Istanbul is the flipside of many coins. It's a vibrant, modern city built on the stone of two vanished world empires: the Byzantine and the Ottoman. It spans two continents: Asia and Europe. It's conservative yet open. Istanbul has been populated by Turks, Greeks, Russians, Armenians, Catholics, Jews, and a smattering of British, French and German peoples. Add to this a glorious setting on the Bosphorus, the strait that unites the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, and you have a heady mix of intrigue and the exotic.
Two new megaprojects have come to fruition recently. Most notably, the new Galataport district, which has opened up the city to the Bosphorus with a gleaming new waterfront. Lined with a mix of shops, restaurants and museums, the district lies on a kilometres-long stretch along the sea, facing the minaret-dominated city skyline in the distance.
After a decade of construction, the Atatürk Cultural Center (also known as AKM) has also opened its doors. It contains an opera house and multipurpose spaces for performing arts and exhibitions.
In addition, the new home of the Istanbul Modern, designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano (famed for the Pompidou Centre in Paris and The Shard in London) is set to open in Galataport in the first half of 2022.
To top it all, some good news for South Africans: you won't have to bring up the calculator on your phone at every turn. The Turkish lira and the rand are exchanging at an almost-equal rate, which means you get more bang for your buck than at most world destinations.
Enough of the broad sweep on Istanbul. Turn the page for our list of things to do in the city.
1 Stroll, shop and enjoy dinner at the new Galataport and waterfront - and visit the Istanbul Modern, a museum of modern and contemporary art, at its brand-new home on the waterfront.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May/June 2022 من Fairlady.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May/June 2022 من Fairlady.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.
LIFT your GAME
Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.
BIG SKY Country
Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.
How to write a memoir
Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.
