Istanbul Things to Do

The city of Edirne in western Turkey dates back to the Roman Empire, its name deriving from the Emperor Hadrian. It was on the main westward route which took conquering Ottoman armies into the heart of Europe, to the very gates of Vienna on one occasion, and its strategic position has made it the theater of numerous battles over the centuries.

The 2004 opening of Istanbul Modern, a contemporary art space plonked audaciously on the Bosphorus, signaled a new mood in Istanbul. It wasn’t just to be a stopover for international exhibitions, rather a catalyst for dialogue between Turkey and the rest of the world.

There are few better combinations of time and place than April in Istanbul. The evening air still has an edge, but days are usually bright and mild with the sunlight glinting off the Golden Horn. Perfect weather for exploring the city, in other words.

Istanbul is ready for shopping! Istanbul, one of the most dynamic cities in the world, will become the global capital of shopping and entertainment during the Istanbul Shopping Fest which runs from March 18 to April 26, 2011. Actually this beautiful city has been a heaven for shoppers since Roman period. It houses the largest and oldest covered bazaar of the world where you can purchase any sorts of goods from jewelry to handmade carpets, antiquities, glass wares, colorful ceramics, silk products and leather fabrics.

Between December 23,2010 and March 20,2011, the Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera from the Gelman Collection exhibition introduces to art lovers two of the most outstanding, globally renowned Mexican figures of 20th century art: Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.