Istanbul

Istanbul is an international art and cultural center. Operas, operettas, ballets, films, concerts, exhibitions and conferences all contribute to the cultural palette of the city. The International Arts and Cultural Festival are held each year in June and July with famous artists coming from all over the world. In March and April there is the International Film Festival. Istanbul also has a rich program of light entertainment. Nightclubs provide splendid entertainment throughout dinner, ranging from a selection of Turkish songs to belly-dancing. Alongside these are modem discos, cabarets, and jazz clubs in the Taksim - Harbiye district. Iin Sultanahmet, there are a number of restaurants in restored Byzantine and Ottoman buildings which offer a unique setting for an evening out. Kumkapi, with its many taverns, bars and fish restaurants, is another attractive district. People have been meeting for years at Cicek Pasaji in the district of Beyoglu for snacks and seafood specialties. Also in the area near Cicek Pasaji is the narrow Nevizade Street, which is the best place in Istanbul for eating Turkish specialties and drinking raki. On the Bosphorus, Ortakoy is the best place for nightlife in Istanbul, with its nightclubs, jazz clubs, fine seafood restaurants and bars. At Eminonu don't miss an opportunity to see fishermen dressed in traditional Ottoman clothes and their Ottoman-style boats which you may board to sample their delicious fried fish. You may also want to visit Tatilya Cumhuriyeti, a large amusement park in Beylikduzu past Haramidere on the road to the Ataturk International Airport.

Shopping
The Kapali Carsi, or Covered Bazaar is commercial center of the old city, and original shopping mall with something to suit every taste and pocket. It is a labyrinth of streets and passages houses with more than 4,000 shops. Charming souvenirs and gifts can be selected from among Turkish crafts, the world-renowned carpets, brilliant hand painted ceramics, copperware, brassware, and meerschaum pipes. The gold jewelry in brilliantly lit cases dazzles passersby. In the heart of the bazaar, there is an Old Bedesten offer a curious assortment of antiques. The sophisticated shops of the Taksim - Nisantasi districts contrast with the chaos of the bazaars. On Istiklal Avenue, Cumhuriyet Avenue and Rumeli Avenue, you can browse peacefully in the most fashionable shops selling elegant fashions made from Turkey's high quality textiles. Exquisite jewelry as well as finely designed handbags and shoes can also be found. The Atakoy Galleria Mall in Atakoy and the Akmerkez Mall in Etiler have branches of Istanbul's most elegant shops. In Bakirkoy, the Carousel Mall is worth a visit, as is the Atlas Passage in Beyoglu. Bahariye Avenue, Bagdat Avenue,and Capitol Mall on the Asian side, offer the same shopping opportunities. 

Antalya

Nightlife
Antalya has a very colorful night life. Especially, during the summer months, the award-winner marina and its surrounding host a rich variety of discos, bars and pubs all of which are very popular among both the tourists and locals. Likewise in Kemer and Titreyengöl there are plenty of very appealing pubs, rock bars and traditional Turkish taverns. Antalya's night life becomes even more exciting during the International Golden Orange Film Festival.

Shopping
Antalya Migros Shopping Mall, which has been in service since 2001, is the city's most modern and biggest shopping centre with its 104 stores. Also, the Deepo Outlet Center which is situated across the Antalya Airport offers the chance of shopping at great factory outlet prices. Gift shops and small local shops selling traditional handcrafts are spread widely over the historical Kaleiçi and, of course the entire Antalya.

Bodrum

On the Aegean coast, Bodrum is famous for its colorful life. Besides the vitality and colorfulness of the city in the daytime, Bodrum is also renowned for its exceptionally appealing nightlife. From Iskele Square to the end of Kumbahce District, Cumhuriyet Street is lined with bars, pubs, discos and taverns that guarantee fun and good times for people of all ages. In the mysterious darkness of the Bodrum nights, the magical shimmer that surrounds Bodrum castle adds a certain charm to the atmosphere. The heartbeat of the city's nightlife is in the bars of Bodrum where every kind of music, from jazz to tavern music, can be heard.

Izmir
Bars and restaurants are lively when evening comes and night falls that it is not surprising to see new hot spots opening all the time in the Karşıyaka, Bostanlı and Inciraltı neighbourhoods, where there are opportunities to relax after a hard day, enjoy lively conversation and share dinner with friends. Restaurante, cafes, bistros and bars where select dishes from Turkish and international cuisine are served, will make for a lively social life.

Shopping
The busiest shopping area is the Kemeralti Streets, which still retain a 19th century atmosphere of pull-down shutters, thresholds of the doors, low ceilings and old briquettes. On both sides of Anafartalar Caddesi is the lively atmosphere of the street vendors, bronze workers and fishermen, and Fevzipasa Bulvari which is famous for its leather garments. In contrast to the traditional and busy old market, Alsacak has modern boutiques and Cankaya has a mass shopping centre. 


Marmaris
Numerous small and large cafes, bars, restaurants, and discos offer various types of music, animation and shows. You may also enjoy Moonlight Tours with the boats departing from yacht harbor towards midnight. If you wish you may enjoy a cool summer night's stroll along the longest street of Marmaris, Uzunyali Street. The pleasant atmosphere enriched with restaurants, stands selling gift items, discos, cafes, and bars lets you enjoy a remarkable summer night.

Shopping
The old town, with its narrow, awning shaded streets lined with shops and stands, has a colorful texture. The various types of needle lace, the much loved traditional local handicraft, are on sale at these shops and markets. Around the harbor and inside the fortress are many shops selling copper and wood decorative items and bric-a-brac, inexpensive jewellery, and locally produced clothing items. Karacan Point Centre Solaris Shopping Centre, Tesco-Kipa and Netsel are the modern shopping centers of Marmaris. 


Fethiye

The bars and discos situated in the Paspatur Market in the centre of Fethiye present varied options catering to all styles and alternatives. Also you may have a drink or two in one of the bars and restaurants sited along the Calis Beach during the sunset to get rid of the tiredness of the day and get yourself invigorated for the live music performance of the night. You may also enjoy traditional Turkish music performances in a wool tent erected towards the Fethiye end of the beach. Hisaronu is mainly frequented by foreign visitors and has entertainment lasting till sunrise. Belcekiz Beach of Oludeniz is a nice place to sit in the fading light and watch paragliders coming down from Babadag, preparing you for a remarkable evening.

Shopping
The shopping venues in the centre are Balikpazari (Fish market) and Paspatur Market. There you may find any thing you like from hand woven textiles to pieces of art, from clothing items to reasonably priced groceries. The Tuesday Market of Fethiye is a must for shopping enthusiasts. There you can find fresh products as well as gift items, and household goods. Similar markets operate in Gunlukbasi and Gocek on Sundays and in Hisaronii on Mondays. Hisaronu has lots of stalls and shops squeezed between bars and restaurants selling small gift items, carpets, leather goods, and jewellery.