Where Food and Culture Meet

What's on your travel itinerary in the new year 2008? Do you have difficulties to make a decision? Well, this news is exactly for you;)

New York Times issued an interesting article about the 53 Places To Go in 2008. Additionally, it gives advice about year's Adventure, Budget, Family, Foodie, Luxury, Party, Cultural and Emerging destinations. For example, if it is a good food destination what you look for, then your address will be the City where I live Istanbul:) If a family destination, pick African colors that I have talked about it a few days ago too. (I started thinking to become a journalist by the way;) If a budgeted vacation, then select to Argentina.

In the following, the destinations are put into categories to help you decide:

Adventure destination- Greenland

Budget destination- Argentina

Family destination- Africa

Foodie destination- Istanbul:)

Luxury destination- Moscow

Party destination- Dubai

Cultural destination- Berlin

Emerging destination- Almaty


Today's food scene in Istanbul is international but local, forward-thinking but deeply rooted and, above all, D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. just as well stated by NY Times:)


Turkish cuisine is one of the three dominant cuisines in the world, the others being French and Chinese. Turkish cuisine, as seen a few traditional plates in the photo above, is a combination of the select dishes of countries ranging from the Balkans to North Africa, which were under Ottoman rule, Anatolian cuisine and Asia-originated dishes were introduced by nomadic Turkmens.

It's possibile to find a restaurant to suit all budgets and all dining habits in practically every corner of Istanbul. In addition to places where one can find noteworty samples of Turkish and world cuisine ranging from Japanese to Californian, it is also possible to encounter cozy cafés and buffets. Continue reading at Cultures Meet at the Dinner Table in Istanbul


To give an example where to eat, Konyali Topkapi Palace Restaurant has a unique Bosphorus view serves not only taste the distinguished flavors of traditional Turkish Cuisine but also a rich dessert menu. It is also one of my favorite restaurants because of its finest quality and elegance that I go for lunch/dinner in the City. For years, it's been visited by the most number of presidents, kings, queens, empires, stars, inside and outside of Turkey for years.

Let me note that Istanbul you know stands not only for foodie, but a perfect blend of culture, art, full of history every where! You will find more than ''the food'' here:)

What a glorious City waiting to be explored...