Although he originally started his career by teaching some of the top rock guitar players of the ‘80s and ‘90s like Metallica’s Kirk Hammet and virtuoso Steve Vai, Joe Satriani is universally hailed as one of the most technically accomplished and respected guitar players in rock. Satriani, who cites Jimi Hendrix as a major influence, quickly established himself as one of rock’s most influential guitarists.

Since the release of “Surfing with the Alien” in 1987, Satriani has continually been voted the best guitarist in leading guitar magazine readers’ polls. Chosen by Mick Jagger to perform worldwide on Mick’s first solo tour, and by Deep Purple to tour Japan and Europe, Satriani cemented his reputation as a true guitar hero.

Joe Satriani 2013 World Tour
May 18, 2013 20:00
KüçükÇiftlik Park, İstanbul

Sharma aims to teach participants breakthrough strategies that the best performers in the world’s best companies use to win in these times of deep disruption and change.

The workshop focuses on some questions: how to work and influence people, regardless of CEOs’ and managers’ positions, finding a method to recognize and then seize opportunities in times of deep change, what the super rich and wildly successful do in their private moments, an instant strategy to build a great team as well as become a “merchant of wow” with their customers, tactics to become mentally strong and physically tough to lead.

Attendees field real-world ways to defeat stress, how to build an unbeatable mindset, unleash energy and balance their personal lives and also the tools to shift from victimhood into leadership.

In an independent survey, Robin Sharma, bestselling author of “The Greatness Guide and CEO of Sharma Leadership International Inc., was ranked #2 in a listing of the world’s top leadership gurus.

Robin Sharma shot to fame with The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari a book that has been published in nearly 50 countries, has been translated into 42 languages and has appeared on best-seller lists around the world. Harper Collins has just re-released with The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari 10TH Anniversary Edition, this #1 bestseller continues to inspire and engage business people and the general public to get to ”world-class“.

Lead Without A Title: Winning Leadership Lessons to Build a Great Organization
Innoverto FZ, LLC, presents Robin Sharma in Istanbul, Turkey

Location: Le Meridien Istanbul Etiler, Istanbul
Starts: Thursday, May 23, 2013 – 9:30 AM
Ends: Thursday, May 23, 2013 – 12:30 PM

This year, 25 posters, featuring photographs and words, have been prepared for Turkey’s promotion. Destinations like Istanbul, Antalya, Muğla, Cappadocia and Mount Nemrut are promoted as notable alternatives for short holidays.

Just like in previous years, visuals show Istanbul’s İstiklal Avenue, Egyptian Bazaar, Sultanahmet Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Selimiye Mosque, Antonin Fountain, Grand Bazaar, and promotes cultural and artistic events.

Also featured is the Aegean town of Şirince, which drew the attention of the world last year due to doomsday scenarios on Dec. 21, 2012 according to the Mayan calendar.

Another attraction is the Boğazköy Sphinx from the Hittite era, which was unearthed during excavations between 1906 and 1912 and is now on display at the Boğazköy Museum after being returned from Germany.

One of the world’s oldest temples, Göbeklitepe, known as the “zero point” of the world, is also highlighted in visuals. Göbeklitepe is on UNESCO’s temporary list of World Heritage.

The Fountain of Kings, Antonin, which has been unearthed in Antalya’s Sagalassos ancient city, and one of the most important destinations in recent years in Turkey, Cappadocia, are other places highlighted in the visual advertising materials of Turkey.

Dan Brown’s highly anticipated new thriller “Inferno” was released this week. The book has featured on the front pages of many Turkish newspapers as a significant portion of the novel is set in Istanbul. The book has been published in 12 countries.

The story begins in Florence and then moves to Sienna. Later on, the storyline also sees Robert Langdon travel beyond the borders of Italy and into Turkey – where the evocative streets of Istanbul also play their part in the unfolding tale.

Locations include the Basilica Cistern – a colossal subterranean chamber that was used to store water in the era when Istanbul was the ancient city of Byzantium.

The hero of the book, Robert Langdon, makes an important discovery in the Hagia Sophia museum. Earlier, two cover designs for the forthcoming book for the U.S. and UK editions had been also revealed, both featuring images of the Italian poet Dante. Brown was reportedly inspired by Dante’s epic poem “Inferno,” which was written in the 14th century.

“Inferno” features the return of renowned Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, and centers on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces.

In his international blockbusters “The Da Vinci Code,” “Angels & Demons,” and “The Lost Symbol,” Dan Brown masterfully fused history, art, codes and symbols. In this riveting new thriller, Brown returns to his element and has crafted his highest-stakes novel to date.

Brown has been criticised for historical inaccuracies in his writing – but if Inferno sparks a wave of fascinated tourists, then neither Florence nor Istanbul is likely to complain.

More than 110 Turkish films have been submitted to the festival, while 25 films, five from Turkey, have been selected for the “Turkey Panorama” section of the event.

Also, 17 films from young directors will compete for the Johan van der Keuken New Talent Award, which has been sponsored since 2010 by the Dutch Consulate General in Istanbul. Five of the films were directed by foreign directors.

Documentarist will also see the world premiere of Swiss film “Mon Pere, la Revolution et moi” (My Father, the Revolution and Me).

Film screenings and other events at the event will be organized at Akbank Sanat, the French Culture Center, Salt Beyoğlu, Sismanoglio Megaro, the Dutch Chapel and Romanian Culture Center. Aside from side events, the festival will host the second round of the Creative Documentary Development Workshop. At the end of the workshop, some of the projects will receive invitations for various international festivals.

The event is supported by the Dutch Consulate General, the Brazilian Consulate General, Salt, Akbank Sanat, the Istanbul French Institute, the Greek Consulate General, the Dimitrie Cantemir Romanian Culture Center and the Goethe Institute.

Tickets for the festival are on sale at MyBilet but will also be available at the participating venues between June 1 and 6.

More info:

Official website / facebook / twitter

Organised by the Federation of Turkish American Associations (FTAA), the Grand Central Terminal was adorned with traditional Turkish and Grand Bazaar decorations and Istanbul 2020 branding. Vendors treated visitors to the delights of Turkish food and the beauty of handcrafted Turkish souvenirs that they could expect to encounter in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar – one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Dating back to the 15th Century, Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar consists of over 60 covered streets and has more than 3,000 shops which can attract as many as 400,000 visitors a day.

Chairman of Istanbul 2020, Hasan Arat, commented:

“This is a great opportunity to take Turkish culture to a foreign city and showcase Turkey’s famous warmth and hospitality internationally. Turkish culture already inspires over 30 million visitors to our country each year, with over 11 million visiting Istanbul alone. If we are awarded the honour of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, the Olympic family will experience the region and its people, our legendary hospitality and our passion for sport, for the very first time. Istanbul 2020 will be a bridge to a new culture for the Olympic Movement.”

Istanbul 2020’s presence in New York is set to continue over the next few days. As one of the main sponsors of the 32nd New York Turkish Day Parade, along with Turkish Airlines, Istanbul 2020 will have a float which will parade down Madison Street on 18 May. The Turkish and Istanbul 2020 flags will also be raised during the Turkish Flag Ceremony on Wall Street on 17 May.

This year, Istanbul will be hosting the third annual Istanbul Shopping Fest (ISF) from June 8-30. Every year foreign tourists flock to the festival which has increased revenue by up to 50 percent not only for Istanbul, but for the entire retail sector in Turkey. Promotion abroad kicked off for the event in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku after which the promotional committee will then move on to Qatar, Dubai, Sophia and Moscow.

A world star will be performing in Istanbul with ISF. Famous diva Patricia Kaas, who has won the hearts of millions of music lovers all around the world with her “Kaas Chante Piaf”, will take the stage on 16th June evening in the Lifepark which is the new life and music park of Istanbul.

Last year the 21-day festival brought in 7.5 billion liras, however this year’s festival which has been expanded to 23 days is expected to reap 8.5 billion liras.

Azerbaijan sent the third highest number of visitors to the festival last year, resulting in a 35 percent increase in the number of Azeri tourists in Istanbul, which is why they have decided to begin their international promotional tour from Baku. More than 5.5 million tourists visited Istanbul during last year’s festival, the ISF officials said.

Iranian tourists ranked first in spending money last year. The shops in Istanbul shopping malls, which were open until late during last year’s festival, raked in a total of 7.5 billion Turkish Liras in 21 days. More than 5.5 million tourists visited Istanbul during last year’s festival, the ISF officials said.

In Baku, Küçük greeted Azerbaijani’s by inviting them to Istanbul in their own dialect and pointed out that due to the ISF, Istanbul has become one of the most active shopping destinations in the region. Remarking that they are expecting foreign tourists to exhibit a great interest in the festival this year as well, Küçük stated, “We are anticipating foreign spending at this year’s festival to increase by 25 percent which would reach 500 million liras.” Emphasizing that Istanbul alone has 92 shopping centers, Küçük went on to state, “The total square meter area of these shopping centers alone is 3.2 million. This is a figure that is even larger than the country of Luxembourg.”

ISF Executive Board Member Hüseyin Doğan remarked that last year nearly one million tourists arrived to Istanbul during the 21-day festival and stated, “Ten percent of that figure was secured by the ISF. We are hoping to bring this rate up to 15 percent.”

With its developing economy and educated labor force, Azerbaijan is fast becoming the Dubai of the Caucasus. With a per capita income of 7,000 dollars, the nation offers investment opportunities in a number of areas including real estate. Turkey’s Ambassador to Baku Alper Coşkun says that according to the Azerbaijanis’ developing economy, Turkey is considered to be an economic giant. Coşkun also explains that Azerbaijan has a 35 billion dollar fund to invest in a variety of nations and states, “Turkey is also included amongst the countries they plan to invest in. They are finding the real estate sector to be advantageous.”

The two nations shared a 3.5 billion dollar foreign trade volume, explained Coşkun, stating “Mutual investments have surpassed 10 billion dollars (four million of which was from Azerbaijan). We are aiming to bring this figure up to the 20 billion dollar level in the near future.”

The Istanbul Shopping Fest is organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Development in conjunction with the Istanbul Governorship, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the Turkish Exporters Assembly, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and Turkish Airlines as well as a number of sector-based associations such as the United Brands Association (BMD). Fifteen million dollars in resources have been designated for the international promotion of the event.

Official website / facebook / twitter

Turkey’s biggest metropolis has recently been voted the European Best Destination to visit. With a city as rich in history, it should come as no surprise that some of its most popular attractions are buildings built by royalty in centuries past.

To help, we’ve rounded up attractions in Istanbul that belong on any visitor’s to-see list. Many of the attractions in the top 10 are free: there’s no better place to soak up some culture. Whether you prefer history or art, you’ll find it here.

Hagia Sophia
Aya Sofya or Hagia Sophia was the largest church in the world for nearly a thousand years. Following the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmed in 1453, the church was converted into mosque and today a museum with exhibits. Emperor Justinian’s influential architectural masterpiece from the sixth century is the most breathtaking building in all of Istanbul.

Sultan Ahmed Mosque
The Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) is one of only a handful of mosques in the world to boast six minarets. The beautiful blue interiors inspired the name for the Blue Mosque in Sultan ahmet. The National Mosque of Turkey was built in the 17th century which provides Istanbul with one of the most brilliant skylines in the world. The Mosque is still a working place of worship, but free to visit.

Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is a centuries-old palace that once housed sultans. Topkapi Palace (Topkapi Sarayi) was built in the mid-15th century, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Turkey. For 400 years, it was the main home of the Ottoman Empire’s rulers, until Dolmabahce Palace was built in the district of Galata in Istanbul. The must-see features are the Harem, Imperial Treasury and the Istanbul views.

Dolmabahçe Palace
Dolmabahce Palace located on the shores of the Bosphorus is an impressive European-style residence that was the centre of the Ottoman Empire for the last 60 years of its existence. Built between 1843 and 1856, it superseded Topkapi Palace as the main residence and administrative centre of the Ottoman Empire. Today, it is open to visitors, who can visit the Selamlik and Haremlik sections.

Süleymaniye Mosque
The Süleymaniye Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii) is the largest mosque in Istanbul located on the 3rd Hill of the city. This architectural wonder designed by Mimar Sinan was built in 1550, during the rule of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, who wanted a monument worthy of his name, the Suleymaniye Mosque was inspired by the design of Hagia Sophia, built a thousand years earlier.

Kariye Museum
The Kariye Museum also known as the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora, is listed among the top 30 must-see museums in the world. This often-overlooked museum began as a chapel or church built as early as the fifth century, after which it flourished as a mosque during the time of the Ottoman conquest of Istanbul. The interior of the building is covered with wonderful mosaics and frescoes.

Galata Tower
Galata Tower is a medieval stone tower situated in the bustling Istanbul district of Galata. Galata Tower’s roots stretch right back to the sixth century, when it was built as the Lighthouse Tower by the Byzantine Emperor Anastasius. This medieval attraction occupies an important place in the city’s history, and rewards visitors with stunning views if they climb up to the top.

Grand Bazaar
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) is one of the world’s largest covered markets, spread over 60 streets and containing over 3000 shops of jewelry, textiles, pottery, glazed tiles, bronze, leather and carpets. Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar are also one of the oldest of its kind, with roots stretching back to the 15th century. Its marvellous labyrinthine structure is said to attract up to 400,000 people each day.

Yerebatan Sarnici
The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) is Istanbul’s most unexpectedly romantic attraction which offers an insight into the complicated system that once brought drinking water into Istanbul. Constructed in the sixth century and then forgotten for centuries, the ancient cistern has been fitted with lights and music. Don’t miss the upside-down head of Medusa on the column.

Maiden’s Tower
Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi) stands in the middle of Bosphorus where the two continents Europe and Asia meet. According to Turkish legend, a princess was locked inside the tower to protect her from being bitten by a snake. Over the years the tower has been used as a customs station, lighthouse and a residence for retired naval officers. More recently, the tower featured in the 1999 Bond film The World is Not Enough.

Miniatürk, a miniature park located on the shores of the Golden Horn in Istanbul hosts models built to a 1/25th scale of 122 significant structures spanning back to 3,000 years of history in the Turkish and Ottoman geography. Over the past decade since its opening, Miniatürk has had 6.5 million visitors.

Out of the 122 models on display, 59 are of significant structures located throughout Istanbul, 51 are from the greater Anatolia region and 12 are remnants from the Ottoman geographical region.

Miniatürk Operating Director Resul Erkan explains that they have left open space for additional models to be added to the miniature park which spans 60,000 square meters making it the largest of its kind in the world. Erkan explains that they plan to add one to two models a year, which will be chosen through a selective process overseen by a council of academics. Their ultimate goal is to reach 160-170 models, states Erkan. “Over the past decade, a total 6,458,647 tourists have visited the park, 463,926 of which were foreigners”, said Erkan adding that they have seen a 300 percent increase in the number of visitors over the past three years.

Resul Erkan went on to state that visitors never leave without taking a photograph of the model of the Bosphorus Bridge and that out of the 122 models on display, which represent the real-life structures identically to a 1/25th scale, the most popular are the Bosphorus Bridge, the Atatürk Mausoleum, the Mardin Stone Houses, the Halil-ür Rahman Mosque and Balıklı Lake.

Set on the European side of the Bosphorus Strait between the Dolmabahce Palace and Naval Museum, Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul overlooks the unfolding panorama of Istanbul’s domes and minarets and the green hills of the city’s Asian shores.  It is located on the site of a former tobacco warehouse from the 1930s. The warehouse’s restored, six-storey Neo-Classical façade and two carefully preserved 150- and 350-year-old Sycamore trees in the courtyard give testament to the past.

Inside, the Shangri-La is a modern oasis. The hotel takes design cues from the glamorous Dolmabahce Palace with swathes of marble, glittering chandeliers and a mix of European, Asian and Turkish design. A grand staircase wends down the hotel’s three-story atrium, transporting guests from the lobby to the elegant ballrooms and other venues below.

Dazzling to behold, the dome-shaped atrium is lit by a natural skylight and massive Bohemian chandelier that rains crystals nearly two storeys.  Also decorating the atrium is  The Garden of Peach Blossoms, a stunning 18-metres-tall silk painting, which was commissioned for the hotel. The hotel showcases more than 1,000 pieces of European and Asian art. One masterpiece, located behind the reception desk, is an exquisite southern China lacquer craft carving depicting a Bosphorus water scene.

The grand lobby flows into the Lobby Lounge, where classic European bespoke furniture and plush sofas are arranged to create intimate seating areas. Guests can relax to the sound of classical or jazz music and enjoy house-made pastries and more than 100 types of Chinese teas poured by the hotel’s tea master.  The adjacent Le Bar is a jewel box set off by a stone wall and serves traditional cocktails and spirits, plus tapas and mezzes.

The hotel plays with both subtle and overt luxury. In guestrooms, the rich teal, crème and caramel colour scheme is elegant and soothing. The hotel’s guestrooms are the most spacious in Istanbul (ranging from 42 to 60 square metres), and the majority offer dazzling Bosphorus views. The 186 rooms are outfitted with every amenity expected of a five-star hotel and provide Shangri-La’s free high-speed broadband Internet.  Artists from the East and West were engaged to create unique pieces inspired by the Istanbul scenery for the guestrooms, and the bathrooms are decked in dramatic Turkish marble complete with heated floors and Bvlgari bath amenities.

Nearly all of the hotel’s 17 suites have private terraces offering beautiful Bosphorus vistas. The ultimate indulgence is the Shangri-La Suite, which has three terraces overlooking the Old City, Asian shores and the Bosphorus Bridge.

On the same level as the lobby is the hotel’s speciality restaurant, IST TOO. Set against the backdrop of a Bosphorus view, rose gold floor lamps and spherical ceiling pendants light the restaurant’s wide expanse of Turkish marble and custom-made dark chocolate oak furnishings upholstered in hues of taupe, burnt orange and mineral blue. Semi-private dining enclaves are carved out by timber portals, while conker-coloured leather banquettes stretch along the wall seating those who prefer to be in the mix. Matching the vibrant design is an all-day dining menu of world cuisine, including Japanese, Southeast Asian, Mediterranean and Turkish. IST TOO is a feast for the eyes with a sushi bar; vast Wine Salon with full-height, glazed wine cabinets; a noodle station with a Chinese chef pulling noodles, and an open kitchen where chefs cook over the 12-metre grill.

One floor down from IST TOO is the hotel’s signature Shang Palace restaurant, where chefs from China prepare delectable Chinese cuisine and carve Peking Duck tableside while the Kung Fu tea master pours tea. Inspired by the sculptural beauty of historical Chinese courtyard chambers, the restaurant unfolds into four contemporary dining chambers. Upon arrival, an inverted “pagoda” structure appears to float overhead. Facing the entrance, a series of curved walls composed of green hand-crafted Chinese “roof tiles” provides drama and texture.

In the main Amber Chamber, curved banquettes and abundant bespoke glass wall lamps set off by full-height book timber shelves and antique gold metallic lattice screens create a sense of intimacy.  On the other side of the reception, the Lacquer Chamber’s architectural panels glow with a deep glossy aubergine Chinese Lacquer. The intimate setting is offset against a dramatic wall of angled blocks of solid Arabescato Orobico marble.

The hotel also features CHI, a spa with eight of the most indulgent private spa suites in Istanbul offering Asian and Turkish treatments. The hotel’s hammam facilities are extensive, catering to both private groups and individuals. Both the spa and hammam feature Turkish tiles, water features and abundant marble. A health club with sauna, Jacuzzi and steam rooms, and a heated indoor pool are also available to hotel guests.

For more information on Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul, please visit www.shangri-la.com.
Rates at the hotel start from €550 excluding breakfast and 18 percent VAT.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, currently owns and/or manages 78 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands, with a room inventory of over 32,000. Over four decades the group has established its brand hallmark of ‘hospitality from the heart’. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey and United Kingdom. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.