Saturday, April 5, 2008
Geography
The Marmara Region is located both in Europe and Asia. The European side comprises of rolling plains and low hills, while the Asian side includes low hills and higher mountains (Uludag, for instance). The land on both sides are excellent for farming and industry. This region, with an average rainfall of 670 mm, is the second most humid region in Turkey. Among the crops of the region are sunflower, tobacco, grains, grapes, and olives of good quality. Silk production is one of the common occupations in the area.The Aegean Region covers the land on the Aegean coast and the hinterland extending to central Anatolia with fertile plains, river valleys, and high mountains. The word "meander" is derived from the river Menderes, the ancient Meander, which "meanders" its way through a wide alluvial plain. Varying patches of forests, olive groves, fig and fruit orchards, and tobacco and sunflower fields are the main features of the region. The climate is characterized by the typical Mediterranean climate of hot summers and mild winters.The Mediterranean Region includes the land on the Mediterranean coast, the Taurus mountain range, and its plateaus extending all along the southern shore. The landscape is characterized by the Taurus range, immediately rising from the coastline and reaching as high as 3,000 meters in some parts, and the wide plains of Pamphylia and Çukurova. The main products are citrus fruits, bananas, cotton, sesame, and vegetables. The semi-nomadic high plateaus of the Taurus range also offer good conditions for raising livestock and grains.The Southeastern Anatolia Region is a land of rolling steppe with a dry climate. Except for the wide wasteland, agriculture is the main occupation in the irrigated valleys and basins. Two major rivers (Euphrates and Tigris) and the large dams built over them irrigate the area. Among the major product are grains, rice, grapes, and vegetables.The Eastern Anatolia Region is the largest and most mountainous region of Anatolia. The average altitude is 1,500-2,000 M (4,900-6,550 ft.). The highest mountain of the country, Mt. Ararat, is located in this region. Long and daunting winters (from September to June), makes life difficult here. Agriculture is confined to grains such as wheat and barley, while in the south and the north the climate allows for raising of livestock.The Central Anatolia Region is a vast plateau situated among the high mountain ranges. The land is mainly a rolling steppe with dry, hot summers and cold, damp winters. The main products of this region are grains and livestock.The Black Sea Region covers the area on the 1,700 km Black Sea coast. The high mountains lining the coast form a more or Black Sea mountain house less isolated area from the inland part of Turkey. The rainfall varies between two or three times the country's average. Due to this humid climate and fertile soil, the region is the most densely vegetated area of the country. Agricultural products include corn, tea, hazelnut, and tobacco. Livestock is widely raised outside of the towns and by-products like milk, butter, and cream are famous all over the country.
Culture and Politics
With its deep history and large ethnic mosaic, Turkey is a culturally rich country. The languages, religions, art, literature, and traditions of various indigenous and migrating cultures in this "melting pot" of history resulted in the broad cultural spectrum of modern Turkey. There is no aspect of modern culture that cannot be connected to the history of Anatolia. Literally described, Anatolia is one of the best locations in the world to offer a good understanding of the concept of cultural transition.LanguageThe official language of the Turkish Republic is Turkish, which was introduced by the first Turkish tribes to migrate to Anatolia around the 10th century . Though the modern Turkish spoken in Turkey is of Asian origin, it differs more or less from those of other Turkish communities in the world. Even the Turkish dialects spoken in various parts of the country today show some differences in pronunciation and expressions.Black Sea village girlAmong the other languages spoken in modern Turkey are Greek, Ladino, Armenian, Kurdish, Georgian, Lazish, Arabic, and Assyrian, all of which clearly reflect the influence of other cultures.ReligionAs Turkey is a secular country, there is no official religion. While 99% of the total population are Moslems, the remaining 1 percent are of varying religions, mostly Jewish and Christian. According to the Lausanne Treaty signed on July 24, 1923 these non-Moslem communities were given the right to have legal and political equality, to use their mother languages in the courts, to establish their own educational institutions, and to hold religious ceremonies.EducationWith the secularization of public policy by the foundation of the Republic in 1923, education in Turkey underwent a radical change. Now the aim of the Turkish educational system is to produce productive citizens with contemporary educational standards.Apart from private schools, schools in Turkey are free of charge up to the higher education level. Turkish school childrenThe mandatory part of the Turkish education system is primary school for eight years. The first five years consists of an introduction to basic subjects under the guidance of one teacher. The next three years, a specialist teacher is assigned to each subject. In addition to the basic subjects, students have to choose from one of three foreign language classes: English, French, or German. Religion classes are optional.Secondary education is three years and consists of lessons in general knowledge at the intermediate level.Higher education is comprised of Universities and Colleges for professional education. Entrance to the higher education requires two separate admission exams held by the Higher Education Council. Along with the several private universities, there are 58 state universities which charge an annual fee of 100-300 US dollars.LifestyleThough the lifestyles of Turkey's residents differ from one social group to another, it is possible to describe them under main categories according to their settlement types.Cities, the largest type of settlement in Turkey with populations over 20,000, have organized social and administrative groups. About 23% of the total population live in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, the three largest cities in Turkey. The total population of 57,000,000, according to the general census of 1997, is now assumed to be around 70,000,000. The continuous migration from rural to urban areas since the 1950's has brought on many problems. Besides the modern urban settlements, illegal settlement groups called gecekondu, which means "built overnight", have appeared within cities over the years.The second type of settlement are towns, with a population of 2,000 to 20,000. Depending on their geographic and economic conditions, they have varying features from rural more organized settlements. However, the most distinctive character of towns is a rather rural and conservative lifestyle in comparison with urban centers. The traditional hierarchical organization of family, where the individuals are economically dependent on the family, and the traditional social organization, where relationships are underlined by the community, are still prominent features of towns.Horse carriage in CappadociaVillages, on the other hand, constituting 54% of the total population, are characterized by an agriculture-based economy. While in many villages modern machinery is used, depending on geographical location, there are still some villages dependent on human labor alone. As a result of this agricultural economy, life in villages reflects a completely rural and traditional style. Most of the traditional art forms such as weaving, pottery, woodworking, as well as customs like wedding ceremonies, folk dramas, dances, and festivals, some of which are a continuation of Asian shamanism and ancient Anatolian Dionysian rituals, are preserved in their original forms.Administration of the StateThe Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) is the legislative power of the Turkish Republic. The members, who must have a primary school education, a security clearance, and be above 30 years of age, are elected by the whole nation every five years. The total number of deputies is 550.The president, who is elected for a period of seven years, supervises the state departments and all procedures described in the Constitution. Among his duties are publishing and returning laws to parliament for revision, deciding the renewal of elections, and appointing the prime minister. The cabinet, which is formed by the prime minister, consists of ministers who are responsible to the legislature.Supplementary to the state administration system, there is also a local administration system to respond to the needs of the people living in specific settlements.Municipalities are the first of three types of local administration formed by local elections held every five years. Municipalities, with the mayor acting as the chief executive and an assembly, are responsible to meet all civic needs such as providing drinking water, electricity, public transportation, and sewer systems.The provincial local governments, with a governor assigned by the central administration as chief executive of cities and towns, acts according to the measures of the central administration. The provincial local government is the representative of the central government and is responsible for supervising the functioning of the administration.The third type of local administration is the administration of the villages by a "muhtar" as the chief executive and the village assembly, elected by the residents for a period of five years.
History of Turkey
History of Turkey
Turkey is considered to be one of the richest countries in terms of archaeology and is by far the biggest "open air museum" of the world. It has always been a bridge between the East and West and has been noted by scholars as the "melting pot" of various cultures where classical culture was shaped. From the first known urban city settlement of "Çatalhöyük" to the historically famous Troy and from the Ionians (the Anatolian Greeks) to the greatest empires of the world, the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, many cultures were established and indeed flourished in and around this huge "melting pot".
Today, a traveler to Turkey can observe the features of all of these cultures. Not only are they visible in their marvelous remains, but in their impacts on the daily lives of Turks today, which differs greatly from one area to another.
The Prehistoric Period
100,000 - 8,000 B.C.
The earliest cave settlements of the world can be seen, especially at Karain, Belbasi, and Beldibi caves, where humanity made its earliest appearance in the world.
8,000 - 2,000 B.C.
The first urban city settlement of Çatalhöyük, the earliest place of agriculture, Hacilar, and numerous mounds of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic period can be seen in Turkey. The museums are full of remarkable remains from this very early cultural period of humanity.
The Neolithic period, meaning the "new stone age", started in Anatolia about 8,000 B.C., where the people of Çatalhöyük and Hacilar, among others, were the first to leave their caves and start living in "houses" and small cities.
The most significant feature of the Neolithic period is agriculture and pottery. Following the Neolithic, came the Chalcolithic period which marked the appearance of metal tools.
These two very important periods came to an end with the discovery of bronze, a mixture of copper and tin. Thus, the Bronze age begins, considered to be one of the biggest revolutions in the history of mankind.
The large trade industry between Anatolia and Assyria brought written history to Anatolia in about 2,000 B.C. Kayseri, Kanesh and Karum, appear to be the first trade centers of the world, where thousands of clay tablets have been found relating to this trade.
The dominating culture of Anatolia during this period was the "Hatti" culture, from which came the name of the first big empire of Anatolia, the "Hittite Empire". The Hittites adopted everything from the "Hatti" people except their language, which was the first Indo-European language spoken in Anatolia. The Hittites changed the face of the country. Their detailed and sophisticated state archives, not only enabled us to reconfirm the "Tell-el-Amarna" tablets of Egypt, but also revealed the history and relations between cities on the western coast of Asia Minor in the 2nd millennium B.C. This eventually changed our entire concept of the civilization of the "known world".
Troy seems to be the dominating culture during this period in the West, and several other Aegean and Mediterranean cultures are quoted by the Hittites, such as the Lukka people, later known to us as the Lycians.
By mid-2,000 B.C., the general view of Anatolia confirms the existence of a highly developed city-state system, mainly controlled by the Hittites. The city-states' high culture and wealth, which came mostly from mining, agriculture, and trade, allowed Anatolia to enjoy one of its most brilliant and prosperous periods of history. Unfortunately, this wealth also attracted some of its neighbors.
In about 1,200 B.C., a very large raid descended upon Anatolia, and possibly along with the help of a great earthquake, almost all of these city-states, including the Hittites, met their demise. This invasion was later told by Homer in the Iliad.
This raid and its subsequent destruction was so severe that none of the city-states could ever recover again. The cultures vanished, not to be recognized again. Even the greatest empire of the world, the Hittite, was entirely forgotten by the Greeks and the Romans. The Hittites were not rediscovered until a scholar found them in the Old Testament in the 19th century.
This period is known by the scholars as the Dark Ages of Anatolia.
The Classical Period
Throughout the 8th and 7th centuries B.C., we see Anatolia awakening once again. Several civilizations start to appear in different areas, whose cultures shape the "Classical Greek period" of the world. From north to south along the Aegean and Mediterranean, the following are some of the important cities and areas:
Troas, Troy, Alexandria Troas
Aeolya, Pergamon
Ionia, Miletos, Smyrna, Ephesos, Samos, Chios
Lydia, Sardes
Phyrgia, Midas city
Caria, Halikarnassos, Aphrodisias
Lycia, Xanthos, Patara
Pamphylia, Perge, Aspendos
Pisidia, Antioch, Termessos
It is not possible to list all of the cities and cultures, but Urartians, Cilicans, Mysians, Traces, and many others can be listed as well.
Certainly cities like Pergamum, Ephesus, and Miletus led the way. The first paper was used in Pergamum, hence the term "parchment". The first money was minted by the Lydians. The official Greek language was the language of Miletus, which Athens accepted in the 5th century B.C. Both the Persian invasion and the invasion of Alexander the Great influenced the culture and carried it to all the other areas. Three of the ancient wonders of the world are located in and around Anatolia.
The Hellenistic and Roman Periods
The Hellenistic period, where the Greek cultures were mainly formed, was subject to several wars and invasions. Great cities were established and destroyed during this period. The domination of several kings and rulers finally came to an end when the Roman Empire enlarged its borders to encompass many parts of Asia, making Ephesus the capital of the Asian province of Rome.
Perhaps, not only the cities of Anatolia, but the whole world which was inhabited then, lived its most prosperous and wealthy period during the Roman Empire. The richness and wealth of this period can best be observed in several cities of Anatolia. Throughout the 1st and 4th centuries A.D., Anatolia doubtless enjoyed the most brilliant period of her entire known history.
Hundreds of cities with thousands of remains from this period can be seen all over the country.
The idea of a single god was first established in Egypt, then officially in the Old Testament. The early Anatolian Greek philosophers, including Xenephon, claimed the first idea of a single god for the Western World. This one god, who, he explained, "sees everywhere, thinks everywhere, and hears everywhere", was much different than the many Greek gods.
Christianity, Medieval and Modern
This idea of one god, shaped mainly in Anatolia, was perhaps the most important event leading towards Christianity. The seven churches of the Revelation are found in Anatolia. Ephesus, the cult center of the traditional Anatolian virgin mother goddess, became the center of the early Christians, where the Virgin Mary was worshipped. It was also here that she was accepted as the "Mother of God".
St. Paul was born in Turkey. John spent almost all of his life in Turkey. St. Nicholas was born in Patara, a Lycian town, and became Bishop of Myra and of Lycia.
Therefore, it is not surprising to find the first and most important Christian Empire, the Byzantine, in Turkey. Cities like Istanbul are flattered with numerous and wonderful remains from this period.
1070 The Turks arrive...
A new movement of immigration to Anatolia came this time from the East, from Central Asia, the homeland of the Turkish tribes. In 1071 A.D., the Seljuk Turks, defeating the Byzantine armies at the eastern gates of Asia Minor, came in and settled in central Anatolia, around the modern town of Konya, known as the center of the Whirling Dervishes. The Seljuks reestablished trade, architecture, political stability, and religion. The 11th and 12th centuries were thus flourishing periods for Anatolia. Several intellectuals from all over the world came and settled in Konya, including Mevlana Cellaledin-i Rumi, who became the founder of the Mevlevi order, well known to the Western world as the “Whirling Dervishes”. Neither the Arabs nor the Byzantines, who were vital enemies of the Seljuks, were able to put an end to this empire. It was the Mongolians, another tribe that marched through central Asia with their leader Hulagu, who defeated the Seljuks. They were not interested in staying here, however, so Anatolia was once again left without a major authority until the Ottoman’s took power.
The major rule of history never fails. There is always a beginning, a rise, and finally an end for all great empires. The Byzantines finally fell under the rule of the growing Ottoman Empire in 1453 when Mehmet the Conqueror captured Byzantine. A new era for Anatolia began.
The Ottoman period was the last big empire of Anatolia, where the existing cultures were well mixed with the Islamic and Turkish culture. The state policy of the Ottomans was tolerance, leaving all people under their rule entirely free to pursue native religious and cultural practices. This allowed a very interesting mix of cultures to develop in Turkey.
When the Ottomans lost the First World War, almost the entire country was once again invaded. This time Turkey embarked on a new journey towards a modern, secular republic under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal, known as "Atatürk".
Today, Turkish citizens are proud of being members of one of the first modern countries of Europe, where women are ensured equal rights, and of a democratic republic in the modern world.
Turkey is considered to be one of the richest countries in terms of archaeology and is by far the biggest "open air museum" of the world. It has always been a bridge between the East and West and has been noted by scholars as the "melting pot" of various cultures where classical culture was shaped. From the first known urban city settlement of "Çatalhöyük" to the historically famous Troy and from the Ionians (the Anatolian Greeks) to the greatest empires of the world, the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman, many cultures were established and indeed flourished in and around this huge "melting pot".
Today, a traveler to Turkey can observe the features of all of these cultures. Not only are they visible in their marvelous remains, but in their impacts on the daily lives of Turks today, which differs greatly from one area to another.
The Prehistoric Period
100,000 - 8,000 B.C.
The earliest cave settlements of the world can be seen, especially at Karain, Belbasi, and Beldibi caves, where humanity made its earliest appearance in the world.
8,000 - 2,000 B.C.
The first urban city settlement of Çatalhöyük, the earliest place of agriculture, Hacilar, and numerous mounds of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic period can be seen in Turkey. The museums are full of remarkable remains from this very early cultural period of humanity.
The Neolithic period, meaning the "new stone age", started in Anatolia about 8,000 B.C., where the people of Çatalhöyük and Hacilar, among others, were the first to leave their caves and start living in "houses" and small cities.
The most significant feature of the Neolithic period is agriculture and pottery. Following the Neolithic, came the Chalcolithic period which marked the appearance of metal tools.
These two very important periods came to an end with the discovery of bronze, a mixture of copper and tin. Thus, the Bronze age begins, considered to be one of the biggest revolutions in the history of mankind.
The large trade industry between Anatolia and Assyria brought written history to Anatolia in about 2,000 B.C. Kayseri, Kanesh and Karum, appear to be the first trade centers of the world, where thousands of clay tablets have been found relating to this trade.
The dominating culture of Anatolia during this period was the "Hatti" culture, from which came the name of the first big empire of Anatolia, the "Hittite Empire". The Hittites adopted everything from the "Hatti" people except their language, which was the first Indo-European language spoken in Anatolia. The Hittites changed the face of the country. Their detailed and sophisticated state archives, not only enabled us to reconfirm the "Tell-el-Amarna" tablets of Egypt, but also revealed the history and relations between cities on the western coast of Asia Minor in the 2nd millennium B.C. This eventually changed our entire concept of the civilization of the "known world".
Troy seems to be the dominating culture during this period in the West, and several other Aegean and Mediterranean cultures are quoted by the Hittites, such as the Lukka people, later known to us as the Lycians.
By mid-2,000 B.C., the general view of Anatolia confirms the existence of a highly developed city-state system, mainly controlled by the Hittites. The city-states' high culture and wealth, which came mostly from mining, agriculture, and trade, allowed Anatolia to enjoy one of its most brilliant and prosperous periods of history. Unfortunately, this wealth also attracted some of its neighbors.
In about 1,200 B.C., a very large raid descended upon Anatolia, and possibly along with the help of a great earthquake, almost all of these city-states, including the Hittites, met their demise. This invasion was later told by Homer in the Iliad.
This raid and its subsequent destruction was so severe that none of the city-states could ever recover again. The cultures vanished, not to be recognized again. Even the greatest empire of the world, the Hittite, was entirely forgotten by the Greeks and the Romans. The Hittites were not rediscovered until a scholar found them in the Old Testament in the 19th century.
This period is known by the scholars as the Dark Ages of Anatolia.
The Classical Period
Throughout the 8th and 7th centuries B.C., we see Anatolia awakening once again. Several civilizations start to appear in different areas, whose cultures shape the "Classical Greek period" of the world. From north to south along the Aegean and Mediterranean, the following are some of the important cities and areas:
Troas, Troy, Alexandria Troas
Aeolya, Pergamon
Ionia, Miletos, Smyrna, Ephesos, Samos, Chios
Lydia, Sardes
Phyrgia, Midas city
Caria, Halikarnassos, Aphrodisias
Lycia, Xanthos, Patara
Pamphylia, Perge, Aspendos
Pisidia, Antioch, Termessos
It is not possible to list all of the cities and cultures, but Urartians, Cilicans, Mysians, Traces, and many others can be listed as well.
Certainly cities like Pergamum, Ephesus, and Miletus led the way. The first paper was used in Pergamum, hence the term "parchment". The first money was minted by the Lydians. The official Greek language was the language of Miletus, which Athens accepted in the 5th century B.C. Both the Persian invasion and the invasion of Alexander the Great influenced the culture and carried it to all the other areas. Three of the ancient wonders of the world are located in and around Anatolia.
The Hellenistic and Roman Periods
The Hellenistic period, where the Greek cultures were mainly formed, was subject to several wars and invasions. Great cities were established and destroyed during this period. The domination of several kings and rulers finally came to an end when the Roman Empire enlarged its borders to encompass many parts of Asia, making Ephesus the capital of the Asian province of Rome.
Perhaps, not only the cities of Anatolia, but the whole world which was inhabited then, lived its most prosperous and wealthy period during the Roman Empire. The richness and wealth of this period can best be observed in several cities of Anatolia. Throughout the 1st and 4th centuries A.D., Anatolia doubtless enjoyed the most brilliant period of her entire known history.
Hundreds of cities with thousands of remains from this period can be seen all over the country.
The idea of a single god was first established in Egypt, then officially in the Old Testament. The early Anatolian Greek philosophers, including Xenephon, claimed the first idea of a single god for the Western World. This one god, who, he explained, "sees everywhere, thinks everywhere, and hears everywhere", was much different than the many Greek gods.
Christianity, Medieval and Modern
This idea of one god, shaped mainly in Anatolia, was perhaps the most important event leading towards Christianity. The seven churches of the Revelation are found in Anatolia. Ephesus, the cult center of the traditional Anatolian virgin mother goddess, became the center of the early Christians, where the Virgin Mary was worshipped. It was also here that she was accepted as the "Mother of God".
St. Paul was born in Turkey. John spent almost all of his life in Turkey. St. Nicholas was born in Patara, a Lycian town, and became Bishop of Myra and of Lycia.
Therefore, it is not surprising to find the first and most important Christian Empire, the Byzantine, in Turkey. Cities like Istanbul are flattered with numerous and wonderful remains from this period.
1070 The Turks arrive...
A new movement of immigration to Anatolia came this time from the East, from Central Asia, the homeland of the Turkish tribes. In 1071 A.D., the Seljuk Turks, defeating the Byzantine armies at the eastern gates of Asia Minor, came in and settled in central Anatolia, around the modern town of Konya, known as the center of the Whirling Dervishes. The Seljuks reestablished trade, architecture, political stability, and religion. The 11th and 12th centuries were thus flourishing periods for Anatolia. Several intellectuals from all over the world came and settled in Konya, including Mevlana Cellaledin-i Rumi, who became the founder of the Mevlevi order, well known to the Western world as the “Whirling Dervishes”. Neither the Arabs nor the Byzantines, who were vital enemies of the Seljuks, were able to put an end to this empire. It was the Mongolians, another tribe that marched through central Asia with their leader Hulagu, who defeated the Seljuks. They were not interested in staying here, however, so Anatolia was once again left without a major authority until the Ottoman’s took power.
The major rule of history never fails. There is always a beginning, a rise, and finally an end for all great empires. The Byzantines finally fell under the rule of the growing Ottoman Empire in 1453 when Mehmet the Conqueror captured Byzantine. A new era for Anatolia began.
The Ottoman period was the last big empire of Anatolia, where the existing cultures were well mixed with the Islamic and Turkish culture. The state policy of the Ottomans was tolerance, leaving all people under their rule entirely free to pursue native religious and cultural practices. This allowed a very interesting mix of cultures to develop in Turkey.
When the Ottomans lost the First World War, almost the entire country was once again invaded. This time Turkey embarked on a new journey towards a modern, secular republic under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal, known as "Atatürk".
Today, Turkish citizens are proud of being members of one of the first modern countries of Europe, where women are ensured equal rights, and of a democratic republic in the modern world.
Turkish Phrases
English Turkish Pronunciation Hello Merhaba mer-ha-ba Welcome Hoş geldiniz hōsh gel-dee-neez in reply to Welcome Hoş bulduk hōsh bull-dook Thank you Teşekkür ederim, sağol te-she-koor e-de-rim, saa-ōl You are welcome Bir şey değil beer shay deel How are you? Nasılsınız? na-sill-si-niz? I am fine. İyiyim. ee-yee-yeem What is your name? İsminiz ne? eez-mee-neez ne? My name is … Benim adım … be-neem a-dim Yes Evet e-vet No Hayır ha-yur Please Lütfen loot-fen Good morning Günaydın goo-naee-dun Good evening İyi akşamlar ee-yee ak-sham-lar Good night İyi geceler ee-yee ge-je-ler What time is it? Saat kaç? sa-at kach? Do you speak English? İngilizce biliyormusunuz? een-gee-leez-je bee-lee-yōr-moo-soo-nooz? How much is it? Ne kadar? ne ka-dar? Where is …? … nerede? … ne-re-de? … the restaurant? Restoran nerede? res-tō-ran … … the hotel? Otel nerede? ō-tel … … the restroom? Tuvalet nerede? too-va-let … … the bank? Banka nerede? ban-ka … I would like… … istiyorum. … ee-stee-yōr-room … a beer. Bira istiyorum. bee-ra … … water. Su istiyorum. soo … … tea. Çay istiyorum. chai … … coffee. Kahve istiyorum. kah-ve … … milk. Süt istiyorum. soot … … ice. Buz istiyorum. booz … … bread. Ekmek istiyorum. ek-mek … … sugar. Şeker istiyorum. she-ker … … white wine. Beyaz şarap istiyorum. be-yaz sha-rap … … red wine. Kırmızı şarap istiyorum. kur-mu-zu sha-rap … … salt. Tuz istiyorum. tooz … … pepper. Biber istiyorum. bee-ber … Breakfast Kahvaltı kah-val-tu Lunch Öğle yemeği ōr-le ye-me-ee Dinner Akşam yemeği ak-sham ye-me-ee Bill/Check Hesap he-sop Compliment to the cook Elinize sağlık e-lee-nee-ze saa-lik Bon a petit Afiyet olsun a-fee-yet ōl-soon Days of the week Sunday Pazar pa-zar Monday Pazartesi pa-zar-te-see Tuesday Salı sa-lu Wednesday Çarşamba char-sham-ba Thursday Perşembe per-shem-be Friday Cuma joo-ma Saturday Cumartesi joo-mar-te-see Numbers One Bir beer Two İki ee-kee Three Üç ooch Four Dört dōrt Five Beş besh Six Altı al-tu Seven Yedi ye-dee Eight Sekiz se-keez Nine Dokuz dō-kooz Ten On ōn Colors Red Kırmızı kur-mu-zu Blue Mavi ma-vee Black Siyah see-ya White Beyaz bā-yaz Yellow Sarı sa-ru
Friday, April 4, 2008
36 Hours in Dubai
YOU name it, Dubai has it. Or if it doesn’t have it, it’s building it. Or if it’s not building it, it’s dredging up an island to put it on. The busiest of the seven United Arab Emirates is growing so fast that its newest developments can only be measured in hummingbird flaps. Blink and you’ll miss the latest superlative. This way to the world’s tallest building. That way to the world’s largest aluminum plant. Coming soon, the world’s longest bridge. Over here to the world’s biggest mall — which, incidentally, is about to be usurped any day now by a bigger one.
1) GETTING YOUR WINGS
The only way to wrap your head around the sheer scale of Dubai is from the sky. Take a cab out to Jebel Ali (about 45 minutes from downtown), the departure point for the Seawings seaplane company (971-4-883-3532; www.seawings.ae). For 795 dirhams (about $212 at 3.75 dirhams to the dollar), you get a 30-minute tour of the city from 1,500 feet overhead: the iconic sail profile of the Burj Al Arab, the impossibly high Burj Dubai building and the artificial archipelagoes fashioned in the shapes of palm trees and continents. Whatever you think of them — fascinating, silly, ecologically catastrophic — you won’t forget your first tropical “Antarctica” island.
8 p.m.2) RUNNING HOT AND COLD
Why diners need to be escorted by white-gloved attendants from the lobby of the new pyramid-shaped Raffles Hotel to the elevator bank remains unclear. But when you arrive at the Fire & Ice Restaurant (Sheikh Rashid Road, Wafi; 971-4-324-8888; www.dubai.raffles.com), the place can only be described as warm and inviting: exposed brick walls, leather chairs and flattering lighting. But it’s not without its gimmicks. The open-air kitchen is ringed by fire, and the “ice tartar” dishes are injected with liquid nitrogen so they emit a milky white vapor. The menu is vast (it calls itself “trans-ethnic”), so make it easy on yourself and order the tasting menu. Mine started with crab cakes and apple salad, followed by seared sea bass, and ended with chocolate tart. Dinner, including wine pairings, is about 700 dirhams.
11 p.m.3) BARROOM WITH A VIEW
This is a city determined to raise the bar — literally. If you ever thought the Great Pyramids of Egypt were missing tequila shooters and an observation deck, China Moon Champagne Bar is the place for you. Ensconced within the glass apex of the Raffles Hotel, it is one of the hottest — and highest — new bars in Dubai. But what makes it really memorable is not the giant pharaoh head guarding the stairway, or the 130 dirhams you’ll lay down for a glass of Veuve Clicquot. It’s the view: 360 degrees of twinkling sprawl stretching out to the Arabian Desert.
Saturday
10 a.m.4) ABOUT FACE
A Dubai hotel is not a Dubai hotel without a spa, and among the grandest (and newest) is at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City (Festival City; www.intercontinental.com/dubai; 971-4-701-1111). The spa evokes another world, with flowing strands of neon that resemble seaweed dangling from the ceiling. Slide into a plush white bed, watch Dubai Creek sparkling outside, and let your face be slathered with delicious creams that smell of honey and chamomile (the Just Pure Facial, an hour and 20 minutes, is 550 dirhams).
1 p.m.5) TASTE OF TRADITION
You can take only so much newness before the urge for authenticity strikes. Veer off to one of the city’s most historical restaurants, the curiously named Special Ostadi Restaurant (Al Mussalla Road, Bur Dubai; 971-4-397-1469). The small spot is 41 years old — ancient by Dubai standards — and is run by a boisterous Iranian man named Muhammad Ali Ansari. There are only a handful of tables, all covered in a half century of memorabilia, all packed with local businessmen wearing traditional kaffiyehs or shiny Italian suits. The natives come for one thing: grilled lamb kebabs doused in a tangy yogurt sauce and served with pita, onions, cucumbers, arugula, tomatoes and a fat wedge of lime. Order a dish of sweet dates and a cup of mint tea to wash it all down. The whole meal comes to 20 dirhams.
2 p.m.6) OFF LABEL
In a city of strung-together malls, a quirky boutique is a rare and beautiful thing, even if it’s technically attached to a mall. Sauce (the Village, Jumeirah Beach Road; 971-4-344-7270; www.shopatsauce.com), which recently doubled in size, carries an eclectic mix: funky gowns, wispy tops, ironic T-shirts, travel journals, candles, earrings, stilettos, pillows made of denim, and lamps made of neon bowling pins. Sauce also has a weakness for little-known designers like Tata-Naka, Mira and Third Millennium. It feels as though you’re walking into a really, really big closet — if your closet were designed by Stella McCartney, Anna Sui and a dozen Project Runway contestants.
4 p.m.7) MUSEUM OR SHOP?
The design gallery Traffic (Al Barsha; 971-4-341-8494; www.viatraffic.org) is the Middle East’s answer to Moss in New York City, which means it’s splashier, pricier and more exclusive. The 7,000-square-foot gallery in central Dubai carries ultra-high-end, museum-quality, one-of-a-kind designer chairs, tables, benches and fixtures — furniture so avant-garde as to be deemed “pieces.” Recently on display was a chest of drawers entitled “You Can’t Lay Down Your Memory” by the Dutch design collective Droog for 85,100 dirhams — one of the few versions not in a museum.
8 p.m.8) THAI VIEWS
The city’s dining scene revolves around hotels (maybe because they’re about the only places that serve liquor), and the current hot spot these days is Thiptara Royal Thai at the Palace, a new Sofitel hotel (Old Town; 971-4-428-7888; www.sofitel.com). Thiptara is as remarkable for its spicy Thai food as its vantage point — steps from what will soon be the world’s tallest building: the Burj Dubai. (Construction should wrap up any day now, they swear!) The restaurant features rich wooden fixtures, lakefront views and terrific dishes like spicy green papaya salad (80 dirhams) and the chicken stir-fry with cashews, mushrooms and pineapple (120 dirhams). Afterward, take your after-dinner drink to the hotel’s outdoor pool to see what a 2,000-plus-foot building looks like from the bottom up.
Midnight9) UNDERGROUND CLUB
The closest thing to indigenous culture in Dubai is night life. Make your way to Club Submarine at the Dhow Palace Hotel (Bur Dubai; 971-4-359-9992; www.dhowpalacedubai.com). As the name suggests, there’s a nautical theme, punctuated by curved walls and portholes that look out to nothing. Whether you come for the in-house Samba band, the techno stylings of a local D.J., or arrive on one of the nights they decide to retract the roof, Submarine packs them in. Get ready for a night of drinking, dancing, mingling with strangers and other debaucheries punishable by prison just a few hundred miles away in Saudi Arabia. When it’s time to leave, follow the hipsters to Zataar W Zeit (Sheikh Zayed Road; 971-4-343-1259) for a greasy melted cheese wrap and chilled yogurt drink (31 dirhams).
Sunday
10 a.m.10) BE A SPORT
The Els Club is what you get when you cross 7,500 yards of soft green sod, an opinionated champion golfer and possibly the world’s largest sand trap. Scheduled to open soon for nonmembers, the 18-hole course (www.elsclubdubai.com) was designed by Ernie Els as a compendium of his favorite links from around the world. Nonmember rates will be 695 dirhams. Even if you don’t know a nine iron from an Iron Chef, you should pay a visit. The club is in the middle of Dubai Sports City (971-4-425-1111; www.dubaisportscity.ae), a 50-million-square-foot United Nations of sports. Currently under construction are four stadiums (including ones for cricket and field hockey), a tennis academy, a race track, Manchester United Soccer School, a gymnasium, thousands of private homes and — lest you forget where you are — a sports-themed shopping mall.
THE BASICS
Emirates Airlines flies nonstop flights to Dubai from Newark Airport, starting at about $1,370 in May, according to a recent online search. Americans don’t need a visa to travel to Dubai, just a passport that is valid for roughly six months after your entry date. Some travelers who have Israeli stamps on their passports have reported problems being allowed entry, but Dubai has no official policy banning visitors who have also visited Israel, as do some other countries in the Middle East, like Syria and Libya.
This is the city that claimed the first seven-star hotel, so be ready to pay up. The Park Hyatt Dubai (Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club; 971-4-602-1234; www.dubai.park.hyatt.com) is in the quieter area of Deira and affords great city views. It has a great in-house spa, and a relaxing outdoor bar overlooking the harbor. Rooms start at 1,750 dirhams, about $467 at 3.75 dirhams to the dollar.
If you want to be closer to the action, the new Raffles in Wafi City (Sheikh Rashid Road; 971-4-324-8888; www.dubai.raffles.com) is a good bet. The common areas are vast and daunting, but the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Rooms start at 1,750 dirhams.
The eight-room XVA Gallery in the arty Bastakiya neighborhood (971-4-353-5383; www.xvagallery.com), which feels like a North African souk, may be Dubai’s only boutique hotel. Rooms start at 500 dirhams.
1) GETTING YOUR WINGS
The only way to wrap your head around the sheer scale of Dubai is from the sky. Take a cab out to Jebel Ali (about 45 minutes from downtown), the departure point for the Seawings seaplane company (971-4-883-3532; www.seawings.ae). For 795 dirhams (about $212 at 3.75 dirhams to the dollar), you get a 30-minute tour of the city from 1,500 feet overhead: the iconic sail profile of the Burj Al Arab, the impossibly high Burj Dubai building and the artificial archipelagoes fashioned in the shapes of palm trees and continents. Whatever you think of them — fascinating, silly, ecologically catastrophic — you won’t forget your first tropical “Antarctica” island.
8 p.m.2) RUNNING HOT AND COLD
Why diners need to be escorted by white-gloved attendants from the lobby of the new pyramid-shaped Raffles Hotel to the elevator bank remains unclear. But when you arrive at the Fire & Ice Restaurant (Sheikh Rashid Road, Wafi; 971-4-324-8888; www.dubai.raffles.com), the place can only be described as warm and inviting: exposed brick walls, leather chairs and flattering lighting. But it’s not without its gimmicks. The open-air kitchen is ringed by fire, and the “ice tartar” dishes are injected with liquid nitrogen so they emit a milky white vapor. The menu is vast (it calls itself “trans-ethnic”), so make it easy on yourself and order the tasting menu. Mine started with crab cakes and apple salad, followed by seared sea bass, and ended with chocolate tart. Dinner, including wine pairings, is about 700 dirhams.
11 p.m.3) BARROOM WITH A VIEW
This is a city determined to raise the bar — literally. If you ever thought the Great Pyramids of Egypt were missing tequila shooters and an observation deck, China Moon Champagne Bar is the place for you. Ensconced within the glass apex of the Raffles Hotel, it is one of the hottest — and highest — new bars in Dubai. But what makes it really memorable is not the giant pharaoh head guarding the stairway, or the 130 dirhams you’ll lay down for a glass of Veuve Clicquot. It’s the view: 360 degrees of twinkling sprawl stretching out to the Arabian Desert.
Saturday
10 a.m.4) ABOUT FACE
A Dubai hotel is not a Dubai hotel without a spa, and among the grandest (and newest) is at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City (Festival City; www.intercontinental.com/dubai; 971-4-701-1111). The spa evokes another world, with flowing strands of neon that resemble seaweed dangling from the ceiling. Slide into a plush white bed, watch Dubai Creek sparkling outside, and let your face be slathered with delicious creams that smell of honey and chamomile (the Just Pure Facial, an hour and 20 minutes, is 550 dirhams).
1 p.m.5) TASTE OF TRADITION
You can take only so much newness before the urge for authenticity strikes. Veer off to one of the city’s most historical restaurants, the curiously named Special Ostadi Restaurant (Al Mussalla Road, Bur Dubai; 971-4-397-1469). The small spot is 41 years old — ancient by Dubai standards — and is run by a boisterous Iranian man named Muhammad Ali Ansari. There are only a handful of tables, all covered in a half century of memorabilia, all packed with local businessmen wearing traditional kaffiyehs or shiny Italian suits. The natives come for one thing: grilled lamb kebabs doused in a tangy yogurt sauce and served with pita, onions, cucumbers, arugula, tomatoes and a fat wedge of lime. Order a dish of sweet dates and a cup of mint tea to wash it all down. The whole meal comes to 20 dirhams.
2 p.m.6) OFF LABEL
In a city of strung-together malls, a quirky boutique is a rare and beautiful thing, even if it’s technically attached to a mall. Sauce (the Village, Jumeirah Beach Road; 971-4-344-7270; www.shopatsauce.com), which recently doubled in size, carries an eclectic mix: funky gowns, wispy tops, ironic T-shirts, travel journals, candles, earrings, stilettos, pillows made of denim, and lamps made of neon bowling pins. Sauce also has a weakness for little-known designers like Tata-Naka, Mira and Third Millennium. It feels as though you’re walking into a really, really big closet — if your closet were designed by Stella McCartney, Anna Sui and a dozen Project Runway contestants.
4 p.m.7) MUSEUM OR SHOP?
The design gallery Traffic (Al Barsha; 971-4-341-8494; www.viatraffic.org) is the Middle East’s answer to Moss in New York City, which means it’s splashier, pricier and more exclusive. The 7,000-square-foot gallery in central Dubai carries ultra-high-end, museum-quality, one-of-a-kind designer chairs, tables, benches and fixtures — furniture so avant-garde as to be deemed “pieces.” Recently on display was a chest of drawers entitled “You Can’t Lay Down Your Memory” by the Dutch design collective Droog for 85,100 dirhams — one of the few versions not in a museum.
8 p.m.8) THAI VIEWS
The city’s dining scene revolves around hotels (maybe because they’re about the only places that serve liquor), and the current hot spot these days is Thiptara Royal Thai at the Palace, a new Sofitel hotel (Old Town; 971-4-428-7888; www.sofitel.com). Thiptara is as remarkable for its spicy Thai food as its vantage point — steps from what will soon be the world’s tallest building: the Burj Dubai. (Construction should wrap up any day now, they swear!) The restaurant features rich wooden fixtures, lakefront views and terrific dishes like spicy green papaya salad (80 dirhams) and the chicken stir-fry with cashews, mushrooms and pineapple (120 dirhams). Afterward, take your after-dinner drink to the hotel’s outdoor pool to see what a 2,000-plus-foot building looks like from the bottom up.
Midnight9) UNDERGROUND CLUB
The closest thing to indigenous culture in Dubai is night life. Make your way to Club Submarine at the Dhow Palace Hotel (Bur Dubai; 971-4-359-9992; www.dhowpalacedubai.com). As the name suggests, there’s a nautical theme, punctuated by curved walls and portholes that look out to nothing. Whether you come for the in-house Samba band, the techno stylings of a local D.J., or arrive on one of the nights they decide to retract the roof, Submarine packs them in. Get ready for a night of drinking, dancing, mingling with strangers and other debaucheries punishable by prison just a few hundred miles away in Saudi Arabia. When it’s time to leave, follow the hipsters to Zataar W Zeit (Sheikh Zayed Road; 971-4-343-1259) for a greasy melted cheese wrap and chilled yogurt drink (31 dirhams).
Sunday
10 a.m.10) BE A SPORT
The Els Club is what you get when you cross 7,500 yards of soft green sod, an opinionated champion golfer and possibly the world’s largest sand trap. Scheduled to open soon for nonmembers, the 18-hole course (www.elsclubdubai.com) was designed by Ernie Els as a compendium of his favorite links from around the world. Nonmember rates will be 695 dirhams. Even if you don’t know a nine iron from an Iron Chef, you should pay a visit. The club is in the middle of Dubai Sports City (971-4-425-1111; www.dubaisportscity.ae), a 50-million-square-foot United Nations of sports. Currently under construction are four stadiums (including ones for cricket and field hockey), a tennis academy, a race track, Manchester United Soccer School, a gymnasium, thousands of private homes and — lest you forget where you are — a sports-themed shopping mall.
THE BASICS
Emirates Airlines flies nonstop flights to Dubai from Newark Airport, starting at about $1,370 in May, according to a recent online search. Americans don’t need a visa to travel to Dubai, just a passport that is valid for roughly six months after your entry date. Some travelers who have Israeli stamps on their passports have reported problems being allowed entry, but Dubai has no official policy banning visitors who have also visited Israel, as do some other countries in the Middle East, like Syria and Libya.
This is the city that claimed the first seven-star hotel, so be ready to pay up. The Park Hyatt Dubai (Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club; 971-4-602-1234; www.dubai.park.hyatt.com) is in the quieter area of Deira and affords great city views. It has a great in-house spa, and a relaxing outdoor bar overlooking the harbor. Rooms start at 1,750 dirhams, about $467 at 3.75 dirhams to the dollar.
If you want to be closer to the action, the new Raffles in Wafi City (Sheikh Rashid Road; 971-4-324-8888; www.dubai.raffles.com) is a good bet. The common areas are vast and daunting, but the rooms are spacious and comfortable. Rooms start at 1,750 dirhams.
The eight-room XVA Gallery in the arty Bastakiya neighborhood (971-4-353-5383; www.xvagallery.com), which feels like a North African souk, may be Dubai’s only boutique hotel. Rooms start at 500 dirhams.
Can T5's design conquer delays?
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Its opening may have been an unmitigated disaster of canceled flights, lost baggage and painful delays, but the architects behind Heathrow Terminal 5 say they hope their $8.6 billion colossus will eventually bring a different kind of drama to the traveling experience.
T5's architects say their building has a "generosity of light, space and air."
more photos »
Their aim, they say, is to create a departure from the usual story of passengers shuffling down interminable corridors of dull light into windowless caverns of lines and disorder,
Says Mike Davies, from Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the lead architect for T5, says: "we have tried to create a high quality of passenger experience by bringing back a generosity of light, space and air."
These may not have been the impressions of the terminal's first customers, many of whom spent the night sleeping on the building's floor as technical problems left them stranded.
But the architects insist, when it overcomes its teething problems, Terminal 5 should make flying a much more pleasant experience.
The journey from Paddington rail station in the center of London to check-in should take only 20 minutes. And passengers arriving by bus or taxi pull up in a separate building, cross flying bridges over a piazza of trees and benches and arrive into the towering space of the terminal.
As Davies says, this is a dramatic entry into what is clearly a very, very large space. The terminal is almost 400 meters long and 170 meters deep. But unlike Stansted airport -- another London airport of a similar depth -- there are no internal columns. Ten percent of the roof and every wall let natural light pour in. "We worked hard to make it feel as light filled as possible," says Davies.
British Airways, the sole occupant of Heathrow Terminal Five, has installed 96 check-in kiosks, the majority self-service to reduce lines. The baggage system -- which broke down on the opening day -- is "state of the art," says BA.
Once through security, there's more drama as passengers emerge onto a high-level balcony. Look behind and you'll see Windsor Castle and in front there are floor-to-ceiling views over the runways. As Davies says, "you don't emerge into a corridor looking for signs. Instead you can see your plane and intuitively understand how the whole system operates."
There's also a good view of the shops and restaurants. The retail focus here is high-end -- with the likes of Paul Smith and Harrods as well as the standard array of high street names.
Don't Miss
T5 tech failure causes Heathrow chaos
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners: T5
'Hassle Heathrow' new terminal opens
Dining is also at the fine end. British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has a restaurant, Plane Food, with its own cocktail bar and views across the runway.
The space uses a "common lounge" concept which means passengers can walk from shop to shop, gate to gate across one giant space.
From its new terminal, BA offers the largest lounge complex in the world with six lounge options as well as a spa. Once again, the key feature here is space and spectacular views across the building and runways.
Another unexpected feature is a series of art installations. In departures, a towering sculpture of neon lights in Chinese characters has been commissioned to coincide with an exhibition of Chinese design at London's V&A museum. And outside, two pieces by artists Langlands & Bell bookend the pedestrian plaza.
For Davies, T5 is not just a "cathedral-like space"; it is also a "piece of a city under one great roof". And being vertically, not horizontally spread as most other airports, it is also a "skyscraper" of a terminal. But Davies' final analogy is a "giant market hall" that, with no internal columns, can be adapted to meet the airport's changing needs.
Whether there are changes to security procedures or immigration, or to the airline's products and facilities, "the one thing we can be sure of is that, in 10 years' time, it will not be the same", says Davies
And even though Terminal 5 doesn't bring extra runway capacity to Heathrow, it is -- eventually -- expected to relieve some of the congestion and hassle that the airport has become renowned for.
"For the longer-term growth of Heathrow, this provides the shuffle space for them to start improving the rest of the airport," says
T5's architects say their building has a "generosity of light, space and air."
more photos »
Their aim, they say, is to create a departure from the usual story of passengers shuffling down interminable corridors of dull light into windowless caverns of lines and disorder,
Says Mike Davies, from Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the lead architect for T5, says: "we have tried to create a high quality of passenger experience by bringing back a generosity of light, space and air."
These may not have been the impressions of the terminal's first customers, many of whom spent the night sleeping on the building's floor as technical problems left them stranded.
But the architects insist, when it overcomes its teething problems, Terminal 5 should make flying a much more pleasant experience.
The journey from Paddington rail station in the center of London to check-in should take only 20 minutes. And passengers arriving by bus or taxi pull up in a separate building, cross flying bridges over a piazza of trees and benches and arrive into the towering space of the terminal.
As Davies says, this is a dramatic entry into what is clearly a very, very large space. The terminal is almost 400 meters long and 170 meters deep. But unlike Stansted airport -- another London airport of a similar depth -- there are no internal columns. Ten percent of the roof and every wall let natural light pour in. "We worked hard to make it feel as light filled as possible," says Davies.
British Airways, the sole occupant of Heathrow Terminal Five, has installed 96 check-in kiosks, the majority self-service to reduce lines. The baggage system -- which broke down on the opening day -- is "state of the art," says BA.
Once through security, there's more drama as passengers emerge onto a high-level balcony. Look behind and you'll see Windsor Castle and in front there are floor-to-ceiling views over the runways. As Davies says, "you don't emerge into a corridor looking for signs. Instead you can see your plane and intuitively understand how the whole system operates."
There's also a good view of the shops and restaurants. The retail focus here is high-end -- with the likes of Paul Smith and Harrods as well as the standard array of high street names.
Don't Miss
T5 tech failure causes Heathrow chaos
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners: T5
'Hassle Heathrow' new terminal opens
Dining is also at the fine end. British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has a restaurant, Plane Food, with its own cocktail bar and views across the runway.
The space uses a "common lounge" concept which means passengers can walk from shop to shop, gate to gate across one giant space.
From its new terminal, BA offers the largest lounge complex in the world with six lounge options as well as a spa. Once again, the key feature here is space and spectacular views across the building and runways.
Another unexpected feature is a series of art installations. In departures, a towering sculpture of neon lights in Chinese characters has been commissioned to coincide with an exhibition of Chinese design at London's V&A museum. And outside, two pieces by artists Langlands & Bell bookend the pedestrian plaza.
For Davies, T5 is not just a "cathedral-like space"; it is also a "piece of a city under one great roof". And being vertically, not horizontally spread as most other airports, it is also a "skyscraper" of a terminal. But Davies' final analogy is a "giant market hall" that, with no internal columns, can be adapted to meet the airport's changing needs.
Whether there are changes to security procedures or immigration, or to the airline's products and facilities, "the one thing we can be sure of is that, in 10 years' time, it will not be the same", says Davies
And even though Terminal 5 doesn't bring extra runway capacity to Heathrow, it is -- eventually -- expected to relieve some of the congestion and hassle that the airport has become renowned for.
"For the longer-term growth of Heathrow, this provides the shuffle space for them to start improving the rest of the airport," says
What's the best city in America?
(Travel + Leisure) -- Travel + Leisure, Headline News and CNN.com want to know which U.S. cities are your favorites -- and why!Let the debates begin
When Travel + Leisure announced the results of last year's America's Favorite Cities Survey, debates raged on television, in print and on the Internet: Was Chicago really the best destination for food and dining? Did Philadelphians deserve last place in the attractive citizens category? Are Seattle residents really the most intelligent in the country? How could sunny Los Angeles edge out surly New York as the least friendly city?
Cast your vote now
Here's your chance to tell us what YOU think. Visit TravelandLeisure.com/afc/survey from March 7 to June 15, take the 2008 America's Favorite Cities Survey and enter to win a dream trip for two. We want to know: Which of these 25 urban contenders has the best shoe shopping or ethnic eats? Where would you go for a romantic escape? Which cities have the best (and worst) museums, theater and live music? If you want a wild weekend or a relaxing retreat, which urban destination would you visit? You know best, so tell us!
Don't Miss
Travel + Leisure: America's Favorite Cities survey
Travel + Leisure: America's Favorite Cities 2007 results
What's new in 2008
We've streamlined the online survey so you can rate your favorite U.S. cities even faster. Rate one city, two or more! You'll find some new questions (Where would you go for holiday travel? What city has the best cafes and coffee bars?), and past choice categories, ranging from culture, shopping and nightlife to visitor experience ... and of course where to find America's most attractive people.
Vote and explore
Log on to TravelandLeisure.com starting March 7 and vote for your favorite cities. While you're there, enter the sweepstakes to win the trip of a lifetime. And be sure to check out the complete results of last year's America's Favorite Cities Survey to see how your town fared in
When Travel + Leisure announced the results of last year's America's Favorite Cities Survey, debates raged on television, in print and on the Internet: Was Chicago really the best destination for food and dining? Did Philadelphians deserve last place in the attractive citizens category? Are Seattle residents really the most intelligent in the country? How could sunny Los Angeles edge out surly New York as the least friendly city?
Cast your vote now
Here's your chance to tell us what YOU think. Visit TravelandLeisure.com/afc/survey from March 7 to June 15, take the 2008 America's Favorite Cities Survey and enter to win a dream trip for two. We want to know: Which of these 25 urban contenders has the best shoe shopping or ethnic eats? Where would you go for a romantic escape? Which cities have the best (and worst) museums, theater and live music? If you want a wild weekend or a relaxing retreat, which urban destination would you visit? You know best, so tell us!
Don't Miss
Travel + Leisure: America's Favorite Cities survey
Travel + Leisure: America's Favorite Cities 2007 results
What's new in 2008
We've streamlined the online survey so you can rate your favorite U.S. cities even faster. Rate one city, two or more! You'll find some new questions (Where would you go for holiday travel? What city has the best cafes and coffee bars?), and past choice categories, ranging from culture, shopping and nightlife to visitor experience ... and of course where to find America's most attractive people.
Vote and explore
Log on to TravelandLeisure.com starting March 7 and vote for your favorite cities. While you're there, enter the sweepstakes to win the trip of a lifetime. And be sure to check out the complete results of last year's America's Favorite Cities Survey to see how your town fared in
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