Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: Vintage Turkish Taxis]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/15/video-vintage-turkish-taxis/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/15/video-vintage-turkish-taxis/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/15/video-vintage-turkish-taxis/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Millions of people get around Istanbul each day via dolmuş, a shared taxi. Similar to the colectivo of Latin America or the dollar vans of New York City, a dolmuş is generally a mini-bus or van that follows a fixed route for a fixed price. At the beginning of the route, the bus waits until it is full of passengers (dolmuş means stuffed in Turkish) before departing. You hand your money (theoretically a share of a private taxi's rate, but usually 2-3 TL) up to the driver, and hop out whenever you get to your destination; there are rarely official bus stops.

The video above may look like it's from the 1950s, but it's actually from 1986. As recently as a few decades ago, the dolmuş vehicle of choice wasn't the large yellow van you see today, but classic American cars from the mid-century and pre-war. Some of the vintage cars were customized with a third bench to stuff in more passengers!

Thanks to Turcopedia for the links and info.

VIDEO: Vintage Turkish Taxis originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carcarsclassic carsClassicCarscolectivodollar vanDollarVandolmusistanbulpublic transportationPublicTransportationtaxiturkeyvehiclevideovintageTue, 15 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video Of The Day: Time Brushing Istanbul]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/03/video-of-the-day-time-brushing-istanbul/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/03/video-of-the-day-time-brushing-istanbul/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/03/video-of-the-day-time-brushing-istanbul/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Recently a Turkish friend asked my daughter Vera's middle name. It's Alcazar, my grandmother's maiden name from Trinidad, and more commonly known as a Moorish Spanish word for fortified palace. I was surprised to hear the response, "Oh, like the cinema?" It turns out there is an Alkazar movie theater just a few miles away from us on Istanbul's busy Istiklal Caddesi. Opened in the 1920s with various incarnations as a popular, adult, and art house movie theater, the Alkazar closed two years ago just before I moved here, but the facade remains. The above video by Vimeo user mustafa emre uses a "time brush" technique to show the historic building in its heyday and more recently. It's a fun way to show how the past is just below the surface.

Seen any historic travel videos or photos? Share them with us by leaving a comment below or adding to the Gadling Flickr pool for another Video of the Day.

Video Of The Day: Time Brushing Istanbul originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 03 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alcazarcinemahistoricistanbulmovie theaterMovieTheaterphoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDayvideo of the dayVideoOfTheDayThu, 03 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo Of The Day: Turkish Tulips]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/19/photo-of-the-day-turkish-tulips/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/19/photo-of-the-day-turkish-tulips/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/19/photo-of-the-day-turkish-tulips/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Photo Of The Day - Turkish tulips

April showers bring May flowers, as the saying goes. We're getting plenty of rain this month in Turkey, but we've had flowers. April is the big month for tulips in Istanbul, and you can see them planted all over town as 11.5 million were planted for this year's season. I took today's photo at Emirgan Park, one of the prime viewing spots of the Istanbul Tulip Festival. There are over 100 varieties planted in Emirgan Park alone, many in interesting patterns like the nazar evil eye, a major symbol of Turkish superstition.

You probably associate tulips with Holland, but it was Ottoman Turks who first cultivated them and introduced them to the Dutch in the 17th century. Today, Turkey is trying to reclaim the flower, growing millions of tulips with a goal of becoming an exporter again by 2014. Along with fresh flowers, you can see the influence of the tulip in the shape of the Turkish tea glasses, and as legend has it, the shape of the sultan's turbans.

Have a springtime photo to share with us? Add it to the Gadling Flickr pool for our next Photo of the Day.

Photo Of The Day: Turkish Tulips originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aprilevil eyeEvilEyefestivalflowershollandistanbulistanbul tulip festivalIstanbulTulipFestivalnazarnetherlandsspringsuperstitionstuliptulipsturkeyThu, 19 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Holistic Healing Practices From Around The World]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/15/holistic-healing-practices-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/15/holistic-healing-practices-from-around-the-world/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/15/holistic-healing-practices-from-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

licorice rootNowadays, it seems like there's a pill or shot to cure every illness. But do we really know how safe these unnatural remedies are? Throughout my travels and by talking with locals from other cultures, I've learned there are many natural treatments that are also effective in promoting good health. For those who've ever wondered about the holistic secrets of other cultures, here are some answers.

Turkey

In Turkey, the trick to staying healthy is mesir paste. The concoction was invented in Manisa during the Ottoman Empire, when the wife of Sultan Yavuz Sultan Selim and mother of Suleyman the Magnificent became very ill. No doctor was able to find a cure, until one created a unique spice blend that seemed to bring the woman back to life. The mixture is a blend of 41 different spices that form a thick paste, and is used as a general cure-all and tonic. Some of the paste's ingredients include black pepper, cinnamon, licorice root (shown above), coconut and orange peel. The country is so proud of their natural remedy, they celebrate a Mesir Festival in Manisa each year.

Continue reading Holistic Healing Practices From Around The World

Holistic Healing Practices From Around The World originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budget travelBudgetTravelculturedrinkecotourismfoodhealthholisticholistic remediiesHolisticRemediiesnatural remediesNaturalRemediesnaturewellnessSun, 15 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fact vs. Fiction: The Bazaars of Istanbul, Turkey]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/fact-vs-fiction-the-bazaars-of-istanbul-turkey/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/fact-vs-fiction-the-bazaars-of-istanbul-turkey/http://www.gadling.com/2012/04/10/fact-vs-fiction-the-bazaars-of-istanbul-turkey/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Shopping in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul will overload your senses. Colors, shapes, smells and sounds approach you from every direction in what can only be described as immersion in consumption. The bad news, however, is that the touts are waiting for you. Cast a wayward glance at any nice rug and someone will chase you down the hall trying to strike a deal. The result is an experience that's slightly colored by trying to manage respectful bartering and curious shopping at the same time.


Next: The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy>>



[flickr images via governmentality and blackpower2010]

Fact vs. Fiction: The Bazaars of Istanbul, Turkey originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fact vs fictionFactVsFictiongrand bazaarGrandBazaaristanbulrugshoppingTue, 10 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[15 palace hotels that will make you feel like royalty]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/10/15-palace-hotels-that-will-make-you-feel-like-royalty/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/10/15-palace-hotels-that-will-make-you-feel-like-royalty/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/10/15-palace-hotels-that-will-make-you-feel-like-royalty/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

crown Have you ever wondered what it's like to live like a king or queen? While you may not have been born into royalty, you can still live lavishly, if only for a weekend.

While five-star hotels can offer plush bedding, spacious penthouse suites, and high-class amenities, it's nothing compared to the luxurious living offered at these palace properties. Genuine artifacts from centuries ago adorn the halls, acres of lush gardens, furniture made of gold - no expense is spared at a palace hotel. Not only that, but you'll be sleeping in the same space as kings, queens, and society's most elite members once did, long ago.

Sound like fun? Before you start planning your next royal getaway, check out the gallery below.

[flickr image via CSvBibra]

Gallery: Palace Hotels From Around the World

Umaid Bhawan PalaceTaj Lake PalaceRambagh PalaceTaj Mahal PalaceCiragan Palace

Continue reading 15 palace hotels that will make you feel like royalty

15 palace hotels that will make you feel like royalty originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5-star hotels5-starHotelsaccommodationscelebritiesgalleriesluxury travelLuxuryTravelpalace hotelsPalaceHotelsphotosroyaltytaj mahalTajMahalunique hotelsUniqueHotelsSat, 10 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Truck in Cappadocia]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/09/photo-of-the-day-truck-in-cappadocia/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/09/photo-of-the-day-truck-in-cappadocia/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/09/photo-of-the-day-truck-in-cappadocia/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

truck in cappadocia

Today's Photo of the Day is of a truck in Cappadocia, Turkey. Random, even by my personal standards of Photo of the Day image selection. I like the view it offers of the state of Turkey's ephemeral infrastructure as well as the harsh winter of 2011-12. I also have questions: Is this truck abandoned? Is it able to move at all?

All we really know is that our mystery truck was snapped last week by Flickr user billfromesm.

Do you have a photo of a worse-for-wear truck, bus, airplane, or bicycle lying around? You probably do. Dig it out and upload it to the Gadling Group Pool on Flickr. We choose our favorites from the pool to be Photos of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Truck in Cappadocia originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cappadociaphoto of the dayPhotoOfTheDaytruck in cappadociaTruckInCappadociaturkeyFri, 09 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Eight Underground Cities]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/eight-underground-cities/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/eight-underground-cities/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/02/eight-underground-cities/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

As a rule, people generally prefer to live above ground. Whether it's claustrophobia, prohibitive construction costs, or just enjoyment of the sun, people have generally stuck with above-ground structures across the globe. In instances where above-ground cities have subterranean components, they are often public transit systems, municipal works, or just plain old sewers.
Yet every once in a while, some far-fetched city planner or wealthy tycoon will decide that the cheapest real estate is just one floor down. This gallery collects some of the most eye-popping examples of underground zoning - whether it's ancient catacombs repurposed for modern use, a billionaire's dream, or just an organic growth of cities with imposing population density, these underground creations make the Morlocks look downright shabby.

Petra

Continue reading Eight Underground Cities

Eight Underground Cities originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citiescityundergroundunderground citiesUndergroundCitiesFri, 02 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Navigating the unique street food of Turkey]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/01/navigating-the-unique-street-food-of-turkey/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/01/navigating-the-unique-street-food-of-turkey/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/01/navigating-the-unique-street-food-of-turkey/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

kebapOne of the best ways to get to know a country and a culture is through its food. While restaurants often serve delicious local and international meals in a pleasing ambiance, the best way to taste authentic regional and budget-friendly cuisine is by sampling the street food. One great destination that can give your palate an adventure is Turkey.

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is the only metropolis in the world that resides on two continents, in this case, Europe and Asia. Because of Turkey's unique location, the cuisine is influenced by various cultures including: Western Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Although the food differs from city to city, there are still certain street food staples that you are likely to find all over the country.

To learn more about the unique street food of Turkey, check out the gallery below.

[flickr image via nayrb7]

Gallery: Turkish Street Food

GozlemeKokorec (being cooked)Kokorec (on a baguette)DurumDonor meat being rotated and grilled on a skewer

Navigating the unique street food of Turkey originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budget travelBudgetTraveldonerdurumeuropefoodkebabkebapstreet foodStreetFoodturkeyThu, 01 Mar 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A journey through Turkey in high definition]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/28/a-journey-through-turkey-in-high-definition/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/28/a-journey-through-turkey-in-high-definition/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/28/a-journey-through-turkey-in-high-definition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



In this video, titled "Going to Cappadocia" by Kyoto Studio, a filmmaking couple from Krakow, Poland, documented their journey through Turkey as they visited Ölüdeniz, Marmaris, Dilek National Park, Kusadasi, Cesme, Izmir, Efez, Cappadocia, and Istanbul. The video explores an array of Turkey's features, including ancient ruins, wildlife, landscape, shopping, transportation, street food, and people going about their everyday life, giving you a broad look into the culture of the country. You'll also get an aerial view of Cappadocia's unworldly yet beautiful landscape from a hot-air balloon ride. To create the video, the couple used a Canon 5D Mark II as well as various lenses and editing software. The music is "Limbe" by S-tone Inc.

A journey through Turkey in high definition originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalscappadociaculturefoodhigh definition videoHighDefinitionVideolandscapeturkeyvideoTue, 28 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Turkey's unique national pastime: oil wrestling]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/25/turkeys-unique-national-pastime-oil-wrestling/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/25/turkeys-unique-national-pastime-oil-wrestling/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/25/turkeys-unique-national-pastime-oil-wrestling/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


While America has baseball, New Zealand has rugby, and Australia has cricket, Turkey has a national pastime that some may find a bit odd-- oil wrestling. Also known as "grease wrestling," the sport involves men clad in black leather pants carrying wicker bags that contain bottles of olive oil, which they must pour over every inch of their flesh. Because it's so difficult for a participant to get a good grip on their opponent, a common strategy is "hands down pants," which literally entails fully sticking your hands down another man's pants. There are five levels of advancement in the sport and children as young as seven begin training to make it to the top.

Since 1362, the city of Edirne in Turkish Thrace has been celebrating oil wrestling by hosting an annual Kirkpinar tournament. The event is the oldest, continuously running, sanctioned, sporting competition in the world, and people from all over travel to watch Pehlivan (wrestlers) compete for the winning gold belt and the title of "Chief Pehlivan." Sorry ladies, the sport is for men only. But, don't think that just any guy off the street can enter the contest, as Pehlivans are held in high esteem and are considered role models with honest, humble, moral, and respectful personalities. These men are also expected to adhere to local traditions and are trained as an apprentice by a master of the sport. This year, the event will take place July 2-8, 2012.

For a better idea of this unique pastime, check out the short documentary above.

Turkey's unique national pastime: oil wrestling originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europefestivalsoddoil wrestlingOilWrestlingsportsturkeyturkish oil wrestlingTurkishOilWrestlinguniquevideoweirdSat, 25 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turkey gets ready to celebrate its annual Mesir Festival]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/24/turkey-gets-ready-to-celebrate-its-annual-mesir-festival/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/24/turkey-gets-ready-to-celebrate-its-annual-mesir-festival/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/24/turkey-gets-ready-to-celebrate-its-annual-mesir-festival/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Mesir Festival Every spring for the past 500 years, Turkey has been celebrating the traditional Mesir Festival in the city of Manisa. Not only does the event encompass parades, concerts, and exhibits, but also the throwing of spices.

Mesir, also known as "power gum," is a blend of 41 different spices made into a thick paste. The story of its origin is that the wife of the Ottoman Sultan Yavuz Sultan Selim and the mother of Süleyman the Magnificient, Hafsa Sultan, became very sick while she was in Manisa. Since there were no known treatments at the time, a concoction of herbs and spices was created, and actually ended up curing the ill woman. After that, mesir became a popular remedy for sick patients.

So how was the Mesir Festival born? Once demand for the cure grew, the mixture was wrapped in paper and thrown from the Sultan Mosque once each year. Now, thousands of people who attend the festival can stand at the bottom of the mosque and catch their own healing mesir paste. Other festival highlights to look forward to include skeet shooting matches, a canine beauty competition, a traditional mesir paste mixing ceremony, live music in the park, a Ukrainian art exhibit, and much more.

The Mesir Festival will take place this year on March 21-25, 2012. If you'd like to practice some traditional Mesir Festival singing to get you in the mood for the celebration, click here to listen to the official Mesir Festival song. For information on the celebration in general, click here.

Turkey gets ready to celebrate its annual Mesir Festival originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cultureeventsfestivalsfoodspicestraditionsturkeyunique festivalsUniqueFestivalsFri, 24 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Discovering the wonders of Turkey through photos]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/19/discovering-the-wonders-of-turkey-through-photos/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/19/discovering-the-wonders-of-turkey-through-photos/http://www.gadling.com/2012/02/19/discovering-the-wonders-of-turkey-through-photos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

turkey Turkey is a historical country filled with culture, beauty, and natural wonders. In fact, there are many interesting facts that many people may not know that help add to the enchantment and splendor of the country, like the fact that the world's oldest known human settlement can be found in Turkey, two of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World were located in Turkey, and the seven churches cited in the Book of Revelation all resided in Turkey. With such a unique past, it's not surprising that the country holds so many spectacular and amazing sites. Wander inside the Blue Mosque, an enormous complex that was built from 1609-1616, trek through the unworldly Cappadocia region, or check out the ruins in Ephesus, where the Temple of Artemis stands, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

To explore the wonders of Turkey for yourself through photos, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Wonders of Turkey

The Blue Mosque, IstanbulGalata Tower, IstanbulHagia Sofia, IstanbulHagia Sofia, IstanbulTopkapi Palace, Istanbul

Discovering the wonders of Turkey through photos originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancient ruinsAncientRuinsartart and cultureArtAndCultureblue mosqueBlueMosquecappadociacultureephesushagia sofiaHagiaSofiahistoryphotosroman ruinsRomanRuinstravel photosTravelPhotosturkeywonders of turkeyWondersOfTurkeySun, 19 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More Istanbul shopping and dining secrets from Daily Secret]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/14/more-istanbul-shopping-and-dining-secrets-from-daily-secret/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/14/more-istanbul-shopping-and-dining-secrets-from-daily-secret/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/14/more-istanbul-shopping-and-dining-secrets-from-daily-secret/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Istanbul secretsLast week, Gadling included Istanbul in our picks for 2012 luxury travel, and introduced you to Daily Secret, a web-based "guide service" offering insider intel to 12 cities, including Istanbul. We got so many more great Istanbul secrets from editor Laura Wells (many with special discounts and exclusive access), we're posting them for Gadling readers to add to their itineraries. Happy shopping (and tasting)!

Local designer fashion: To buy designer clothing for men & women from multiple up-and-coming Turkish designers, this is a really cool, brand-new co-op: Fashion Tunnel in Galata

Turkish wine: Turkey has amazing wine, but it's difficult to export as it's heavily taxed. To try the best Turkish wines (even local sour cherry wine wine, which is delicious) and get ideas for what to buy at duty free, check out Rouge in Taksim. They have free tasting every Saturday, but you can try anything by the glass in the restaurant above, which also serves amazing rare Turkish cheeses and cure meats.

Waterside dining: For a gourmet, organic meal that few know about with a view of the Bosphorus, head to Fark-et-mez in Sariyer. The chef & sous-chef are both Turkish, and Daily Secret members get 15% off their meal. They also have live jazz on certain nights.

Continue reading More Istanbul shopping and dining secrets from Daily Secret

More Istanbul shopping and dining secrets from Daily Secret originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bookscarpetsclothingdaily secretsDailySecretsdesigndiningfoodhome designHomeDesigninterior designInteriorDesignIstanbulIstanbul secretsIstanbulSecretsrare booksRareBooksrugssecretsshoppingwineSat, 14 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Daily Secret offers insider intel for Istanbul, Athens, Shanghai and more]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/07/daily-secret-offers-insider-intel-for-istanbul-athens-shanghai/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/07/daily-secret-offers-insider-intel-for-istanbul-athens-shanghai/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/07/daily-secret-offers-insider-intel-for-istanbul-athens-shanghai/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

insider intelLast month, I went to a designer-clothing pop-up sale in the back of a restaurant, scored an invite to an exclusive party with Champagne and gourmet truffles, and got the manager's private phone number of a hot new nightlife spot. I'm not famous or especially well-connected, I'm just a subscriber to DailySecret.com. Daily Secret is website and email newsletter that delivers insider intel for twelve cities from Buenos Aires to San Francisco, plus English-language editions for Athens, Istanbul, and Shanghai. Founded in Athens in 2010, Daily Secret spread to Istanbul last March, with over 200 secrets and counting.

The Istanbul secrets are compiled and curated by a team of 15 "scouts," ranging from a fashion blogger, to a food critic, to a non-profit specialist in new companies who often hears about new ventures before they open. You can register with the site to receive the daily secrets, or search online by category, neighborhood, or date posted. Not all secrets are fancy or expensive, but they tend to be sophisticated and high-end. Daily Secret likes to be the first to write about a new service or business, or provide an added value for readers: an exclusive discount or giveaway, the unlisted phone number, or a spot on the guest list of an event.

Continue reading Daily Secret offers insider intel for Istanbul, Athens, Shanghai and more

Daily Secret offers insider intel for Istanbul, Athens, Shanghai and more originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappartAthensbarblogbuenos airesBuenosAirescooldesigndesigneremailenglishEntertainmentexclusivefacebookGalata Towergreecehigh-endhipinsiderinsider intelInsiderInteliphoneluxurynightclubnightlifepartyrestaurantSan FranciscosecretshanghaishoppingsophisticatedsouvenirsTurkeyvancouverwebsiteSat, 07 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Smoked Turkish cheese]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/05/photo-of-the-day-smoked-turkish-cheese/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/05/photo-of-the-day-smoked-turkish-cheese/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/05/photo-of-the-day-smoked-turkish-cheese/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

photo of the day
It used to be a common expression to say that someone "smoked like a Turk," and I can confirm after living in Istanbul for nearly two years, Turks still love their smoking. Even after the indoor smoking ban of 2009, cigarettes and nargile (water pipes) are very common here. This portrait by Flickr user MichaelAV captures two of the Turks' other loves: çay (see the tiny tea glass on the left) and cheese. So beloved is Turkish cheese that I've heard of Turks packing their suitcases full of it when traveling abroad. Be sure to try some with your Turkish breakfast or along with a glass of rakı at cocktail hour if you visit Turkey.

Take any portraits of locals with their favorite things? Add them to the Gadling Flickr pool and you may see it as a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day: Smoked Turkish cheese originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakfastcaycheesecigarettescocktailfavoriteshookahistanbulnargilephoto of the dayphotographyPhotoOfTheDayphotosrakismokingsmoking banSmokingBanteaturkeyturkishturksThu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Luxury Vacation Guide 2012: Istanbul]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/04/luxury-vacation-guide-2012-istanbul/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/04/luxury-vacation-guide-2012-istanbul/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/04/luxury-vacation-guide-2012-istanbul/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Travel like a modern sultan with design-conscious hotels, bespoke shopping, and high-end dining at the crossroads of two continents: Istanbul, Turkey.

In 2010, Istanbul made headlines in every travel magazine and newspaper as it was home to one of the European Capitals of Culture. The influx of cash and visitors meant dozens of new hotels, art galleries, museums, and world-class restaurants. As many European countries' economies have seen trouble in the last year, the Turkish Tiger is booming. Visitors today can relive the glory days of travel in the restored Pera Palace Hotel, built for the Orient Express passengers, or luxuriate in modern style with a water view at the House Hotel Bosphorus. Marvel at the jewel-encrusted treasures at Topkapı Palace and pick up something for your own royal residence at Paşabahçe, where home goods run from a few lira for a çay glass to thousands for a mosaic-tiled Ottoman-inspired vase; or invest in artisanal, limited-edition jewelry and textiles at Armaggan. Sample Turkish classics with a modern twist at Lokanta Maya for shared mezes or at the Michelin-standard Mimolett restaurant and wine boutique. If you haven't put on too much weight from all the fantastic food, you can commission a bespoke suit, leather jacket, or customized pair of shoes at the Grand Bazaar or on the back streets of Nişantaşı, Istanbul's fashion district. While no longer a budget travel destination, Istanbul has something to offer every taste, from an elaborate dinner aboard a private yacht to the simple (and cheap) pleasure of a ferry ride between continents.


[flickr image via Witt Istanbul Suites]

Luxury Vacation Guide 2012: Istanbul originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bespokebosphorusbosporuscapital of cultureCapitalOfCulturecontinentscustomeuropegrand bazaarGrandBazaaristanbulluxe travelLuxeTravelluxury travelluxury travel guideluxury vacationLuxuryGuide2012LuxuryTravelLuxuryTravelGuideLuxuryVacationnisantasiottomanshoppingsultanturkeywineWed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ten big travel adventures for 2012]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/03/ten-big-travel-adventures-for-2012/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/03/ten-big-travel-adventures-for-2012/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/03/ten-big-travel-adventures-for-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ten big travel adventures for 2012A new year always brings new possibilities, particularly in the realm of travel. With 2012 now officially underway, it is time to start plotting our adventures for the year ahead. This year, rather than share yet another top ten list of adventure travel destinations, we thought it would be fun to recommend some highly specific adventures instead. These are unique journeys that will take you to the very ends of the Earth and deliver a travel experience that simply can't be easily found elsewhere.

Visit Yellowstone in Winter
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most breathtakingly scenic destinations in all of North America, and well worth a visit any time of the year. But in the heart of winter, it takes on a whole new level of beauty and wonder. With fewer than 100,000 visitors during the colder months, the park offers plenty of solitude as well, making it the perfect winter wonderland for those looking for a true wilderness adventure in the snow. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and wildlife spotting are amongst the best activities, and Austin Lehman Adventures offers fantastic itineraries that provide all of that and much more.

Explore Botswana's Okavango Delta By Canoe
Botswana is home to the Okavango Delta, which is formed when waters from the Okavango River empty into the flat-lands near the base of the Kalahari Desert. The result is a fertile piece of swampland that attracts all manner of African wildlife, including elephants, zebras, giraffes, lions, and much more. The best way to explore that expanse of wetlands is in a traditional dugout canoe, which puts you in very close proximity with those amazing animals. National Geographic Expeditions has a unique itinerary that allows travelers to do just that, while learning to track game with the famed Kalahari Bushmen and wander the Makgadikgadi salt flats on horseback. This is truly an amazing, once in a lifetime, journey to the very heart of Africa.

Cycle The Silk Road
Stretching across Europe and Asia, the Silk Road was once one of the most important trading routes in the entire world. Today it serves as the dramatic and historic backdrop for one of the longest, and most epic, annual cycling trips that any adventure traveler could ever ask for. The Silk Route Tour, which is designed by the team behind the amazing Tour d'Afrique, stretches from Shanghai to Istanbul, covering a distance of more than 7450 miles and requiring 129 days to complete. This year's route takes riders into Iran for the first time and will test their legs on Tajikistan's Pamir Highway, which rises above 15,000 feet. Don't have time to commit to the full tour? Then ride any combination of the individual legs instead.

Continue reading Ten big travel adventures for 2012

Ten big travel adventures for 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure-travelAdventureTraveldivingmountaineeringpumoriTravel adventuresTravelAdventurestrekkingwakhan corridorWakhanCorridorTue, 03 Jan 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Send a holiday greeting from above the clouds]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/30/send-a-holiday-greeting-from-above-the-clouds/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/30/send-a-holiday-greeting-from-above-the-clouds/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/30/send-a-holiday-greeting-from-above-the-clouds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

holiday greeting

Procrastinated on sending Christmas cards this year? It's not too late to send a holiday greeting to say "Happy New Year" (or Mutlu Yillar in Turkish) with a travel theme. Turkish Airlines has a fun website for generating a virtual holiday greeting with a view of the wing. On Above the Clouds, you can choose a cloud image like a snowflake, Christmas tree, or angel and add a brief message (limited to 40 characters), accompanied by a jaunty version of Turkish Airlines' theme song, and it will generate an e-card from your window seat.

Make your own greeting at www.newyearclouds.com and Happy New Year!

Send a holiday greeting from above the clouds originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmaschristmas cardsChristmasCardsecardhappy new yearHappyNewYearholidayholiday greetingholiday greetingsHolidayGreetingHolidayGreetingsnew yearNewYeartheme songThemeSongturkishturkish airlinesTurkishAirlinesvirtualwindow seatWindowSeatFri, 30 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Georgia border crossing provides a whimsical welcome]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/26/new-georgia-border-crossing-provides-a-whimsical-welcome/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/26/new-georgia-border-crossing-provides-a-whimsical-welcome/http://www.gadling.com/2011/12/26/new-georgia-border-crossing-provides-a-whimsical-welcome/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

new georgia border crossingCustoms checkpoints tend to be dreary, depressing places.

A rare exception is the new Georgia border crossing with Turkey, located right at the crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. There, German architect Jürgen Mayer H. recently unveiled a modern, state-of-the-art border crossing that rises from the shores of the Black Sea in a white, whimsical squiggle. How's that for a friendly welcome? The building houses standard customs facilities, a terrace viewing platform, a cafeteria, staff rooms, and a conference room. According to J. Mayer H., the project represents "the progressive upsurge of the country."

Georgia, a former Soviet state, has only recently started to attract tourists drawn by the charming capital city of Tblisi, the ancient religious sites of Mtskheta, and the fresh, delicious cuisine. Hopefully off-beat architecture and design like that of the new Georgia border crossing continues to develop along with the country's infrastructure.

[via Fast Co.Design, image via Jürgen Mayer H.]

New Georgia border crossing provides a whimsical welcome originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architectureartborderscustomsdesignfast co.designFastCo.designgeorgiajurgen mayer h.JurgenMayerH.mtskhetanew georgia border crossingNewGeorgiaBorderCrossingtblisiturkeyMon, 26 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST