular shopping and entertainment center for the young between the ages of 15-30.

Through the street, it is possible to find the shops of almost all popular brands such as Zara, Louis Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, or Barbour. Especially in the part between Erenköy-Suadiye, there are dozens of famous cloth, jewelry and cosmetics shops one after another. Although the number of the “haute couture” boutiques here is not as much as the ones in Nişantaşı, except for a couple of examples near Erenköy, hundred thousands of people are still attract many peopla to this place by the multistory stores such as Boyner and YKM and by dozens of small shops selling various products imported from outside the country. If you have a look at the shops on the back streets, you can have infinite shopping choices appropriate for almost all budgets on Bağdat Street.

The fashion trends are closely followed up in Bağdat Street and you can come across highly elegant people on this street. In Bağdat Street, where the people who love shopping never want to leave because of its luxurious stores, decent cafes and pleasant atmosphere, you can also find the big branches of the famous hairdressers-beauty centers such as Tony&Guy, Erdem Kıramer and Ebil. Moreover, you can take break in one of the dozens of classy cafes or restaurants such as Starbucks, Divan, Kırıntı along the street after shopping for hours.

•    Nişantaşı is the favorite of all times with its classy boutiques, cafes, restaurants, street exhibitions, festivals and new year entertainments …

•    The Grand Bazaar looks like a huge labyrinth with its approximately 60 streets in the area between the Nuruosmaniye Mosque and the Beyazıt Mosque. It is the world’s oldest and biggest covered shopping center.

•    In Beyoğlu, the shopping spots from a boutique an a corner of a passage, to the stores of worldly-known brands tell you that you can go shopping in Istanbul in all seasons.

•    The passages which are small towns by themselves and create their own fashion, attract many people to Beyoğlu for shopping.

Travelling Istanbul: Istanbul terraces

2012-03-07T13:34:00.001-08:00

The terraces are waiting for the ones who want to have a good time after work on weekdays or till the morning at weekends.

This year, winter was so difficult that we could not go out from the indoor places. Therefore, we miss having fun out of doors more than usual. The terraces of Istanbul are ready for you.

While the weather is getting hot, the people in Istanbul began to move to terraces to have fun. The residents of Istanbul who have struggled with the problem of smoking prohibition in the winter rush into the terraces together with the coming of summer. The favorite terrace places start to open their doors one by one. In those terraces, the pleasure which begins with a meal in the sunset continues till the very early hours of the morning. The terraces of Istanbul wait for you.

Zoe Teras
Zoe Teras not only serve important examples of world cuisine, but also provides an opportunity to have a good time for its guests. Zoe Teras welcoming its guests every day, continues to have fun till the morning with the performances of famous DJs on the Friday and Saturday nights. While the music is predominantly retro on Friday nights, the place totally turns into a club on Saturday nights. Moreover, the Aegean nights arranged on Wednesday nights draw considerable attraction. While you can listen to Aegean music, you can taste food from the Aegean kitchen. And, you can also listen to Latin music on Thursday nights. Making a reservation is recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

Gaja Roof
Located on the 16th floor of Swissotel The Bosporus Istanbul, Gaja Roof entertains its guests with its fascinating view of Bosporus. With its capacity of 140 people, Gaja Roof offers unique tastes of Mediterranean. This summer James Wilkins adds zest to the summer nights with his experienced team. In Gafa Roof where the music consultant is DJ Suat Ateşdağlı, you can enjoy summer entertainments and music between 03.30 pm-05.00 am every day.

Dogzstar
Dogzstar, having various type of entertainment from DJ performances to alternative groups as a totally performance place, continues to serve for music lovers with its terrace during the summer months.

Andon Pera
Located in a residence having five floors, Andon Terrace Bar is an ideal place to leave intense work pressure and chaos of city behind, and rest by having a pleasant dinner, accompanied by the view of Bosporus. In the menu of Andon which is prepared especially for the summer season, there are salads and pasta predominantly. Moreover, they offer you options for diet meals.

Çubuklu Hayal Kahvesi
Çubuklu Hayal Kahvesi, one of the oldest places of Istanbul nightlife, is a place where you can find music, dance and taste together. In Hayal which is indispensable for its regular visitors with its concerts, DJ performances and concept parties, you can have a special night on the shores of Bosporus. Moreover, it should be noted that a boat service is provided for every half an hour near Istinye Ferry Port.

Moda Teras
You can visit Moda Teras, one of the most favorite places of Anatolian side at all hours of the day and night; have breakfasts on Saturdays and brunch on Sundays. Moreover, wedding ceremonies and organizations, bachelor parties and business meals can also be arranged there. Latin nights are also arranged in Moda Teras on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

W Terrace
W Terrace is a good atmosphere for those who want to get rid of daily routine works and have fun and dance while relaxing. W Terrace with its ‘happy hour’s to be arranged on every Wednesday and Friday nights during June is going to be one of the places that are essential for the residents of Istanbul for the hot summer months.

360
As it is understood from its name, 360 is located on the 8th floor of Mısır Apartment, which is one of the historical buildings of Beyoğlu, where you can see Istanbul with a panoramic view. There different parts in the place such as a lounge where you can find round poufs, a restaurant in the mid area, a bar and a terrace separated by with white cotton curtains. 360 having a terrace of 400 m2 offers its guests special meals from the Turkish and world cuisine.

Peyote
Peyote which is an essential place of Nevizade for many years hosts many live performances in its terrace during the summer. What you want is to have a moderate entertainment, I recommend you to have Peyote in your plans during the summer.

Nu Teras
For the regular visitors of Nu Pera, the permanent location of Tepebaşı, Nu Teras turns out to be a destination with its fascinating view of Golden Horn for the summer months. Nu Teras seeing the shores of Golden Horn as one of the most beautiful scenery of Istanbul that is forgotten for a long time serves as a restaurant and bar for its guests.

Mimolett Teras
At the terrace of Mimolett offering its guests an open-air alternative for the hot summer nights, you can not only try refreshing cocktails but also taste various wines of different regions of the world, and enjoy delicious meals of the Mediterranean kitchen, accompanied by the view of Bosporus. Mimolett Teras which newly opens its doors is ready to serve for its guest with its sophisticated decoration and DJ performances during the nights.

True Blue
A fascinating scenery, blue sea, beach and pool pleasure, the best tastes of Mediterranean kitchen, fun accompanied with live music, and a peaceful environment surrounded by a green area… True Blue with its sea view in the Bay of Fenerbahçe let people spending their summer in Istanbul have a holiday pleasure with its selected meals from the Mediterranean kitchen, pool, green garden, lively bar where you can find different cocktails and drinks, music. Yalın will take the stage in True Blue on the 5th of June.

Travelling Istanbul: Kadife Street

2012-03-07T07:31:00.001-08:00

Kadife Street which is also called “Bars Street” presents a disparate color to its guests with its music culture, frequenters and authentic places in different concepts…

The Bosphorus, as it divides the two shores of this giant city with various colors in every corner, indicates not only a geographic separation but also a cultural one. These two sides are like the non-identical twins of Istanbul. By contrast with the “hustle and bustles” in the European side, the Anatolian side hosts its guests with serenity. You may see skyscrapers and slum houses side by side in the European side; but in the Anatolian side nice houses which have sunlight from every direction usually go along with just green parks and wide roads…

Kadife Street has this posture maybe because it’s just in the center of the daily life. Actually it is an intersection of offices, houses and bars. 15-16 year old punks running around and the elder women coming from the bazaar with their string bag walk alongside in Kadife Street. In the courtyards of apartment blocks, balconies of the houses and the gardens or the terraces of the Kadife Street and the entertainment places are face to face.

On the corner, there’s the Rexx Cinema as the cornerstone of Kadife Street. It is one of the oldest theatre halls of Istanbul and it has come today with several names and changes. It is the meeting point of the frequenter teenagers of the street... The first Muslim actress Afife Jale firstly appeared on the stage here. The most bizarre irony of the street is the scene that teenage girls with gothic make-up and cloths stand near the bust of Afife Jale which is next to the cinema.

Kadife Street is always dynamic in summer or winter, at night or daytime. There are bars and cafes with a nostalgic atmosphere, converted from old houses. There are various frequenters because there are both cafes in which you may play taboo or scrabble and bars you may listen high-quality music. Cafes that serve non-alcoholic drinks are closed at midnight and the bars are open till 2 am. In fact there’s no demand for later hours. After all in this cozy environment, everybody has enough drink and chat till 2 am. It is time to go home then; anyhow they will mostly meet at the same place tomorrow night.

When talking about the bars in Kadife Street you should begin with Karga
Karga Bar, one of the most prominent cult places not only in the street but also in the Anatolian side, is a high-quality and special place both for its foundation mission and for its atmosphere. There is a bar in the first two storey of the stone and old-wooden building and the upper two storey, hosts an art gallery called Karga Art. Karga Bar has a shadowy but an authentic atmosphere; even the objects have their own stories. Besides, the building was restored diligently after a fire.

In a proper sense the customers consist of frequenters. Actually they are the ones who keep the bar and the art center which hosts every type of activities. However you shouldn’t esteem that you will be regarded as a “stranger”. As soon as you take a corner in this warm atmosphere, you may join the frequenters by drinking and listening to various styles of music.

Trip and Hera
Trip, in the lower floor of a beautiful three-storeyed Greek house, and Hera Wine house, in the upper floor of Trip, are two of the oldest and cult places in the street. Trip is a bar which arranges music nights with various concepts and in which you may listen to high-volume music and at daytime you, enjoy the coffee sorts. In this place “singles nights” and British music are always popular.

Hera is winehouse with a bya window a fireplace. Besides bottle-wines in every taste, you may prefer the wines-in barrel which is served in carafes. The latter is ideal for large friend groups.

Liman Kahvesi
This place is decorated with the theme of marine, thus it is a nice place in which you don’t feel bored. Liman Kahvesi, which serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and has a large cuisine, has a winter-garden which becomes open-air at summers. The place is one of the indispensable corners for nights and daytimes in the street also with opportunities of playing games like dart, taboo, chess etc.

Masal Evi
We may describe this place as a nice fairy chat place with a shadowy atmosphere decorated with vintage furniture, fireplace, blue painted walls and a bright winter-garden. There’s also an ancient well. An employee tells a “fair” that the girl in the black and white photo hang on the wall fell into the well and died here. Masal Evi, in which you may enjoy yourself on the comfortable sofas without being disturbed, is famous with its hot chocolate with ice-cream. Of course, as a characteristic in the street, various sorts of coffee are offered as well.

Buddha
In Buddha Bar, where rock music performances live are presented, one of the most well-known and famous bands Suitcase is on stage on Wednesdays. Although somewhat a small place, it is preferred for live music.

İsis Wine House
Isis located in a 150 year old wooden building, takes its name from the Egyptian Goddess which represents abundance. In the four-storeyed place, frequenters over 30 draws attention.

Ağapia Greek Tavern
A place like Kadife Street would not be without a tavern. Ağapia is a good place for rakı and fish. In Ağapia’s satisfactory menu is accompanied with deep conversations, delicious tapas, “fasıl” and Greek music of good quality.

Zincir
It’s a bar which made up its own crew with cheap beer and high-volume “rough” music. Altough usually rock and metall musics are played it’s a quiet place at daytime.

Karin
Karin is an authentic and enjoyable pub-bar with a huge, eye-catching, bubbled aquarium at the entrance and colorful cushions downstairs. You may hang around at the bar watching the aquarium or lie down on the cushions with your friends and watch the clips on the huge screen. The tables upstairs are comfortable for chatting.

Dunia
Dunia is a very nice place entirely decorated according to the orientalist concept. In accordance with its atmosphere you may find every sort of tea or coffee in the menu. There is also an assortment of delicious snacks. World music, usually ethnic, are played and nights for various music styles are arranged.

And the others…
Kadife Street is a special street not only with the cafes and bars, but also with the bookstore “Hera Store” of 6.45 Publishing House, “Orta Dünya” presenting all kinds of movie and music CD’s and DVD’s, “Morg” selling original teenage clothes as the ones in Atlas Passage and even the piercing-shops, where the youth of Anatolian side, especially Kadiköy, ever so often spend time and do shopping.

If you haven’t seen it, you must come by...

Travelling Istanbul: Sounds of jazz in Istanbul…

2012-03-07T03:28:00.000-08:00

Istanbul is a city where many different cultures and sounds come together... If you wonder where these sweet melodies come from, we suggest you visit these selected venues below.

Babylon
Bringing together music lovers with many native and foreign musicians and different genres, Babylon was opened in 1999. Situated in Asmalımescit, Babylon is a multi-purpose venue. It hosts theatre, dance and music workshops, as well as showing documentaries. In April 2002 and 2004, Babylon included twice in the “Best Jazz Venues” list by the most prestigious jazz magazine in the world, Down Beat, and lately, in January 2007 received the “Best Night Club” award in the Trendshow survey.

Hosting live performances five nights a week, Babylon so far presented performances by such artists as Jane Birkin, Mike Stern, Stacey Kent, Jimmy Scott, Courtney Pine, David Murrey Quartet, Patricia Barber, Aydin Esen, BabaZula, and Göksel.

With a capacity for 650 people, the price range of Babylon is 15 YTL for imported drinks and 7-9 YTL for local ones, while cocktails are offered for 20 YTL. Among the most popular cocktails are the margarita, mojito, jager storm and apple tree (which are all made from fresh juice, especially of tangerine, apple and pomegranate). Closed on Sundays and Mondays, Babylon opens at 21.00 at weekdays and 22.00 during the weekend.

Ghetto
Ghetto is a brand new spot opened in February 2007. Hosting electronic jazz and varied DJ performances, the venue aims at being a modern arts centre rather than a place of entertainment.

Located at the historical three-storey Mario Cantino Building next to the British Consulate, Ghetto has, with its high ceilings, the capacity to host 800 people comfortably. It also has a special “event” area large enough to accommodate 250 people. Throughout November, you can watch the performances of many artists such as Ayhan Sicimoğlu & Latin All Stars, Zeliha Sunal, Dinamo Presents Chateauflight, Aydın Esen, Sertab Jazz, Frederic Galliano & Kuduro Sound System, Fatima Spar & Diefreedom Fries in Ghetto.

Having many snacks such as a cheese plate and fruit bouquet on its menu, as well as a wide range of alcoholic drinks from beer to champagne, Ghetto this year also added an “Italian dish designer” to its ranks. Moreover, the club plans to present “Ms. Beatrice’s Italian Flavor” to the appreciation of its guests on the second floor. In Ghetto, where the price of beer is 10 YTL, the entrance fees and the price of drinks are set according to the performing artists and groups, and thus, vary.

Jazz Cafe
Opened first in Bodrum in 1982 by Cengiz Şanlı ve Mete Gürman, Jazz Cafe has been serving the jazz lovers in Istanbul too since 1997.

In addition to Bülent Ortaçgil who takes the stage every Wednesday, and to many artists such as Gürol Ağırbaş, Önder Focan, Erkan Oğur, Baki Duyarlar, Maffy Falay, Ayşe Tütüncü, Yahya Dai, Bülent Somay and Oğuz Büyükberber, it is also possible to listen to young jazz performers and musicians in Jazz Cafe. The venue can accommodate 350-400 people standing, and hosts special jazz concerts on weeknights.

Also serving as a restaurant, Jazz Cafe has a price range of 5-15 YTL for meals, and 3-15 YTL for drinks. Drawing attention with the interesting appetizers offered with drinks, the venue is opened every night except Sundays, between 20.00 – 04.00.

JC’s Istanbul Jazz Center
It was opened by Kerem Görsev, Dr. Aytek Şermet and Süha Kurultay in 2005 at Ortaköy. The opening night performance was by Mike Stern Band. Situated within the Radisson SAS Hotel complex, the venue has become a world-scale club in a very short time. Among the surprise names of this year there are Steve Smith & Vital Information, De Cecco - Jeszensky Duo, Kevin Mahogany, Elaine Elias, Hubert Sumlin Blues Band, and Lee Konitz.

Featuring at least three foreign musicians every month, Istanbul Jazz Center presents local jazz groups on certain days of the week in its winter section accommodating 180 people and its terrace with the Bosphorus view, accommodating 400 people. Performances start at 21.00 during weeknights and 21.30 on weekends. The venue’s restaurant, which draws attention with its rich menu, opens at 19.00. Every Sunday, between 12.00 – 17.00, there is ‘Sunday Lunch’ accompanied with jazz, while every day between 18.00 – 20.00 there is happy hour. The Tuesdays are reserved for “Ladies Night” and women do not have to pay the entrance fee.

Nardis Jazz Club
Opened by jazz musicians Önder and Zuhal Focan at Galata in 2002, Nardis is a jazz club where one can listen to live music six nights a week. In Nardis, chosen last season as one of the three best jazz clubs of Europe by the magazine of the EasyJet Airways, and also suggested by New York Times as “the only jazz club advised for visiting in Istanbul”, it is possible to listen to mainstream and modern jazz, fusion, and ethnic jazz.

With the capacity for 120 people, Nardis does not present a single artist or band performing regularly. At least twice a month, it is arranged for a foreign soloist to perform with local rhythm section. Moreover, with the support of sponsors, famous artists take stage in Nardis.

Thanks to the parking lot right next to it, there is no parking problem at Nardis, where live performances start at 21.30 on weeknights and 23.30 on weekends. If you would like to be seated next to the stage, it is advised to make a reservation in advance.

On the club menu, there are hors d’oeuvres, fillet steak and chicken served with various sauces, spaghetti again with special sauces, salads and desserts.

Q Jazz Bar Les Ottomans
Opened in 1995 within the Çırağan Palace, Q Jazz has been serving in Les Ottomans Hotel in Kuruçeşme since November 2006. With its indoors decoration in the oriental style by Bilge Bakkal, Q Jazz is a venue just on the shore of the Bosphorus, by the sea.

With the exception of Wednesday, famous American musicians perform live every night in Q Jazz, between 23.00–03.00.

Starting the dinner service at 18.00, Q Jazz also serves guests who would like to enjoy the Bosphorus view throughout the day. During the Happy Hour between 20.00-22.30 on Thursdays, it is possible to enjoy your drink in company of live music and delicacies such as shrimp roll, hot entrees or sataes. With its extremely rich cuisine managed by the Chef of Les Ottomans Hotel, Robyn Cooper from Australia, and its bar offering a wide range of choices, in Q Jazz you can try the ‘Q tripe soup’ which has become a tradition of the spot, as well as the French onion soup in the late hours of the evening.

In Q Jazz, which has a capacity of 200 seated, and 250 standing, it is also possible to organize private events.

Shaft Blues & Jazz Club
Named after the cult movie of 1971, Shaft, Shaft Blues & Jazz Club was opened in July 1999 by Sururi Demirtaş, with the aim of bringing Jazz and Blues to the Anatolian bank, and has had more than 30 artists and groups on its stage so far.

Shaft Club has a capacity for 300 and its customer profile is, in addition to those who musicians themselves, generally comprised of people over thirty, listening to classical rock, blues and jazz. Having live performances six nights a week, the venue has been presenting amateur groups on Mondays, with “Open Stage” starting at 22.30, and so far 300 groups have performed on “Open Stage” nights.

The venue has artists and bands such as Hayko Cepkin, Pinhani and Bulutsuzluk Özlemi in its concert season. On Monday nights Alley, Tuesday nights Rüya, Wednesday nights Lityum, Thursdays nights Gür Akad Band, Fridays nights Why Nut, Saturday nights Acil Servis and on Sunday nights Murat Durmaz Band take the stage regularly.

The entrance fee of 20 YTL, including one local drink, is taken in Shaft Club on only Friday and Saturday nights. Students pay only 15 YTL. The club has reasonable prices, beer is 6-7 YTL, local drinks are 8 YTL, and imported drinks are 12 YTL. The venue, which has age restriction and allows in only those above 18, is open between 16.00 – 04.00.

Travelling Istanbul: Night life

2012-03-07T02:17:00.001-08:00

After enjoying a comprehensive tour of the city’s unparalleled beauty and cultural richness Istanbul’s animated nightlife offers thousands of options.

It is equally possible to discover this impressive variety of choice in Istanbul’s night life. Istanbul is a city of constant movement, twenty-four hours a day. It only remains for you to choose among the many alternatives... Let’s now take a brief tour through the culinary and entertainment world of Istanbul.

In the world-famous bars and nightclubs that line the water in the neighborhoods of Ortaköy and Kuruçeşme, you can spend many a romantic moment while watching fireworks shows on the sky, or dance the night away while enjoying theBosphorus view.

You might also take in a traditional Turkish evening by watching a folklore performance or an oriental dance, or listen to Turkish folk music (türkü) at any number of different Türkü bars. If you prefer rock, punk, techno, jazz or alternative music, you can search for a bar along Istiklal Avenue and its side streets, on Kadife Street in Kadıköy¸or seaside in Ortaköy.

For those who want to spend a romantic or exciting night overlooking the Bosphorus, we recommend the world-famous bars and nightclubs located along the seashore in the neighborhoods of Kuruçeşme and Bebek. If you would like to sing Turkish songs and dance along to live music until the morning’s first light, head straight for the neighborhood of Etiler.

As the night ends...
It is already late in the evening... For the entire night, you have danced and drunk without a break. Before your rendezvous with sleep in the early hours of the next day, perhaps you would like to ease your stomach with a garlicky bowl of tripe soup. After a night of exhausting entertainment, it has become something of a habit for Istanbul residents to dine at a tripe soup joint (işkembeci). Throughout the city, and especially near venues that serve alcohol, one can find tripe soup restaurants that are open for twenty-four hours a day.

In addition, if you care to eat something light, you can fill your stomach with toast, hamburger, döner at any number of 24 hour open buffets.

In addition to its historical and cultural heritage, the variety of culinary and entertainment choices that Istanbul offers make it an incomparable city. One can never tire from wandering through this city, nor can stop from describing it. In any case, one must experience the city; description is futile.

Travelling Istanbul: The Republican Period

2012-03-06T11:55:00.001-08:00

Istanbul, like the country as a whole, acquired a radically new identity during this period.

Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire and her allies in World War I, the National War of Independence was waged from 1919 to 1923. Following the war’s completion, the Turkish Republican State was formed. The first president of the new republic was, of course, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the commander-in-chief in the War of Independence.

As a result of the modernization process that has characterized Turkey’s Republican history since its beginning, Istanbul has developed an identity as a modern, global city that is unique to itself. From an economic and cultural perspective, Istanbul is the heart of contemporary Turkey. Due to the city’s unparalleled historical heritage, it continues to be a uniquely important city, not only for Turkey, but also in the eyes of the world as a whole.

Istanbul, which is home to many international political, cultural, fine-arts and sports organizations, is rapidly climbing toward the most elite level of world cities. As a unique synthesis of east and west, Istanbul is home to all of the colours of a world that no longer exists within borders.

Istanbul, Turkey’s open door to the West, has redefined its former status as an imperial capital through becoming a world-class centre of trade, business, tourism and culture.

Travelling Istanbul: The Constantinople Era

2012-03-06T10:15:00.000-08:00

In the Seventh Century B.C.E., the Megarians, following the advice of the Delphic Oracle, founded a city by the name of Byzantium in Sarayburnu.

The Megarians were the first historical people to settle in the area of present-day Istanbul. In the 680s BCE, they migrated from Greece, passed by the Marmara Sea and founded the city of Chalcedon at the site of the current neighborhood of Kadıköy, on the Asian side. The first inhabitants of Chalcedon were agriculturists, and bear the dubious honour of being known as “The Nation of the Blind”.

In the 660s B.C.E., another group of Megarians founded a city at the present-day location of Sarayburnu. According to legend, these Megarians visited the oracle at the Temple of Delphi before setting out by sea to establish a city. The oracle advised them to settle “directly opposite the Nation of the Blind”.

When they reached the present-day site of Sarayburnu, the Megarian colonists were impressed by its height and by the fact that it was naturally protected on three sides by the sea. After they noticed Chalcedon, directly across the Bosphorus from Sarayburnu, they thought to themselves, “Anyone who could establish a city in view of such a perfect site must indeed be blind!”

The Byzantion period

The Megarians decided that the oracle’s vague advice must have referred to Istanbul – Sarayburnu, and established the first settlement of their city here. They gave the name “Byzantium” to the city, after one of their captains, Byzas.

In this way, the roots of Istanbul were set during the Seventh Century B.C.E. -known as the beginning of the Byzantine Period -by Megarian colonists from Greece.

In 278 B.C.E., Byzantium was besieged by Teutonic tribes who had come from the west. After triumphing in the Macedonian Wars in 146 B.C.E., the Romans took control of the Balkans and Asia Minor; of course, Byzantium, too, became part of the Roman Empire. In 330 C.E., the Roman Emperor Constantine the First proclaimed Byzantium the new capital of the Empire, and began to renovate the city. The city was rechristened as “Constantinople”, and, from that day forward, became one of the most important locations in the Christian World.

The Roman Empire was officially split into two parts, the East and the West in 395 C.E. In 476 C.E. the Ostrogoths removed the Western Roman Emperor Romulus Augustus from the throne and thereby returned the entire Empire to Zeno, the Eastern Roman Emperor. This transfer of power marked the downfall of the Western Roman Empire and Constantinople’s establishment as the single imperial capital. Thereafter, the Eastern Roman Empire became known as the Byzantine Empire, and Constantinople became a uniquely eastern Orthodox city.

The Latin Occupation
The Crusaders first reached Istanbul is 1096 C.E. After learning of the controversy over the Byzantine throne, the Crusaders decided to take the opportunity to enter the city.

With the help of the Venetians, they were able to enter the Golden Horn, and took the city on 13 April 1204 C.E. Immediately following their arrival, they began to exploit and impoverish the city; Constantinople’s nobles and wealthy classes had fled to the city of Nicaea to the east.

Return to Byzantine
The Second Byzantine Period began in 1261 with the retaking of Istanbul from the Latins by the Palailogos Dynasty. However, the city was never to return to its former importance and glory. Throughout the Second Byzantine Period, the city began to be surrounded slowly by the Ottomans, and, eventually, the inevitability of its fall became clear. From 1393 onward, the city was forced to pay a tribute to the Ottomans. Although it was surrounded in 1393 by Sultan Yıldırım Bayezid and in 1422 by Sultan Murat the Second, neither of them was able to take the city completely.

In the year 330 C.E., the Roman Emperor Constantine the First declared Byzantium the new capital of the Empire. He had the city renovated, and, the city was rechristened “Constantine” in his honour.

Travelling Istanbul: The Ottoman Era

2012-03-06T10:00:00.000-08:00

In 1453, the seventh sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed the Conqueror, finally conquered Constantinople, a city dreamed of by many...

Among all cities in the area, Istanbul was a unique prize desired by all major states and empires nearby, both for its beauty and for its strategic important. The Ottoman sultans Yıldırım Bayezid and Murad the Second had surrounded the city in 1393 and 1422, respectively, but neither of them was able to take it. In the wake of these unsuccessful attempts, Fatih Sultan Mehmed began more thorough preparations to conquer the city in 1452. In addition to building Rumeli Fortress in order to take control of the Bosphorus, he also commissioned the casting of giant cannonballs to be used in the siege. The number of soldiers in the army was increased twofold. While carrying out these rapid preparations for the attack by land, Mehmed also ordered the formation of a powerful fleet of sixteen galleys to be used in a naval attack on the city.

After taking control of all of the routes by which the Byzantines might receive foreign support, the Ottomans made sure that the Genoans, who were in control of the Galata Tower, remained neutral. Following all of these preparations, the Ottoman Army mounted a fearsome attack by both land and sea. The Turks breeched the city from all sides and destroyed all of the Byzantine defenses. Around noon on 29 May 1453, Fatih Sultan Mehmed entered the city through the Topkapı gate and immediately paid a visit to Ayasofya.

The Conquest of Istanbul changed the world history
Order was returned to Istanbul quickly after the conquest. It was immediately announced that the inhabitants of the city would be able to continue practicing their own religions and traditions without interference. Sultan Mehmed, who took on the title of “Conqueror” (Fatih) after the conquest, ordered that the Greek community choose a head for the Orthodox Greek Patriarchate, which was without a patriarch at the time. The city’s Jewish community, whose positive behaviour during the conquest had been noticed, retained the right to maintain their synagogues.

Furthermore, a house of worship was appointed for the Turkish-Jewish Karayim Community at the site of the Arpacılar Mosque. Istanbul had become a world city containing a mosaic of different religions.

Fatih Sultan Mehmed’s first action after the war was to begin the repair of damaged areas in the city. The first major reconstruction effort involved repairing the city walls, which had been seriously damaged during the conquest. As the work of the city’s reconstruction continued, several new areas of settlement were also formed. Furthermore, property that had been abandoned was given to those who had served in the conquest.

In order to increase the Muslim population in the city, Muslims living in Anatolia and Rumeli were encouraged to migrate to Istanbul. When this did not suffice, a sultanic decree was sent to the empire’s provinces that required a certain number of people from every class to relocate to Istanbul. Christians and Jews from a number of different regions were also brought to the city, where they settled in several specific neighborhoods.

Near the end of 1457, a large fire in the former Ottoman capital of Edirne caused new migrants to come to Istanbul. In 1459, the city was divided into four administrative districts, each one with unique demographic features. Within fifty years after the conquest, Istanbul had become the largest city in Europe.

Although Istanbul entered the Fifteenth Century as a large city, it suffered significant damage in the earthquake of 14 July 1509, which is known as the “Minor Doomsday”. Aftershocks of the earthquake continued over forty-five days, and, in total, thousands of buildings in the city collapsed. In 1510, Sultan Bayezid the Second employed around eighty thousand people to rebuild the city yet again.

The Rise of Istanbul during the Reign of Süleyman the Lawgiver
Throughout the history of the Ottoman Empire and under the administration of every sultan, Istanbul remained the privileged first city of the empire. New works and monuments were continuously added to the city, and the historical monuments of every period and people were protected with care. In particular, the forty-six year period between 1520 and 1566, when Sultan Süleyman the Lawgiver witnessed the “Era of Ascendance” for both Istanbul and the empire as a whole.

During the reign of Süleyman, a large number of important architectural works were built in Istanbul. In particular, the works of The Architect Sinan, the most important architect in the history of the Empire, provided the city with a fantastic new appearance.

Among the most important works that were built during this period—almost all of them Mimar Sinan’s buildings—are the Süleymaniye Mosque and Dome, theŞehzadebaşı Mosque and Dome, the Sultan Selim Mosque and Dome, theCihangir Mosque, the two Mihrimah Sultan Mosques, built in Edirnekapı and in Üsküdar, and the Haseki Dome and Haseki Hamam, which were built in the name of Hürrem Sultan.

Throughout the era of westernization, which began in the Eighteenth Century, the face of Istanbul began to change under the influence of European cities. The process of modernization continued and even increased in the Republican period.

When the capital of the Ottoman Empire was transferred from Edirne to Istanbul, the city became an imperial capital for the third time.

The Amian Travel Blog

2012-03-06T07:46:00.001-08:00

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