Francisco Araiza

by Cirquemusician

Istanbul is a city divided by the sea located on two continents: Asia and Europe. There are, of course, some differences between two sides, Asian (Anadolu) side and European (Avrupa) sides of the city in terms of lifestyle, history, transportation, population etc. Below is a short list showing the differences between two sides of the city.

Asian side is older than the European side. Before Byzantium was build, there were settlements around Kadikoy, Fikirtepe (a neigbourhood in the limits of Kadikoy district) and Pendik.
European side is more historical than the Asian side. Constantinople, which was the area inside the walls, was the city center during both the Roman and Ottoman period. Towns on the Asian side were the villages of the city until the ferry started in the 19th century. Another reason why Asian side isn’t as historical as the European side is that, for instance, the stones of the walls around Kadikoy were carried to the other side and used in the construction of public buildings. Therefore, there are not many historical buildings left on the Asian side.
European side is more populated than the Asian side due to the fact that European side has always been the center of trade, business and industry. They say Asian side is dormitory of the city.
European side is regarded as more “European”  or “westerner” – relatively. In the light of the fact that the city center has always been the European side and the European colonies were on this side, it is true to call the European side more European or westerner in terms of appearance.
Asian side is greener than the European side.
Public bus lines on the European side are two times more than the Asian side whereas train lines is one and half time more than the European side.
Asian side is higher than the European side with the hills like Aydos Tepesi and Camlica Tepesi.
The coast line on the Asian side is nicer and more well-organized than the Europan side. There are more space on the Asian side for jogging, walking, biking starting from Kadikoy and going along Fenerbahce, Caddebostan, Bostanci up to Maltepe.
Crime rate on the Asian side is less than the European side.
Number of hotels on the European side is more than the Asian side because the European side is the center of attraction for business, trade and tourism.
Sports centers, stadiums are more on the European side than the Asian side. Asian side has Sukru Saracoglu Stadium (Fenerbahce SK) in Kadikoy and Formula 1 circuit.
European side has more shopping malls than the Asian side.
Most TV channels and press is located on the European side.
The longest metro line has been constucted on the Asian side.
Nightlife is more active on the European side than the Asian side.
There are three football clubs playing in the Turkish league: Besiktas JK, Galatasay SK and Kasimpasa SK. Fenerbahce SK is the only Istanbul football team located on the Asian side playing in the Turkish football league.
There are more military schools on the Asian side than the European side.
Asian side has the biggest cemetery, not only in Istanbul, also all over Turkey.
There are more university campuses on the European side than the Asian side.
Marmara University, the only university in the world located on two contines is based on the Asian side.
On the Bosphorus bridges you don’t have to pay to get to the European side whereas you have to pay to get to the Asian side.
The first Turkish town in Istanbul is Anadoluhisari on the Asian side.
The first mosque built in Istanbul is in Karakoy on the European side: Arap Camii (Built in 717 by the Genoeses colony)
Both sides have an international airport. Atatürk havalimani on the European side and Sabiha Gokcen on the Asian side.
Both sides have a marina. Atakoy on the European side and Kalamis, Fenerbahce on the Asian side. Soon a second marina will be open in Pendik on the Aasian side.
Both sides have a popular street. Istiklal Caddesi on the European side is a very cultural, historical, cosmopolit street located between Taksim and Karakoy, Bagdat Caddesi on the Asian side is a very modern street today located between Kadikoy and Bostanci. Bagdat Caddesi is modern street but actualy it is a very old road for the eastern campaign of the Roman and Ottoman armies. This is why it was called Baghdat street.

by kokorowashinjin

Planning a vacation in Europe? If so, you have picked the perfect destination for a memorable holiday. Europe is one place where you can experience an exciting mix of scenic beauty, wonderful locales, culture and rich heritage.

In spite of being the one of world’s smallest continents, preceding only Australia, Europe is home to 45 different countries, all linguistically and culturally very diverse. Europe has a variety of climates, but most parts of the continent experience mild weather.

While planning your trip, it is essential for you to find out the best time to visit Europe. Weather-wise summer, especially June- July is the most popular time to visit. Most tourists flock to Europe during this season. Everything is particularly beautiful and the atmosphere is dazzling in this part of the year. The only flipside is that summer being the peak season, air fare and hotel rates skyrocket and you will see more tourists than locales at this time. Spring (April to early June) is known as the shoulder season (neither peak nor low season). Surprisingly this is perhaps the best time to visit Europe, as the weather is just right – warm days and cool nights, it is not as crowded as the summers and the air fares and hotel rates are reasonable. Most part of the winter season, except Christmas time is considered low tourist season. Winters are chilly in most parts of Europe, while some places are severely cold. However if you don’t mind the cold it is definitely worth visiting closer to Christmas, when most cities are lit up beautifully and there is a festive cheer all around. You can enjoy the Christmas markets, carnivals and festivals, attend cultural events, ski and indulge yourself in some yummy winter special food and mulled wine. Airlines offer special discounts on flights and hotels have special winter deals, making winter the perfect time to plan a budget vacation to Europe.

You can visit many new places in a relatively short span of time, even though they are in different countries, thanks to the fantastic train system (Euro rail) and the common currency. With a Euro rail pass you can travel on trains throughout Europe. Getting a Schengen visa simplifies your travel within Europe. Schengen visa is a tourist visa, which enables you to travel between 24 European countries which are registered in the common visa system and air, train and road travel between two Schengen countries is considered as a domestic trip. This includes countries like France, Spain, Greece, Italy, Germany, Austria, Sweden and many more.

Continued in part II ………

by tupton

A suitable backpack has great affect in your trip. The suitable backpack will help you to release your burden on your back, so that save your energy. Then do you know how to select a suitable one for yourself? There are some useful tips for you and it hope you can benefit from them.

1 Make sure the type of your trip, and this step is a key step, including:

1) The distance of your trip

2) The season of your trip

3) The weather conditions and geography of your destination

4) What kind of activities you will participate during you trip

2 Determine the type of the backpack

1) Soft backpack

This kind of backpack has two sizes: small and Middle, and there is no any inner frame, or any bearing system. The soft backpack just the same as the bag which you bring when you go shopping. It has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages: it is much cheaper and convenient than those big backpacks. Besides, this kind of bag is quite light in weight with small volume.

Disadvantages: it is not suitable for the long distance trip, as the capacity is so limited. There is no bearing system in the backpack, so it can not carry these heavier things.

2) External frame backpack

This backpack is equipped with the strong external frame, so it plays a good support between the backpack and the shoulder, and between the backpack with the hip. It can share the burden on your shoulder and hip evenly, and make you feel much comfortable when you are traveling. It has a good bearing system, which including: shoulder belt, waist belt, and chest belt.

Advantages: it will make you feel much relax when you are walking on the flat or the slight slope road. This backpack has a big capacity, so you can put a lot of things in it, and it always has some accessorial bags, so you can put different things in different bags, then it will be convenient to find the things you want.

Compare to the internal frame backpack, the external ones has larger space between the bag and your back, so there will have much air go through, then you will feel much cooler when you are climbing the mountains. In most situations, the external frame ones will be much cheaper than the internal ones when they equipped with the same functions.

Disadvantages: with so complicated bearing system, the external frame bags will looks quite heavy, if it is filled with things, the gravity of your bag will become higher, so it will be dangerous if you happened climb these steep mountains at that time.

The comfortable level is also an important factor for the selection of your backpack.

When you are looking for a bag for yourself in a store, if you want to confirm whether it is suitable, please carry it with the full load rather than just looking the style of it. You can try your best to make the backpack close to your back, then just image that the bag is part of your body, and walk a few steps to confirm its comfortable level. In order to get the most suitable one for you, please try different kinds of them. If you make your decision to buy one of them, then please try to learn how to regulate the back belt, waist belt from the seller.

Do you think these tips useful? Are you ready to go traveling with your comfortable backpack (http://www.dinodirect.com/womens-backpacks-bookbags/ ). Sincerely hope you can enjoy your holidays and trip.