With summer just around the corner in the USA, you’re likely already dreaming of where to spend your vacation.
25.04.2024 - 22:25 / forbes.com
Finding a great bookstore while traveling can be just as satisfying as spending the day at a beloved museum or sacred monument—and that’s certainly the case in Istanbul. The city is packed with hidden second-hand bookstores and flea market-style book alleys. The thing is—the majority of these places sell books written in Turkish, which, while beautiful to look at, mightn’t be the most practical if you’re looking for something to bring back to your hotel and read (unless of course, you speak Turkish).
That said, there are a handful of really good bookstores in Istanbul where you’ll find a huge variety of English-language books—from cookbooks and coffee table books to novels and nonfiction. Here are some of the best places to check out if you’re hoping to find a great read while in Istanbul:
Minoa Books & Coffee in Beşiktaş is a stunning spot to explore—whether you’re looking for a new book, fancy stationery, or you just want a pretty spot to stop and have a cappuccino. The independent bookstore and cafe has been around for over a decade and amassed a huge fan base thanks to its great selection of fiction and nonfiction and Instagram-friendly interior decor and art installations.
This massive bookstore chain in Istanbul might not be the most charming—but D&R is still one of the best spots in the city to find English language books and other media (including vinyl, video games, DVDs, and more). You’ll find this bookstore all over the city, including at the Istanbul Airport.
Robinson Crusoe 389 on İstiklal Caddesi is a must-visit while you’re exploring the bustling shopping street. This stunning bookstore is a great spot to stop and read (there are even cozy seating nooks to encourage patrons to stop and sample a book) and while most of the books are in Turkish, you’ll still be able to find a fair amount of English titles.
Homer Kitabevi is going to be your best bet if you have a specific book in mind that you’re hoping to source. The sprawling space is probably the most comprehensive collection of English titles in the city and also includes a huge variety of children’s literature as well. This shop also has—true to its name—a great selection of philosophy and classic literature that will be worth seeking out as well.
This beautiful bookstore is located just above the ferry terminal in Kadikoy—and it’s well worth checking out while you wait for your ferry to the European side of the city. The selection of English titles at the Kadikoy Istanbul Bookstore is on the smaller side but the views from the second-story bookstore are bar none.
With summer just around the corner in the USA, you’re likely already dreaming of where to spend your vacation.
There is no worse feeling at the end of a perfect beach day than having to lug a heavy, sandy, soggy beach towel back to your car. Thankfully, beach towels have come a long way over the years, with features like sand-resistant fabric and roomier dimensions that mean your legs won't be dangling onto the hot sand.
The 60th edition of the art extravaganza that’s the Venice Biennale runs until 24 November at the two main venues Giardini and Arsenale. as well as countless offsite locations, official and unofficial. There are 88 National participations this year, with four countries participating for the first time: Republic of Benin, Ethiopia, United Republic of Tanzania, and Democratic Republic of Timor Leste. Here are eleven of the must see country pavilions.
Stretching across six time zones and covering a land mass six times the size of Mexico, Canada defies easy categorization.
Once seen, never forgotten. Croatia’s fabulously beautiful coast and islands (1,246 to be precise) – with their rocky coves, iconic beaches, historic towns and gorgeous sunsets, all surrounded by some of the most breathtakingly blue waters imaginable – are places that stay in the mind, and they have a habit of luring you back.
Saturday morning, 10am, and I’m sitting at a café table on a cobbled street in the Beşiktaş neighbourhood of Istanbul, sipping a glass of çay (Turkish tea) and waiting for breakfast. By the café entrance, a plump, grey-haired man in a crisp white apron is sharpening a knife, before slicing through what is generally acknowledged to be the largest doner kebab in Turkey. The kebab weighs 100kg, a meaty monster slowly cooking from the outside in. Our guide, Sinan, tells us that Black Sea (Karadeniz) doners from this area are always the best – all of it will be gone by mid-afternoon.
As a travel writer, one of my greatest loves is experiencing a new country, region, or city with my son. But one place has always been our favorite: London.
Istanbul has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world—there’s no denying it. The sky itself seems to be in a permanent state of golden hour periwinkle blue while the mosques and monuments that dot the landscape offer endless picture-perfect sights to soak in.
While July and August are renowned as the festival months in the UK, the spring season in Morocco is when culture comes alive, with May and June being the best months to visit to experience festivals that incorporate music, art, nature, and celebration all across the country. Morocco’s first LGBTQ+ founded and led luxury travel company, Inclusive Morocco, can design full trips staying at some of the best hotels and incorporating authentic experiences for those wanting to head to Morocco during this celebratory and community-led time.
Before joining TPG in 2021, I was a newbie to the world of points and miles. Despite traveling frequently throughout the previous decade, I was oblivious to the benefits of loyalty programs or how straightforward it could be to earn points or miles for airfare and hotel stays.
Türkiye has become the latest country to launch a digital nomad visa for foreign remote workers.
The first-ever Time Out Market opened in Lisbon in 2014. A decade later it’s still packed to the rafters with some of the Portuguese capital’s best food vendors and hungry punters looking to pair their meal with a port-and-tonic or a spot of salsa dancing.