Üsküdar’s Gastronomy Street has grown into an international culinary hub, blending old-world charm with a global twist.

Set in one of Istanbul’s oldest and most characterful districts, Üsküdar sits on the Asian shore of the Bosporus. Known for its Ottoman-era mosques, historic neighborhoods and iconic waterfront views.

Gastronomy Street has become a place for more than just eating. People come here to meet, explore, discover new flavors or simply linger and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

The 250-meter (820-foot) street has become a popular destination for locals and visitors eager to discover something new without leaving the neighborhood.

On June 18, 2022, the Gastronomy Festival marked the opening of Üsküdar Gastronomy Street, the country’s first food-focused street.

The culinary hot spot brings together traditional Turkish favorites and global flavors. Regional specialties take center stage, from smoky Erzurum cağ kebab sliced fresh from the spit to juicy köfte sizzling on the grill. Nearby, Lebanese falafel comes crisp and herb-packed, while Italian kitchens serve pasta and freshly baked pizza. Japanese sushi and loaded American-style burgers round out the international offerings.

For those with a sweet tooth, the street offers an equally tempting selection, from creamy San Sebastian cheesecake, Lotus trileçe, Pavlova and buttery croissants to classic Turkish desserts such as baklava and sütlaç, making it easy to turn a quick meal into an all-day culinary adventure.

The street is also known for its strong sense of community, with Palestinian flags, symbols and messages of solidarity visible among some of its cafes and businesses. This gives the area a distinctive social character, where food, creativity and community expression come together.

With dozens of businesses operating along the street, the area creates opportunities for employment, supports nearby suppliers and encourages visitors to spend more time and money in the neighborhood.

A study of the street found about 60 businesses, including 32 gastronomy-related establishments, highlighting how food and hospitality have become an important part of its local economy.

Located in the heart of Üsküdar, the charming street is easy to reach by public transportation. Visitors can arrive via the Marmaray or take a ferry from Beşiktaş, Karaköy, Eminönü or Kadıköy, making its central location one of the reasons it remains a popular choice for both locals and visitors.

Stretching from the historic Uncular Caddesi to Valide-i Cedid Mosque. The area is pedestrian-friendly, allowing visitors to wander freely without car traffic. Vehicles are not permitted along the street itself, although paid parking options are available nearby.

This lively street offers more than just food. Alongside its diverse culinary scene, Üsküdar’s Gastronomy Street is lined with cozy cafes that cater to all kinds of visitors.

Workshops are also becoming a growing part of the area’s appeal, giving visitors the chance to try something new, meet people from different places and get creative through activities such as ceramics, ebru, tile painting, candle making, watercolor and glass art.

These hands-on experiences add another dimension to a visit, turning time in Üsküdar into an opportunity to create, connect and take home something personal.

For students, the street’s many book-themed cafes provide calm, comfortable spaces for studying long hours, whether alone or with a group. Its convenient public transport connections also make it easy to reach universities and other parts of Istanbul.

As evening arrives, the atmosphere shifts, with people gathering around the cafes to sip Turkish tea, unwind and enjoy long, unhurried conversations.

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Summer is winding down, but Bodrum is still serving its final highlights. From Michelin-starred tables and standout pop-ups to opera under the stars at the ancient theater, the last days of August have given us plenty to remember. A little gastronomy, a little culture, a lot of Aegean energy – this is what the final days of summer looked like.

Summer always ends in fragments: a long dinner that turns into one last drink, a sunset that somehow feels more precious because we know there are only a few left, a table by the sea and the familiar feeling that we are already beginning to miss something we are still living. As August draws to a close, Bodrum seems to understand this better than anywhere else. The final days of summer are not really about saying goodbye; they are about collecting the last memorable moments before the season slips away.

This year, gastronomy and music provided some of those moments. At Avantgarde Refined Yalıkavak, tucked into the tranquil atmosphere of Küdür Bay and featured in the Michelin Guide Hotels Selection, summer came with an ambitious culinary agenda. The hotel brought together some of Türkiye’s much-loved gastronomic names under one roof through its Legends of All Times Turkish Brands Gastronomy Series. Hodan Yalıkavak, Sushi Barba, POCO Matcha and Ace Culinary already give the property a distinctly eclectic gastronomic identity, while the summer series turned the hotel into something of a meeting point for Türkiye’s culinary scene.

July brought ZMASS Burger, Bayramoğlu Döner and Mahir Lokantası, while August continued the journey with Trilye and Fauna, alongside the return of the Sunday brunches. Trilye, awarded two toques by Gault&Millau Türkiye, arrived on Aug. 19-20 with its refined seafood-focused cuisine. Fauna will follow on Aug. 26-27 for its first pop-up at Avantgarde Refined Yalıkavak, bringing the Istanbul restaurant’s deliberately simple, seasonal and ingredient-driven approach to Bodrum.

There is something particularly fitting about ending the summer around a table. After all, Turkish summer culture has always been as much about food as it is about the sea. The best memories are rarely complicated: a plate arriving at the table, an unexpected conversation, the sound of ice in a glass and the feeling that nobody is in a hurry to leave.

Night with the Limak Philharmonic Orchestra

On Aug. 22, the ancient stones of Bodrum’s 2,500-year-old theater became the setting for an evening that felt almost cinematic. The Limak Philharmonic Orchestra marked Limak’s 50th anniversary with its traditional summer concert, conducted by Darko Butorac and joined by tenor Murat Karahan and soprano Tamara Radjenovic.

The program moved effortlessly between opera classics and much-loved pieces from cinema and popular music. Karahan brought Puccini’s “Nessun dorma” and “Ch’ella mi creda” to the stage, while Radjenovic performed the Habanerafrom Bizet’s “Carmen” and “Sempre libera” from Verdi’s “La Traviata.” Their duet of Agustín Lara’s Granada became one of the evening’s highlights, while music from “Cinema Paradiso” and “Gladiator,” Ennio Morricone’s unforgettable melodies, and Time to Say Goodbye gave the night a more nostalgic dimension.

Perhaps the most memorable part was precisely this mixture: an ancient theater, music written centuries apart, and a summer audience gathered under the Bodrum sky. The evening ended with Karahan and Radjenovic performing “Yaralı Gönül” together, leaving the audience with the kind of finale that makes you wish summer had a few more weeks left.

But the concert was not only about celebration. All ticket proceeds will support Limak Foundation’s Türkiye’s Engineers Girls program, which has been running for 11 years and supports women studying engineering. Since expanding internationally in 2022 as Global Engineer Girls, the program has reached young women in countries including Kosovo, North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom, the Ivory Coast and Mozambique.

Weekend reset at The Bodrum EDITION

In addition to all the dinners, concerts and late-summer gatherings, there was also room for something a little quieter: a weekend reset at The Bodrum EDITION. Joined by lululemon Yoga Ambassador Duygu Erokan for a morning yoga session, I found my way back to the mat after a long break, and it felt surprisingly good. The flow was followed by KOOL Seed protein drinks, and discovering a new brand made the experience even better. My favourite was the banana, peanut butter and oat milk combination: simple, delicious and exactly the kind of post-yoga fuel that makes you want to keep the good habits going. A little movement, a little discovery, and a much-needed reminder that sometimes getting back to yourself starts with simply getting back on the mat.

Final takeaway

Perhaps this is what will remain from Bodrum this summer: a few extraordinary dinners, music echoing through an ancient theatre, the taste of the Aegean, long nights that seemed endless until suddenly they weren’t, and those small moments of slowing down that somehow become the ones we remember most.

Bodrum leaves us with a familiar feeling that summer is never quite long enough. But maybe that is the magic of it. We leave with salt still on our skin, one last sunset in our minds and the slightly ridiculous hope that the season might somehow wait for us. It won’t. And maybe that is exactly why, every year, we come back.

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Sometimes the best escapes do not require long flights or complicated itineraries. Just across the Aegean from Bodrum lies Kos, a Greek island close enough for a spontaneous getaway, yet layered with enough history and culture to feel like a completely different world.

Getting there from Bodrum is part of the experience. Regular ferries connect the two shores during the season, making Kos an easy destination even for a short stay. As Bodrum disappears behind you, it is fascinating to think that these two sides of the Aegean have been connected for centuries through trade, migration, culture and everyday life.

We stayed at Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel Spa, an adults-only boutique hotel near Lambi Beach. Just a few minutes from Kos Town and the harbour, it offers a peaceful setting while still being close to the center. Its contemporary architecture, white-and-blue palette and views across the Aegean create a refined but relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.

Food is also an important part of the experience. Cuvee Restaurant, located at Aqua Blu, offers a contemporary interpretation of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. It is particularly beautiful in the evening, when dinner stretches into sunset and the Aegean becomes part of the setting.

But Kos is much more than its beaches and hotels. Walking through Kos Town, you begin to understand how many different cultures have left their mark on this relatively small island.

The island was part of the Ottoman Empire for several centuries, and a Turkish Muslim community lived here alongside the island’s other communities. A Turkish-speaking Muslim minority still lives on Kos today. Traces of this Ottoman period remain visible, particularly in the historic centre, where mosques stand surprisingly close to churches, ancient ruins and later Italian buildings.

The Defterdar Mosque, overlooking Eleftherias Square, is one of the most recognizable reminders of the Ottoman period, while the Gazi Hasan Pasha Mosque near the Plane Tree of Hippocrates is another important part of this heritage. Together with Orthodox churches, archaeological remains and Italian-era architecture, they tell the story of an island whose identity was shaped by many different chapters.

The old çarşı, or bazaar area, also feels strangely familiar to visitors arriving from Türkiye. Small streets filled with cafes, local shops, spices, souvenirs and restaurants carry the atmosphere of an Aegean market town. Even the word çarşı feels appropriate here: Kos and Bodrum may belong to two different countries today, but their shared Aegean culture is often visible in the smallest details – from food and architecture to the rhythm of daily life.

Another place that fascinated me was Albergo Gelsomino. Standing directly by the sea, the building is beautiful at first sight, but its history makes it even more interesting. It dates back to the period when the Dodecanese islands were under Italian rule. Designed by Italian architect Rodolfo Petracco in the late 1920s, it was originally created as a guesthouse for Italian officials and was later used by military authorities, eventually becoming known as the Kos Officers Club.

Almost a century later, the building has been carefully restored as an intimate eight-room boutique hotel while retaining its distinctive Italian architectural character. Today, Albergo Gelsomino holds One Michelin Key, Michelin’s distinction recognising exceptional hotel experiences.

Its restaurant, The Gelsomino, brings another layer to the experience, combining its historic setting with contemporary Greek gastronomy. Led by award-winning chef Gikas Xenakis, it is the kind of place where the surroundings become as memorable as the meal itself – a historic Italian-era building, Greek flavours and the Aegean only a few steps from your table.

This mixture is perhaps what I enjoyed most about Kos. In the space of one walk, you can encounter an ancient archaeological site, an Ottoman mosque, an Orthodox church, an Italian-era building and then find yourself sitting in a lively Greek square.

Kos may look like simply another beautiful Greek island from the Bodrum coast, but once you arrive, its layers begin to reveal themselves. Greek, Ottoman and Italian influences coexist across its streets, while the old çarşı and the familiar landscape constantly remind you how closely connected the two shores of the Aegean have always been.

And perhaps that is the real charm of Kos: it feels foreign and familiar at exactly the same time.

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Manavgat Waterfall in the southern province of Antalya, southern Türkiye, draws both domestic and international tourists during the summer months with its powerful flow, lush greenery and cool air.

Formed where the Manavgat River, fed largely by underground springs, cascades across a wide area from a height of 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet), the waterfall stands out for its powerful flow through the rocks and its clear, turquoise waters.

On hot days, the waterfall provides a refreshing refuge. Shaded spots beneath the trees, combined with the cooling effect of the flowing water, make the site a popular destination for visitors looking to escape the heat.

The waterfall attracts large numbers of domestic and international tourists throughout the day. Visitors take photos and videos from viewing platforms, while others spend time on nearby trails to take in the waterfall and its natural surroundings.

Tour buses also bring visitors to the waterfall, where they learn about the Manavgat River and the area’s natural features.

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It is never easy to say goodbye to a favorite destination. On July 24, 2026, I left the majestic city of Istanbul for Islamabad via Bahrain, flying with Gulf Air for the first time in nearly 15 years. The airline, long renowned for its warm hospitality and elegant service, welcomed me aboard once again.

What did surprise me, however, was the atmosphere on the flight. Nearly half the seats were empty, and many passengers appeared anxious. The recent military conflict between the United States and Iran had disrupted travel across the Middle East, prompting flight cancellations, rerouted air traffic and growing uncertainty among travellers.

A region once widely regarded as one of the safest transit hubs had suddenly become a source of concern for many international passengers.

Despite the tense circumstances, Gulf Air’s cabin crew remained calm, attentive and exceptionally professional. As soon as they learned about my deep vein thrombosis (DVT) condition, they kindly arranged a more comfortable seat to ensure I could travel with greater ease.

It was the first of many thoughtful gestures that reflected the airline’s commitment to passenger care. In Bahrain, Gulf Air provided me with complimentary treatment at King Hamad University Hospital with consultant Dr. Walid Hassan Assar.

Spirit of Arab hospitality

Even during a period of regional uncertainty, Gulf hospitality continued to shine. The Gulf countries have long attracted visitors from Europe and beyond, particularly during the summer months, offering world-class airlines, modern airports, luxury hotels and a distinctive blend of tradition and contemporary culture.

My journey was a reminder that, while conflicts may disrupt travel, genuine hospitality often remains unchanged.

What impressed me most was the country’s cosmopolitan character. People from across the world have made Bahrain their home, creating a welcoming multicultural society where tradition and modernity exist side by side.

For travellers, Bahrain offers far more than a convenient transit stop – it is a destination where history, commerce and Gulf hospitality come together in a uniquely memorable way.

During my long layover before my connecting flight to Islamabad, I decided to explore the vibrant capital, Manama, a trending city often regarded as one of the Gulf’s leading financial and commercial centers.

Story of Bahrain

The moment I stepped into Bahrain International Airport, my attention was drawn to a striking red-heart advertisement by Bahrain Duty Free featuring a nostalgic image from the country’s pre-oil era and the caption: “Travelling is a gift. Share it.” It was a simple yet powerful message, reminding me that every journey offers stories worth sharing.

Bahrain’s story is one of remarkable transformation. Before the discovery of oil, the kingdom was renowned for its pearl divers, goldsmiths, farmers and bustling trading ports that connected merchants from across the region.

Today, it has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation with an impressive skyline, reclaimed islands, smart urban developments, luxury shopping malls, scenic waterfront corniches and magnificent mosques. Yet beneath its contemporary façade, Bahrain continues to preserve the traditions that shaped its identity.

For centuries, Arab Bedouins and Turkic nomads treasured camels and horses as indispensable companions. More than mere beasts of burden, they were the lifeline of desert survival, providing transport, food and resilience in some of the world’s harshest landscapes.

Although times have changed, this deep cultural bond endures. Today, prized Arabian horses and majestic black camels remain powerful symbols of heritage, prestige and identity.

As I travelled across the Middle East, I noticed that camels were everywhere – not just in the desert, but in everyday life. They appeared in souvenir shops, public sculptures, sporting events, logos, festivals and traditional artwork, serving as enduring emblems of the region’s history and culture.

Even in rapidly modernizing cities, the camel continues to represent the spirit, resilience and traditions of the Arab world.

Exploring cultural heritage

For history enthusiasts and heritage explorers, Bab Al Bahrain is far more than a shopping destination – it is a gateway to Bahrain’s rich cultural legacy.

Standing at the entrance to the historic Bab Al Bahrain Souq, the landmark is surrounded by an array of attractions, from dazzling gold and diamond jewellery stores to food courts, cafes, art galleries, clothing boutiques, and souvenir and antique shops.

Visitors can browse handcrafted treasures, including colorful hanging lamps, traditional dhow models, woven date-palm baskets, bakhoor, Arabic coffee pots, clay pottery and the iconic floor mattresses used in a traditional majlis, offering a glimpse into Bahrain’s enduring craftsmanship.

Among the standout stores is Made in Bahrain, a showcase of locally crafted products that proudly celebrates the kingdom’s heritage. The shop displays exquisite wooden boat models, including the boom, once used for long-distance trade, and the banoosh, renowned for fishing and pearl diving.

During my visit, a young Bahraini official vendor, Abdul Aziz Alhajri, kindly offered me a guided tour of the collection. Alhajri explained that every boat model is handcrafted from authentic saaj (teak) wood, preserving the techniques and traditions that have shaped Bahrain’s maritime history for generations.

At the entrance, on the right-hand side, stands the Bahrain Post Museum, locally known as Bareed, the Arabic word for “mail” or “post.” The museum traces Bahrain’s postal history through an impressive collection of stamps, some dating back to the era of the British Raj.

Its exhibits showcase stamps commemorating historical events, Bahrain’s cultural and religious traditions, the royal family, and the kingdom’s economic development.

Beyond its stamp collection, the museum preserves early postal artifacts, including envelopes, official seals, mail-handling instruments and vintage letterboxes. One of its most remarkable features is its meticulously organized archive of stamps from around the world, arranged by country in chronological order.

Admission to the Bahrain Post Museum is free, making it a worthwhile stop for history enthusiasts and philatelists alike. However, at the time of my visit, the museum’s cafe and public restrooms were closed for maintenance.

My next stop was the iconic Al-Fateh Grand Mosque, a living piece of splendid art and decor. Additional must-visit places include the UNESCO World Heritage site of Bahrain’s Fort and Seef Mall, where traditions meet modernity.

The mall is home to an impressive mix of global brands, including clothing and footwear outlets, luxury perfume boutiques, jewelry and watch stores, and a spacious food court catering to diverse tastes.

It also features a football gallery inspired by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding a unique attraction for sports enthusiasts. Despite these offerings, the mall sees relatively few shoppers.

The downturn reflects the wider economic uncertainty that has affected the region following the conflict between the United States and Iran, which has disrupted travel, consumer spending, and business activity across parts of the Middle East. Bahrain’s hospitality and retail sectors have been among those feeling the impact.

At the Golden Tulip Hotel, staff members Bhagat and Nada worry about the future as bookings have fallen sharply. The usual influx of Saudi weekend visitors and European tourists has dwindled, leaving hotels with fewer guests and growing uncertainty.

If the conflict continues, Bahrain’s tourism-dependent businesses will face even greater financial strain. The wider conflict has disrupted regional air travel, prompted travel advisories and weakened confidence in the Gulf as a tourist destination, affecting hotels, airlines, restaurants and other businesses across the region.

The ancient city of Phaselis in Antalya, southern Türkiye, continues to attract large numbers of domestic and international visitors after drawing a record 481,306 visitors in 2025, making it the most visited archaeological site in the province.

Kemer District Gov. Ahmet Solmaz said visitor interest has remained strong this year and that the site could match or surpass last year’s total by the end of 2026.

“Similar to last year, our visitors continue to show the same level of interest,” Solmaz said. “We expect the figures we receive at the end of the year to be roughly in line with last year’s figures and perhaps even exceed them.”

Phaselis is among Antalya’s major historical and tourism destinations, offering visitors ancient ruins, natural scenery and access to the sea in one location. The site is particularly busy during the summer tourism season.

Solmaz said Phaselis is important not only for Antalya’s traditional sun-and-sea tourism but also for cultural tourism.

History, nature side by side

The combination of ancient history and the sea gives visitors a distinctive experience, Solmaz said.

“People come here not simply because they are surrounded by beautiful nature, but because they can imagine that people lived here a thousand years ago,” he said. “Swimming in the same place makes the experience more meaningful and gives them memories they can carry with them.”

Solmaz said visitors have responded positively to the opportunity to experience history while being surrounded by nature.

“They say being able to enjoy tourism in such a historic setting, in harmony with nature, makes them happy,” he said.

Visitors drawn to experience

Anıl Akgüneş, who traveled from Kayseri and was visiting Phaselis for the first time, said he decided to visit after receiving a recommendation from someone in the area.

“A woman told us, ‘There is a place called Phaselis, a very beautiful ancient city,'” Akgüneş said. “We wanted to come. They also told us the sea was very nice. It looks great. We are going to experience it. People swam here a thousand years ago, and it will be nice to feel like those people.”

Pelinsu Beril Aşkın, who had visited Phaselis years ago and returned to meet friends, described the site as “a paradise.”

“It feels wonderful to swim here,” Aşkın said. “It is beautiful to have such a great part of our history.”

Zeynep Vıraca, who had previously visited Antalya but was seeing Phaselis for the first time, said the site offered a memorable vacation experience.

“It is a very beautiful city,” Vıraca said. “Swimming among the historical ruins is wonderful. I can’t even imagine what it was like years ago. It is very enjoyable. We are having a great time here with my family.”

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