Click here to read our monthly feature, "Expat Point Of View", by Sydnee Voigt.

MUZEDECHANGA

Allow yourself to choose from a variety of excellent Turkish cuisine in an atmosphere of art in one of the best locations of the city with the most beautiful views of the Bosphorus. You can also visit the beautiful Sabanci Museum at the same time. Sakip Sabanci Cad. No 2 Emirgan Tel: (212) 323 09 01

MANGERIE

In Bebek, boasting a wonderful Bosphorus view, Mangerie has a very comfortable atmosphere. The food is prepared with passion and is very tasty and the deserts are exceptional. You can also enjoy the terrace now that the weather is warmer.
Cevdetpasa Cad. No 69, Bebek Tel: (212) 263 51 99

NUTERAS

Nuteras is one of the most charismatic venues of Istanbul. Located in the 200 year old famous Petits-Champs Pera passage it has incredible views of the Golden Horn. The menu is varied and excllent. Enjoy the famous mojitos, frozen margaritas and passion on the terrace at sunset.
Mesrutiyet Cad. No. 149 Tepebasi Tel: (212) 245 60 70

'I was very happy with the services provided by YKC/Bosphorus Relocation but what I appreciated most was their professional approach. I really loved sharing my first time in Turkey with them!'

Natalia
A Relocation Client

JAZZ FESTIVAL
27th 15th International Istanbul Jazz Festival
July 02-16, 2008
Sponsored by Garanti Bank, the festrival presents nearly 40 concerts bringing prominent jazz artists around the world as well as esteemed figures of the pop, rock, folk and world music. The “Jazz Boat”, now a Festival tradition, will make Bosphorus Tour while the "Street Concerts" will continue to take the jazz fever to the streets of Istanbul. The 15th International Istanbul Jazz Festival starts with the Opening Ceremony at the Esma Sultan Palace on the evening of July 1. Tickets at Biletix and IKSV building (Istiklal Caddesi 64, Beyoglu). For more info and program visit www.iksv.org

Venues: Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theater, Sepetçiler Kasri, Esma Sultan Palace, Hagia Eirene Museum, Cemal Resit Rey Concert Hall, Istanbul Archeological Museum, Nardis Jazz Club and Istinye Park .

10 Reasons to go to Asia

Why go to Asia when most Turks are trying so desperately to leave it behind, even if it means throwing themselves into the not-so-loving arms of tepid EU technocracy? Here are 10 reasons to visit “the other side”.

1. To take a ferry across
Aah, the wind in your hair; the blue waters below; the sun on your face; sipping your tea as you take in the most beautiful sight in the world. It’s hard to believe you’re in the middle of a metropolis. Now, if only you can avoid a seagull pooping on your head. Ferries depart from Karaköy, Beşiktaş or Eminönü in Europe to take you to Haydarpaşa, Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Bostancı in Asia. A ride across costs no more than a bus ticket.
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Taxi Zen - The art of the taxi ride Istanbul style…. by Tana Osa Yande

Any big-city transplantee believes that he or she knows all about getting into a taxi. After all, you get in, give the driver directions, pay at your destination and get out. Well, Istanbul’s one-of-a-kind experiences extends to transportation, in particular to four wheeled rides via chofer.

Istanbul’s taxi services have a reputation for taking advantage of the unwary, with the philosophy being that if you have the money in your wallet, you can afford to fork it over. However, just like haggling over that extra 1 YTL for a box of Turkish delights at the Spice Bazaar, you can win the respect of your driver by staying alert, watching the meter, and questioning or even refusing to pay an exorbitant rate.
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Istanbul Unplugged by Samina Virani

Istanbul has hopped on the technological band wagon and joined the world of wireless internet.

Have you ever had that urge to shop crawl along İstiklal Caddesi with your laptop in hand conducting online price comparisons? How about surfing the net for some last-minute stretch tips during your yoga workout, oh say in Parkorman? This technological brilliance is in fact a veritable reality in our city. While New Yorkers have been spotted plonking themselves on sewer lids, or rather anything radar sensitive, to access their emails, and subway commuters in Hong Kong have reportedly turned into internet game zombies, one can only imagine what this phenomena can induce in Istanbulites – cyber junkies downloading music tracks on their dolmuş ride to work, or perhaps fishermen sending instant messages to each other along the Bosphorus, while taking a swing for a blue fish. Along with personal office and home spaces, specific hubs called WiFi hotspots are dotted around the city, and with a wireless card installed in your computer, you can quite simply pick up a signal, and immediately get online. Of course, the flip side to having the web available at your fingertips is that you will become accessible at all times, perhaps at the mercy of stalkers, or even your own boss. Now now -- there’s always the off button.
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Asian in Asia by Nicole Sauvage Utku

An explosion of Chinese restaurants and sushi places over the last few years means that a trip across the Bosphorus into Asia can offer you tastes from the far reaches of the continent.

Fan Fang
At the cheap end of the scale is Fan Fang – right in the middle of Bağdat Caddesi. This might not be Chinese at its culinary best, but if you stick to the basics like sweet and sour chicken at under 10 YTL, you can enjoy a tasty lunch that at least makes a change from a Starbucks sandwich. A set menu of spring rolls, noodles and crispy chicken is 19.9 YTL – not a giveaway, but shared between two with the deep-fried banana dessert (5.9 YTL), it should energize you and your friend for another few hours of heavy shopping.
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Fener and Balat: The spirit of Istanbul rehabilitated by Bilge Çuhadar

Let’s take a stroll back through the narrow streets of Fener and Balat filled with centuries of Byzantine and Ottoman history, and check out the progress of the ongoing rehabilitation project in the district.

The Rehabilitation of Fener and Balat, a project jointly funded by the EU, the Turkish Government, and the local Fatih Municipality, aims to restore historical buildings in the area, improve waste management, establish a social center and improve the Balat market. The main purpose is to help raise social and economic standards of the inhabitants and preserve the historical heritage of the district. The project also aims to establish dialogue between the project administrators and the community, whose participation in the decision making process will be vital to make the project a success. It will improve local infrastructure to help raise the living standards of the current inhabitants.
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Prepare this wonderful Turkish Specialty and enjoy it with your family and friends!
This week: Tel Kadayif with walnuts

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