Five Essential Turkish Films

Contemporary Turkish cinema often oscillates between bland, commercial movies (that range from broad comedies to over-sugared romances) and magnificent under-performing films that demonstrate the concerns...

Kurban Bayramı: A Guide to “Sacrifice Feast” in Istanbul

If you are a fellow yabangee and have been noticing pictures of cattle hanging around in the streets lately, don’t worry. You haven’t stumbled...

Smoke on the Water: Istanbul’s Vapurs

With its long and colourful history, its unique geographical position, its collection of characters, cultures, and creeds, Istanbul has no shortage of laudable attributes....

Just for Fun: Seven “Worst” Turkish Foods

Wow, I know, that was a controversial title wasn't it? Now that I've got your attention, can I just say that obviously this is...

How to Fit Istanbul in One Book: Reşat Ekrem Koçu’s Istanbul...

Do you recall the days when uncle Google was not only a click away? The days when most knowledge was hidden in those big,...

Istanbul Healthy Eating Tips on a Budget

It's been a long day in Istanbul, and here you are, going back from work, school, or an anime world portal. In addition, you're...

Istanbul’s Short-Term Bicycle Rental System: İSBIKE

İSBIKE System Istanbul is one of several international cities offering increasingly diversified alternative transportation options, including its own short-term bike rental program. The İSBIKE system...

TIYYD: Building a Better Tomorrow for Refugees

What’s left behind becomes a faded memory, one that will be carried long distances no matter how tough it gets. Life becomes what’s packed...

(Past Event) Hofesh Shechter Company: Double Murder @ Zorlu PSM

The 27th Istanbul Theatre Festival organized by IKSV proudly announces an electrifying addition to its program: "Double Murder" by the acclaimed Hofesh Shechter Company....

29 Quirky Things about My New Home, Turkey

Editor's Note: For those of us who have been in Istanbul for some time and have grown accustomed to the Turkish way of life, it's easy...

Who Runs this City? – Daily Istanbul Running Activities

Who rules Istanbul? If you have been here for longer than a day, you already know the answer is obvious: CATS. They are everywhere...

Cheap Thrills in Rumeli Hisarı and Bebek

Boğaziçi University -- It has to have one of the most beautiful campuses in Turkey. With its American-style campus buildings, many of which are constructed out...

Three Significant Barriers in Expat-Local Romantic Relationships

Being an expat is difficult. You start a new life somewhere you probably have very limited knowledge about. All your old habits and automatized...

Learning Turkish: 10 Idioms That Are Sure to Impress

After several years of learning Turkish, I can still find myself stumped in the midst of fast-paced conversations. This confusion occurs especially when an idiom...

40 Ways to Make the Most of 2015 in Istanbul

The expat life is a transient one, and for many of us, Turkey isn’t exactly a permanent stop. But for those of you with...

The Art of Belly Dancing with Hale Çakır in Istanbul

I often think of Istanbul as a woman – charming, sexy, moving to a certain flow or rhythm. Sometimes, I think that rhythm is...

Insider Trading: Journey

Being English, one of the foods I miss most from home is a good scone. A good scone, baked to perfection, served with butter, jam...

A Trip through Tarabya

Located in the quiet northern suburb of Sarıyer, Tarabya is home to the modern, chic amenities of downtown life as well as the natural...

Miniatürk – Educational and Fun!

Miniatürk, situated on the North-Eastern shore of the Golden Horn, in a nutshell, is a display of the main monuments of Istanbul and Turkey...

Ani: A Timeless Beauty on the Edge of Turkey

I remember walking down the large avenues and neatly perpendicular streets of Washington, D.C. not too long ago, longing for old buildings and crooked...

Istanblues Be Gone! A Rainy Day Guide

Unpredictable Spring showers can put a real dampener (pun intended) on one's social calendar. But even if you have exhausted the city’s museums and...

The Season of the Witch: Spooky Istanbul Explorations and the Hunt...

As the weather has instantly morphed into Fall (literally overnight I have gone from sweating due to the obscene muggy temperature, to sweating due...

Colors of Turkey: Kırmızı

As a color, red is associated with a wealth of feelings - both positive and negative - from love, passion, courage, and determination to...

Tips for Living Eco-Friendly in Istanbul

Moving from Poland to Turkey was definitely a big cultural shock for me – people, living conditions, working etiquette, and even foods were (and...