The Yilditz Palace Series

If you are in Istanbul on Tuesday, 8th December and would like to listen to a talk on Ottoman palaces, little known aspects of their history and their significance today, then don't miss the first talk of a series called 'Palaces of the Reform Era' given by Professor Ilber Ortayli. 


The series has been organized by the Yilditz Palace Foundation and hopes to shed light on the past. Given the unique structure and history of Ottoman royal dwellings, particularly during the turbulent Reform years, the series promises to be very interesting.

The Yilditz Palace 

Place: International Lounge, The Conrad Hotel, Besiktas. 

Date: Tuesday, 8th December 2009 

Fee: 70 TL

For further details, directions and making reservations call:

The Yilditz Palace Foundation on 0212 260 5603

General Secretary Banu Aydek on 0212 512 5858

The Luxury of a Turkish Bath

In Irfan Orga's book Portrait of a Turkish Family* he gives a vivid account of his grandmother's excursions to the local Turkish bath. He paints a colorful picture of how she would oversee the cook's preparations, the accoutrements she would bring along, and the hushed conversations that took place within the marbled walls. It is a romantic picture of life before the war when such events had much more significance in daily life.

Light streams into a Turkish bath

Image from jefield on flickr

Today it is still possible to cross the threshold of Istanbul's oldest hammams and find yourself transported to a more indulgent time. It's where women would prepare days in advance to go gossip with their friends and where mothers would visit to find proper wives for their sons.

Çemberlitaş Hammam, Istanbul

Photograph by Giovanni Simeone/SIME-4Corners

from National Geographic

And it's where National Geographic recommends you visit at least once in this lifetime. In fact, Reuters reports that the popularity of hammams is on the rise along with the development of the spa industry and this kind of luxury tourism.

What other excuses do you need to indulge?


{*This is an affiliate link.}

The Hidiv Pavilion - romancing the Asian side

The Hidiv Pavilion

A city of two continents, it's often difficult to pick which side - Asian or European - is nicer. Turks have their own, very deep-rooted preferences and a person who has grown up on the Asian side will rarely ever want to move their home to the European side and vice versa. It's all about nostalgia, community and roots.

Yet, as travellers to Istanbul usually focus on the major sightseeing attractions of the European side, too often the more elegantly calmer Asian side can be overlooked by visitors. Full of little palaces and pavilions built as retreats for sultans and pashas, the green, lush hills and parks are just waiting to be discovered as the other, more romantic face of Istanbul.

The Hidiv Pavilion is a large mansion nestled in lush woods on the hills overlooking the Bosphorus. It was built by the Ottoman Governor of Eygpt, Abbas Pasha. Governors appointed by the Ottoman government to Eygpt were called 'Hidiv' (Khedive) and this particular handsome and Swiss-educated young Governor contracted the Italian architects, Antonio Lasciac and Delfo Seminati, to build a minor palace in 1907. The gardens were designed by his second wife, Hungarian Countess May Torok von Szendro, who also directed the building of the pavilion. Its tower houses one of the first steam elevators to be used in Istanbul.

The Pavilion was restored to it's exact former glory in the 1980's and is now operated by the Istanbul Municipality as a hotel, restaurant and tea garden. Many childhood summer vacations included five o'clock tea and cake in the gardens of the Pavilion and, although prices are very reasonable, the quiet and regal atmosphere is such that you are transported to the heady and luxurious Ottoman days.

Perhaps due to its endearing love story, the Hidiv Pavilion is also a beautiful and romantic setting for weddings and banquets. As someone who chose to be married in an equally beautiful historical building on the Asian side just opposite The Maiden's Tower, I would say Istanbul is the location for romance!

All Hidiv Pavilion Images: Beltur A.S.

Address: Çubuklu Korusu Çubuklu Yolu No:32 Beykoz/İSTANBUL
Tel: 0216 413 92 53 - 0216 413 96 64 - 0216 425 06 03 - 0216 425 06 04
Fax: 0216 413 96 99

Lush - A vibrant boutique hotel in Istanbul

Lush describes itself as 'a treasure in Istanbul' and we couldn't agree more.

Located in the centre of the city near Pera and just a few steps away from Taksim Square, the very hip Lush Hotel is a 105 year old classical building which has been renovated to keep it's own unique signature and yet is completely up to date with the resources of the modern world.

Designed by a woman architect, it's 35 individually decorated rooms reflect the multicultural history of Istanbul and each room echos the styles of Classical, Ottoman, Art Nouveau, Post Modern, Pop-Art and Brutal architecture. Each room is more of a life space than a regular hotel room and you feel at home immediately. Each detail, from the door handle to the curtains, has been produced individually for each room.

The breathtaking Ottoman 'Sedir Room'

When Tara and I stayed here for four days last June, we were pleasantly surprised by how young the staff were. They were friendly, always available and extremely polite. Despite their youthful and relaxed appearances - do not expect strictly uniformed staff behind a high counter - they are professional and efficient. Canan, the hotel executive, is a beautiful and lively young woman who runs a smooth ship.

Breakfast is more than just continental. There is a large selection of fresh fruit, cereal and they make wonderful omelettes, too. The hotel also has a spa, sauna, fitness center and a relaxing Brasserie.

Address: Siraselviler St. No. 12, Taksim 34433, Istanbul - Turkey

Tel: +90 (212) 243 9595

info@lushhotel.com

http://www.lushhotel.com/

Welcome to Behind the Bazaar

Centuries-old artisan workshops

Behind the Bazaar is the enfolding of a story which takes two expat women from a providential meeting in the nostalgic quarter of Istanbul known as Beyoglu on to a journey of friendship, partnership and creative discovery. Tara is an American and came to Turkey seven years ago when she married. She is a successful entrepreneur in her own right with company Citara's and blog Turquoise Poppy. Figen is half British/half Turkish and came to Turkey 16 years ago from London, also through love and marriage. She has built a very successful online business of her own, The Knit Box and also publishes her own designs.

With many similar passions and ideas, it only seemed right for us to join forces to create Intarsia Concept, which supports artisans, small businesses and creative endeavours. Behind the Bazaar was born out of a joint passion for Turkish arts - both traditional and modern and particularly those created by women, as well as our desire to share the many secrets of Istanbul with people who will appreciate them. For Behind the Bazaar, we will always be grateful to Linda Alepin.

A modern twist on traditional art by young, women designers

So, anyone who is a traveler, a discoverer, an entrepreneur or simply a lover of arts, crafts and design; welcome again to Behind the Bazaar.