Istanbul and Cesme: on NYT’s list of 31 places to go in 2010
The New York Times just published online this list: “The 31 Places to Go in 2010″. I’m proud to say that Istanbul makes #19 on the list. In addition, it’s also exciting to share that Cesme makes #8 on the list! Cesme is the beach town of Turkey’s 3rd largest city, Izmir. It is also where we got married and where we spend part of our summers, so Cesme is special to me.
Read more here:
Istanbul
The reputation of Istanbul’s contemporary art scene has been steadily growing in recent years, with the Web site ArtKnowledgeNews.com recently calling it “one of the most innovative in the world.” That reputation is bound to be burnished even more this year, now that Istanbul has been named the 2010 European Capital of Culture (a designation it shares with Essen, Germany, and Pecs, Hungary).
There will be a series of events, gallery shows and stage performances throughout the city to mark the occasion. (A complete list of events can be found aten.istanbul2010.org/index.htm.)
But one of the best ways to get a crash course in what Istanbul’s leading artists are up to right now is to spend some time wandering around the Misir Apartments (311/4 Istiklal Cadessi), right on the busy pedestrian thoroughfare that cuts through the trendy Beygolu neighborhood. Inside this elegant, early-20th-century building are some of the city’s most cutting-edge art venues, like Galerist (www.galerist.com.tr) and Gallerie Nev (www.galerinevistanbul.com)
Afterward, head to the rooftop terrace and have a drink at 360 Istanbul, a stylish bar and restaurant that offers stunning views of the city’s skyline (360istanbul.com). — Stuart Emmrich
Cesme
The next Bodrum? While revelers continue to descend upon that seaside retreat, another corner of Turkey’s Aegean coastline has begun to emerge as a stylish alternative: the once-sleepy villages of the Cesme Peninsula. The main draw is Alacati, a sheltered beach town that last summer was the site of the Professional Windsurfers Association Slalom World Cup. Scheduled to open in the spring, the seven-room Hotel Nars Alacati (www.nars.com.tr), set in a converted 19th-century mansion, promises to become the popular weekend gathering spot for Istanbul’s smart set, along with the adjoining gardenrestaurant, Mesa Luna. — Andrew Ferren 
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html?pagewanted=1&em
villa relaxation and swimming in the Black Sea
It’s been an eventful weekend so far. Last night we had dinner and drinks at a friend’s amazingly beautiful villa on the Asian side, just across the Bosphorous. Their villa was seriously just like you walked into an architechtual design dream. From the top floor of the villa there is an amazing view of the Bosphorous and the European side (where we live). Yes I should have taken a picture to share… sorry. Or maybe a video would have been better so you could hear how last night when the mosques sounded their call to prayer at 9:45p, how it seemed as if we were center-point of like 10 mosques. That is, and I’m sure will always be, a very unique Istanbul experience for me. Video next time, I promise.
The night was perfect, the moon just about full, weather perfect, super yummy Turkish cuisine, cocktails, late night swimming, and meeting a whole new group of people – Turks and Americans. And it turns out one of the couples lives right next to us. I can see us hanging out with this crew a lot, and hope that we do.
And today was just another day at the beach today… well not really. Today I swam in the Black Sea for the first time. I’ve seen the Black Sea before from a boat trip up the Bosphorous, but this is the first time swimming in it. This trip to the beach there – Burc Beach – also marked our first beach trip since living here.
The Black Sea is different from other Turkey beaches I’ve been to. The sand is more brown, the water is warmer, and there are pretty strong waves and a healthy undertow. It’s a very nice beach, but I think I prefer the crisp, clear water of Cesme beaches. This beach was unique though because since it is the Black Sea, you can look out and see all of the ships waiting to go through the Bosphorous Straight. It’s really a cool sight – see pics below.
I have to tell you though, it was a really tough day. Sitting in our beach cabana, having someone bring us drinks and food all day, hanging with friends, swimming and jumping into the crashing waves… ahh this is the life.
