Children singing at Beyaz su

Entertaining visitors and generating family income ...

Sunday relaxation - let your hair down Turkish-style

 

People in Turkey love picnics. They take every opportunity to go outside with family and friends, taking the samovar, all kinds of food, and maybe a small portable barbecue. They have a meal, drink endless glasses of tea, chat, might even take an instrument, and play music, but it’s very likely that they would burst into songs at one point.

Beyaz su (Ava Spî) is a very popular picnic spot in the Midyat area. It’s located at Sivrice (Dalîn) village between Midyat and Nusaybin, but people even from Mardin and Diyarbakir flock here for a relaxing day spent with chatting and music, eating freshly barbecued fish.

What to see in Istanbul in January

Istanbul may have said farewell to being the European Capital of Culture and passed the title over to Turku and Tallin but it remains the vibrant city it has always been. Istanbul has been named as the most dynamically developing city and elected as the most popular future travel destination (see here). Once you’re done with the usual must-sees, there still is a lot more on offer. Istanbul keeps its buzz, and offers cultural events showcasing everything from traditional heritage to the latest innovations and moves in arts let it be visual or music.

So, a taster of what to see and listen to in January: