Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Istanbul – The European Capital Of Culture 2010
Istanbul was always the capital of Turkey, even though the actual capital is now Ankara, Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey, with population over 12 million, and the 2nd largest city in Europe. Istanbul is the cultural, economic, and financial centre for Turkey, and is the connector between Asia and Europe sides of the Bosphorus.
The city was built around 600 BC by Greek settlers, then Constantine the Great chose it as the capital of the Roman Empire in 330 AD, and changed the city name to become Constantinopolis. This named remained all the Byzantine and Ottoman, but it was officially changed to Istanbul the year 1930.
And although Istanbul is overwhelmed by the Ottoman archetict, but the are clear building archeticts that belong to the Byzants, Romans and Greeks, and along side the city's famous mosques, there are many historical churches. The Byzants acropolis at the Topkapı Palace, and Maiden's (Leander's) Tower from the greek era that has undergone a number of changes, anlargments and restorations by the Byzants. The are also the classical Roman model of domes and arches visible at Aya Sophia (formerly known as the Church of the Saints Sergius and Bacchus) once a church then a mosque and now a museum, Hagia Irene church, and the larg building called Prison of Anemas.
The Ottomans archetict is visible in the towering mosques and ornate palaces, Anadoluhisar castle, Rumelihisar castle, Sultan Ahmed Mosque known as the Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, Yeni Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Dolmabahce Palace, Yildiz Palace, Ortakoy Mosque, and Beylerbeyi Palace.
Today, Istanbul is full with celebratory performances and festivals, including art and architecture shows, jazz festivals, rock and hip-hop concerts, ballet, film festivals, and fashion events, new restaurants, stylish bars, nightclubs all giving the city a chance to showcase its culture.
Istanbul is the European Capital of Culture 2010, which add another good reason to visit it this year, and for this, the city will hold an extensive culture calander the whole years, and for more details, please visit the events agenda for Istanbul as the European Capital of Culture 2010.
Some highlight for the upcoming events:
- Special Ramadan Istanbul Events (Aug. 8–Sept. 8).
- A dervish Mevlevi Culture and Sema Ceremony (Sundays in Aug.)
- Puppet Festival (Aug. 23 – 28) where groups will participate from France, Russian Federation, Hungary, Spain, Spain, Brazil, Japan, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy and Turkey.
- Imperial Performance is a special show on Sultanahmet Square evoking festivities of the Ottoman era, involving acrobats, wrestlers, riders, fireworks, horse races and martial arts (Aug 11 - Sep 8).
- The Barbarossa Project is a dancing and musical production featuring the life of Kaptan-ı Derya (Fleet Admiral of the Ottoman Navy) Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha and the Mediterranean sailors of the 16th Century, and exposing the issue of human-water relationship in modern life with the historical connection.(July – September 2010).
- Designed by Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency Theatre and Performing Arts Directorate, providing an international platform to create new dance choreographies (Sep 15 - 22).
-An event quaintly entitled Istanbul is having fun on the street will be a celebration of street theatre and circus at squares and streets along the coastline of the Golden Horn, the five-mile inlet and natural harbour at the heart of the city (Sep 15-26).
- Turkey's own long tradition of shadow theatre is celebrated in Karagöz in Istanbul, Istanbul in Karagöz. Events include shows at a variety of venues (June - Nov), an exhibition (July 1 - 30), and the International Shadow Theatre Festival (Oct 12 - 16).
Find out some of our fine hotel deals when visiting Istanbul:
Divan Istanbul Asia Hotel 5 stars hotel starting from: £ 104.40 Per Room Per Night
Dedeman Istanbul Hotel 5 stars hotel starting from: £ 109.80 Per Room Per Night
Elite world Istanbul 5 stars hotel starting from: £ 145.68 Per Room Per Night
Marmara Taksim Hotel 5 stars hotel starting from: £ 162.84 Per Room Per Night
The Plaza Hotel 5 stars hotel starting from: £ 93.60 Per Room Per Night
Atakoy Marina Hotel 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 84.00 Per Room Per Night
Black Bird Hotel Istanbul 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 72.00 Per Room Per Night
Cartoon Hotel 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 85.20 Per Room Per Night
Hotel Bulvar Palas 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 69.60 Per Room Per Night
Eresin Taxim Premier 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 105.60 Per Room Per Night
Elite World Prestige Hotel 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 104.76 Per Room Per Night
Green Park Taksim Hotel 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 74.40 Per Room Per Night
Golden Age 1 hotel 4 stars hotel staring from: £ 72.00 Per Room Per Night
Golden Age 2 Hotel 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 86.40 Per Room Per Night
The Lady Diana Hotel 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 75.60 Per Room Per Night
Titanic City Hotel 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 94.38 Per Room Per Night
Riva Hotel Taksim 4 stars hotel starting from: £ 33.93 Per Room Per Night
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Magic of Cyprus
How many people could accurately point to the location of Cyprus on a map of the world.Well the 3rd largest island in the Mediterranean lies at its eastern most end just a few miles of the coast of Southern Turkey.
With its sandy beaches, historical sights and beautiful scenery, Cyprus creates a perfect holiday. The island for all seasons, Cyprus enjoys year-round sun, great nightlife and a wonderful atmosphere. According to Greek mythology, Cyprus is said to have been Aphrodite’s, the Godess of Love’s, birthplace, and once you have spent just a few days there, it’s easy to see why holidaymakers fall in love with it.
Although a small country, Cyprus has a distinguished cultural heritage. The island bears witness to its millenia of cultural history. Cyprus has been occupied and inhabited by countless peoples over many years all of whom have a lasting and indelible imprint on this charming and beautiful island. Because of the islands clost proximity to the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, Cyprus exudes an atmosphere of very varied and diverse cultural influences and with 9000 years of history this island is truly a most magical and special holiday island.
Although the island is divided between the Turkish North(The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus or TRNC as it is locally known)and the Greek South, in practical terms it is now entirely possible to travel between the 2 sides of the island with the minimum of fuss and formalities.
Despite the long standing feuding and diplomatic tensions between the Greeks and the Turks, when you visit Cyprus you will be struck at just how similar both sides of the island are. Although this is a politically divided island the warmth of both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot people is the overriding memory and impression which you will take away with you back to your own home.
For Cyprus is not just a place to go and have a well earned rest in the sun as is the case with many holiday locations, no, far from it, to go to Cyprus, is to immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of Aphrodite’s Island of Love and to make long lasting friendships with its people who will welcome you and treat you as they would a long lost friend or returning family member.
Indeed I challenge you to go to any restaurant or taverna on this island and to come away at the end of the evening and not to have met and been introduced to the owner of the establishment and to have shared “a drink on the house!”
An article from Greek Islands Holidays
Read More ....
=========================================================
See Limasol hotel deals
See Ayia Napa hotel deals
With its sandy beaches, historical sights and beautiful scenery, Cyprus creates a perfect holiday. The island for all seasons, Cyprus enjoys year-round sun, great nightlife and a wonderful atmosphere. According to Greek mythology, Cyprus is said to have been Aphrodite’s, the Godess of Love’s, birthplace, and once you have spent just a few days there, it’s easy to see why holidaymakers fall in love with it.
Although a small country, Cyprus has a distinguished cultural heritage. The island bears witness to its millenia of cultural history. Cyprus has been occupied and inhabited by countless peoples over many years all of whom have a lasting and indelible imprint on this charming and beautiful island. Because of the islands clost proximity to the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, Cyprus exudes an atmosphere of very varied and diverse cultural influences and with 9000 years of history this island is truly a most magical and special holiday island.
Although the island is divided between the Turkish North(The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus or TRNC as it is locally known)and the Greek South, in practical terms it is now entirely possible to travel between the 2 sides of the island with the minimum of fuss and formalities.
Despite the long standing feuding and diplomatic tensions between the Greeks and the Turks, when you visit Cyprus you will be struck at just how similar both sides of the island are. Although this is a politically divided island the warmth of both the Turkish and Greek Cypriot people is the overriding memory and impression which you will take away with you back to your own home.
For Cyprus is not just a place to go and have a well earned rest in the sun as is the case with many holiday locations, no, far from it, to go to Cyprus, is to immerse yourself in the customs and traditions of Aphrodite’s Island of Love and to make long lasting friendships with its people who will welcome you and treat you as they would a long lost friend or returning family member.
Indeed I challenge you to go to any restaurant or taverna on this island and to come away at the end of the evening and not to have met and been introduced to the owner of the establishment and to have shared “a drink on the house!”
An article from Greek Islands Holidays
Read More ....
=========================================================
See Limasol hotel deals
See Ayia Napa hotel deals
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