AROUND TOWN
Let's Adopt!
Sibel Karabeyoglu finds out what “Let’s Adopt!” does, how it got started and how you can change an animal’s life.Almost reaching its two-year mark, Turkey’s “Let’s Adopt!” is an animal welf...
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DIY Christmas
They say there’s no place like home. Never more true than during the holidays. But whadda do if you’re stuck in the ‘bul for Christmas? Casey Marriott tells us how to make this year’s Christmas from scratch. ’Tis the season to be jolly! Right? While most western countries have been advertising Chris...
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Expat transition tips
Casey Marriott shares tips on making a swift transition to the city by doing like the locals do.There are only so many times you can endure the haggling of the Grand Bazaar, gaze at the Blue Mosqu...
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Sneak preview
This year's filmekimi gives us the opportunity to enjoy award-winning films before they've made their way into general theaters. Esen Boyacigiller and Seda PekcelenIKSV’s Filmekimi takes place from 16-25 October this year, a full 10 days rather than the usua...
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Beaches near the city
So you want to enjoy the sea and sun, but can’t exactly splurge on a houliday this summer, or take time off work. You might be surprised to find out that there are many beaches in Istanbul with beautiful, clean water and plenty of fun activities.After spending a day at one of these beaches, you might reconsider spending the money, time and effo...
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Not so desperate housewives
Dikkat Dikkat! The Çöp Madam ladies are putting their creative skills to use. With the help of Sabancı University professor Tara Hopkins, trash from Ayvalık is being transformed into works of art that are available throughout the city Who would ever think that garbage could become something beautiful? Not many. Tara Hopkins, a teac...
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Turkish treasure hunting
Yes, you can get many fine Turkish souvenirs and gifts at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar but you may have noticed that the locals don’t seem to be buying from the wily salesmen there. So where can you really get a deal in Istanbul? Hookahs:  One of the first things that you’ll notice in the Bazaar is that despite the ...
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Asmalı awaits
MeyhaneAkbaba’lı Meyhane (0212) 251 43 38 Tünel Geçidi 10, Asmalımescit Open weekd...
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Asmalı awaits
International cuisineCuba (0212) 245 78 70/71 Ensiz Sokak 11/1A, Asmalımescit. www.cubabaristanbul.com Open everyd...
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Asmalı awaits
Trendy LocalesGemi (0212) 245 97 68 Asmalımescit Sokak 7, Kat 4-5-teras, Asmalımescit www.gemideyiz.com Op...
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Wasted in Istanbul
Mike Dunphy examines the top ten biggest wastes in the city. 1) Water It’s ironic the World Water Forum is being held in Istanbul, a city that splashes ab...
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Green holidays
Rich Carriero examines a few holidays, green and otherwise, that fall in April each year.1.   Tulip Festival – Contrary to common belief, the tulip came to the Dutch from th...
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Turkey's environmental warriors
Jeff Gibbs presents two of Turkey’s environmental warriors, Doğa Derneği and Buğday. Doğa Derneği Doğa Derneği was founded in 2002 and works out of Ankara, with offices in Istanb...
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Green Workers of the World: Unite and Take over!
All across Istanbul, corporate slaves are turning green. Environmentally conscious employers and employees are coming up with creative solutions to change how they carry out their businesses. Take for example, Ahmet Ertuğrul, the General Manager of the online careers site Işportal. He has ...
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New Media
Life has never been as fast paced as it is now. Alizah Rose explains this new phenomenon that has been taking over.Februrary 25th 2009, 10:40 A.M. local time, Amsterdam:  Turkish Airlines flight 1951 departing ...
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Casanova on a budget
Scrooge Mc’Pennypincher offers advice on masking the economic pinch from your mate and coming up roses (carnations are cheaper).    Times are tough my friends and the knuckles of the financial crisis are rapping...
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Economic Secrets of Living in Istanbul
Expats often face the scrutiny and skepticism of the folks back home when they decide to leave the m...
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Recession Specials on Istiklal
See it to believe itEveryone's feeling the pinch in these depressing financial times. From producers to consumers, ...
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Istanbul Secret Views
Istanbul's steep hills have one fabulous advantage - the city boasts an unrivalled range of roo...
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Top Ten Must-See Attractions (Before the Tourists Come)
Rich Carriero details some out of the way attractions that all self-respecting expats should see before leaving Istanbul.Every year from late spring to early autumn the city belongs to foreigners.  Tourists from Germ...
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Prophets of The Coffee Civilization
Fal has a long and colourful history. Jeff Gibbs investigates. There's an old saying in Turkish: Fal inanma, falsız kalma!  Don't believe in fort...
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The 6th Degree with Hakan Demiray
Ayşe Şahin kicks back with Kickboxing Champ-turned-fitness guru, Hakan DemirayYou’ve won the Turkish Kickboxing Championship twice (in 1998 and 2000), achieved third place ...
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LOVE IN THE TIME OF POVERTY
Empty pockets? Don't despair, just think of the days of yore when nobody had much money and t...
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Turkey’s 10 most romantic getaways
It’s that time of year again. Sevgililer Günü (Lovers Day) is looming and the race...
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8th !f Istanbul AFM International Independent Film Festival
From February 12−22, !f Istanbul, the city’s annual independent and alternative film...
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Sixth Degree
Interview with Hyatt Regency General Manager and artistWho are you? Well, I would regard myself as an industrial nomad, a global citizen, born in Bohemia,...
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Blue Notes in Istanbul
Jeffrey Gibbs dives into the world of türkü, traditional Turkish folk music, and comes out a fan.     "I've travelled this world over. Life, from one deep breath! Oh, I'...
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Snow Daze
Keen to hit the slopes this winter but not sure where to go? Pat Yale straps on her skis and checks out what’s on offer at the resorts around Turkey. For most first-time visitors, Turkey is simply a sun-and-sand destination. Page after page of the ho...
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Voices from da 'hood: Galata
We hop on the bus and get off on the scenery.When the city was smaller, Galata was bigger, bigger in bang and bigger in buck. Its merchants, trad...
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Voices from da 'hood: Tarlabaşı
Tarlabaşı: Home to Poets, Priests and ProstitutesI'll admit I have a love-hate thing with Tarlabaşı. The hate part is: it's a dingy slum ...
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Voices from da 'hood: Talimhane
My Nabe, My Take: TalimhaneIn remaking a life in another country, it is particularly important to remember that what you’...
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Voices from da 'hood: Balat
Why is Balat close to the utopian ideal? Read on.For a minute I thought I had stepped into a photo of pre-war Poland, or maybe Ireland in the 1920s. ...
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Voices from da 'hood: Kuzguncuk
Kuzguncuk is just what your Istanbul fairy godmother ordered.Once upon a time there was an Anatolian village hidden in a valley.  In the village there lived...
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Voices from da 'hood: Kadıköy
Kadıköy--At Home on the Asian Side    Crack open a Lonely Planet or Fodor's and you'll be lucky to find even ...
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The Sixth Degree
Berka Çürüksu Çavuşoğlu, architectTrained in your field at Yıldız Technical University, you’ve been an architect since 2000.&n...
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Amrita Spa & Wellness at Swissotel The Bosphorus
At Amrita Spa & Wellness, they have everything you need to feel relaxed and rejuvenated For those who seek to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and all the str...
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The Fortune Factory
Nicola Prentis seeks her fortune in Nişantaşı with Istanbul’s newest entrepreneurs. Every ex-pat dreams of the mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow that bri...
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Kurban Bayramı
The Holiday of the Sacrifice is becoming more humane. James Halliday investigates Not so long ago, before it was made illegal, a trained butcher would perform the K...
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Festive Venues
Nicola Prentis discovers Istanbul's hidden Christmas celebrations Çirağan Kempinski Çirağan Cad. No: 32, Beşiktaş 0212 259 0373&...
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Pamper yourself: Sensual spas
The Gaia Spa at the Hyatt Regency Istanbul and the Spa at the Ceylan InterContinental are two spas that have taken every detail into consideration. We guarantee you will emerge refreshed and rejuvenated. The Gaia Spa at the Hyatt Regency Istanbul       The Gaia Spa at the Hy...
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Tavla Time
Mike Dunphy explores how one board game conquered Turkey.Mike Dunphy explores how one board game conquered Turkey.... "Our Lord Jesus Christ grants aid and victory to dicers if they write his Name when they roll...
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Sick of the visa run? Get the ikamet
The secret to your sanity: make sure your paperwork is perfect before you get there. Alexandra Ivanoff shares her dos and don'ts for a smooth sail through the bureaucracy. The secret to your sanity: make sure your paperwork is perfect before you get there. Alexandra Ivan...First of all, take a Turkish person with you. Where you will be going to join the confused queues of...
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A future for overnight housing?
It’s the other side of life in Istanbul, the life that is lived in poor, makeshift communities often full of immigrants from elsewhere in Turkey. These are the communities for whom shopping in Akmerkez is beyond a dream. But are things changing in the gecIt’s the other side of life in Istanbul, the life that is lived in poor, makeshift communities oft...You get a different view of the Bosphorus if you look at it from Küçük Armutlu, a s...
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Couch surfing
In a city of approximately 15 million people, have you ever wondered how many couches must be left empty every night? Wouldn’t you love to just crash on one of them and spare yourself the hotel bill? And wouldn’t it be nice to have a local show you the ciIn a city of approximately 15 million people, have you ever wondered how many couches must be left e... Sixteen hours into her first visit to ‹stanbul, Arndis Johnson from Toronto, Canada, is...
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Ho, ho- the hop-on, hop-off bus tour experience
Maybe you're new to town? Maybe you have visitors who want you to show them around? You've probably seen those big red double-deckers lurking in the Hippodrome, but have you ever thought of getting into one? The hop-on, hop-off bus tour has beenMaybe you're new to town? Maybe you have visitors who want you to show them around? You've... It's Saturday morning and I've bagged a front seat on the bus. It's a lovely su...
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The cosmic cycle of smug
A New Age of Gnostic enlightenment and spiritual well-being is upon us. Here’s how get out from under it.A New Age of Gnostic enlightenment and spiritual well-being is upon us. Here’s how get out from un... Religious extremism is on the rise, and Istanbul is no exception. In the last few years we&rsq...
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