Turkey has 2 cities in the top ten list of The World’s Most Visited Cities in 2022. Antalya, which is located in Southern Turkey, is one of the most attractive destination for tourist with its beautiful beaches, history and liberal stance. And Istanbul, which is the capital city of the 3 empires during its 8,500 years old history. 4-5 days can be enough to see the top touristic attractions in Istanbul, but to explore the city in the fields of history, gastronomy, art, shopping and fun, more days needed to spend. As it would be so hard to experience everything in the city for most of the visitors, some decisions have to be made through your preferences. Here is Illusthrone’s Best Things To Do List including Top Touristic Attractions in Istanbul, which will be helpful to pick and skip easily for planning.

• Helicopter Sightseeing over the Bosphorus and the Historical Peninsula
• Topkapı Palace
• Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque
• Yacht Tour on the Bosphorus (with an expert guide about the water front mansions and historical constructions on the seaway)
• Hagia Sophia
• The Grand Bazaar
• Hippodrome of Constantinople
• Dolmabahce Palace
• The Basilica Cistern
• The Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Market)
• Fashion Tour at Nisantasi, Macka, Beyoglu districts (for Turkish designers)
• Antique Stores at Nuruosmaniye and Cukurcuma
• Shopping at Zorlu Center and Istinye Park
• Bagdat Street (for cafés and restaurants – modern Turkish life)
• Galataport
• Moda District
• Salt Galata
• Miniaturk, Legoland and Kidzania for kids
• Bebek District
• Dinner at Fish Restaurants of the long Bosphorus Coast on both sides (Europe & Asia).
• Street Food Tour
• Galata Tower
• Kuzguncuk District
• Long Bosphorus Ferry Tour with City Lines
• Suleymaniye Mosque
• Istiklal Street
• Istanbul Rooftops and Terraces Tour
• Balat & Fener District
• Gulhane Park
• Ferikoy Flea Market
• St.Antoine Church
• Cicek Pasaji
• Whirling Dervishes’ Performance
• Bath & Massage at Kilic Ali Pasa Hammam
• Night out at Bomontiada
• The Chora Church
• Rustem Pasa Mosque
• Walls of Constantinople
• The Prince’s Islands
• Fenerbahce & Kalamis Districts
• Buyuk Mecidiye (Ortakoy) Mosque
• Maiden Tower
• Rumeli Fortress
• Sakip Sabanci Museum
• Greek Orthodox Patriarchate & St.George Church
• Rahmi M. Koc Museum
• Hagia Irene
• Golden Horn

Illusthrone’s team is always ready to arrange spectacular and private tailor-made tours. Please contact us for the further information via info@illusthrone.com.

Cappadocia, ancient district in east-central Anatolia, situated on the rugged plateau north of the Taurus Mountains, in the centre of present-day Turkey. The boundaries of the region have varied throughout history. Cappadocia’s landscape includes dramatic expanses of soft volcanic rock, shaped by erosion into towers, cones, valleys, and caves. Rock-cut churches and underground tunnel complexes from the Byzantine and Islamic eras are scattered throughout the countryside.

Neolithic pottery and tools found in Cappadocia attest to an early human presence in the region. Excavations at the modern town of Kültepe have uncovered the remains of the Hittite-Assyrian city of Kanesh, dating from the 3rd. millennium bce. The tens of thousands of clay tablets recovered from the remains of an Assyrian merchant colony at Kanesh are among the oldest written documents discovered in Turkey.

One of the top destinations that deserve a place on your travel bucket list is Cappadocia for sure. To visit this city of fairy tale at fullest, Illusthrone designing a tailor-made tour. Here are some ideas you may expericence perfectly by Illusthrone.

HIGHLIGHTS IN CAPPADOCIA

• Private Hot Air Balloon Tour during sunrise over the fairy chimneys. 
• Breakfast at the valley with baloons view
• Private tour at Goreme Open Air Museum, and more.
• Private wine tasting at the valley
• Pottery making class
• Private dinner at Hallac church
• Whirling Dervish Dance with orchestra
• Private Horse Riding Tour
• Private ATV Tour
• Cooking class at local house
• Private dinner at the church of Argos
• DJ & Private Party after dinner
• Private Tour at Forty Martyrs Church
• Helicopter Tour over Cappadocia

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

• Argos in Cappadocia
• Ariana Sustainable Luxury Lodge
• Kayakapi Premium Caves
• Sacred House

Is it possible for the middle class to live a luxury life in the metaverse ? It doesn’t seem possible for now, as the luxury brands are already rubbing their hands when they are getting ready for the new world.

Although it seemed pointless to spned a lot of money on the items used in the games at first, we suddenly realized that we were thinking wrong. And now it is pretty obvious that millions of people are ready to open their wallets for luxury consuption in the metaverse. As the luxury brands are following the accelerated trend seriously, they are already in process to get ready the virtual versions of their fancy products, and it is not out of the picture that more extreme and unique products are on the way only for the metaverse. Don’t even think that those luxury goods will be unlimited quantities, because you are in the virtual world. Users who purchase them receive an NFT (non-fungible token) as a virtual certification of ownership. In our real life, most of the brands have overproduction and at the end of the season, it is inevitable to encounter big discounts. In the metaverse, there will be no price drops due to overproduction, because there will be no need to stock products. So, rich fastionistas will probably continue to keep their place on the waiting list for years but to get a virtual Birkin bag this time in the metaverse.

Old fashions can join new trends. Due to the long years of experience and accumulated designs and products of the brands, it will be easy, fast and low cost to adapt their existing works to the virtual world.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says “Avatars will be as common as profile pictures today, but instead of a static image, they’re going to be living 3D representations of you, your expressions, your gestures that are going to make interactions much richer than anything that’s possible online today. You’ll probably have a photo realistic avatar for work, a stylized one for hanging out, and maybe even a fantasy one for gaming. You’re going to have a wardrobe of virtual clothes for different occasions designed by different creators and from different apps and experiences.”

Gucci, Prada, Balmain, Adidas and Nike have taken their first steps in to the metaverse last year. But, LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault is cautious of the metaverse “bubble”. The luxury executive is taking a wait-and-see approach to digital 3D worlds and products. “We have to see what will be the applications of the metaverse and NFTs. It can undoubtedly have a positive impact —if it is well done — on the activity of the brands, but it is not our objective to sell virtual sneakers at €10. We are not interested in that.” Arnault said.

“Metaverse gaming and non-fungible tokens could represent a revenue opportunity of 50 billion euros for the luxury market by 2030. NFTs and social gaming present two near-term opportunities for luxury brands, allowing them to monetize their vast IP (intellectual property) built over decades” Morgan Stanley said. Dolce & Gabbana’s sale of nine NFTs for $5.7 million shows the huge potential for “virtual and hybrid luxury goods.” Morgan Stanley estimates that the total NFT market will grow to around $300 billion by 2030. Kering, the owner of luxury brands; Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, is best placed to take advantage of the metaverse because of its “brand demographics and given head start in innovative digital collaborations,” Morgan Stanley said.

All suppliers are preparing for the race among the inhabitants of the new world. Is everyone ready to dress up their avatar in the best way possible, send it on the most luxurious vacation, drive it in the most supercar, dine at the best restaurant and attend the coolest parties ?

Editorial