TourIstanbul city tours while in transit

Turkish Airlines flies to many destinations around the world using its Istanbul Ataturk Airport base as a hub. And if you are flying with Turkish Airlines, the airline offers free city tours while in transit provided by TourIstanbul. So instead of spending a long wait in the airport, Turkish Airlines passangers can discovery Istanbul, one of the world’s premier destinations.

The tours, with English speaking guides, are offered three times daily and are designed to give transit passengers a quick, but interesting overview of Turkish Airlines’ home base. Depending on each passenger’s schedule, tours are offered with the following timings 09:00-15:00, 09:00-18:00 and 12:00-18:00.

TourIstanbul is a free layover service for all international transit Turkish Airlines passangers. Everything on the tour, the shuttle, museum entrances and the meals, are free. In the tour, TourIstanbul introduces Ottoman Cuisine to the participants. Even a single person’s participation is enough to start up the tour so there is no minimum number to wait.

Not all transit passangers of Istanbul Ataturk Airport can enjoy the tour. Both flights should be with Turkish Airlines’ flight numbers (codeshared or operated) Connection times between flights  should not be longer than 24 hours and shorter than 6  hours.

Begun in 2009, the program continues to attract more participants each year, with approximately 16,000 taking advantage of the offer in 2013. The growing popularity of the tours is a confirmation that Turkish Airlines brings added value for its customers at no additional cost.

Istanbul Blue Mosque

How to participate Istanbul City Tours by Turkish Airlines?

You do not need to book it in advance. All eligible passangers of Turkish Airlines can simply join the tours by showing up at the hotel desk in the arrivals hall of Ataturk International Airport at least 30 minutes prior to the departure of the tour.

Below is the list of places visited during the tour:

Blue Mosque
Hippodrome
German Fountain
Serpentine Column
Obelisk of Thedosius
Topkapı Palace
Basilica Cistern
For more information on the tours you can visit http://www.istanbulinhours.com. You can visit our Istanbul tours pages for more Istanbul sightseeing tours.

Istanbul air sightseeing tours by Seabird Airlines

Where can you get the best bird eye view of Istanbul? There are some great rooftop bars and restaurants for this as well as historic towers but the best bird eye view comes from a plane touring above Istanbul. You can join a plane tour over Istanbul to get the most out of the city by air sightseeing tours of Istanbul.

Seabird Airlines, Turkey’s first and only Air Taxi / Airline company to land and take off from water, operates DHC-6 Twin Otter Series planes which can take of with 19 passangers from Halic. The Istanbul air sightseeing tour takes approximately 20 minutes and starting from Ataturk Bridge on Halic you will have a chance to see Galata Tower, Rumeli, Anadolu Hisari, Maiden’s Tower.

Seabird Airlines is known for its regional scheduled services from Istanbul to Bozcaada, Bursa and Alacati. In the winter season the company is focusing on these Istanbul tours.

According to Kursad Arusan, the General Manager of Sea Bird Airlines “the large windows of Twin Otter planes provides a nice view of Istanbul and there is a great demand for these tours.

There is a short promotional video below about this fantastic Istanbul tour:


Seabird Airlines Istanbul city tour from Hip-Notics on Vimeo.

The ticket prices for air sightseeing tours of Istanbul is 95 EUR per person per tour and the tickets are sold in http://www.flyseabird.com/ as well as in some 5-star hotels in Istanbul. For an air tour like this, ticket prices are very reasonable.

Below are the places you can see during the 20 minutes plane tour over Istanbul:

• Haydarpaşa Terminal (Haydarpasa Tren Gari)
• Selimiye Barracks (Selimiye Askeri Kışlası)
• Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi)
• Taksim Square (Taksim Meydanı)
• Dolmabahce Palace (Dolmabahçe Sarayı)
• Bosphorus Bridge (Boğaziçi Köprüsü)
• Beylerbeyi Palace (Beylerbeyi Sarayı)
• Kuleli Military High School (Kuleli Askeri Lisesi)
• Bebek
• Roumeli Hissar Castle (Rumeli Hisarı)
• Anadolu Hissar Castle (Anadolu Hisarı)
• Bosphorus University Campus (Bogazici University Kampusu)
• Sarıyer
• Pierre Loti
• Feshane
• Rahmi Koc Museum (Rahmi Koç Müzesi)
• ST. Stephan of Bulgar (Bulgar Kilisesi)
• Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Fener Patrikhanesi)
• Fatih Mosque (Fatih Camii)
• Galata Tower (Galata Kulesi)
• Galata Bridge (Galata Köprüsü)
• Suleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii)
• Beyazit Tower (Beyazıt Kulesi)
• Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı)
• Hipodrom
• Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Camii)
• Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)
• Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Sarayı)

For other alternative Istanbul tours check our Bosphorus Cruise – Full Bosphorus Cruise and Short Bosphorus Tour post. You can visit our Istanbul tours pages for more Istanbul sightseeing tours.

Turkey’s First Apple Store opens in Istanbul Zorlu Center

When the first Apple Store On February 4th 2014, opens its doors in Istanbul Zorlu Center, Turkey will join 14 countries which have Apple Store. The huge Istanbul Apple Store will span across 2,000 meter squares and sell Apple products like Mac PCs, Apple Software, Apple TV, iPods, iPads and iPhones as well as 3rd party products like accessories. The Apple Store in Istanbul will feature cubical glass ceiling architecture which is currently used in only 2 stores in USA.

Istanbul Apple Store will also offer personalization services for purchased Apple products. For example, customers will be able to write their names behind iPad tablets using lazer or select the specifications of Mac computers before they purchase them. Like all Apple Stores, Apple Store in Zorlu Center will also feature Apple repair services.

Turkey is one of the focus areas of Apple and it is reported in Turkish media that Apple’s CEO Tim Cook will be in Istanbul for the opening of the Apple Store. Apple eventually plans to open 4 Apple Retail Stores in Turkey.

Zorlu Center in Istanbul will be home to Turkey’s first Apple Store which is scheduled to open in Feb 2014.

Tim Cook will also visit Ankara and meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul to discuss Fatih Project. This educational project involves 10.6 million tablets and Apple has given proposal for the project, which is not concluded yet, in June 2013.

Apple has opened its iTunes Turkey last year.

Currently Apple has 420 stores in 14 countries including United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Japan, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzeland. The largest Apple Store in the world is currently located in Amsterdam’s Leidseplein Square.

Zorlu Center is composed of three residential towers, a 184 room Raffles İstanbul Zorlu Center hotel, a 2,300 seat Zorlu Center for Performing Arts Center and a large shopping mall. The Zorlu Center Shopping Mall is home to 200 shops ranging from Turkish luxury department store Beymen to international names such as Valentino, Stella McCartney and Pucci. On the European side of Istanbul near city’s business and finance center in Levent, it is also easily accessible from Asian side through Bosphorus Bridge.

Bosphorus Cruise - Full Bosphorus Cruise and Short Bosphorus Tour

One of the things you must do in Istanbul is to take a Bosphorus Cruise. This unique experience will let you see both Asian and European shores of Bosphorus and Istanbul's magestic silhouette from a fantastic angel.

But which Bosphorus Cruise you should take. You will be flooded with many cruise operators in Istanbul. Most of these are private Bosphorus Cruises and they are usually disappointingly short, expensive tours on small boats. The best Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul are those 2 tours operated by Istanbul's Sehir Hatlari: 4 Seasons Bosphorus Tours.

See more Bosphorus Cruise - Full Bosphorus Cruise and Short Bosphorus Tour.

Marmaray will open on 29 October 2013

Marmaray, the tube which will cross the Bosphorus underwater from Europe to Asia in Istanbul, is set to open on 29 October 2013, on the 90th birthday of The Republic of Turkey. The project has been under construction in the past 9 years and is usually referred as "The Project of The Century" by ruling Justice and Development Party. The tests on the section which is composed of submerged tube and tunnels has been started on 4 August 2013 and the first test drive was performed by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Marmaray is in fact going into operation 4.5 years later than it was originally planned. When the work for Marmaray started in 2004, it was planned to be finished by 2009. But in 2005, archaeologically significant sites were discovered at the location where the Marmaray tunnel goes to surface level and sections in Uskudar, Sirkeci and Yenikapi. The most important site which has been uncovered was the biggest port of Constantinople in the 4tn century, Theodosius Port.

Not all phases of Marmaray are opened on 29th October. Only the first phase which is composed of 4 stations will be opened. This section is the most important section because it has the underwater Bosphorus crossing. All the project will be operational sometime in 2015.

Marmaray ticket prices will be 1.95 Turkish Lira (around 1 USD).

Below are the 4 stations which will be operational on 29th October:

• Yenikapı (European Side)
• Sirkeci (European Side)
• Üsküdar (Asian Side)
• Ayrılıkçeşme (Asian Side)

Marmaray construction site seen here in Uskudar, Asian side of Bosphorus. On the other side,
European shores of Bosphorus is seen.

Same day with Marmaray (but with a different ceremony), Ankara - Istanbul High Speed Rail Line will also become operational.  

Ankara - Istanbul High-speed Train

Ankara – Istanbul high speed train is a high speed train in Turkey scheduled to operate on 533 kilometer long Ankara – Istanbul high speed railway from February or March 2014. Currently, Ankara – Eskisehir high speed train is operational and the high speed railway between Istanbul and Turkey is almost completed.

Istanbul is the largest city and the financial, cultural and art center of Turkey. Ankara, the second largest city in Turkey, is the capital city. Ankara – Istanbul route is the busiest route in Turkey currently dominated by private buses and airlines. With the completion of the project, travel time between Ankara and Istanbul will be reduced to only 3 hours and the share of transportation by the railway on the route is expected to jump to 78% from the current 10%. More, Ankara – Istanbul high speed railway will connect to Marmaray which will allow direct train access from Europe to Asia.

I have previously used the existing high speed train line between Ankara and Eskisehir. The train is quite comfortable and offers plugs for your computer in the business section and a comfortable working space. Adding these extras, the travel time between Ankara and Istanbul is more productive with the high speed train. And you do not need to pass through those endless security check queues of the airports which also reduces the total time spent.

Ankara – Istanbul High Speed Train (TCDD HT65000)

Ankara – Istanbul High-speed train starts its journey from the city center of Ankara but the story is different in Istanbul. Unfortunately, the high speed train will not arrive to Haydarpasa Train Station in Kadikoy as many hoped. The train starts its service from Pendik, the eastern most district of Istanbul. From there you will need to transfer to normal train line of Marmaray. There are 9 stops on the Ankara – Istanbul High Speed Rail Line (from Ankara to Istanbul):

• Ankara
• Polatlı,
• Eskişehir
• Bozüyük
• Bilecik
• Pamukova
• Sapanca
• İzmit
• Gebze
• Pendik

It seems like this created disappointment for many in Istanbul. One writer in popular internet site Eksi Sozluk wrote “I congratulate Izmit residents for their new High Speed Train Line” (Although Pendik is a district of Istanbul, it is quite far in the eastern outskirts of city towards city of Izmit).

Ankara – Istanbul High-speed Train is not the only high speed rail project in Turkey. There is a high speed rail line between Ankara and Konya and there are projects to connect Ankara to Samsun, Kars (via Sivas, Erzincan) and even distant cities like Diyarbakir and Antep by high speed train. Turkey expects to have 1500 km high speed train line in 2013 and plans to increase this to 10,000 kilometers in 2023, the 100th birthday of Turkish Republic.

Turkey High Speed Railway Map (completed, underconstruction and planned

Elite World Istanbul Hotel Review

5-Star Elite World Istanbul Hotel is located in a calm street near Istiklal Street. This makes one of Istanbul's must see locations and a vibrant Istanbul nightlife center, Istiklal, walking distance away from your hotel while it is still relatively a calm place to enjoy your night. On the same street next to Elite World Hotel Istanbul, there is another hotel named Elite World Prestige. Do not confuse this 4-Star hotel with Elite World.

We have stayed there overnight. Although we have booked a single queen bed room, the reception has told us that they will combine two single beds as one so we will stay in a larger room. We have not objected.

The hotel is nicely decorated and very clean and comfortable. Room we have stayed had Jacuzzi.

I have tried the SPA in Elite World Istanbul. The SPA options range from 55 Eur to 155 Euro. I have selected the 155 EUR and 90 minutes Sultan Massage. The massage starts with 5 minutes of sauna followed by a "kese" treatment on a Turkish bath which scrubs out all the dead skin cells from your body. Kese is followed by a full body soap wash. This part is quite fun :) This is followed by a massage which is done by oil and a soft relaxing music. Sultan Massage is quite expensive but definitely value for money. You need reservation for the massage so do not just drop by.

Dinner served in the hotel is quite good. Soup was a little salty but still tasty.

5-Star Elite World Hotel Istanbul is conveniently located near
Taksim Square.

Elite World Hotel Istanbul is a nice hotel for both business travelers and leisure travelers. It is located at Sehit Muhtar St. No.42, Taksim, Istanbul (click the link on the address for the map). The location is quite central and near Taksim Square.

For reviews, room rates and booking refer to World Istanbul Hotel page.

Turkey’s Top Attractions at Off-Season Prices

With a history of thousands of years and a unique location that saw several big world empires Turkey is a cradle of civilizations. Add the current highly popular modern cities, night life, shopping options  it is a paradise for travelers, offering rich, cultural attractions, ancient sites and historic ruins that are among the most unique in the world.

Usual and most crowded tourist season for Turkey is summer during when tourists mostly from Europe, Russia and Middle East flow to Turkey's Turquoise Coast beach resorts. But what Turkey offers as a tourist destination is not limited to summer beach resort holiday.

With the summer crowds gone, Crossroads Tours International, which features a wide selection of escorted tours, cruise packages and FIT services, offers travelers the perfect opportunity to experience Turkey and discover its diverse treasures in an uncrowded atmosphere and at attractive, off-season prices.

“Istanbul & Cappadocia” 
This 6-day/5-night package features the must-see attractions of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and heart of the country’s economic, cultural and historical legacy. The tour begins here, inthe city where “East meets West,” and includes a visit to Cappadocia, the region renowned for its surreal landscape and remarkable Christian history. The stay in Istanbul includes an in-depth, full day tour focusing on the city’s Byzantine and Ottoman heritage and a half-day cruise on the Bosphorus, which rewards guests with spectacular views of the city’s Asian and European shorelines. Cappadocia highlights include views of the fabled Pasabag “Fairy Chimneys;” Goreme Open Air Museum, the rock cut churches of the “Red Valley,” and “Kaymakli Underground City.”

“Istanbul & Cappadocia” tours start daily in Istanbul and can be booked through a travel agent. Through October 31, 2013, the price is $690 per person, double occupancy. It is $610 per person throughout November. Round trip airfares from the U.S. and within Turkey are not included.

“Discover Turkey” 

Turkey’s history, diverse religious, cultural heritage, and natural wonders are center stage on Crossroads Tours’ best-selling “Discover Turkey” tour. This comprehensive 10-day/9-night tour features the most important examples of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman legacy, the historic battlefield of Gallipoli, the legendary cities of Troy and Pergamum, plus the remarkably well-preserved city of Ephesus, once the Roman Empire’s center of learning, as well as the nearby shrine of “Mother Mary,” where it is said the Mother of Jesus Christ spent the last years of her life. The tour’s itinerary also includes the renowned spa of Pamukkale, with it glistening “petrified waterfalls;” Konya, home of Turkey’s renowned “Whirling Dervishes;” and a visit to the region of Cappadocia, whose mountainous, fairy tale-like landscape, with its hidden valleys, villages, and caves, were once the refuge of the early Christians, who were hiding from Roman persecution.

The “Discover Turkey” tour starts in Istanbul every Saturday and is priced at $1,090 per person through October 31, 2013, and $1,000 per person throughout November. Round trip airfare from the U.S. is not included.

What the Tour Prices Include:
The prices of the “Istanbul & Cappadocia” and “Discover Turkey” tours include: airport transfers upon arrival and departure; accommodations at 4-Star hotels; meals as specified in the respective itineraries, transportation by air-conditioned, non-smoking mini or midi buses; services of an experienced, English-speaking escort/guide; entrance fees to all of the sites, museums, and other attractions visited while on tour; plus hotel taxes and service charges. All rates are based on double occupancy.

Customized Packages and FIT’s 
Both the “Istanbul & Cappadocia” and “Discover Turkey” tours can be modified to meet special departure and/or other requirements. The same applies to any of Crossroads Tours’ other escorted, special interest, or “Special Occasion” tours. Crossroads Tours will also be happy to assist agents in planning tailored-made FIT packages. 

Turkish Airlines will open its Istanbul Arrival Lounge for Business Class passengers

Turkish Airlines opened its new "Istanbul Arrival Lounge" in a ceremony, designed to provide a space where inbound guests may refresh themselves before exiting the Istanbul Ataturk Airport. This is the most recent innovation directed at making Business Class travel on Turkish Airlines a uniquely pleasurable experience.

The Lounge offers passengers shower facilities, areas for changing clothes and staff dedicated to ironing clothing items if desired. There are also delicious treats prepared by Turkish DO & CO—all designed to ready passengers for the tasks that await them upon leaving the airport. This service is especially valuable to guests arriving in the early morning when hotel rooms are generally not yet available for check-in.
Also available are daily local and foreign newspapers and magazines, a full wireless internet connection, media walls and charging points for passengers’ electronic devices.

The lounge will be open every day to receive arriving passengers from 05:00 - 12:30 (local time) and will be closed each day at 13:00 (local time).

Only Business Class passengers and Economy or Comfort Class passengers having Elite Plus membership will be able to use the lounge on arrival in Istanbul following their international flights. Star Gold members and other Miles & Smiles members--except Elite Plus members - will not be eligible to use the Lounge. Additionally, eligible passengers will not be permitted to bring guests.

Turkish Airlines Istanbul Arrival Lounge at Ataturk Airport

Bimeks employs workers with down syndrome

As of March 2013, 9 workers living with down syndrome are working as sales consultants in 9 large Teknoport stores owned by Bimeks in Turkey. The programme has started by the employment of first personnel with down syndrome in September 2012 in Istanbul Umraniye Buyaka Bimeks store's toy section and has been successfully extended to other stores. According to Bimeks General Manager Arif Bayraktar their workers with down syndrome are successfully working in different areas such as sales and housekeeping.

Currently the workers can direct customers to sections in which they can find what they are looking for. Bimeks is planning to make these personnel to learn to promote products directly to customers and perform sales. Bayraktar says "they are planning to work with their personnel with down syndrome for a long time."

Bimeks General Manager with 6 of their personnel with down syndrome.

 Bimeks is a technology store chain with 20+ stores in Turkey. 

Istanbul is 'Europe's Best City' for travelers

Turkey's cultural and financial center and the largest city, Istanbul, has been voted as Europe's Best City in   "World's Best City Award 2013" organised by Travel and Leisure magazine. Globally, the transcontinental city (which lies both on Europe and Asia) has climbed to second position after Bangkok.

In Europe, Istanbul has climbed to the top position for the best city with a score of 89.96, pushing Florance to second place. In Europe category, Rome, Barcelona, Paris, Venice, Prague, Bruges (Belgium), Vienna and  London has been from number 3 to number 10. London, Prague and Bruges were not in the list in 2012.

Globally, Bangkok is voted as the "World's Best City" four years in a row. Istanbul is voted as world's second best city. Istanbul has climbed from 3rd position in 2012, pushing Florance to 3rd position in the list. Other cities in the top 10 are : Florance (3), Cape Town (4), Kyoto (5), Rome (6), Charleston, South Carolina (7), Barcelona (8), Paris (9) and Chiang Mai (10).

2013 is T+L’s 18th annual poll. The magazine asks its readers to cast their votes for the hotels, destinations, and companies that define the very best in travel. The results are announced as World's Best Awards where one category is cities.

The Blue Mosque Istanbul
Photo - Qatar Airways

Located on both sides of the Bosphorus, the strait separating Europe and Asia,  Istanbul bridges Asia and Europe both physically and culturally. As one of the largest in Europe and the world with 12 and 19 million people living in its metropolitan area, Istanbul offers thousands of years of history, a very sophisticated and diversified shopping and entertainment experience as well as easy access to other tourism cities and sites in Turkey.

The Basilica Cistern gets record number of tourists after Dan Brown’s Inferno

The Basilica Cistern or or Sunken Cistern, huge cistern built in built in 542 just 500 feet (150 m)  southwest of the Hagia Sophia, has received  240,000 visitors in May 2013 after it was mentioned in Dan Brown’s new book Inferno. The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople). The underground cistern was built to supply water to the grand palace of the emperors of the Byzantine Empire. After Istanbul was conquered by Ottomans in 1453, it was used to supply water to the gardens of Topkapı Palace.

The Basilica Cistern is known in Turkey as Yerebatan Sarayı (Sunken Palace) or Yerebatan Sarnıcı (Sunken Cistern). It was turned into a museum and opened to visitors by the Istanbul Municipality after recent restorations.

Dan Brown’s latest book "Inferno", which went on sale simultaneously in Europe and the USA made a significant contribution to Istanbul's Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sofia Museum; and the number is expected to rise even higher. The story in Inferno begins in Florence and then moves to Sienna. Later on, Robert Langdon travel beyond the borders of Italy and into Turkey – where the evocative streets of Istanbul also play their part in the unfolding tale.

The Basilica Cistern

Istanbul Vacation Package by Untours

In April 2013, Untours will welcome their new Istanbul vacation package, the Istanbul Untour. “It is an exciting new destination for us,” says Brian Taussig-Lux, Untours General Manager. “Istanbul strikes the perfect balance of exotic and safe, exciting but easy to navigate.”

The new program was announced at the end of January, and early sales have been brisk. “I am thrilled with our early response,” says Cathrin Baumbach, one of the program’s coordinators. “Clearly there was a lot of pent up demand, both from our regular clients and new ones.”

This huge response supports the beliefs of Fodor's and [The New York Times that Istanbul is one of the top 25 places to go in 2013.

“Our clients asked for Istanbul,” says Taussig-Lux. “And now they are responding! We were delighted to see bookings even before the program was officially announced on our website.”

The Istanbul vacation package includes a week or two in a hand-selected, staff-inspected apartment in the city, with central locations in the ancient Sultanahmet district and the trendy Galata neighborhood. “We loved the fantastic street life, churches and restaurants in the area near the Galata Tower,” says Baumbach. “But we knew we also wanted to offer something in the old city. Staying in Sultanahmet, you can walk to the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sofia. You hear the call to prayer and live within the dramatic skyline of mosques and minarets.”

Untours staff meets guests on the Istanbul Untour upon their arrival at the airport. The Istanbul vacation package includes airport transfers and an Istanbul transit card. As with other Untour packages, the Untour in Istanbul allows guests to plan their own daily activities while giving them thorough local information, a cell phone to use on site, and the assistance of knowledgeable hosts.

Istanbul Vacation Package by Untours

Local Untours staffers help guests on the Istanbul Untour settle into the city and present an informational seminar the morning after their arrival. This covers the city’s transportation system, an overview of city sights, helpful pointers on safety, and useful information and background on the culture itself. “Our staff people, Hale and Levent, are top notch,” says Andi Cancelliere, another of the program’s coordinators. “When I met Hale for the first time, I felt I was reconnecting with an old friend.”

“Istanbul is a perfect marriage of old and new cultures,” explains Taussig-Lux. “All of our apartments have Wi-Fi and are newly renovated, with high end amenities. But to settle contracts for them, we had to spend a lot of time sitting with owners, face to face, drinking tea and talking.”

On the Istanbul vacation package, local Untours staff members focus their time not only on explaining practical matters, but translating more meaningful aspects of the culture. Beyond presenting Istanbul’s sophisticated tourist infrastructure, they share insight into the city’s rich Islamic tradition and deep rooted history. “On a guided tour of the Hagia Sofia or a cruise on the Bosphorus, they will help translate some of the most fascinating and compelling aspects of Turkish history and culture,” explains Taussig-Lux.

Untours has offered apartment-based, cultural immersion vacations since 1975, with programs all over Europe as well as in Quebec City and Buenos Aires. Visit untours.com for full offerings and for more details on the new Istanbul vacation package. Better yet, see Arthur Frommer’s coverage of the new program.

Social Media Marketing Agency, fishbat, Reports on Turkey’s Increased Twitter Use in Wake of Political Protests

In response to an article published on The Wall Street Journal, social media marketing agency fishbat discusses the increased use of social media in Turkey to effectively achieve social change.

On June 9, social media marketing agency, fishbat, discusses an article published on The Wall Street Journal which analyzes Turkey’s recent increase in Twitter use due to growing political protests.

According to an article published on The Wall Street Journal, Twitter usage has skyrocketed recently in Turkey. Over two million tweets regarding the recent political protests were sent out last Friday over the course of eight hours. Since the protests started last week, the article says over 3,000 tweets are now being sent out every minute. About 90 percent of tweets about the protests are coming directly from Turkey, as compared to only 30 percent of tweets coming from Egypt during the Egyptian Revolution in 2011.

Many Turks have flocked to social media sites to voice their opinion about the protests, which traditional media outlets have ignored. Instead of publishing front page stories about the protests, the article says newspapers were publishing stories about the Prime Minister being awarded for his anti-smoking efforts.
Scott Darrohn, COO of fishbat, says Twitter can be a great source of information. “During crises, Twitter is often the go-to source for information,” he says. “When phone lines are down and traditional media is lagging, people can rely on Twitter to fish out valid information about what’s going on. I think that’s mainly why many people are using Twitter in Turkey right now.”

Only about 30 percent of people tweeting during the Egyptian revolution in 2011 were actually in Egypt, but around 90 percent of all the Gezi-related tweets came from inside Turkey, and 50 percent came from Istanbul, even though at times 3G and Wifi was unavailable in the area:

Darrohn also says social media could unite the people of Turkey. “Social media promotes collaboration and encourages people to connect around a common idea,” Darrohn says. ”It also allows people to express themselves. Perhaps the increased Twitter use will help people unite and bring about change. The use of social media to achieve change is a growing trend. There have been many recent successes, which only add proof that people are in fact listening. The use of these websites really can make a difference in the end.”
fishbat, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service online marketing firm and social media agency. We’re branding experts dedicated to making your business a part of conversations that are already happening. Through social media management, search engine optimization (SEO), web design, and cutting-edge public relations strategies, we can raise awareness of your brand, strengthen your corporate image, and place your business in front of your ideal audience.

Turkish Airlines is flying between Istanbul and Maldives

Now you can have one more option to fly to Maldives. Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier airline of Turkey, has launched flights between Istanbul Turkey and Male Maldives starting from November 24th 2012. Flights to the Maldives will be operated 5 times weekly. The airline has priced introductory round trip fares from Istanbul to the Maldives from 598 Euros, including taxes and fees.

Maldives, one of the world's most popular destinations for leisure travelers, is the 206th destination and 92th country to which Turkish Airlines fly. Fast growing, Turkish Airlines has reached its goal of getting its 200th aircraft, a Boeing 737-900, in its fleet last week. The airline, compared with the same period in 2011, increased its sales revenue  by 30% to 11,2 Billion TRY and recorded an operating profit of 1,08 Billion TRY.  Net profit increased 655% compared to the previous period; to 868 Million TRY.

Flight Number	Start	Days	Departure		Arrival
TK 730	24.Nov.2012	Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday	Istanbul	20:25	Maldives	07:10
TK 731	25.Nov.2012	Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday	Maldives	09:00	Istanbul	14:30

Tourism paradise Maldives are nearer to Turkey as Turkish Airlines start to fly from Turkey (Istanbul)
to Maldives (Male).

Istanbul is in Top 10 best cities to travel

It is so delightful how tourism in Istanbul came a very long way in just a decade. This largest and most beautiful city of Turkey which spans between Asia and Europe as well as modern and ancient has been visited by 7 million foreigners in 2010, up from 2.4 million visitors of 2000. [1] This makes it the 10th most visited city in the world.[2]

Although still largely (and narrowly) known for its historic center (Sultanahmet-Old City) with majestic mosques and ancient shopping bazaars, this is only a fraction of what Istanbul offers for a holiday visit. Istanbul offers great shopping experience, a world class cuisine (ancient Ottoman recipes are must try), beautiful shores of Bosphorus and surprisingly rich and entertaining night life. It is also quite easy to travel to other tourism centers in Turkey from Istanbul such as Turquoise Coast a.k.a Turkish Riviera.

So in short, Istanbul is one of the best cities in the world to visit. Actually the 3rd best, according to the 2012 World’s Best Awards. Travel + Leisure readers voted Istanbul the 3rd best city of the world to travel to. But what is more promising is the fast rise of the city in the list: Istanbul has risen from 5th spot to 2nd. And it is now the Europe's second best city to visit [3]:

"New York City holds its title for the twelfth year in a row as the Best City in the U.S. and Canada, and ranks No.7 among top cities overall, while Bangkok retains its number one ranking in the world for the third year in a row. Istanbul rises to its highest ranking ever in the survey at No. 3 on the list of Top Cities Overall. Among cities in the U.S. and Canada, Chicago rises to the No. 2 spot and New Orleans moves up to No. 5 this year from No. 6 in 2011." [2]

Istanbul is rising in almost all types of tourism such as medical. Thanks to the high quality of healthcare of private hospitals, medical tourism has surged in Turkey with laser eye surgery is the common among medical tourists.[1] Recent, popularity of Turkish Soap Operas in the Arab world also helped this part of the region to rediscover Turkey as a holiday destination.

Although largely known with its historic center, Istanbul offers much more to visitors.
In the photo Ortakoy district of Istanbul seen from European side. Other side of the Bosphorus is Asia.
Bogazici Bridge connecting Asia and Europe can be seen behind.

Worlds Top 10 Cities for Travel & Leisure

RANK	2011	NAME	SCORE
1	1	Bangkok	89.87
2	2	Florence	89.14
3	5	Istanbul	89.11
4	6	Cape Town	88.64
5	8	Sydney	88.52
6	3	Rome	88.49
7	4	New York City	88.12
8	-	Hong Kong	88.03
9	-	Kyoto, Japan	87.90
10	10	Paris	87.67

[1] - Istanbul
[2] - World's Most Visited Cities

[3] - World Best Cities 2012

[2] - Travel+Leisure Press Release

Hostel in Istanbul: Istanbul Hostel

Staying in a centrally located hostel in Istanbul will save a lot of money for a budget conscious traveler in many ways: you will pay very little to accommodation, minimize taxi rides and have access to public transportation to get around.

Istanbul Hostel in Sultanahmet is one of the best hostels in Istanbul if location is very important for you. It is very centrally located in the heart of Old Istanbul, Sultanahmet, the main Historic Hub. It is just a few minutes away from Blue Mosque, St.Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Underground Cistern, Turkish Baths and The Grand Bazaar.

The hostel has received a hostelworld.com Top 10 Hostel Award in September 2006 and it is newly renovated and redecorated for 2012.  It provides several accommodation options and the prices start from 10 Euro for Superior 8 and 10 bed mixed dorm. Siperior 4 and goes up to 25 Euro for Twin Private room with shared bathroom. Other than mixed dorms, the hostel also provides female only and male only dorms for 13 Euros per bed per night.

Istanbul Hostel

Istanbul Hostel's central location makes it one of the best hostels to stay in Istanbul. Since most attractions are within the old city, where the hostel is located, you will minimize your exposure to the greedy taxi drivers and since the train line connecting the old city to Bosphorus and Istanbul Metro is walking distance away, you can use public transportation to get around. The hotel also has a restaurant where you can eat cheap food and provides tourism agency services to other places in Turkey such as Capadoccia. The breakfast provided is traditional Turkish breakfast with boiled egg, cucumber, tomato, bread w/jam and olives, coffee or tea. If you are on budget, you will eat here a lot because the food in Sultanahmet is very expensive.

The hostels restaurant is at the roof terrace. This terrace provides a very beautiful view of the Marmara Sea and St.Sophia. The rooftop terrace is also a great place to have a view of the old Istanbul city or watching the sunset with a beer and a book.

One drawback of this hostel is the lack of meeting room to socialize with other people.

Boutique hotel : White House Hotel Istanbul

If you are looking for a conveniently located and affordable boutique hotel in Istanbul Turkey, White House Hotel Istanbul may be just for you. The hotel is located near some of Istanbul’s biggest attractions, in the historical peninsula of old Istanbul, and it is within walking distance to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, Archeology Museum, the Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, the Millennium Stone and Byzantine Hippodrome, which are the most important landmarks of the city. 

Guests staying at the White House Hotel for 3 nights or more are entitled to a free one-way transfer from Ataturk Airport to the hotel. A shuttle service from Sabiha Airport to the hotel is also available. Taxi cabs and rental cars are also available nearby and can escort guests to various points of interest throughout the city.

White House Hotel Istanbul has 22 rooms with 60 beds, including 2 Superior Rooms. All rooms provide a private bathroom, high-speed and wireless internet connection, hair-dryer, direct dial telephone system, LCD TV, satellite system, mini-bar, VRF air-conditioning system, safe box, emergency alarm system, make-up mirror, hot-water machine, tea and coffee making facilities.

Guests of the White House Hotel Istanbul will find plenty of shopping and dining options in the area. The hotel offers numerous amenities, including a restaurant and a lounge bar. Other offerings include laundry service, business facilities, and concierge service. The hotel staff can also provide guests with tourist information as well as rental car services.

White House Hotel Istanbul

The hotel has a very high rating in hotelscombined.com which is 10, amazing! Over 1,500 reviews praised the hotels many aspects of this boutique hotel:  clean rooms, good food in hotel's restaurant, clean and working shower, very convenient location and helpful and polite staff.

The room prices at White House Hotel Istanbul starts from 183 USD.

Shopping In Istanbul: Istanbul's Shopping Mall Belt

This post is moved to Oravar : Shopping in Istanbul - Istanbul Shopping Mall Belt article.

Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet Istanbul, Turkey

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul At Sultanahmet may be one of the best places to stay in Istanbul now but in the first half of the century it was indeed one of the worst! This beautiful sunflower yellow, 4-story building with guard towers enclosing an elegant courtyard was once constructed as a jailhouse in 1918/1919, in the last few years of Ottoman Empire. It has a contemporary concept and housed inmates who were awaiting trial or serving brief sentences. The design of the building is Turkish neoclassical style and it was built in the beginning of the "First National Architecture" period. After housing many inmates, including famous Turkish political political dissidents such as communist leaders Mihri Belli and Hikmet Kivilcimli, poets and writers like Nazım Hikmet, Rıfat Ilgaz, Orhan Kemal , Aziz Nesin and Kemal Tahir, the jail was abandoned on January 25, 1969 and has been neglegted until 1992. The building was later renovated and opened in 1996 as a deluxe hotel of the Toronto-based Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts chain and is now one of the best hotels in Istanbul.

The hotel, which has just 65 bright and comfortable guest rooms and suites, it feels like a luxury and warm boutique hotel although it is a part of a large luxury hotel chain. Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet is very centrally located in old city and is walking distance away from Istanbul's main tourist attractions like Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia,  Basilica Cistern and Topkapi Palace and offers great walks through the old city.  Hotel is famous for its rooftop bar called St. Sophia Terrace which has a stunning view of old Istanbul, its Ottoman cuisine at Seasons Restaurant.

Four Seasons Hotel at Sultanahmet Rooftop Bar (Hagia Sophia behind) - Source : luxecityguides.com

The only problem is that this hotel, with its price in the range of 800+ USD per night, is quite an expensive place to stay although it will save some taxi money and significant time for leisure tourists. And there is no swimming pool in the hotel. which may not a problem in winter but a quite nice to have in hot Istanbul summers.

Sultanahmet is the old city center and is home to many historic sightseeing of Istanbul. There are many hotels in Sultanahmet catering tourists but you can also choose to look at hotels in Bosphorus, which has a great view especially in spring.

You can check the room prices and availability in Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet here:

Other hotels in Istanbul Sultanahmet (old city) and Istanbul

Hotels in Sultanahmet	... Bosphorus	... and other hotels in Istanbul