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Celebrate Youth and Sports Day in Istanbul
鈥婽his May 19th, Turkey’s largest city Istanbul is gearing up for the annual Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day. The national holiday celebrates the start of the Turkish War of Independence in 1919. Sports events, parades, and cultural festivities guarantee a lively day. On May 19, 1919, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern […]
T眉rkiye’s Iconic Meat Dish Earns Continental Recognition 聽
In a move celebrating Turkiye’s rich culinary heritage, the European Union has officially announced its intent to register the iconic doner kebab as a “traditional food” from the country. This delicious dish of seasoned, spit-roasted meat has been a staple of Turkish cuisine since the 1800s when it spread from Istanbul across the Ottoman Empire. […]
Istanbul Kicks into High Gear for International Kickboxing World Cup
Excitement is building in the historic city of Istanbul as it prepares to host the 2024 WAKO Kickboxing World Cup. From May 15th to 19th, the Tuyap Fair and Congress Center will transform into a kickboxing battlefield. The best fighters from every corner of the globe are descending on Turkey’s iconic capital. The World Cup […]
Not All Meatballs Are Round In Istanbul! A Culinary Surprise Awaits
For tourists visiting the vibrant city of Istanbul, one dish is sure to grab their attention – the humble yet delicious meatball. However, these are no ordinary meatballs. In Istanbul’s culinary scene, meatballs come in a variety of shapes, challenging the traditional spherical form we are accustomed to. The Oval-Shaped Meatball Sensation Sweeping across Istanbul’s […]
Istanbul’s Iconic Kariye Mosque Reopens as a Mosque for Worship After many Decades
In a move steeped in centuries of religious history, Istanbul’s legendary Kariye Mosque reopened its doors for Muslim worship on May 6, 2024 after nearly eight decades as a museum. The historic house of prayer, originally built as a Byzantine church in the 6th century, was reconverted into a mosque by a 2020 presidential decree. […]
Navigating Istanbul’s Traffic Jam: Survival Tips for Travelers
Something bad is happening on the streets of Istanbul right now. There are too many cars! And not enough roads for them all. This makes a huge traffic jam. The traffic is so bad because there are too many people living in Istanbul now. But the roads are still the same small size as before. […]
Thousands Pedal Across Turkiye聽 to Promote Healthy Lifestyles聽
Istanbul, May 6th, 2024 – In a remarkable display of national unity, cycling enthusiasts from all corners of Turkiye took to the streets this weekend for the 11th annual Yesilay (Green Crescent) Bicycle Tour. The cross-country event, held simultaneously in in over 80 provinces. The aim was to raise awareness about addiction and promote healthy […]
Discovering Istanbul is Easier with Istanbulkart
Istanbul is an open-air museum with rich history, culture, and breathtaking architecture that you need to go around to see it all. For visitors, it can be daunting to navigate this vast urban landscape. This is where the Istanbulkart comes in as the ultimate travel companion for exploring the city’s known famous and less known gems. […]
Beyaz谋t Tower: Istanbul’s Hidden Sentinel
For centuries, the 85-meter tall tower has stood sentinel over Istanbul. Iniatialy it was a fire lookout during the Ottoman era. Sadly, public access to the tower has been restricted for safety reasons. Many years ago, it used a special lighting system to share weather forecasts with the people of Istanbul. Imagine a crystal ball […]
Love, Tragedy and History: Istanbul’s Maiden’s Tower a Legendary Landmark on the Bosphorus聽
After two years of extensive renovations, one of Istanbul’s most iconic and mysterious landmarks has been restored to its former glory. The Maiden’s Tower, a scenic stone tower sitting on a tiny islet at the entrance to the Bosphorus strait, officially reopened to the public on May 11th in a grand celebration. For centuries, this […]
Young Voices United for a Spectacular Show 聽聽
As a follow-up to my article on the pre-children day preparations, Istanbul came alive with the sound of children’s voices this weekend for a very special musical celebration. On Sunday, April 23rd, the city’s most talented young singers took to the stage at the Grand Istanbul Concert Hall for the annual Children’s Day Concert. A […]
Istanbul Revs Up for F1 Return in 2026
Formula 1 is roaring back to Istanbul. After an 11-year absence (with a stuttering attempt to revive in between), the glitzy motor race will return to the historic Turkish city in 2026. Officials confirmed the thrilling news this week. Preparations are already underway for Istanbul’s grand F1 homecoming in 2026. A tender process for the […]