Posts tagged Brics Milano

Fashion Postcard from Istanbul: A Stylish Walk on the Turkish Cobbled Streets of Sultanahmet…

Fashion Outfit Post Turkey in my eyes 3 Comments

My dear fashionistas and travelers, today I am taking you again to Istanbul. In today’s fashion story, you will enjoy a stylish walk along the Turkish cobbled streets of the old part of Istanbul – Sultanahmet. This is the last fashion story from Istanbul, next week a shopping guide awaits you, I will try my best to give you the beauty of shopping in this imperial city on two continents.

Sultanahmet Square, once known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, is today a square in Istanbul, in the immediate vicinity of which are the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Previously, it was a circus that was the sports and social center of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The word hippodrome comes from the Greek hippos (ippos) – horse and dromos – road. For this reason, it is sometimes called Atmeidanı (“Horse Square”) in Turkish. Horse and chariot racing were popular pastimes in the ancient world, and hippodromes were common features of Greek cities in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.

From Taksim Square to Sultanahmet Square, it is very easy to get there with the help of the tram, and in a few stops you will be in the center of the old city.

The Blue Mosque of Istanbul, also known by its official formal name, Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is a historic Ottoman-era imperial mosque located in the center of the old part of the city. A functional mosque, it also attracts a large number of tourists. It was built between 1609 and 1616 during the reign of Ahmed I.

Its Kulije contains Ahmed’s grave, a madrasa and a hospice. Hand-painted blue tiles adorn the interior walls of the mosque, and at night the mosque is bathed in blue as lights frame the mosque’s five main domes, six minarets and eight side domes. It is located next to Hagia Sophia, the main mosque in Istanbul until the construction of the Blue Mosque and another popular tourist spot. In 1985, the Blue Mosque was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name “Historic Areas of Istanbul”.

Hagia Sophia (literal translation ‘Holy Wisdom’), officially the Great Mosque Hagia Sophia is a mosque and the main cultural and historical site in the old part of the city. The cathedral was originally built as a Greek Orthodox church that lasted from 360 AD until the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottoman Empire in 1453. It served as a mosque until 1935, when it became a museum. Two years ago, in 2020 to be exact, Hagia Sophia became a mosque again.

The current building was built by the Eastern Roman emperor Justinian I as a Christian cathedral in Constantinople for the state church of the Roman Empire between 532 and 537, and was designed by the Greek geometers Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralus. The official name of the church was the Church of the Holy Wisdom. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture and is considered to have “changed the history of architecture”.

The current Justinian building was the third church of the same name to occupy the site, since the previous one was destroyed in the riots in Nicaea. As the episcopal seat of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, it remained the largest cathedral in the world for almost a thousand years, until the Cathedral of Seville was completed in 1520. Beginning with later Byzantine architecture, the Hagia Sophia became the paradigmatic form of the Orthodox Church and its architectural style modeled on Ottoman mosques a thousand years later. It has been described as “occupying a unique position in the Christian world” and as an architectural and cultural icon of Byzantine and Orthodox civilization.

Since we got acquainted with the history of this old part of the Istanbul, it’s time to write a few words about my outfit. Today we are again meeting with the famous Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli.

Roberto Cavalli is a famous Italian luxury fashion company founded by designer Roberto Cavalli in Osmannore, Florence, during the 1970s. This brand has become famous in the fashion world for its colorful animal prints on leather and textiles. Roberto Cavalli produces and sells haute couture – a first runway line consisting of limited runway models, ready-to-wear products that are divided into several fashion lines, as well as fashion accessories, including handbags, glasses, watches, shoes, perfumes and jewelry. The company also develops an interior design program for high-end buildings and hotels.

In celebration of its 40th anniversary in 2010, Roberto Cavalli fashion house presented an exclusive show collection in Paris, which included most of its iconic dresses for which the brand has become recognizable. In recent years, under the leadership of Roberto Cavalli, the new interior design division Roberto Cavalli Home debuted at the 2012 Salone del Mobile.

The shearling leather jacket you have the opportunity to see in today’s fashion story is a rebellious fashion response to current fashion trends. This show piece, masterpiece is crafted from the finest reindeer leather with an arctic fox collar from the latest Autumn/Winter 2022/23 collection.

The Roberto Cavalli Group’s fashion world includes the following brand lines:

  • Roberto Cavalli: a historic collection of evening dresses. This is the first line of the brand and the new era has introduced everyday clothing and accessories, including shoes, handbags, leather goods and jewelry.
  • Just Cavalli: brand launched in 1998, this is a more affordable line compared to haute couture lines.
  • Cavalli Class: a line of clothing and fashion accessories for women and men.
  • Roberto Cavalli Junior: the brand’s line for boys and girls.
  • Roberto Cavalli Home: officially presented in 2012 at the Salone del Mobile di Milano, the interior collections were developed in collaboration with Made in Italy partners. Home furnishing line: a line of furniture, wallpaper, tiles, home textiles, lamps and accessories made of Made in Murano glasses.

If you want to stay updated and find out what the Roberto Cavalli brand has in store for the new fashion season, visit their official online store and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

There is no person in the world who can hide the joy when feels the smell of new Italian leather. Today we reunite with the Italian family-owned glove workshop Restelli, a place where art, tradition and the beauty of handicrafts meet every day, which is the true definition of Italian style and way of life. Making gloves is not only a job but also a true art. After 100 years, passion, emotions, tradition and knowledge have been passed on to the third generation! Rafaela Restelli has fully embraced the challenges of a new fashion era where the market and way of selling has changed with a deep respect and belief in tradition and love for masterpieces that last!

In today’s post, you had the opportunity to see Restelli gloves made of special peccary leather. These luxurious leather gloves are made of the highest quality leather. The lining of these gloves is made of cashmere. It got a little cold during my visit to Istanbul, so I decided to better protect my hands and walk around in my unusual cognac-colored gloves, which were extremely warm and the right fashion accessory for this unexpected cold in the imperial city on two continents.

Restelli gloves are not valued by money but by tradition and history full of love and patience that have no price.

As a person for whom traveling has become something more than a passionate hobby, I must admit that a backpack is my best friend. I believe you all recognized Bric’s backpack from the Life Pelle collection, which this time came back to Istanbul with me. Bric’s is a prestigious Italian brand of travel goods with which you can feel the ease of traveling with unique and elegant suitcases and fashion accessories. The Life Pelle collection nurtures the beauty of leather pieces that you can travel the world with.

Using only the finest materials such as all-weather micro-suede and plant-tanned leather, Bric’s luggage is built to withstand anything and give you a sense of security and the beauty of travel.

With several flagship stores around the world, Bric’s continues to develop Mario Bricolla dream and become a world-renowned travel brand. Bric’s is a story about family, hard work, craftsmanship and a company where dreams really do come true.

Loro Piana is an Italian company specializing in clothing and textile products. This fashion house is considered the largest producer of cashmere and also the world’s largest artisanal company processing the luxury fiber.

The Loro Piana company has three divisions (textile divisions): a division that deals with the production of high-quality materials using precious fibers such as cashmere and baby cashmere, vicuna, linen and merino wool, a division that deals with the creation of luxury fashion items (production and distribution of men’s, women’s clothing, footwear and fashion accessories) and the interior design department – production and distribution of interior design products.

In today’s post you have the opportunity to see two special pieces (turtleneck sweater and trousers) from the latest men’s Loro Piana Fall-Winter 2022/23 collection, which are just a small part of my favorites this season due to their signature elegance and my love for neutrals and shades of brown. Crafted from 100% of the finest cashmere, this turtleneck is perfect for the man who pays attention to detail and leaves nothing to chance. This turtleneck in a soft beige shade, a color that is perfect for all occasions and can be combined with other colors extremely easily. Classic trousers are always the best travel ally and I’m not separated from my new Loro Piana classic trousers which are made of baby cashmere.

If you want to stay updated and find out what pieces the Loro Piana brand has in its offer, visit their official online store and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

OUTFIT

Shearling Leather Jacket: Roberto Cavalli

Turtleneck Sweater: Loro Piana

Trousers: Loro Piana

Gloves: Restelli Guanti

Sneakers: Valentino via MYTHERESA Men

Everyone who follows the Mr.M blog knows that I am a big fan of quality and interesting shoes, regardless of whether they are sneakers or elegant shoes, I always try to pay maximum attention to fashion details such as footwear. Today we are hanging out with a famous Italian fashion house whose creations are adored all over the world.

Today’s fashion story is special because I have the opportunity to show you a re-edition collection of certain VALENTINO shoes that marked the work of this famous Italian maestro whose masterpieces adorn the shoe cabinets of many celebrities from the world of music, film and entertainment, and even politics! There is no person who has not resisted wearing this designer, regardless of whether it is a person of female or male gender, Valentino Garavani shoes are loved by the whole planet.

If it wasn’t for my friends from MYTHERESA, a shopping platform that is a real fashion treasure trove for all men and women fashion lovers, these shoes wouldn’t be in this blog post on the Mr.M blog today. I am very grateful to the MYTHERESA platform for their trust and wonderful cooperation, and I would like to publicly thank them once again from the bottom of my heart for my Valentino Rockrunner sneakers from the limited collection, which are made of a combination of leather and pony hair.

My dear fashionistas, we have come to the end of this second special fashion story from Istanbul, where together we discovered the beauty and splendor of the rebellious elegance of the Italian elegance of the Roberto Cavalli brand, the prestigious Italian brand Loro Piana, the beauty of winter with the Restelli Guanti brand and the famous Italian footwear brand that is a symbol of timeless elegance and has become a real classic – Valentino Garavani, as well as the prestigious Italian travel accessories brand Bric’s, partners with whom fashion stories are a real adventure. I sincerely hope you got some inspiration for your ideal winter outfit! See you soon and continue our adventures on the Mr.M blog! How did you like my outfit today? I really tried my best to prepare today’s post with lots of love and I hope you like it!

I would like to give special thanks to the staff of Divan Istanbul Hotel for their warm welcome and for hosting me in their hotel. The stay in their hotel was exceptional, where I felt the warmth of home!

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or any message for me, you can write me below in the comments. Of course, as always, you can contact me via email or social media channels, which you can find on the CONTACT page. I’ll see you soon!

With love from Istanbul,
Mr. M

This post is sponsored by the Roberto Cavalli, Loro Piana, MYTHERESA Men, Restelli Guanti and Bric’s brands. This post is my personal and honest review of their products.

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Letters from Sri Lanka: Colombo, an Exotic Metropolis on the other Side of the World…

Adventure Travel 6 Comments

My dear travelers, today is the perfect time to delight you with new travelogues in the “Travel Letters” section that you have all loved during the 7 years of the Mr.M blog. The past 2 years have been very difficult and uncertain for many industries, but one of the industries that lost the most during the pandemic is tourism. Things are slowly returning to the normal, the old life we all know well continues and we have the opportunity to do the activities we love once again.

Just one email from my friends from the Ministry of Tourism of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka was enough to get out of the comfort and fear zone due to the current health situation and go to my favorite dream island that I had the opportunity to visit for the first time in 2018. If by any chance you want to remind yourself what my first adventure in Sri Lanka looked like, you can visit this link where you can find all the travel stories that accompanied my first visit to this exotic country.

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. If we look at its geographical position, the island is located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal and southeast of the Arabian Sea, and is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Manar and the Palk Strait.

An interesting fact is that Sri Lanka shares a maritime border with India and the Maldives. There is one fact that few people know about, and that is that Sri Jaiavardenepura Kotte is the legislative capital of Sri Lanka, while Colombo is the largest city on the island and also a financial, political and cultural center.

The members of the team, which consists of people from the Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourist Board of Sri Lanka, really made a real effort to devise a travel itinerary and program that will inspire every traveler to spend their vacation in this distant exotic destination. When you come to Sri Lanka, you realize that all the roads lead from Colombo to further unusual places on the island, so that’s how I started my adventure.

My best travel buddy during my adventures around the world – Bric’s

Colombo is the largest commercial city on the island, the city center of Colombo alone has a population of almost 6 million people. This metropolis is the financial center of the island and the main tourist destination. Colombo is on the west coast of the island and next to the Greater Colombo area which includes Sri Jayavardenpura Kote, the legislative capital of Sri Lanka and Dehivala-Mount Lavinia.

Many people often call Colombo the capital because Sri Jaiavardenepura Kotte is located within the urban / suburban area of Colombo. Colombo is a unique, bustling and vibrant city with a mix of modern life, colonial buildings and historical monuments.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the manager and staff of the The Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, who really did their best to make me feel at home. This nation is known as one of the best hosts and due to its cordiality and exceptional hospitality they are at the very top in the tourism industry.

My first day in Sri Lanka began with a tour of Colombo with the selfless help of Mrs. Rajini de Silva Mendis, who is the founder of the largest travel agency Ebert Silva Holidays in Sri Lanka. The members of her team made an effort to fulfill my plan and program and to spend an exceptional day in Colombo. Let’s (re)discover the beauties of this exceptional city together!

If we take a good look at the geographical relief of Colombo, we can conclude that it is an unusual mixture of land and water. The city has many canals and in the heart of the city is Lake Beira. The lake is one of the most prominent sights of Colombo and colonists have used it for centuries to defend the city. Today, this lake is becoming a local tourist attraction, where various public events are held every day, such as regattas and theater performances on the shores of the lake. The northern and northeastern borders of the city of Colombo are “drawn” by the river Kelani, which meets the Indian Ocean in the part of the city known as Modera.

Now we come to the favorite part that interests all true adventurers… What to visit if the road leads you to Colombo?

Galle Face Green city promenade is located in the heart of the city along the coast of the Indian Ocean and this locality is equally interesting to tourists and residents, believe me, it never leaves you indifferent. Galle Face Hotel is a historical landmark on the southern edge of this promenade.

The Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo. The architecture of the temple shows an eclectic mix of architecture from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and China.

Viharamahadevi Park (formerly Victoria Park) is an urban park located next to the Colombo National Museum and the City Hall. It is the oldest and largest park in Colombo and has a large Buddha statue.

As part of the Government of Sri Lanka’s Urban Regeneration Program, many old sites and buildings have been converted into modern public spaces for recreation and shopping. The program also includes Independence Memorial Square, Floating Pettah Market and the Old Dutch Hospital and many other sites.

Now we will go together on an interesting and detailed tour of the National Museum of Colombo. The Colombo National Museum, better known as the National Museum of Sri Lanka, is one of the two museums in Colombo. It is the largest museum in Sri Lanka. The museum contains many rich collections of great national importance to Sri Lanka, such as the royal regalia of the country, including the throne and crown of Monarch Kandy, as well as many other exhibits that can “tell” you an unusual story of ancient Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Museum, as the museum was originally called, was founded on January 1, 1877. Its founder was Sir William Henry Gregory, then British Governor of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). The Royal Asian Society was instrumental in informing Gregory of his appointment as governor in 1872 on the need for a public museum, with many problems, and approval to build and open a museum was obtained by the legislature in record time.

Architect James George Smitter, who was in charge of designing the museum’s plan, was able to prepare projects for a completely new structure in the Italian style. The construction of the building was completed in 1876, and the museum started working the following year.

In January 1877, Governor Gregory declared the Colombo Museum open, in the presence of a large number of guests.

In the period between 1877 and 1999, the museum authorities undertook numerous efforts to exhibit exclusively the cultural and natural heritage of the country. Over the years, several new wings have been added to the museum and everything has been added from time to time. The museum received the status of a national museum during the period of P. E. P. Deraniiagal. He opened branches of museums in Jaffna, Kandy and Ratnapura, and a full-fledged department of the National Museum was founded in 1942. In the end, nine branches were opened, and a new school science program and a mobile museum service were also opened.

The museum has a copy of the Tara statue, three-quarters of the life-size Tara statue currently housed in the British Museum. Numerous royal jewels and the throne of the last King Kandy, which was returned to Sri Lanka by the British government, are also in the museum’s collection. The ground floor exhibition galleries are arranged in chronological historical order, and the exhibitions on the first floor are divided thematically.

The library was also founded on January 1, 1877. The State Oriental Library was incorporated into the library of the National Museum of Colombo and served as the core of the collection by collecting local publications for the past 130 years. The library functioned as the unofficial national library of Sri Lanka and became the first official library on the island. From the very beginning, special attention was paid to the creation of a collection related to Sri Lanka, Orientation and Natural Sciences.

One of the important facts is that in 1982, Dr. Thelma Gunawardena became the first woman director of the Colombo National Museum. She performed her function of the director of the museum in the period from 1982 to 1994.

From 1972 to 1991, prof. Pandula Andagama was the head of the Department of Anthropology and the assistant director of the National Museum. During his tenure, he established an anthropological deposit in the National Museum. He also organized numerous temporary exhibitions at the National Museum.

The National Museum is maintained by the Department of National Museums and while Portuguese buildings are perhaps less noticeable in Colombo, there are still plenty of Dutch and British buildings. The National Museum is visited by students, local and foreign tourists, numerous researchers and world media. Sri Lanka has a long history and this museum is a testament to their proud history.

The National Museum is the largest museum in Sri Lanka and contains collections of great cultural significance. These collections are also a good source for detailed research, especially for people studying history because they provide useful information.

The Gangaramaya Temple is one of the most important temples in Colombo because it is a mixture of modern architecture and cultural heritage. Located on Beira Lake, it was built in the late 19th century. The architecture of the temple shows an extraordinary mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture.

This Buddhist temple includes several imposing buildings and is located not far from the calm waters of Lake Beira on land that was originally a small hermitage on a piece of wetland. It has the main characteristics of Vihara (temple), Cetiia (Pagada), Bodhitree, Vihara Mandiraia, Seema malaka (monk gathering hall) and Relic. In addition, the premises include a museum, library, residential hall, three-story Pirivena, educational halls and a charity hall.

Today, Gangaramaya serves as a place of Buddhist worship and a center of learning. The temple is involved in Buddhist social assistance, including nursing homes, vocational schools and orphanages. The temple is uniquely attractive and tolerant towards members of many different religions. He was instrumental in establishing the Buddhist Temple on Staten Island (USA), the Buddhist Center in New York, and the Buddhist Center in Tanzania, thus helping to propagate the Dhamma in other countries.

Seema Malaka is a Buddhist temple in Colombo, which is mainly used for meditation and rest, and not for worship. Located in Lake Beira, the temple was originally built in the late 19th century. Seema Malaka is part of the Gangaramaja temple and is located a few hundred meters east of it.

The original structure slowly sank into the water in the 1970s. in 1976, but in 1976, Sri Lankan architect Jeffrey Bawa was invited to redesign and build the temple, which we have the opportunity to see today.

The temple was built on three special platforms that hold the temple above the water and are connected to the mainland and to each other by pontoon bridges. The main roof of the temple is covered with blue tiles, and the temple is made of collected spindles and handrails in wooden finishes. The architecture of the building is reminiscent of the Kandy era.

All three platforms have a large number of seated Buddha statues depicting various sages. On the main (central) platform there is a shelter made of wooden meditation boards. On one of the side platforms is the Bodhi tree which was grown from a branch of the Jaia Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura. The four corners of the side platform have small shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Kataragama deviyo and Ganesha. At the entrance to the temple there is a sanctuary dedicated to Guanyin, and in the temple complex there is another statue of Guanyin.

Lotus Tower, also known as Colombo Lotus Tower is a tower that is 350 m high. Many consider it a modern symbol of Colombo and the whole of Sri Lanka. The lotus tower is used for communication, observation and other leisure activities. According to media reports, the construction of the tower cost over 100 million dollars.

The design of this building is inspired by the lotus flower. The lotus symbolizes the purity of Sri Lankan culture and is also considered to symbolize the flourishing development of the country. The base of the tower is inspired by the lotus throne and will also be formed by two inverted trapezoids. It is planned that the color of the tower will be alternately pink and light yellow with a smooth transition – an effect that is achieved by special coating of glass.

The view from the top is amazing and as I found out there are plans to open a luxury rotating restaurant that will have the best panorama of the city in the palm of your hand. Who knows, watching this karma of mine, I might find myself in magical Colombo again in 4 years!

Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil also known as Kapikaawatha Shivan Temple was built in the 17th century by a group of Indian Chetti traders known as “Thiruvilanga Nakarathar” who moved to Sri Lanka for business. Sri Kailawasanathan Swami Devasthanam Kovil Temple is one of the city’s most visited attractions. No tickets are required to visit this place. It is good to visit this Hindu temple during the morning hours due to less crowds.

This area is a good place for meditation because it is a special oasis filled with peace and tranquility. If you are lucky, you can attend a Hindu Tamil wedding in this temple. Indian Hindu tourists come to this temple to participate in the Poojas Temple and to receive a blessing from the temple priests.

What other interesting sights can you see in Colombo?

The two towers of the World Trade Center were once the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Before they were completed in 1997, the neighboring tower of the Bank of Ceylon was the tallest building and the most prominent city landmark.

Before the skyscrapers were built, it was the Old Parliament building that stood magnificently in Fort County with the Old Columbus Lighthouse nearby. Another important landmark is the Independence Hall on Independence Square in the Cinnamon Fields.

Even before the parliament was built, some claim that sailors approaching the port recognized the Colombo Mosque as the Mosque of Ul-Alfar. The mosque is still one of the most visited tourist places in Colombo.

Another landmark is the Church of St. Paul in Milagiriya, one of the oldest churches in Sri Lanka, first built by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the British in 1848. The Cargills & Millers building in Fortu is also a protected building of historical significance.

Galle Face Green is the largest and most elegant city promenade. Surrounded by coconut trees and along the coast, this mile-long part of the heart of the city is a constant hive of activities. The greenery is especially busy on Fridays and Saturdays. In the evening, it hosts families and children who play sports and kite flying, lovers who hug under umbrellas and health lovers on evening walks. There are numerous small food stalls and a small part of the beach. Green often hosts international and local concerts and performances, such as the World Drum Festival.

The cannons that were once placed on the ramparts of the old fortress of Colombo were placed for respect and prestige on Green, giving the city a colonial spirit. The colonial-style Galle Face Hotel, known as the Asian Emerald on the Green since 1864, is located near the Galle Face Green. The hotel has hosted guests such as the British royal family and other royal guests and celebrities from the worlds of politics and film.

My dear travelers, we have come to the end of this special post about the jewel of Sri Lanka – Colombo, which would not have been possible without the selfless help of the Ministry of Tourism of Sri Lanka in cooperation with local partners such as Ebert Silva Holidays and The Kingsbury Hotel. Colombo and Sri Lankan cultures and traditions. Of course, as always, I tried to share my impressions of this unusual city in Sri Lanka.

Time always flies when a person has a good time! A man is rich at heart if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad to always be able to find partners for my projects that help me discover new and unusual destinations in a completely different way during this global health crisis COVID-19.

I am honored to have the opportunity to work with companies that are at the top of the tourism industry and I would like to thank them for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to experience the beauty of this unusual island country in South Asia in a completely different way.

How did you like this story of mine about Colombo? Have you had the opportunity to visit this city in Sri Lanka so far?

If you have a question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write to me below in the comments. Of course, as always you can contact me via email or social networks, all addresses can be found on the CONTACT page. See you in the same place in a couple of days, with a new story from Sri Lanka!

Warm greetings from Colombo,

Mr.M

In the next post, I will share with you my impressions from the safari!

This post is sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Tourism Board, The Kingsbury Hotel, Ebert Silva Holidays and Bric’s brand. This post presents my personal and honest review of the destination experience.

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Letters from Turkey: Istanbul, City of Two Continents…

Adventure Life Lifestyle Tips Travel Turkey in my eyes 4 Comments

My dear travellers, I hope you are well and ready for a new adventure! After a long break after tsarist Russia, a magical adventure that we all experienced together at the beginning of this year in St. Petersburg, it’s time for a new destination!

Today’s post will be dedicated to the city that I truly love because of its oriental charm and cordial mentality of the people. As a person whose travel has become more than a passionate hobby, I must admit that I missed some little things like the loudspeaker at the airport, travelers who are excited to look for their passports and flight tickets, especially the youngest adventurers who see special edition of M&M sweets in the airport shop.

This time I had the opportunity to experience the ease of travel with the unique and elegant suitcases and travel accessories of the Italian house Bric’s. The Bellagio collection allows all travel hedonists to travel in style with appropriate travel pieces that captivate with true elegance, while on the other hand, the Life Pelle collection nurtures the beauty of leather travel pieces with which you can travel around the world.

Italian fashion house Bric’s is the best ally for any trip with style: the Bellagio Trolley Organizer and the backpack from the Life Pelle collection.

Bric’s story begins with Mr. Mario Briccola’s dreams of quality luggage and leather goods in 1952 in the Como region. The brand has become internationally known for its handmade luggage made of the finest Tuscan leather and the most modern, durable nylon. Although Bric’s has now outgrown the original workshop, love and a personal stamp for every piece made are still present in every piece today.

Now the second generation of the Briccola family is providing its heritage of quality, style and attention to detail which Mr. Mario Briccola started. Known as the best Italian brand for luggage quality, Bric’s continued to justify its reputation. From luggage over handbags to spacious cosmetic bags and accessories quality workmanship is easily noticeable.

Using only the finest materials such as micro antelope skin that is resistant to all weather conditions and leather tanned in plants, Bric’s luggage is made to withstand everything and give you a sense of security and the beauty of travel in style.

With several leading stores around the world, Bric’s continues to develop Mario Briccola’s dream and becomes a world-renowned brand in the field of travel. Bric’s is a story about family, hard work, crafts and a company where dreams really come true.

This adventure would not have been possible without the cordial support of my friends from Air Montenegro who allowed me to feel the beauty and security of traveling during the pandemic.

Air Montenegro is a new airline founded by the Government of Montenegro at the beginning of 2021. The first flight of this company was made in June this year. Air Montenegro’s vision is to be one of the key pillars of tourism, to support the national economy and the economy as a sustainable company that will create a large number of jobs and reduce unemployment in Montenegro.

Responsible and sustainable business positively affect long-term relationships with society, resources and the environment. Air Montenegro also takes care of the safety and health of passengers and employees. It is important to note that Air Montenegro has received the international Safe Travels badge.

“Safe Travel” is a special tourist label that allows travelers to identify destinations and companies around the world, which in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have adopted global standards of health and hygiene.

Air Montenegro joined the European Association of Airlines of the Region (ERA) in October this year. One of the main goals of the Association, which has over 55 airlines, is to represent the interests of all members before major European regulators, governments and legislators in order to encourage and develop awareness of long-term and sustainable growth for the sector and the airline industry.

The first commercial flight of this company was on the route Podgorica – Sarajevo on June 1, 2021, as part of the Montenegrin national football team that traveled to Sarajevo. Regular commercial traffic of Air Montenegro was launched on June 10 with the route Podgorica – Belgrade. The fleet of this young airline consists of Embraer 195 medium-range passenger planes.

For all fans of the Montenegrin coast, the airline Air Montenegro has special offers for flights Frankfurt – Podgorica and Ljubljana – Podgorica and Tivat as well. These flights are performed throughout the year, so you have the opportunity to enjoy the natural wild beauty of Montenegro throughout the year. Also, one of the destinations in the region that you can visit with Air Montenegro is Banja Luka, which proudly bears the title of “Green Valley” as a symbol of beauty and greenery.

In today’s post, I will share my adventure and what a trip with Air Montenegro to Oriental Istanbul looks like! If you are ready to feel the magic of traveling during the New Year holidays, visit the Air Montenegro website and book your seat by the window so you can enjoy the enchanting view!

To get to magical Istanbul, the first thing you need to do is head to beautiful Tivat where you have two options: take a break and enjoy the beauties of Tivat and its surroundings or continue your journey to Istanbul and maybe during the return to experience the charms of wonderful Montenegro.

The flight to Tivat is maybe short, but the picturesque landscapes that you will have the opportunity to see will be worth as a new life experience that will not be forgotten. My sincere advice is to prepare your phones and capture these moments when you fly over the mountain ranges and suddenly see the beauty of the Montenegrin coast, these contrasts are just amazing!

Since I had the opportunity to visit Podgorica a few years ago, it was a great pleasure for me to have the opportunity to see what the Mediterranean part looks like and to feel the beauty of the coastal landscapes.

Just landing at the airport in Tivat was a fantastic experience because you have the opportunity to see the Bay of Kotor. I have always been fascinated by airports located by the water. As it was cold and changeable in Belgrade, the weather in Tivat was unusually warm and sunny for this time of year!

Do you remember the possibilities I mentioned a moment ago? I decided that due to the terms of the consultation with the doctors and procedures that awaited me in Turkey, it was best to continue my journey to Istanbul, so I had at least 2 hours to enjoy the beauty and smell of water in the Mediterranean.

The time at the airport passed quickly, while I picked up my suitcase and performed all the necessary procedures, it was time to board the second flight to my final destination – Istanbul.

The flight Tivat – Istanbul lasts about an hour and a half, maybe about 1 hour and 45 minutes, just enough to enjoy “life in the clouds”. Istanbul has more airports, it is important to know that Air Montenegro planes land at the new international airport in Istanbul. Refreshment and in-flight snacks are available on all Air Montenegro flights.

ISTANBUL

Are there words that can describe this picturesque metropolis that today has over 15 million inhabitants, yes you read well over 15 million people live in Istanbul! Some sources unofficially claim that about 20 million people live in Istanbul, but that is unconfirmed information. Honestly, I believe that about 18 million people live in Istanbul, so maybe the truth is somewhere in the middle.

Why do all roads lead to Istanbul today? Istanbul is considered the economic, social and cultural center of the Republic of Turkey. In addition, Istanbul is one of the most populous cities in the world, the seventh largest city in the world and the largest city in Europe. Istanbul is considered a bridge between East and West.

I admit that I have been to Istanbul more times than I have years and this city is one of my favorites because it has that unusual oriental charm and it is a city that never sleeps! There are many reasons why tourists come to Istanbul today, many come for good shopping, some for visiting cultural heritage, while some like me come this time for the famous medical tourism.

Taksim Square, located in the Beyoglu district in the European part of Istanbul, is a major tourist and recreational district known for its restaurants, shops and hotels. It is considered the heart of modern Istanbul with the central station of the Istanbul metro network. Taksim Square is also famous for the monument of the Republic, which you can see better in my picture with a simit (bagel).

Don’t miss the opportunity to catch the famous red tram number two and ride along the entire Istikal Street. It is a unique experience and will be remembered for a lifetime!

When you come to Istanbul, on the streets of the city you will notice the curled heads of men who have had hair transplants, masks on the noses of men and women who have solved their health and aesthetic problem, of course there are women in their golden age who proudly show that have regained their youth.

Since I came to Istanbul this time with the intention of helping myself, I did something beautiful and useful for myself in order to improve my health and beautify myself, I counted in myself how many people on the street really did something for themselves.

I admit that at first I was amazed while pulling the suitcase, I was not very active in counting, but I think I met at least 30 people who had some aesthetic procedure, mostly nose surgery or hair transplantation.

Turkish plastic surgeons are considered one of the best in Europe, perhaps even in the world. Also, other branches of medicine have been developed, especially oncology, which unfortunately has an increasing number of cases and patients come to Turkey to find a cure and their salvation.

In addition to aesthetic and plastic surgery, dental services are represented in Turkey, as well as services related to gastric surgery, procedures that enable significant and permanent weight loss.

Since many of you contacted me about obesity surgery while I was in Istanbul, I inquired a little about these interventions. Gastric surgery as part of obesity surgery is drastically cheaper in Turkey than in other countries in Europe and the world as well. Due to the large number of patients coming from Europe and the world, Turkish doctors have gained experience. Since there are several types of procedures related to obesity surgery, I am not competent to talk about it in more detail, but I can tell you that the prices are quite cheaper than in Germany.

Many people from Europe and the world went to Istanbul to solve this health problem and really managed to lose weight, but I note that it is necessary to be careful and choose the right clinic for any type of intervention. Obesity is a serious health problem and surgery to reduce the weight is serious and you need to find the right doctor to help you.

Most people who followed my experience on social media were interested in how medical tourism works in Turkey. Is it really based on the principle “you come in, go out and it’s over” and after a few days you just fly back home or is it just a fairy tale.

When it comes to plastic surgery, everything is extremely simple. The most important thing is not to make a mistake in the initial selection of the clinic and the doctor, and everything else goes according to plan. The second step is arranging an arrival in Turkey and the first consultation with a selected plastic surgeon.

At the first consultation, you meet the doctor and try to explain all your wishes in more detail so that the doctor understands the reason for your visit, as I explained in detail what bothers me on my nose and face in general. When it comes to communicating with the staff at the clinic, a large number of clinics have staff who speak some of the languages from your country or hire an interpreter who spends time with you at the clinic, as well as afterwards during the operation.

When you have finished the first consultation with your chosen doctor, his assistant will schedule an intervention. Sometimes the clinic immediately offers you the date of the operation, but in most cases the clinic schedules a consultation with the patient in the period when it can perform the intervention, so that enough time is left for the patient to decide after the first consultation.

Local transport around Istanbul, hotel – clinic – hotel is free in most cases so you don’t have to worry about how to get to the clinic and back to the hotel, everything is already organized. As for accommodation (hotels) when you go to Istanbul on this occasion, clinics mostly offer packages where hotels + transport around Istanbul and airport transportation and interventions are included in the price, but it is necessary to agree with the clinic in advance.

My mom and I were given an appointment for surgery which was two days after the first consultation so everything was very fast. You can use your free time to explore Istanbul.

Also a question which was repeated many times was the time which you need to spent in Istanbul during the visit. Depending on the type of intervention, the period that needs to be spent in Istanbul also depends. Calculate that plastic surgery takes between 10 and 15 days, depending on the procedure you are performing.

These were just introductory information about medical tourism, you will get all the more detailed information in my next blog post which will be dedicated to the operations that my mom and I did in Istanbul.

This post will be interesting to you as a kind of tourist guide that you can visit and see in Istanbul before and after the procedure. The operations did not slow me down too much, maybe I rested for 2-3 days and after that I went out on the street to see people and try various Turkish delights!

Everyone who goes to Istanbul for the first time is eager to explore this city and that is why they first head to Fatih, the part of the city where Hagia Sophia is located, the Blue Mosque and other sights for which Istanbul is famous. Of course, there is also the Capali Carsi in the neighborhood (the famous Grand Bazaar) where you can shop for interesting leather goods, sweets and souvenirs. When going to the Grand Bazaar, prepare your negotiating skills because Turks are known as skilled traders and bargaining is an integral part of negotiations. Take 1 to 2 days to tour this part of the city, depending on how interested you are about this kind of sights and shopping.

When you are done with the cultural uplift so that you can brag to your neighbors and friends about seeing some important sights in Istanbul, you can choose whether you are more for a shopping marathon (shopping without borders) or a cruise.

Istanbul is a promised paradise for all shopaholics, without false promises Istanbul is a place where there is a price range from the cheapest brands you can imagine, affordable jewelry and interesting things to extremely expensive things. No one was left empty-handed in this city, everyone found something for themselves and bought it, whether it was a small thing or an expensive thing.

If you are a fan of luxury fashion, and honestly your budget can’t afford it, there are more than 10 outlet shopping malls that are bigger than usual shopping centres in Germany and Europe so you can find everything your heart desires from the most famous brands from previous seasons.

The most famous outlet shopping malls are: Optimum Outlet, Viaport Outlet, Starcity Outlet.

Of course there are others, but these are with a better offer of brands. These shopping malls are located on the outskirts of the city, so get ready for an adventure in local transport. It can be an interesting and unforgettable adventure!

My hotel was close to Nisantasi, a paradise for luxury shopping where you can find all the world famous luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Berlutti, Max Mara, Gucci and others.

Currently, the choice of brands on Nisantashi has been reduced as all the big fashion houses have moved to big malls like Istinye Park, Emaar Square Mall (new mall), Kanyon Mall and Zorlu Mall.

During my last visit to Istanbul, I visited all the mentioned shopping malls, but as soon as I took out my professional camera, security guards came to warn me that photography is not allowed, so unfortunately you will be abridged the modernist beauties of luxury shopping malls in Istanbul, so you will need to feel it by yourself especially now when seasonal sales starts.

Nisantasi is a meeting place for Turkish designers, so if you happen to pay attention, you will notice numerous fashion ateliers that simply entice customers with their creations to look at their latest collections. Diamonds on the dress, no problem! Everything can be found in this city which is located at the crossroads of East and West.

Due to that fact, Istanbul has become a paradise for shopaholics from the Far and Middle East who come to Istanbul to feel the European version of the Oriental East.

Nisantasi is a popular district of Sisli district on the European side of Istanbul. It consists of settlements such as Tesvikije, Mačka, Osmanbey and Pangalti. A popular shopping and residential district, it is one of the most exclusive districts of Istanbul.

Here, as I just mentioned, you can find stores of the most famous fashion brands, department stores, cafes, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. Abdi Ipekci Street, the most expensive shopping street in Turkey in terms of rental prices, stretches from the Macka and Tesvikiye districts to the center of Nisantasi.

The Nisantasi district is unrivaled in terms of entertainment and cultural content. High class restaurants, cafes and pubs with various additional activities. In the neighboring areas there are large shopping malls such as Cevahir Mall which can be easily reached by public transport or a short walk.

Pangalti, which connects Nisantashi with Mecidiyeköy, is full of local shops and brands. In other words, Nisantasi can give you the opportunity to enjoy prestige and luxury with the ability to have everything at your fingertips.

When I’m on Nisantasi, I always like to go down to the neighboring district of Besiktas, the area where the famous stadium of the famous Turkish club is located and the part that goes out on the Bosphorus. The water always relaxes me and I like to watch the boats and seagulls that adorn this idyllic picture of Istanbul.

Besiktas is located on the European shores of the Bosphorus. The district encompasses important landmarks along the European shores of the Bosphorus, from the Dolmabahçe Palace in the south to the Bebek area in the north.

This area is home to lesser-known neighborhoods overlooking the Bosphorus where you have the opportunity to see expensive villas in Turkish series that we love to watch. I sincerely love this district because of the opportunity to go ashore and see the boats and to enjoy the beauty of the Dolmabahçe Palace, which I sincerely advise everyone to visit when they come to Istanbul.

Although this is a relatively small district of Istanbul, both in terms of population and area, Besiktas is one of the most important areas of the city due to its business and trade zones, historical institutions, universities and of course the fabulous view of the Bosphorus and waterways.

The photo was taken 7 days after the aesthetic procedure

OUTFIT

Jacket: Paul & Shark

Backpack: Bric’s

Jeans: Brunello Cucinelli

Bric’s backpack from the Life Pelle special collection

Here on the coast you can see locals resting and fishing, all the way to those curious tourists like me who came to admire Istanbul and experience this view of Istanbul and the Bosphorus, which we only have the opportunity to see every day in favorite Turkish soap operas.

In addition to shopping, Istanbul is ideal for gourmets because Turkish cuisine is rich and their specialties are unique. If you are more of a street food lover then only three words are allowed: Doner, Börek and Simit. Doner is like Greek gyros that is made exclusively in Turkey with chicken and veal meat with various side dishes, the price of one doner portion varies from 12 to 35 lira depending on the portion size and additives.

Börek is known to everyone, pastry that you will not forget, the price of one serving of Borek is around 15 to 20 lira and finally Simit who never let me down on the street because on every corner in Istanbul you can see an interesting red stroller with bagels that currently cost 2.50 Turkish lira , about 23-25 euro cents. To understand the ratio currency, 1 euro is worth between 11 and 12 Turkish lira.

Istanbul is a city that you just have to love because it gets under your skin. It is a city that awakens a special kind of emotion in everyone. Istanbul is a city with many faces and I am sure that each of you will find at least one that you will adore. This is a city that will delight you every time you visit.

Some people say that it is necessary to come to Istanbul at least until you find at least one answer to the famous question: “Why do you love Istanbul?“.

Every good adventure has its beginning and end, so after less than 3 weeks in beautiful Istanbul it’s time to go home… This adventure was special for me because I fulfilled my greatest wishes and thank you to everyone who took the time to send quick message and to give me words of support. In a few days I will share with you my experience and what my makeover process looked like.

At the very end of this post, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends from Air Montenegro who made it possible for my adventure to be just perfect. I sincerely hope that we will meet soon be again and discover the world together.

I invite all travel lovers to visit the official website of the new airline Air Montenegro and book your ticket to Montenegro or some European metropolis! They say that the New Year in Montenegro is magical, it’s worth checking out!

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Bric’s for their trust and look forward to being a member of the Bric’s family and I am confident that together we will embark on new adventures early next year and write some new travel pages of the Mr.M online diary!

My dear adventurers, we have come to the end of this first special post from Turkey which would not have been possible without the selfless help of Air Montenegro and Arpanu Medical Group, partners who made it possible for me to share my impressions of medical tourism in Turkey.

Doku Clinic is a member of the Arpanu Medical Group

Time always flies when a person has a good time! A man is rich at heart if he has managed to explore the world and I am glad to always be able to find suitable partners for my projects that allow me to discover some destinations in a completely different way during this global health crisis COVID-19.

I am honored to have the opportunity to work with companies that are at the very top in each industry and I would like to thank them for this amazing adventure and for allowing me to experience the charms of Istanbul in a completely different way.

How did you like this story of mine about Istanbul? Have you had the opportunity to visit this magical city so far?

If you have a question, comment, suggestion or message for me you can write to me below in the comments. Of course, you can always contact me via email or social networks and you can find it on the CONTACT page. See you in the same place in a couple of days, with a new story!

Blogger greetings from Istanbul,

Mr.M

This post is sponsored by national airline carrier Air Montenegro, brands Bric’s, Brunello Cucinelli, Paul & Shark, and Arpanu Medical Group which represents my personal and honest review of their products and services.

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