Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Blue Mosque are the sights that first come to mind when visiting Istanbul. But, there is so much else to see that a few days or even weeks would not suffice for them all. Among them, the Istanbul Archaeological Museum is one that should not be missed. It contains […]
Whenever I decide to write an article about Safranbolu, which occupies such an important place in my life, something always seems to be missing. Even if I have decided on the title and the points which need to be emphasized, when it comes to setting it all down in writing I feel that I haven’t […]
Through the history of Anatolia, Turkey; women have always been on top of the stage as a goddess, productive laborer, a sovereign monarch, a nationalist, a prolific author, an artist, teacher, pilot, and maybe the most importantly; as a guiding mother. While the word “Anatolia” Turkish: Anadolu meaning “Lesser Asia” or “The Place of The […]
Postage stamps are one of the most important ways of broadcasting a country’s image. Carried by letters from their country of the issue to the four corners of the world, they inform the recipient at a glance about a country’s unit of currency, its festivals, flora and fauna, national costume, historic buildings, and indeed anything […]
Ibn Battuta (1305 – 136?) Ibn Battuta started on his travels when he was 20 years old in 1325. His main reason to travel was to go on a Hajj, or a Pilgrimage to Mecca, as all good Muslims want to do. But his traveling went on for about 29 years and he covered about […]
Over time, the World Sacred Music Festival of Fes is becoming one of the best of its kind in the world. A must for lovers of music, spirituality, and the variety and richness of their expressions around the globe, this festival brings together, every year, some of the most revered artists of world music nowadays. […]
If you know that luxury comes as a result of a combination of simplicity and uniqueness, we can offer you a private appointment with a Moroccan storyteller unwind one of his fascinating tales privately for you, either outside or in some exclusive setting. Perhaps, it does not sound as enticing as assisting the birth of […]
A sound echoing in the streets reminds us of cold winter nights in our childhood. With their familiar call of ‘Boza!’ street sellers carrying large metal jugs walk Istanbul’s streets in the evenings, bringing a delicious traditional drink to our doors. Sadly, masters and sellers are becoming rare today. It is a cold drink made […]
As the Turkish Republic was founded on the heritage of the Ottoman Empire, many things from that time such as the Turkish Flag continued with slight changes. The Ottomans used various flags of different colors at different times. In the 14th century, it was white, in the 15th century, it was changed to red. Once […]
The ‘Islamic’ label accorded by the media to the kind of global terrorism that the world is currently facing has had a misleading effect. Whereby certain nations that are as safe, if not safer, than the West, and that enjoy social stability that would be judged as enviable even to Western standards, have been unjustly […]
