Nightlife in Beyoglu, which is now home to boutique hotels, fusion eateries and world music clubs. Photograph: Carsten Koall/Getty Images

Istanbul thrives as the new party capital of Europe

The Golden Horn is booming as the world’s most dynamic city transforms its skyline and artists and students help make it buzz

In the run-up to New Year, the tourists were haggling over Louis Vuitton and Prada rip-offs in Istanbul’s fabled grand bazaar. But in the high-rise shopping centres on the other side of town, bargain hunters in the winter sales are battling to get their hands on the real thing.

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Air pollution from ships rings alarm bells for İstanbul
Today’s Zaman
A significant increase in shipping traffic though İstanbul and the Çanakkale straits, coupled with high emission, low quality diesel fuel, increases air

And the Winner Is?Istanbul
New York Times (blog)
Now that we are putting the finishing touches on our 2011 list, voting is officially closed, and we can unveil the winner for 2010: Istanbul, by a landslide

Christmas in Istanbul
By The Atkinsons in Amsterdam
We stayed at the Ramada Plaza Istanbul. It was a very nice hotel with wonderful and helpful staff but it was on the other side of town from the Old City where all the historical sites are located. There is a metro stop directly next to

‘Istanbul Reminiscences’ goes online
Hurriyet Daily News
A project archiving a number of oral histories portraying periods of Istanbul’s social, cultural and economic transformation within the last 60-70 years has

Cirque du Soleil coming to dazzle Istanbul

New record stores in Istanbul keep old music format spinning
Hurriyet Daily News
?Vinyl records can be used for approximately 60 years,? longer than any other format, Mete Avunduk, owner of Vintage Plak in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district,

Istanbul’s Sarıyer observes itself with photography exhibition
Hurriyet Daily News
… to discover all this at the exhibition. The exhibition was supported by the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency and Sarıyer Municipality.

Istanbul 2010: A Year’s Review I

Tales of Istanbul’s Beyoğlu become a documentary

Istanbul literary figure receives final send-off

Istanbul, a world city with a ‘junk’ rating
Hurriyet Daily News
Several European cities including Istanbul are facing funding shortfalls and credit downgrades from an internationally recognized credit rating agency

Breakdancing’ breaking onto Istanbul’s cultural scene
Hurriyet Daily News
Istanbul’s historical Sirkeci Train Station hosts the city’s first-ever Red Bull Breakings event over the weekend, welcoming dancing crews from all over

Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula to be closed to traffic
Hurriyet Daily News
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s transportation unit will close 90 streets on the city’s historical peninsula to traffic beginning Jan. 1, 2011.

Istanbul’s cultural heritage goes online
Hurriyet Daily News
The cultural valuables of Istanbul are now accessible thanks to a website project. The first of its type in Turkey, the website presents 200 years of

A visit to Istanbul Museum of Modern Art | Tips from the T-List
By Inka Piegsa-quischotte
With all the stunning historical sites in Istanbul around you, it’s easy to forget that Turkey has prestigious modern artists too. To create a home for their work and give Turkish modern art the exposure it deserves, the Istanbul Museum

Documentary remembers Istanbul’s barrel organs

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar turns 550
Sify
Istanbul, Dec 27 (IANS) Over 3000 people gathered Sunday in Istanbul’s historic Grand Bazaar to celebrate its 550th anniversary

Secrets of Istanbul

Istanbul? Yet another mystery in every corner, an astounding secret in every stone. Istanbul tells its secrets only to those who would notice, take a moment and wish to listen.

Saudi contemporary art in Istanbul
Arab News
By GEOFFREY KING The Edge of Arabia Istanbul: Transition is the latest international exhibition by Saudi Arabian artists.

Chic Istanbul neighborhood rolls out red carpet for new year
Hurriyet Daily News
As the Nişantaşı area prepares for its moment in the spotlight, Istanbul municipalities and businesses are stringing pedestrian thoroughfares and shopping

Panorama 1453 named best museum in Turkey / PHOTO
www.worldbulletin.net
The Panorama 1453 Historical Museum in İstanbul was named the best museum of the year by the İstanbul-based Literature, Art and Cultural Research Foundation