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Bargain family summer holidays

Island escape, Istanbul

Heybeliada island

The Princes’ Islands are just a 50-minute ferry ride from Istanbul but this peaceful archipelago in the Sea of Marmara feels like another world. A popular weekend retreat for Istanbulites, who come here to swim, sunbathe and chill out at the relaxed beach clubs, these car-free islands offer a totally different pace of life, where horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are the main form of transport. The Karamanyan is a beautifully renovated Ottoman mansion on the island of Heybeliada, comprising four stylish and spacious apartments, sleeping between four and six. Head for the family-friendly Green Beach Club, with its gently shelving sandy beach and wooden jetty, explore the pine forests by bicycle or hop on one of the regular ferries that sail between the islands.

• A week in an apartment at the Karamanyan in high season costs from £760 booked through Istanbul Islands (istanbulislands.com). Return flights from London to Istanbul start from £231 in July with EasyJet (easyjet.com)

via Bargain family summer holidays | Travel | The Guardian.

June 19, 2011
The number of Russians in Turkey increased by 64%

Posted by Nadezda Basyrova on Jun 15, 2011 in Tourism News • No comments

The total number of the Russian citizens in Turkey increased by 64% in April 2011 in comparison with April 2010 and amounted to 171 thousand people. According to ATOR Analytical Service such indicator is the best one for April of all the years of the trips of the Russians to Turkey with the increase of 62 thousand people in comparison with 2008. The opening of Egypt in April didn’t result the decrease of tourist flow to Turkey. According to the experts, the crisis in Egypt wasn’t the only reason of the growth of the tourist flow from Russia to Turkey in April 2011. It’s known that starting from April 16, 2011 the visa abolition agreement between Russia and Turkey came into force. It’s considered that such factor in the aggregate with outflow of some potential tourists from Egypt favoured the considerable increase of the tourists in Turkey. The total number of the tourists from the beginning of the year indicates the records as well. The total tourist flow of the Russians to Turkey increased by 56% during 4 months of 2011 if to compare with the same period of 2010. About 350.5 thousand Russians visited Turkey during the first 4 months of 2011. Such indicator is the best one during such period for all the years of the Russian tourism. The most popular cities of Turkey in April among the foreigners were Antalya (735 thousand tourists) and Istanbul (695 thousand tourists).

/www.atorus.ru/

June 16, 2011
Adventures in Turkey: From Cappadochia to Istanbul

A couple months ago, Emily and I had the pleasure of exploring Turkey and visiting with Christiaan and Dara. It was a beautiful country and a great adventure that we will be sharing over the coming weeks. Some of the highlights include exploring Istanbul’s bustling markets and extraordinary mosques, the historical ruins of Ephesus, a snowy capital in Ankara, and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. These are some of our favorite photos from the trip with the rest available here.

UPDATE: Thank you everyone for your kind comments and taking the time to read my blog. I haven’t had this much attention since my post about climbing Mt. Rainier with my father. A few of you have asked about downloading/buying the pictures. They are available for purchase/download at my Smugmug site. Downloads of the full-resolution images without the watermark in the lower left hand corner are $5 while prices for prints vary.

via Adventures in Turkey: From Cappadochia to Istanbul « The Pages’ Page.

June 15, 2011
Turkey pays dearly for death of Russian tourists

RIA Novosti commentator Marina Selina

Several Russians were poisoned by the counterfeit alcohol in Turkey

Turkish prosecutors have called the poisoning of Russian tourists with counterfeit alcohol during a yacht tour premeditated murder. Turkey is doing all it can to help the Russians in an effort to mitigate the damage done to the reputation of the Turkish tourist industry. Turkey is prepared to compensate the victims generously.

Thousands of Russian tourists have found themselves in trouble during vacations abroad. But gaps in Russia’s tourism laws make it difficult to secure compensation and to ensure that the guilty parties are punished.

“They do not deserve mercy”

“This is not a case of poisoning by bad products due to negligence,” said Celal Kilic, adviser on culture and tourism at the Turkish Embassy, on Wednesday in Moscow.

Mr. Kilic went further in talks with Alexander Radkov, acting director of Russia’s Federal Tourism Agency: “Those who added methanol to the alcohol knew what they were doing – adding a poison that can kill people. This person or persons do not deserve mercy.”

Several Russians were poisoned by the counterfeit alcohol. Two victims, Maria Shalyapina and Aigul Zalyayeva, died in a hospital in Antalya. Another Russian woman, Marina Sheveleva, died several days later in a Moscow hospital. The fourth victim, Alexander Zhuchkov, died in a hospital in the Turkish city of Denizli on Monday.

Discount tour

On June 8, the Russian Public Chamber published the results of its own investigation into the poisoning. Head of the Center for the Protection of Citizens Abroad Dmitry Davydenko said the Turkish authorities have fully cooperated with the inquiry.

The Public Chamber established that tickets for the yacht tour were sold at a discounted rate. “Tickets were sold for $18 per person whereas the average price is $33; quality suffered as a result,” Davydenko reported.

The nighttime excursion was organized by the Turkish company Orhan Denizcilik Marina Tourism and Ticaret. Experts say that until recently the company’s reputation was beyond reproach. All in all, there were about a hundred people on the yacht. According to Coral Travel representative Denis Pavlov, there were 30 employees of Odeon Tours (which, along with Coral Travel, is part OTI Holding) and another 30 Russian tourists on board, as well as citizens of other countries, including Europeans.

All passengers underwent medical check-ups after the first cases of poisoning. More than 20 people were taken to hospital. Four Russians were in critical condition and later died.

According to the Turkish Agricultural Ministry, the Russians were poisoned by the counterfeit whiskey Mister Burdon, which was imported into Turkey from Northern Cyprus by the company Jasmine and sold by the Ankara-based Birlik Gida at the local market.

The company sold 12,000 bottles of fake whiskey in the provinces of Ankara, Mersin, Antalya and Mugla. It would be premature to level accusations at specific individuals while the investigation is still underway. On June 7, France Presse quoted the Turkish news agency Anatolia as saying that the Turkish police have already confiscated 7,000 bottles of fake alcohol and arrested 22 people.

The Public Chamber believes that those responsible for the deaths of Russian tourists must face criminal prosecution.

If nobody had died…

It is not yet clear what compensation the victims and their families will receive.

Davydenko announced that Russia will seek compensation from the Turkish side. In the Public Chamber’s estimate, compensation could be as high as $100,000 per person. Lawyers for Odeon Tours have already filed a lawsuit against Orhan Denizcilik Marina Tourism and Ticaret.

Travel agencies and government bodies in both Russia and Turkey are doing all they can to deal with the consequences of the tragedy. Turkey has announced that it is prepared to pay for the medical treatment of the victims in the hospitals of Antalya and Denizli in excess of the sum covered by insurance. Turkey is also prepared to pay for the victims’ families to travel and stay in Turkey.

This is a huge scandal. It has seriously damaged the reputation of resorts in Turkey, and the actions of the Turkish authorities are justified. Cynical as it may sound, if nobody had died the outcome could have been different.

Russian tourists that find themselves in trouble during vacations abroad often fail to get compensation for material let alone psychological damage. Russian tourism laws do not specify the minimum insurance coverage for damages sustained during vacations. Experts, officials and travel agents keep talking about the need for this, but the laws have not yet been changed.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s and may not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.

via Turkey pays dearly for death of Russian tourists | Features & Opinion | RIA Novosti.

June 15, 2011
Pera Palace Hotel: the pearl of Istanbul

Dating from the last years of the nineteenth century, when it served the elite passengers of the Orient Express, the Pera Palace in Istanbul has long been popular with la creme de la creme of Europe and the world.

Politicians, artists, writers and royalty have strolled through the halls of the magnificent hotel, a prominent symbol of Istanbul’s urban culture for over a hundred years. Pera was the heart of the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul, and at the heart of Pera was the Pera Palace Hotel, with its elegant mix of neo-classical, art nouveau and oriental styles, and its stunning views from Galata to the Golden Horn, from the slopes of Eyup to Tepebasi.

The hotel was practically the first building in the city to have electricity; it boasted the first electric lift and the only running hot water in the city, so it’s not surprising that today, alongside some of the magnificent original nineteenth-century features, including precious white Carrara marble and exquisite Murano glass chandeliers, there is state-of-the-art technology, and hi-tech services that guarantee the comfort of a luxury hotel.

The recent 23-million-euro restoration project – the hotel re-opened in September 2010 – has resulted in a museum-hotel where discrete and efficient service blends seamlessly with the style of the historic building to create a unique and nostalgic experience for guests.

King Edward VIII, Queen Elizabeth II, Emperor Franz Joseph, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Sarah Bernhardt, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis… the roll-call of iconic guests over the years is endless, and some of them are paid homage to in the naming of the sumptuous rooms and suites.

The generously appointed suites, many of which boast individual French balconies, are adorned with original paintings, antique furniture and rich fabrics, and exude an aura of charm and elegance. Six corner rooms that look out over the nostalgic district of the city are named after Greta Garbo, while room 411, where Agatha Christie is said to have written her classic novel Murder on the Orient Express, now bears the name of the legendary crime novelist. The five Ernest Hemingway Corner Suites pay tribute to the American writer, who stayed at the Pera Palace Hotel as a young war reporter in 1922.

Deluxe rooms that offer views of the Golden Horn allow guests to watch the mist gathering over mythical peak in the early morning or marvel at the glorious sunset. Also with Golden Horn views are the two Presidential Suites, named for King Edward VIII and Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria-Hungary. Generously sized at 115 square metres, and located on the fourth and fifth floors of the hotel, the living areas include dining room, living room and study, as well as dressing room and separate guest bathroom.

The 380-square-metre spa facilities offer steam bath, jacuzzi, sauna and a fully equipped gym, and are the perfect way to get set for the day ahead. Alternatively, the traditional Turkish bath evokes the slower pace of bygone days and is a marvellous way to relax at the end of the day.

The range of dining options is impressive, and all offer fine food and impeccable service. Paris, Venice and Istanbul, the three principle stops along the Orient Express rail line, are paid homage to in the Agatha Restaurant, where French, Italian and Turkish cuisine influences the modern blend of culinary cultures. The Patisserie de Pera is a delightfully nostalgic setting for breakfast, while afternoon tea at the Kubbeli Saloon has long been a tradition among the Istanbul elite, and the Orient Bar & Terrace is perfect for an evening drink and light snack.

June 15, 2011
Turkish Delight! Kiki Kamanu & Noble Ekajeh’s Spectacular Wedding

By BellaNaija.com

Working on BN Weddings, we are always excited to see a couple’s most special day with all the beautiful elements (the dress, the venue etc…) and of course, the couple’s love shining through!
That said, we are also elated when we see a couple step outside “the box” and celebrate their wedding in a truly distinctive way.

Designer Kiki Kamanu and IT Consultant Noble Ekajeh‘s wedding was truly a magnificent occasion!
View the photos and read all about their “Turkish Delight”!

How Kiki & Noble Met
Kiki was minding her own business at Bogobiri in Ikoyi Lagos having a glass of wine and working on her computer. Noble walked in and was immediately smitten. He asked Enyi Emeruah (who became best man) to make an introduction. Kiki was not interested and was already altar bound with a wonderful Parisien. Noble did not give up and later became her business partner. Kiki still was not interested but was pleased with their close genuine friendship that had formed.

9 months later, out of the blue, she was sitting next to Noble and heard a voice which said ‘That is him, he is the one’ She was stunned and ignored the voice. It came again minutes later and said almost in exasperation ‘No, that’s him, he is the one!’ She ruminated over this for a week and realized that Noble had 90% of everything she had ever wanted and envisioned in a life partner!

The Proposal
Two weeks after they started dating, they had the following exchange:
Kiki innocently said- “Oh wow, 10-10-10 seems like such a cool date to do anything’ . Noble, never skipping a beat said ‘Lets get married on 10-10-10“!

The (First) Wedding!
The couple eloped to Istanbul on March 24, 2010. An hour later they informed their parents and then announced it on Facebook! It was a shock to all because NO ONE knew they were dating, not even Kiki’s twin sister! Everyone thought they were just business partners.

The Wedding – 10/10/10
As this was a truly distinctive wedding, the BN Wedding team will be presenting it in a different way. We were not the only ones blown away by this wedding, the staff at the 7 star Ciragan Hotel were so taken by their preparations that they begged to have a Turkish TV station come to cover it. ‘Kanal D’ covered it and showed Kiki and Noble’s wedding for several days during prime time. After the wedding, the couple and several of their guests were recognized by Turks as they walked about town making them over night celebrities! Martha Stewart’s wedding magazine also asked to cover it but of course we know BN Weddings trumps that (wink!)

We asked the beautiful (superwoman – she planned the wedding!) bride Kiki a few questions on what inspired this amazing wedding celebration.

What inspired you to decide on a destination wedding?
People laugh when I say this but its the truth – Smelly waiters. I have been to so many weddings in Lagos and all but one wedding have had ill-trained waiters serving my food! And I didn’t want a situation where guests trickle in at all hours because they are juggling their Saturdays. I wanted our friends and family to be there for us full time.

Why Turkey?
I ran the Neurosurgery Residency Programme at Harvard for 5 years which was very stressful. One of my Neurosurgeon friends was from Istanbul and would ALWAYS argue with me that Istanbul was ‘ten thousand times better than Lagos’. One day I took his challenge and found my self scuba diving in Bodrum in Southern Turkey and walking around in Istanbul where history comes alive. I was absolutely in awe of its beauty and dynamism. I took my fiance Noble to Istanbul and it did not take much to convince him, he fell in love with it as well.

Was it easy to convince your groom and family to get on board?
All those who know me know I do things very differently. No one was shocked. They were all excited and we actually had people who were not invited ‘invite’ themselves because of the destination! Our Pastor, Paul Adefarasin made sure we went through pre-marital counselling which was the best thing we have ever done. We have a rock, and are accountable for every action we think and make.

The date was very symbolic, why did you choose that date?
It was catchy and unforgettable, TEN TEN TEN!

How did you choose your venues and themes?
Venue – The Ciragan Palace is a Kempinski Hotel and the only standing Ottoman palace right on the Bosphorous. There is a lot of rich history which comes alive as soon as you walk through the doors.

Theme – For the theme, that was easier – New York Fashion Week! I live between Lagos and Manhattan. I have been a runway model since my early teens and I am now a fashion designer. I insisted that everyone HAD to wear loads of colour. Black was forbidden.

Outfits – I designed all the outfits for the entire 30 person wedding party and It was essential that everyone NOT be wearing the same fabric or same design. I feel it is important that wedding outfits should be recycled and worn again. I designed pieces based on each persons body type and lifestyle.

The 9 groomsmen wore raw silk kaftans in vibrant hues with rich embroidery from my EKZ men’s collection. My brother, dad and 4 brothers in law also wore kaftans from EKZ. The 10 bridesmaids wore stunning lace dresses whilst my 2 maids of honour and my 3 sisters wore soft silk dresses. We also had a red carpet and velvet ropes to make it more authentic.

You are a designer and had a stunning collection of dresses which you wore at the wedding, describe the looks and tell us the inspiration behind them.
It took me less than a week to get my three pieces together. It was crazy but fun. My staff were busy sewing late into the night!

The First Outfit – My first outfit for the church ceremony was a lavish red satin long skirt with multiple layers of ruffles. I paired it with a silver satin bustier with Swarovski crystals. I completed the outfit with red satin boots my wonderful assistant Martha painstakingly sprinkled with Swarovski crystals.

The Second Outfit – My second outfit was worn into the reception and also for the interview with Turkish TV station Canal D. It was white lace with feathers my mum had given me years ago. I had never known what to do with it until then.

The Third Outfit – For my third outfit, I wore a purple and green chiffon dress inspired by Alexander McQueen. I also had a pair of purple/lime multi strapped satin shoes I made from my shoe collection.

How many days did you spend in Turkey and how many ceremonies/celebrations took place?

We were in Istanbul for about ten days. We had a beautiful, emotional Christian ceremony officiated by our spiritual mentor and friend Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock. This ceremony was held at the Ciragan Palace, Istanbul.

Were there any additional special activities organized for guests?
We were so blessed to have our guests in Istanbul for 5 days. We had a dinner for our near 200 guests (some who came form as far away as New Zealand and Sri Lanka) at a traditional low key Turkish restaurant in the Cek Passaji area complete with a private concert of Turkish folk music. We also organized tours and Turkish baths. It was important for us that our guests get to know the beauty that is about in Istanbul from Galata to Bebek to Ortakoy

Advice for brides and grooms considering a destination wedding
1) Don’t ever think its too expensive. There is a wedding for every budget.

2) Don’t listen to family when it comes to your day. A close fried of mine wanted to get married on 06-06-2006 and because it was not ‘convenient’ for her dad, it did not happen. Another friend wanted to have a ceremony for his dad’s friends in Lagos and then the actual wedding in nearby Cotonou, and his dad objected. In the end a low key event was held in Lagos to the dismay of the couple. I was stunned in both cases! It is about you and your spouse, it is the beginning of your beginning and like Burger King you should have it your way! That’s it!

3) Make sure you are friends first! Very very important! We talk about everything, good and bad unpleasant and otherwise.

Married!

June 15, 2011