Last week, I decided to go and watch a ceremony of the whirling dervishes at the Hodjapasha Cultural Center. There are some places where you go and you feel you will be happy there. Hodjapasha is one of them, and here's why.Finding the dance theater is very easy. All you need to do is go to the heart of Istanbul: Eminönü. You can do it by taking a tram, bus or a ferry … [Read more...]
Top 15 Things to Do in Istanbul
Here are my top 15 things to do in Istanbul, in no particular order. I chose these not because they are popular, but because I think they are worth seeing or experiencing. Therefore, for instance, I didn’t include the world famous Blue Mosque, but suggest something different. I also want to draw attention to many hidden gems, often overlooked when preparing for your visit. … [Read more...]
What Is the Istanbul Museum Pass, and Should I Get One?
Is the Museum Pass Istanbul something I should apply for? I get this question a lot from people planning to visit the Turkish metropolitan. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this question.It all depends on what you plan to visit and/or whether you mind standing (for a long time) in a queue or not. So let me explain what the Istanbul Museum Pass is, … [Read more...]
How to Get From Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Taksim or Sultanahmet
The Sabiha Gökçen Istanbul Airport is attracting more and more passengers every year. Unfortunately, Sabiha Gökçen is located on the Asian side of Istanbul, well outside the city center. Unless your hotel has arranged for a free airport pick-up, you will need to find transportation from the airport to your hotel.From the Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Istanbul, you have … [Read more...]
Don’t Miss the International Istanbul Tulip Festival
In April the annual International Istanbul Tulip Festival (Istanbul Lale Festivali) takes place. This shouldn't be a surprise if you know that -- unlike common belief -- tulips originated more or less in Turkey. So, if you happen to be in Istanbul during this time of the year, you're in luck. Millions of tulips are planted in Istanbul's parks, avenues, traffic roundabouts ... … [Read more...]