University Guide: Istanbul Şehir University
Istanbul Şehir University is a private, non-profit university founded in 2008. In a few short years the university has already made a name for itself...
Levantine Lessons: Discovering Syria in Istanbul
“Light is more important than the lantern,
The poem more important than the notebook”
― Syrian poet, Nizar Qabbani
To the general public, Syria has become...
Tackling Turkish Tinder: 15 First Dates
Everybody’s doing it. Or so I’d been told. Acutely aware of the boundaries imposed by my inherent shyness, clumsiness and geriatric bedtime, I’ve never...
10 podcasts to help you beat the Istanbul commute
If you’re anything like me, or the average Istanbul resident, you probably spend a larger percentage of your life commuting than you’d like to...
The Restless Art of Mohammad Zaza
Mohammad Zaza is an accidental convert to the life of a travelling artist. Born in Saudi Arabia to Syrian parents, Zaza moved to Aleppo in 2005...
Remembering Prince: A Purple Paisley Park in My Heart
'The girl on the seesaw is laughing
For love is the color this place imparts...
Admission is easy, just say you believe
And come to this place...
The Tulip Pilgrimage: 12 Reasons to Visit Emirgan Park ASAP
The spring air has awoken the residents of Istanbul out of the drudgery of rainy winter cold. With great gusto, the masses emerge from...
We’re Jammin: Turkey’s Reggae Scene
The Reggae scene in Turkey has grown exponentially, especially in the last 10 years or so. The last decade has seen an explosion of...
In Memory of Barış Mumyakmaz
It's with great sadness today that we've learned of the passing of long-time friend and contributor Barış Mumyakmaz.
A graduate of Galatasaray University and the...
University Guide: Yıldız Technical University
Yıldız Technical University (Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi) commonly shortened as YTU or Yıldız, is one of the top public technical universities in Turkey. It was...
The Basics of Pairing Drinks with Turkish Street Food
Pairing in Spanish means “maridaje”, which can also be translated as "marriage". So when we pair drinks with food we are metaphorically marrying a food...
Setting of Records: Istanbul’s New Mosque
Three years ago building of a new mosque began on one of the highest hills of the city, where roosters still crow and visitors...
Haydarpaşa Cemetery: A Cemetery with Something to Say
As a long-time lover of cemeteries, I’m often telling people about my trip to this or that burial ground. Most have one question: “why?”...
166 Reasons Not to Leave Istanbul
These last months have not been easy. Our hearts ache for the country that has been a welcoming home away from home for so many of us....
Top 10 Forgotten Historical sites of Istanbul
When I first lived in Istanbul for 6 months in 2013, some of my most memorable days were spent simply wandering the old city...
In Conversation with Cynthia Paulauskas, Founder of Mediterranean Delights Fitness Voyage...
This post is sponsored by MDFV.
When you think of a blue cruise, fitness is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. But...
A Moment for Istanbul
This weekend has seen the country suffer yet another senseless terror attack, leaving 5 dead and 39 injured in the heart of our beautiful,...
Take 5: Cihangir (A Morning on Başkurt Sokak)
Istanbul arguably doesn’t really have one central district, like a downtown or a city center. It is a city of many centers, each with...
Take 5: Karaköy (Shopping Edition)
Karaköy is a unique neighborhood with a mishmash of art, culture and food all packed into a zigzag of tiny streets and alleys. Although...
Broke and Lost in Istanbul
“Habitash! Habitash!”
The unfamiliar deckhand appeared as a silhouette, repeatedly emphasizing this made-up word as though I would finally understand what it meant the sixth...
City Highlights: Sancaklar Cami
A friend of mine from the Czech Republic once told me her feelings while she visited Istanbul one year ago. She said that it...
That Pink Elephant Mystique: A Celebration of International Women’s Day, in...
“Silence is the worst. Whenever a thick cloud of silence descends, the yapping voices inside me become all the more audible, rising to the...
Take 5: Çengelköy
Coming around a bend on the Anatolian side between the two bridges is the aptly named Çengelköy. The neighborhood, whose name means hook village in Turkish, is...
Weekend Getaway: Muğla
Looking to experience a city with a mellow vibe? Head to southwest Turkey, away from the crowds, to the picturesque city of Muğla, located...