The Outspoken Travel Guidebook
by the people, for the people
The Outspoken Travel Guidebook
by the people, for the people
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The Picture Perfect Patagonia, Argentina
After our flight from Ushuaia, we wrapped up Vesper’s birthday with some pizza and beer in the small town of El Calafate. The big attraction there is the Perito Moreno Glacier located in the Los Glaciares ... read more
by Laura Williams | Viewed 1521 times.
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Why You Should Visit Milano, Italy
Some cities are for sight-seeing and some are only for living. There are many few places that would worth both a travel and a life in it. As a person who was born and raised in ... read more
by Aslı Toraman | Viewed 1670 times.
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An Interview with the Founders of A Book From Lind
Tine Lind and Jakob Vesteergard fell in love with slow travel and decided to alter their regular lives to create their own independent publisher, A Book From Lind. Their ‘Small Wonders,’ series of foldout travel guides ... read more
by Feride Yalav | Viewed 2064 times.
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The Top 10 Party Cities in the Middle East
When you hear words like “parties” and “nightlife,” the Middle East probably isn’t the first part of the world that pops into your mind. But – as with many other areas of the world – the ... read more
by Ben Thomas | Viewed 7341 times.
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7 Reasons To Learn Turkish and Be Able To Answer Why You Are Doing So
Having spent the last four years learning Turkish in Istanbul and even helping teach others Turkish online on Turkish Tea Time, I’ve seen the wonderful things learning Turkish in its native land awards those that try. ... read more
by Kelsey Yuhara | Viewed 4621 times.
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Turkish Women's Love for Fashion & How to Dress in Istanbul
When Istanbul’s fashion scene was put on the international calendar back in 2013 with the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Istanbul, fashionistas around the world might have been wondering why as Istanbul or turkish Fashion Design didn’t make ... read more
by Guel Riz | Viewed 14819 times.
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What Are The Best 10 Hamams (Turkish Baths) to Visit in Istanbul?
There are many historical hamams in Istanbul, and it is a very hard task to come up with a Top 10 Hamam list without mixing up different style of hamams. Here is my personal list that includes a ... read more
by Kaan Çağlar | Viewed 342956 times.
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The Ultimate Guide for Kadikoy, Taksim of the Asian Side
Kadıköy, lying beside the Bosphorus, next to historic Üsküdar, is perhaps Istanbul’s liveliest neighbourhood after Istiklal Avenue. Being the cultural center of Anatolian side, Kadıköy will welcome you with numerous cafes, bars, cinemas and shops. Most ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 80862 times.
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The Ultimate 4-Day Itinerary for Istanbul
First of all, well done. Four days in Istanbul is a good amount of time to get to know the city and perhaps still have time for ogling Cappadocia’s moonscape or walking the marble streets of ... read more
by Emily Von Kohorn | Viewed 80090 times.
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What are the 10 Best Restaurants for Breakfast in Istanbul?
Turkish breakfast is both a meal and an event. In any case, it’s an unmissable experience on any trip to Istanbul. City denizens often prefer their brunch on the water – or at least with a ... read more
by Emily Von Kohorn | Viewed 72045 times.
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The Best Rooftop Bars in Istanbul
A trip to Istanbul would not be complete without a drink at a rooftop bar. The silhouette of Istanbul covers everything from high rises to historical mosques, bridges and seagulls flocking in the sky. Watching the ... read more
by Seza Bali | Viewed 65358 times.
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The Ultimate Guide to Public Transportation in Istanbul
Every day over 5 million people use public transportation in Istanbul - more than the population of any other European capital. The system in Istanbul might be difficult to understand at first because there are so ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 57917 times.
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The Ultimate Guide for Getting to the Asian Side from the European Side in Is...
One of the ultimate challanges for Istanbullers is to get to the Asian side from the European for sure. There are multiple ways to overcome this challange by various vehicles (really various in Istanbul’s case!) but ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 50537 times.
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How to Get to Princes' Islands in Istanbul
In 20 km southeast of Istanbul in the Sea of Marmara, four islands out of nine are waiting to be explored. These islands, namely Büyükada, Burgazada, Heybeliada and Kınalıada, offer you an one-day escape from the ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 50329 times.
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10 Best Night Clubs For Listening To Electronic Music in Istanbul
Updated in June 2015.. 1. Minimüzikhol Minimüzikhol is a very famous club, located at the heart of Cihangir and notorious with its late hours. The venue attracts the most hipster crowd of Istanbul that all seems to know each ... read more
by Aslı Toraman | Viewed 50293 times.
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A Hipster Day Itinerary for Istanbul
You know who you are. Seasoned traveller, Canon SLR carrier, street food over Trip Advisor restaurants eater. When you visit somewhere new, organized hotel tours and sightseeing buses aren’t your thing. You don’t want to just ... read more
by Erin West | Viewed 45178 times.
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Does it Snow in Istanbul? Why You Should Visit in the Winter
They told you not to bother travelling in Europe during the winter? They were wrong! Winter is a perfect time to visit Istanbul, and here’s why! No Crowds Lines to get into the biggest ... read more
by Erin West | Viewed 39874 times.
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Top 10 Romantic Things to Do in Istanbul
One of the most romantic things to do in Istanbul is definitely being on the water. A good idea is being on a boat before the sunset and experience all the changes in the sky and ... read more
by Nihal Razı | Viewed 37584 times.
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The 10 Best Cheap Eats in Istanbul
While backpacking nobody wants to pay too much for meals. Happily, Istanbul has plenty of delicious food options that you can find everywhere for a reasonable price. 1. Köfte (Meatball) Turkish cuisine becomes even rich ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 35234 times.
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The Ultimate Guide for Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul
From Şehir Hatları (Public Ferry offered by the municipality) to luxury yachts, there are many options one can enhance their Istanbul experience on the cool waters of the Bosphorus. It is one of the must-do activities in ... read more
by Kaan Çağlar | Viewed 34415 times.
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What are the top Turkish delight (lokum) stores in Istanbul?
1) HACI BEKIR - Beyoğlu The history of this really famous store goes back to 1777. Haci Bekir, founder of the first shop in Bahçekapı, made the sweets and delights himself and created new kinds. The concept ... read more
by Özge Yıldırım | Viewed 34285 times.
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What Are The Best Tattoo Parlors in Istanbul? | Part 1
For the best tattoo parlors in Istanbul, check out the spots below, in both Europe and Asia. Foursquare list with map available here. See-Also : What are the best tattoo parlors in Istanbul? | Part 2 ... read more
by Emily Von Kohorn | Viewed 28930 times.
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What are the most popular dance clubs in Taksim or closeby?
Nightlife in Istanbul is always lively and abundant. You may have heard of famous Bosphorus clubs like Reina and Angelique (if you haven’t this article is a must read), but if you want to have a ... read more
by Erin West | Viewed 28872 times.
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The 5 Drinks You Have to Try in Istanbul
If you want to have a truly Turkish experience when visiting Istanbul, avoid your tendency to rush around and cram every minute with sight-seeing. Like the Turks do, block out some time to just relax. Whether ... read more
by Erin West | Viewed 27969 times.
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The Ultimate 3-Day Itinerary for Istanbul
istanbulite, a boutique travel agency, has curated a perfect 3-day itinerary for Atdaa. Follow their footsteps and experience the many exciting faces of Istanbul. With their expertise and in-depth knowledge of the city, you are guaranteed to ... read more
by Seza Bali | Viewed 26770 times.
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The Best Clubs & Venues for Live Jazz Music in Istanbul
While Jazz may not be the first genre of music that pops into your head when considering the Istanbul music scene, it certainly has a presence in the musical fabric of the city. While still budding ... read more
by Jen Welter-Çaylı | Viewed 25802 times.
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The Street Dogs of Istanbul
Istanbul: We’ve got dogs. If I were choosing an unofficial city slogan, that would be one I would consider. Istanbul has a long and at times not so illustrious history with stray dogs. For centuries Istanbullus ... read more
by Jen Welter-Çaylı | Viewed 25183 times.
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The Best Restaurants in Sultanahmet, Istanbul
People often tend to say that Sultanahmet is not the place to be if it comes to hip and trendy dining. Although I partly agree to this, there are definitely some restaurants worth trying after a long ... read more
by Caroline Sanders | Viewed 24562 times.
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Things to Do, See, Eat and Buy in Karakoy
Karaköy was once home to Armenian, Greek, Georgian, Italian and Russian minorities in Istanbul. More importantly, it was a prominent Ottoman economic center, where European and Turkish banks first established headquarters in the 1800s. In addition ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 23170 times.
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All You Want to Know About Turkish Tea & Culture
Before you come to Istanbul there is something you should know about Turks, they love their tea. Love might not even be a strong enough word, their lives are wholly consumed by the ingestion of tea. ... read more
by Jen Welter-Çaylı | Viewed 23051 times.
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26 Best Anatolian Rock & Turkish Psychedelic Rock Songs
I regret not being born in the 50's/60's era and having danced to Anatolian Rock and Turkish Psychedelic Rock in the 70's as a teenager. Going out to shows and concerts must have been such a priceless ... read more
by Kaan Çağlar | Viewed 22922 times.
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Best Districts for Graffiti / Street Art in Istanbul
Istanbul is huge, it has tens of different districts, and the recent start art revolution has made it possible to spot pieces all over the city. You can find building tall murals, train graffiti, and stencil ... read more
by Erbil Sivaslioglu | Viewed 21885 times.
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Meet the Turkish Viagra: Mesir Macunu
Sex tourism is big business in the world today – and sad to say some countries seem happy to exploit their own citizens in pursuit of the mighty dollar, or whatever other foreign currency they can ... read more
by Alan Scott | Viewed 20560 times.
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Transportation Guide for the Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Atatürk Airport To Sultanahmet by Metro Take M1 Aksaray-Atatürk Airport metro. At Aksaray, transfer to T1 Kabataş-Bağcılar tram and get off at your stop in Sultanahmet. To Taksim by Metro Take M1 Aksaray-Atatürk Airport metro. ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 20135 times.
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A Guide To Istanbul's Non-Governmental Organization's (NGO)
Getting involved in the community you live in is a great way to learn about a new culture and share your support for the civil society. With about 83,000 associations and 4,500 foundations in Turkey it ... read more
by Eva Tanz | Viewed 19994 times.
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What are the best restaurants that have the view of Bosphorus?
Water is a major part of the life in this city. It is one of the elements that define Istanbul. Thus, view of the Bosphorus adds significant value to a restaurant. “Dining by the Bosphorus” had long ... read more
by Zeren Ozdamar | Viewed 18416 times.
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What should I do in the Nişantaşı neighborhood?
If Istanbul were New York, Nişantaşı would be the Upper East Side. A posh residential area, Nişantaşı is home to the premier international brands – Gucci, Prada, Tod’s, etc. – as well as Turkish shops – ... read more
by Emily Von Kohorn | Viewed 18403 times.
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Istanbul Locations featured in James Bond's "From Russia With Love"
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming. Anything related with Bond, including theme songs, Bond’s girls, the cars used by famous 007 agents have always been “top ... read more
by Seda Aksoy Evren | Viewed 18227 times.
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What are some of the best shops in the Grand Bazaar?
Abdulla, bath products and linens (Halicilar Cd. No 62). Abdulla sells some of the most popular items in the bazaar – olive oil soaps, peştamels (the fine cotton towels used in hamams), other linens – but ... read more
by Emily Von Kohorn | Viewed 16940 times.
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What are the best neighborhoods to stay in Istanbul?
There are so many places to see in Istanbul, and trust me, it will take a while to see every neighborhood in the city. Depending on the lenght of your stay, you can also choose to ... read more
by Kaan Çağlar | Viewed 16920 times.
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What are the best places for dessert in Istanbul?
1. Güllüoğlu, Karaköy Ask anyone on the street where the best baklava is in Istanbul, and they will probably will give you the same answer: Karaköy Güllüoğlu. This place, the first baklava shop in Istanbul, was ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 16820 times.
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The Golden Mile: Fancy Nightlife in Istanbul Explained
Golden Mile is the name of super fancy district where the superclubs of Istanbul reside. The name was coined by the expat community in Istanbul. The district is located on the shoreline between Ortakoy and Kurucesme, where the legs ... read more
by Kaan Çağlar | Viewed 16098 times.
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Shopping for the Best Sports Gear in Istanbul
Best shopping places for sporting goods? Like many other metropolitan cities, Istanbul is full of shopping places. There are lots of shopping malls, outlets, stores on streets and bazaars. If you are seeking for a sporting goods, ... read more
by Basak Topcu | Viewed 15760 times.
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5 Must-Eat Foods in Turkey
Let’s face it, Turkey is a foodie’s dream. You literally cannot walk ten feet without running into street food or a hole-in-the-wall cafe with only two tables. Even on the public transit boats from the European ... read more
by Erin West | Viewed 14944 times.
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Turkish Women's Love for Fashion & How to Dress in Istanbul
When Istanbul’s fashion scene was put on the international calendar back in 2013 with the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Istanbul, fashionistas around the world might have been wondering why as Istanbul or turkish Fashion Design didn’t make ... read more
by Guel Riz | Viewed 14819 times.
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What is so special about Istanbul?
Istanbul is a city where you can have a European experience with an Islamic grace. Spires and domes of mosques, medival architecture dominate the skyline. At dawn, you can see people going to mosque for the ... read more
by Kaan Çağlar | Viewed 14755 times.
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10 Best Museums in Istanbul
Probably first thing you do when you arrive to Istanbul will be rushing into museums. We all know that it is highly difficult to arrange your schedule for all the museums in Istanbul considering the limited ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 14626 times.
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How long does it take to get to the Sabiha Gokcen airport?
Depends from where you are going. Supposing that many travelers are staying eather at Taksim or Sultanahmet(both located on the European part of the city) I would say at least 1 hour 15 minutes. Since Sabiha ... read more
by Sinan Sökmen | Viewed 14277 times.
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10 Turkish Movies To Help You Learn Turkish Culture
YOL ‘THE WAY’ (1982) Written and directed by the controversial Turkish director Yilmaz Guney, this film was banned in Turkey until 1999. It is based on the the struggles of Turkish people in the aftermath of ... read more
by Zeren Ozdamar | Viewed 13885 times.
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What should I do, see, eat and buy in Galata?
Situated at the end of the İstiklal Avenue, in Beyoğlu, Galata was home to Jewish, Georgian, Greek, and Armenian minorities during the Ottoman Empire. Thanks to its eclectic heritage and recent gentrification, its winding streets are ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 13884 times.
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What are the languages that are spoken in Istanbul?
First and foremost, Turkish. Turkish is the official language of the city, and the days are long gone when Constantinople was a polyglot paradise. Outside of university campuses, Beyoglu, Kadikoy, or Sultanahmet, don't expect to hear ... read more
by John McCarroll | Viewed 13848 times.
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How much does it cost to send a postcard from Istanbul to United States?
Updated on March 6th, 2015.. The PDF doc in Turkish on Turkish Post Office website (www.ptt.gov.tr) says sending a postcard overseas (by plane with delivery confirmation) costs 5.25TL. Without the confirmation it costs 2.50TL per postcard. // <
What are the Best Restaurants in Cihangir and Çukurcuma?
Cihangir's changing so rapidly it's hard to suggest a particular shop or restaurant that will still be there a few weeks from now. A few that have (so far) stood the test of time: White Mill ... read more
by Gillian Morris | Viewed 13585 times.
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What are the best fish restaurants in Istanbul?
Istanbul’us make eating fish an art form. Formal fish restaurants follow the same format as traditional meat meals – cold mezes, then hot mezes, then fish, washed down with plenty of rakı. But there is also ... read more
by Emily Von Kohorn | Viewed 13531 times.
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What are the Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Istanbul?
Although there are few fully vegetarian places in Istanbul, most of the restaurants have great vegetarian options on their menu. Listed below are some of the healthiest and nicest places in town, including ones where you ... read more
by Irmak Pınar | Viewed 13232 times.
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Istanbul's Boutique Hotels with Turkish Bath (Hamam) Inside
Hotel Sultania A luxury boutique hotel in Istanbul’s Old City. The forty rooms of the hotel are named after the mighty wives of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire. Located between Sirkeci and Sultanahmet, Hotel Sultania ... read more
by Nihal Razı | Viewed 13224 times.