Cool Trendy Istanbul by Archaeologous
Looking for a cool trendy neighborhood experience while in Istanbul? Get yourself to the Karaköy area (near the Golden Horn) which is blossoming and letting the secret out. With the 2004 grand opening of the nearby Istanbul Modern art gallery, a renaissance was ignited. The once magnificent commercial edifices that had fallen to ruin are now galleries, boutiques, restaurants and hotels.
How does a modern brasserie with elegant decor sound? Try the Yeni Lokanta for a great varied menu. Miss Paris? Go to Le Fumoir for French cuisine. It's not all about food you know. Try the Salt art institution on Bankalar Cad 11. There are shops that promote Turkish street art, and you can even have a 'designer bicycle made to measure. A great place for fun is the Souq Karakoy bazaar. Every month at the Kulah art space you can admire and purchase everything vintage.
Istanbul allows one to meander back and forth between 1000's of years of life. All in one day you can take a 600 year old Hamam experience at the Kilic Ali Pasa Hamam designed by Mimar Sinan, architect to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Perhaps take in a real Harem at the Topkapi Palace, or see the most innovative new art at the Istanbul Modern (art gallery) or go shopping in one of the many magnificent shopping malls. Istanbul has it all.
Helpful links: Helpful Turkish phrases http://www.archaeologous.com/blog/34/turkish-helpful-phrases-archaeologous/
What to eat in Turkey: http://www.archaeologous.com/blog/30/how-what-to-eat-in-turkey-advises-archaeologous/
